Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-08-08
CHAPTER XIX.
The Bait That Lured.

half way through when saw shadow
running in front of me and making no
sound.
1t was Duchaine. There could be no
mistaking that tall, gaunt figure. just
visible against the distant day.
raced along the tunnel after him.
But he seemed to be endowed with the
speed of a deer, for he kept his dis
tance easily, and I would never have
caught him had he not stopped for an
instant at the approach Of the ledge.
There, just as he was poising him.
self to leap, seized him by the arm.
He did not attempt violence but
gazed at me with hesitation and pa
thetic doubt.
IN. Duchaine," I pleaded, won't
you come back with me and let us talk
1t over? Jacqueline is with me"
mo, no." he cried, laughing. "You
can't catch me with such a trick as
that. My little daughter has gone to
New York to make our fortunes at M.
Daly's gaming house. She will be back
soon, loaded down with gold"
'She has come back" I answered.
"She is not fifty yards away"
with gold?" he inquired, looking at
me doubtfully.
with gold" I answered. trying to
allure his imagination as Leroux had
done. "She has rich gold, red gold,
such as you will love. You can take
up the coins in your fingers and let
the gold srream slip through them.
Come with. monsieur"
l grasped him by the arm and tried
to lead him with me. My argument
had moved him. I thought 1 had won.
But just as I started back into the
tunnel, holding the arm of the old
man. who fingered reluctantly and yet
began to yield, pebble leaped from
the rocky platform and rebounded
from the cliff. I cast a backward
glance. and there upon the opposite
side saw Leroux standing.
"Bonjour. M. HEWLETT" he called
across the chasm. "Don't be afraid of
me any more than am afraid of you.
Just wait moment. I want to talk
business"
II have no business to talk with
you" 1 answered.
But did not say it was with you,
monsieur" he answered in sneering
tones. ''It is with our friend Duchaine
Hola, Duchaine!"
At the sound of Leroux's voice the
old man Strengthened himself and be-
gan muttering and looking from the
one to the other of US undecidedly.
Suddenly / saw him turn his head
and fix his eyes upon Leroux. He
craned his neck forward; and then
very slowly, he began to walk toward
his prosecutor. I craned my neck.
Leroux was holding out-the rou
lette wheeli
"Come along, Charles, my friend
he cried. "Come, let US try our for
tunes Don't you want to stake some
money upon your system against me?'
The old figure had leaped forward
over the ledge, and in a moment LIE
rotlx had grasped him and pulled hin
into the tunnel.
encountered her in the passage Jus
where the light and darkness blended
standing with arms stretched ou
against the wall to steady herself; ant
in her eyes was that look which telk
man more surely than anything,
think, can, that a woman loves him
"Oh, I thought you were dead!" sh
sObbed, and fell into my arms.
1 held her tightly to support her
and led her back to the gold cave
In a few words 1 explained what ha,
occurred.
"Now Jacqueline, you must let m
guide you," said. Don't you see tina
there is no chance for us unless w
leave your father for the presen
where he is and make our own escape
We can reach Pere Antoine's cabi
soon after midday, and we can tel
him your father is prisoner here. II
would not come with US, Jacquelint
even if he were here"
She did not respond. It was tn
safety of us two and her fathers lif
assured, against a miserable fate fo
: her, and l knew not what for m,
though 1 thought Leroux would Civ
me little shrift once was in his powe
again.
, She was so silent that l thought
: had convinced her. 1 urged her to he
: feet. But suddenly heard stealth
: football close at hand, between tt
cave and the cataract.
thought it was Charles Duchain
hoped it was Leroux. I placed n
finger on Jacqueline's lips and crel
, stealthily to the passage, revolver
hand.
Then, in the gloom, saw the villai
: GUS face of Jean Petitjean looking in
mine, twelve PAGES away, and in h
hand was a revolver too.
: We fired together. But the surpri
e spoiled his aim, for his bullet whi
tied past me- 1 think my shot stru,
him somewhere, for he. uttered a "
e and began running back along t
tunnel as hard as he could.
I followed him, firing as fast as
could reload. Fortune helped the RI
fan. for when l reached the light
e was scrambling across the ledge, al
:" before I could cover him he had ST.
l. ceeded in disappearing behind the pl
= 1ecting rock on the other side.
J. So Leroux had already sealed O
= exit-that by the Old Angel, whe
n the road led into the main passa.
II God grant that he had not time
al reach the exit by the minel
D. If 1 made haste! If I made hast
e But 1 would not argue the matter a
n further. I ran back at full speed,
% reached the cave.
s. "Jacqueline! Come, comet"
sailed.
- She did not answer.
y, 1 ran forward, peering round me
=. the obscurity. I saw her near I
~ earth-sacks, lying upon her side. E
eyes were closed, her face as VIII
-. as a dead woman's.
. The bullet from Jean Petitjean's
- volver that nissed me must have n,
etrated her body.
She lived, for her breast stir
e