The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-09-25
CHAPTER XIX
The Bait That Lured.


very carefully, peering into the numer-
Pus small caves and assures in the
wall on either hand. And was about
half way through when 1 saw shadow
running in front of me and making no
sound.
It was Duchaine There could be no
mistaking that tall. gaunt figure, just
visible against the distant day.
1 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 posing him
self to leap, I seized him by the arm.
He did not attempt violence but
gazed at me with hesitation and pa
Ehetic doubt.
IN. Duchaine," I pleaded, won't
you come back with me and'let US talk
1t over? Jacqueline is with me"
"No, 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 NJ.
paly's gaming house. She will be back
soon, loaded down with gold"
"She has come back" 1 answered.
"She is not fifty yards away"
with gold?" 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 as you will love. You can take
up the coins in your fingers and let
the gold sUream 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 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 Ieaped from
the rocky platform and rebounded
from the cliff. cast a backward
glance, and there upon the opposite
side saw Leroux standing.
"Bonjour, NJ. Hewlett! !" he called
across the chasm. Don't be afraid of
me any more than am afraid of you.
Just wait a moment. I want to talk
business"
Il have no business to talk with
you" 1 answered.
But / did not say it was with you.
monsieur" he answered in sneering
Zones. at is with our friend Duchaine
Hola, DuchaineP'
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 undoubtedly.
Suddenly I saw him turn his head
and fix his eyes upon Leroux. He
Grained his neck forward; and then,
very slowly. he began to walk toward
mis- prosecutor. 1 craned my neck.
Leroux was holding out-the rou-
1ette wheel!
"COme along. Charles. my friend, !"
ne 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 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
a man more surely than anything,
think, can, that a woman loves him.
ooh. I thought you were deadl" she
sobbed, and fell into my arms.
[ held her tightly to support her,
and I led her back to the gold cave
In a few words 1 explained what had
occurred.
Now Jacqueline, you must let me
guide you," said. Don't you see that
there is no chance for us unless we
leave your father for the present
where he is and make our own escape?
We can reach Pere Antoine's cabin
soon after midday, and we can tell
him your father is a prisoner here. He
would not come with US, Jacqueline,
even if he were here"
She did not respond. It was the
safety of US two and her fathers life
assured, against a miserable fate for
her, and I knew not what for me,
though I thought Leroux would give
me little shrift once I was in his power
again.
She was so silent that 1 thought ]
had convinced her. I urged her to her
feet. But suddenly 1 heard a steaIthy
football close at hand, between the
cave and the cataract.
1 thought it was Charles Duchaine
I hoped it was Leroux. I placed my
finger on Jacqueline's lips and crept
.stealthily to the passage. revolver in
hand.
Then, in the gloom. saw the villain
GUS face of Jean Petitjean looking int
mine, twelve PAGES away, and in his
hand was a revolver too.
We fired together. But the surprise
spoiled his aim, for his bullet whis
tiled past me. l think my shot strucl
him somewhere, for he uttered a vel
and began running back along tn,
tunnel as hard as he could.
I followed him, firing as fast as
could reload Fortune helped the ruf
fan. for when 1 reached the light b,
was scrambling across the ledge, ant
before I could cover him he had sue
Iceeded in disappearing behind the pro
tecting rock on the other side.
So oroux had already SCALED on