The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-07-24
CHAPTER V-continued.

s.
could not but connect him with
our presence there. Leroux was due
TO arrive at any moment I realized
that great issues We're at stake, that
the man would never cease in his at
tempts to get hold of JacqueIine Only
when l had returned her to her ia
theirs house would I feel safe from
him.
After dinner I had some cOnversa-
ton with one of the hotel clerks. I
discovered that st. Boniface was
little known, the only occupants of
those parts being trappers and Indians
"You could hire dogs and a sleigh
at st. BOniface for wherever your final
destination is" he said. because the
dog mail has been suspended owing to
the new government mail boats, and
their SleighS are idle. I think Captain
Dubois would take you on his boat as
far as that point, and l believe he
makes his next trip in a couple of
days"
He gave me the captains address,
and resolved to call on him early the
Following day and make arrangements.
took Jacqueline for a stroll on the
terrace, and while we walked 1 pom
dered over the problem. Jacoueline
was very quiet, and I wondered what
she remembered. 1 dreaded always
awakening her memory. lest, with that
of her home, came that other of the
dead man.
Our rooms were on the side of the
Chateau facing the town, and as we
passed beneath the arch l saw two
men standing no great distance away
and watching US. it seemed to me.
One wore the cassock of a priest.
and 1 could have sworn that he was
Pere Antoine; the other resembIed the
suspicious stranger. As we drew near
they moved behind d pillar. Thus, in
exorably, the chase drew near.
My suspicious received confirmation
a few minutes later for we had hardly
reached our rooms, and 1 was, in fact,
standing at the door of Jacqueline's,
bidding her good night when a beIlboy
came along the passage and announced
that the gentleman whom l was ex-
pecting was coming up the stairs.
said good night to Jacqueline and
went into my room and waited. 1 had
thought it would be the stranger but
1t was the priest
invited him to enter and he came
in and stood with his fur cap on his
head, looking direfully at me-
Well, monsieur, what is the pur-
pose of this visit?" 1 asked.
ITO tell yOu," he Numbered, "that |
you must give up the unhappy woman |
who has accompanied you here"
'"That is precisely what intend to |
do" 1 answered.
ITO me-" he said. ''Her husband" |
1 felt my brain whirling I knew
now that l had always cherished a |
hope, despite the ring-what a fool l |
had been!
Il married them" continued Pere
Antoine.
where is he?" I demanded.
He appeared disconnected. 1 gath
cred from his stare that he had sup
posed 1 knew
"This is a Catholic country" he
went on more quietly. There is no |
divorce; there can be none Marriage
is sacrament. Shining as she is"
1 placed my hand on his shoulder. |
Il wiz not hear any more" 1 said. |
go" pointed toward the door.
L Az, going to take her away with |
me" IL said, and crossing the thresh-
Old int the corridor placed one hand |
on the door of JacQueline's room.
&C. there first 1 thrust him vio- |
lentIy aside-it was like pushing n /
monuHent-turned the key. which |
happily was still outside, and put 1t in |
my pocket
Il am ready to deal with her hus-
oand, said. Il am not ready to |
deal with you. Leave at once or I |
will have you arrested, priest or no |
priest. How do 1 know she has hus-
band? How do 1 know you are not in |
league with her prosecutors? How do |
know you are a priest at all?"
He seemed amazed at the violence
of my manner.
'SThis is the first time my priesthood |
has been denied" he said quietly
''Weil, 1 have offered you your chance. |
1 cannot use violence. If you refuse
you will bring your own punishment
upon your head. and hers on that of
the unhappy woman whom you have
led into SIM"
Cor l shouted. pointing down the
passage.
He turned and went, his soutane
sweeping against the door of JacGue-
lines room as he went by.
unlocked the door of Jacqueline's
room. I saw her standing at the foot
of the bed. Her face was white. As
entered she looked up plteously at
me.
-'Wb.-was-that2" she asked in
frightened whisper.
"An impudent fellOw-that is al.
Jacqueline"