The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-09-18
CHAPTER XVI.
louis 6Epernay.


Ha uttered an oath and took two
stspe backward. but saw that he was
unaFmed and that he realised his help
Soosness. He flung his hands above his
head and stood facing me. surprise
and terror twisting his features into
. Srimacing grin.
Il have something Of Importance to
~ to you, monsieur." he began.
T can believe that" / answered. s1t
y about 10 Well Ange. IL It notr'
by God. did not mean-I swear
- you. nonsisur-listen, monsieur.
one moment only" he stammered.
Lower your pistol. You SEQ that
am unarmed
I lowered u. We'll. cay what you
have to say" said to him.
Leroux u Q dsvili" hs burst out.
With no pretended passioo. Il want
you TO help me. n. Hewlett, and I
can help you In Q way you do not
dream Of. n. Hewlett, how much do
you think this ssiGniory Il woethr'
"Some half q million dollars, per
,Aaps."
He came close to me and Kissed into
}my ear: "Aonsieur. there 70 more gold
b these rocks than anywhere In the
Wosidi Look hersl HERR
He stopped down and began tossing
peobles at my feet But they were
psbblss Of pure gold and each one Of
tAsm Was ~ large ~ the nrst Joint Of
my thumb. And had miajudgsd his
courage. I think. for It was avariee
and not fear that made him tremble.
1T u everywhere. monsieur I" cried
LAcrotx '.In this stream, in these
Aflls. too. You can gather . mortar
fsl Of earth anywhere and 1t win show
color when 1t u washed. We found
this place together-
you and Lerouxr
mol I and
He broke Oh suddenly and eyed mo
with fuxtive cunning.
Yea -. monsieur, Leroux and L
AID W two worked here together.
WIN nothing more than picks and
ahovels and mortars and pestles, LIE
suux and L There was nobody else.
q y the Richest gold deposit in the
world. II Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nsr Jean Petitjean knows the secret
ooay Leroux and I One cannot Light
upon this place save by q miracle Of
Glance, such ~ brought you here. God
put this treasure in these hills, and he
ID not mean It to be found"
graspsd him BY the shoulder. do
you zee what this meansr I shouted.
TT means q glorious life I" he cried.
sAn the wealth In the world"
: sNo, Il means deathw answered.
m means that II Leroux succeeds in
hliing me he win kin you tool Do
IN suppose that he will share his
Aaerd with your
sNo, II Hewlett" answered Lacroix
apastly. *And that u precisely what
wanted b say to you. You are not
. bog like Leroux: can trust you.
Cume with me. m0nsdeur. don't knew
hew you got into the wrong passage.
but It IL almple-straight ahead. Come
with mel win precede you"
/ followed him into the darkness,
and very soen heard the sound Of the
cataract aaain. And then once more
was standing at the tunnel entrance,
under q brilliant moon and the chateau
was before me.
strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door In the dark wing
entered the hall and ascended the
subway. took the turn to the right
ard passed through the little hall. I
Sheard Leroux's harsh voice within.
ard e stopped Outside It was not
IN INDIGESTION but because meant to
make sure Of my man this TIME.
>,.~I want you. Jacquelins." heard
In cay IN q voiee which betrayed no
{Axob Of passion. ~AAd am going to
haye you. I always have my way. I
- nat IKE that weak fool Hewlett"
TT wos I ssot him away, not you"
~ esel De ysa think ~ was
aGEaA = yesF