The Elbert County tribune., 1919-08-08
CHAPTER XVI.
Louis d'Epernay.

h6 uttered an Oatn and took two
steps backward. but saw that he was
unarmed and that he realized his help
iessness. He flung his hands above his
head and 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" I answered. at
is about lie Well Ange, is 1t notr
by God. 1 did not meant swear
$50 you, monsieur-listen, monsieur,
one moment only" he stammered.
Lower your pistol. You see that
am unarmed"
lowered 1t. We'll. say what you
have to say" said to him.
'Leroux is a devil |" he burst out,
with no pretended passion. II want
you to help me, NJ. Hewlett, and 1
can help you IN a way you do not
dream of. M. Hewlett, how much do
you think this seigniory is worth?"
"Some half million dollars, per-
haps."
He came close to me and hissed into
my ear: Monsieur, there is more gold
worldi Look herei 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 I had misjudged his
courage, I think, for 1t was avarice
and not fear that made him tremble.
ut is everywhere, monsieurl" cried
Lacroix. 'In this stream, In these
hills, too. You can gather q mortar
full of earth anywhere and 1t will show
color when 1t ia washed. We found
this place together"
you and Leroux?"
mol 1 and"
he broke off suddenly and eyed me
with furtive cunning.
Eyes, yes, monsieur, Leroux and 1.
And we two worked here together
with. nothing more than picks and
shovels and mortars and pestles, Le-
roux and 1. There was nobody else
1t is the richest gold deposit In the
world, NJ. Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nor Jean Petitjean knows the secret
only Leroux and I. One cannot light
upon this place save by a miracle of
chance, such as brought you here. God
put this treasure in these hills, and he
did not mean 1t to be found"
1 grasped him by the shoulder. do
you see what this means?" 1 shouted.
: 1T means glorious life ~ he cried.
"All the wealth In the world"
mo, 1t means death r. I answered.
1T means that If Leroux succeeds in
killing me he will kill you tool Do
you suppose that he will share his
hoard with your
mo, NJ. Hewlett" answered LacroIx
quietly. "And that is precisely what
1 wanted to say to you. You are not
hog like Leroux; can trust you.
Come with me. monsieur. 4 don't know
how you got into the wrong passage.
but 1t 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 at the tunnel entrance.
under brilliant moon and the chateau
was before me.
l strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door In the dark wing,
entered the hall and ascended the
stairway, took the turn to the right
and passed through the little hall.
heard Leroux's harsh voice within.
and If stopped outside 1t was not
IN fndecision but because I meant to
make sure Of my man this tmIe.
Il want you, Jacqueline," heard
him say in a voice which betrayed no
throb Of passion. "And am going to
have you. always have my way.
Am not like that weak fool Hewlett"
1T was sent him away. not you."
abe cried. do you think he was
nfraid Of your"
LAfpux looked at her In admiration