The Connecticut labor press., 1919-07-26
CHAPTER XIV.
 -11- r Won--and Lost.


 each other for fully minute. Then LeFoux dropped his hands and smiled Sourly at me.
 'You seem-temporarily have the advantage of me, M. Hewlett" he said. q respect your pertinacity, and now at last I am content in having discovered the motive of your enter prise. thought you were hired by Carson. If you had been frank with me we might have come to an under standing long ago.
 "You may leave us, Mime. d'Eper- nay,1 he said to Jaequeline. ''No doubt your absence will spare your feelings for we are going to be frank in our speech" 4 -<. s..
 "I thank you for your consideration, M. Leroux," replied JacqueItne, and walked quietly out of the room. F..
 Leroux sat down heavily.
 q will put down my cards" he said. "I nave you here in my power. I have four men with me. This dotard"-he glanced eontemptuously at old Du- chaine- 'has no bearing on the situa- tton. You can, of course, kill me; but that would not help you Where is Louis d'Epernay" ...-
 q have never seen the man," re- piled. .,., s.4. ..s D.
 Leroux glanced incredulously at me.
 'I don't know why you are lying to me-" he said. 'Tt is not to your ad- vantage. You must have known that she was in New York; Louis must have told Carson, and he must have told you. And. Louis must have told you the secret. of the entrance, un- aess-" ttr-tf ~& Y -..e
 "Listen to mel" I cried furiousIy. ~'I will not be badgered with any more questions. have told you the truth. I met Mme. d'Epernay by accident, and escorted her toward the chateau and followed her after you Kidnapped her, to. protect her from you" 4
 He scowled at me ferocfously, and then he began studying my face. I returned stare for stare. Finally he banged his big fist down upon the table. | z
 'sWelI, it doesn't matter" he said, -Hbecause whatever your purpose you cannot do any harm. And you under stand that she is a married woman So you will, no doubt, agree to take your money and depart?"
 q shall go if she tells me to go," I answered; but even while I spoke my heart sank, for I had little hope,
 'sThaS is easily settled" answered Leroux q will bring her back and you shall hear the decision from her own lips" s.
 He left the room, and I sat there nlone beside the dotard, listening to the click of the ball and the chink of the coins and the roar of the twin cataracts above.
 There had been a sinister smooth ness in Leroux's latest mood. I did mot trust the man, for all his blunt ness. I suspected something, and dld not intend to relax my guard.
 Leroux came back with Jacqueline before I could decide.
 "If you bid him, madame. M. Hew- lett is willing to take his departure," !" said Leroux to her. *'Is it your wish that he remain or go?" -fs. sst d
 "Oh, I want you to go. monsieur said Jacqueline, clasping her hands pleadingly. s1 ./ .
 'Are you saying this of your own free will. JaequelineT' I cried.
 She nodded, and I saw Simon's evil face creased with suppressed mtrth.
 I rose up. "Adieu, then, madame D ] said. 'sBut first permit me to restore the money that have been keeping for you" And took out my pocket book.
 Simon looked at me incredulously.
 q do not understand you in the least now, M. Hewlett,'' he exclaimed. You are to keep the money. do not go back upon my bargains"
 'It is not, however, your money" I retorted, though I knew thatfit soon would be. Naturally do not carry eight thousand dollars about with me. shall give you a check"
 Leroux burst into loud laughter and eIapped me heartily upon the shoulder.
 Paul Hewlett" he said with genu- fine admiyation, "you are good as a play. Well, let us take your check, and it shall be accepted in full settle meat.'' He winked at me and thrust his tongue into his cheek.
 I was too sick at heart to pay at- dendon to his buffoonery. | sat down at the table and, taking up pen which lay there, wrote a check for eight thousand dollars, making it out to Jaequeline d'Epernay. This hand ed to her..
 "Adieu, madame" said
 "Adfeu, monsieur" she answered al- most inaudibly, her head bent low. went out of the room. still grip ping my pistol, and I took care to let Simon see it as we descended the stairs side by side. The noisy laugh ter in the ballroom had ceased, but heard Raoul and Jean Petitjean quar- re1ing, and their thick voices told me that they were in no condition to aid their master.
 Then there was only Leroux and Philippe Lacroix to deal with. could have saved the situation.
 What a fool had been! What an drresolute fool! I never learned.
 As we reached the bottom of the stairs Philippe Lacroix came out of -tlle ballroom carrying candle. I saw his melancholy, pale face twist with sDyEr,rise as he perceived me.
 "phillppe, thls is M. Paul Hewlett" rs9d Letouy- Tomorrow you will con-