The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1919-08-22
CHAPTER XIV.
III
won-and oef

We must have stood confronting
each other for fully a minute. Then
Leroux dropped his hands and smiled
sourIy at me.
"You seem--temporarily-to have
the advantage Of me, NJ. Hewlett" he
said. II respect your pertinacIty, and
now at last am content in having
discovered the motive Of your enter
prise. | thought you were hired by
Carson. II you had been frank with
me we might have come to an under
standing long ago.
"You may leave us, Nine. d'Eper.
nay" he said TO Jacqueline. "No
doubt your absence will spare your
feelings, for we are going to be frank
in our speech"
Il thank you forpyour consideration,
Nj. Leroux." replied Jacqueline. and
walked quietly out ofythe room.
LerouX sat down heavily.
Il will put down my cards." he said.
II have you here in my power. have
four men with me. This dotard"-he
glanced contemptuously Mt old Du-
-chnine-"has no bearing on the situa-
zion. You can, of course. kill me but
that would not help you. Where is
Louis d'EpernayT
II have never seen the man." I re-
piled.
Leroux glanced incredulously ut me.
u don't know why you are lying to
me-" he said. 1T Is not to your adj
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. I'M
flefs-"
Listen TO mel' I cried furiously.
II will not be badgered with any more
questions. I have told you the truth.
i met Nine. d'Epernay by accident.
and escorted her toward the chateau
and followed her after you kidnapped
her. TO protect her from you"
He scowled at me ferociously, and
then he began studying my face.
returned stare for stare. Finally he
banged his big fist down upon the
table.
well, II doesn't matter" he said.
because whatever your purpose you
cannot do any harm. And you under
stand that she Is married woman.
$50 you will, no doubt, agree to take
your money and departT
81 shall 20 IL she tells me to co."
4 answered but even while spoke my
heart sank. for had little hope.
"That Is easily settled" answered
1,eroux. II Will bring her back and
you shall hear the decision from her
own lips"
He left the room. and I sat there
alone beside the dotard, listening to
the click Of the ball and the chink
of the coins and the roar of the twin
cataracts above.
ness In Leroux's latest mood. I did
not trust the man. for all his blunt
ness. I suspected something, and
did 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"
bhtu beIOuA W HeTs ID IL your WISH |
that he remain or goT
"Oh. want you TO go. monsieur" |
asid Jacqueline, clasping her hands
plendlngly.
"Are you saying this OF your own
free will. Jacqueline?" cried.
She nodded, and / saw Slmon's evil
face creased with suppressed mirth.
I rose up. "Adieu, then, madame"
] said. "But first permit me to restore
the money that I have been keeping
for you" And / took out my pocket
book.
Simon looked at me lncredulously. |
II do not understand you In the
lcnst now. NJ. Hewlett" he exclaimed. |
"You are to keep the money I do not |
70 back upon my bargains"
1T is not. however. your money"
I rctortcd. though knew that IL soon |
would be. Naturally do not carry
eight thousand dollars about with
me. ] shall give you a check"
Lcroux burst into loud laughter and |
capped me heartily upon the shoulder.
paul Hewlett" he said with genu- |
inc admiration. "you are good rs a
play. Well, let us take your check,
and II shall be accepted In full settle
ment." He winked at me and thrust |
his tongue into his cheek.