The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-10-02
CHAPTER Xix.
The Bait That Lursd.


49,
The Bait That Lursd.
Invent along the tunnel In the direc-
ton Of lie Well Ange, picking my way
very carefully. peering into the numer-
pus small caves and assures in the
wall on either hand. And was about
half way through when I saw a shadow
running in front Of me and making no
sound.
1t was Duchaine. There could be no
installing 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
tahce easily. and I would never have
caught him had he not stopped for an
instant at the approach Of the ledge.
There. just a. he was poising him
self to leap. seised him BY the arm.
he did not attempt violence but
gaxed at mo with hesitation and pa
thetie doubt.
N. Duchaine," I pleaded. won't
You come back with me and let US talk
It overt JacQueline 10 with me-"
"No, no." he cried, laughing. ''You
can't catch mo with such q trick as
that. Ny little daughter has gone to
New York to make our fortunes at ~.
Daly's gaming house. She will be back
soon. loaded down with gold"
''She has come back" answered.
s6he II not fifty yar6s away" :.
with soldf" he inquired. looking at
me doubtfully.
with gold" answered. trying to
allure his Imagination as Leroux had
done. "she has rich gold. red gold.
such ~ you will love. You can take
up the coins In your fingers and let
the gold stream slip through them.
Come with. monsieur"
grasped him BY the arm and tried
to lead him with me. Ny argument
had moved him. I thought 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, q pebble leaped from
the rocky platform and rebounded
from the cliff. I cast q backward
glance. and there upon the opposite
side saw Leroux standing.
"Bonjour. n. HEWLETT" he called
across the chasm. Don't be afraid Of
me any more than am afraid of you.
Just wait q moment I want to talk
business"
II have no business to talk with
you" answered.
But did not say It was with You,
monsieur." he answered in sneering
tones. TT IL with our friend Duchaine.
Hola. DuchaineT"
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 nx 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
tunesi Don't you want to stake some
money upon your system against met"
The old figure had leaped forward
over the ledge. and In q moment Lee
roux had grasped him and pulled him
into the tunnel.
I hastened back to JacQueline and
encountered her in the passage Just
where the light and darkness blended,
standing with arms stretched out
against the wall to steady herself; and
in her eyes was that look which tells
q man moro surely than anything, /
think. can, that q woman loves him.
''Oh. thought you were deadl" she
sobbed, and fell into my afma.
held her tightly to support her,
and led her back to the gold cave.
In few words I explained what had
occurred.
'sNow JacQueline, you must let me
guide you" said. Don't you SO that
there u no chance for M unless We
leave your father for the present
where he IL and make our own escapel
We can reach Pers Antoine's cabin
soon after midday, and We can tell
him your father u . prisoner here. He
would not come with N, Jacqusaine.
even II he were here"
She did not respond. It was the
safety Of N two and her fathers life
assured, against q miserable fate for
her, and I knew not what for me.
though thought Leroux would give
me little shzift once was In his power
again.
She was 20 silent that thought I
had convinced her. urged her to her
feet. But suddenly heard a stealthy
football close ut hand. between the
cave and the cataract.
I thought it was Charles Duchaine.
I hoped it was Leroux. placed my
finger on Jacqueline's lips and crept
stealthily to the passage. revolver in
hand.
Then, in the gloom. saw the villain