The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-09-05
CHAPTER XVI.
Louis d'Epernay.

He uttered an oath and took two
steps backward, but I saw that he was
unarmed and that he realized his help
iessness. He flung his hands above his
head aud stood facing me, surprise
and terror twisting his features into
a grimacing grin.
II have something Of Importance to
say to you, monsieur" he began.
II can believe that" answered. at
Is about le Well Ange, Is 1t not?"
"By God. did not mean-I swear
10 you, monsieur-listen, monsieur,
one moment only" he stammered.
~Lower your pistol. You see that I
am unarmedH
I lowered It. We'll, say what you
have to say" said to him.
Leroux Is devilp' he burst out.
with no pretended passion. II want
you to help me, M. Hewlett, and I
can help you In n way you do not
dream of. NJ. Hewlett. how much do
you think this seigniory is worth?"
"Some half million dollars, per-
haps."
He came close to me and Kissed into
my ear: Monsieur, there Is more gold
in these rocks han anywhere In the
world! Look herel Here"
He stopped down and began tossing
pebbles at my feet. But they were
pebbles Of pure gold and each one Of
them was as large as the first joint OF
my thumb. And / had misjudged his
courage, / think, for II was avarice
and not fear that made him tremble.
1T is everywhere, monsieur" cried
Lacroix. "In this stream, in these
hills, too. You can gather mortar
full Of earth anywhere and it will show
color when it is washed. We found
this place together"
"You and Leroux"
"Nol / and" I
He broke off suddenly and eyed me
with furtive cunning.
"Yes, yes, monsieur, Leroux and /.
And we two worked here together,
with nothing more than picks and
shovels and mortars and pestles, Lee
roux and !. There was nobody else.
It Is the richest gold deposit in the
world, M. Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nor Jean Petitjean knows the secret
only Leroux md !. One cannot light
upon this place save by miracle Of
chance, such as brought you here. God
put this treasure In these hills, and he
did not mean It to be found"
grasped him by the shoulder. do
you see what this ElcansT shouted.
az a,In 70 he. tal
"All the wealth in the world"
"No, II means deathi' / answered.
at means that IL Leroux succeeds In
killing me he will kill yon tool Do
you suppose that he will share his
hoard with your
"No, M. Hewlett" answered Lacroix
quietly. "And that is precisely what
I wanted to say to you. You are not
a hog like Leroux; can trust you.
Come with me- monsieur. don't know
how you got into the wrong passage,
but It is simple-straight ahead. Come
with mel / will precede you"
followed him into the darkness,
and very soon heard the sound of the
cataract again. And then once more
/ was standing ut the tunnel entrance,
under a brilliant moon and the chateau
was before me.
I strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door In the dark wing,
entered the hall and ascended the
stairway. took the turn 10 the right
and passed through the little hnll. I
heard Leroux's harsh voice within,
and IL I stopped outside IL was not
In indecision but because ! meant to
make sure OF my man this tmie.
T want you. JncQucllDe," j heard
him say In voice which betrayed no
<hrob Of passion. "And 1 am going to
have you. always have my way. ]
am not like that weak fon Hewlett"
~It was I sent him away, not you"
she cried. do you think he was
afraid Of your
Leroux looked at her in admiration.