Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-07-25
CHAPTER XVI.


He uttered an oath and took two
steps backward. but saw that he was
unarmed and that he realized his help
lessness. 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 your monsieur he began.
II can believe that" answered. at
ls about lie Well Ange. is It notq"
by God. | did not mean--I swear
10 you. monsleur--listen, monsieur,
one moment only" he stammered.
Lower your PISTOL You see that
am unarmedr
I lowered II. ''well. say what you
have 10 say," / said 10 him.
'Leroux Is a devil 7" he burst out.
with no pretended passion. II want
you to help me, NJ. Hewlett. and
can help you in a way you do not
dream Of. M. Hewlett, how much do
you think This seigniory Is worthT'
"Some half a million dollars, per-
haps"
He came close to me and Kissed into
my ear; Monsieur, there is more gold
In these rocks than anywhere In the
world look herei Here r.
He stopped down and begin 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. I think. for It was avarice
and not fear that made him tremble. {
''it Is everywhere. monsieurp cricd
Lacrolx. "In this stream, In these
hills, too. You can gather. mortar
ful OF earth anywhere and 1t will show
color when It il washed. We found
this place together"
"You and Leroux?'
"NoI I and"
He broke Off suddenly and eyed me
with furtive cunning.
"Yes, yes, monsieur, Leroux and l.
And we two worked here together.
with nothing more than picks and
shovels and mortars and pestles, Lee
roux and /. There was nobody else.
II Is the richest gold deposit in the
world, M. Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nor Jean Petitjean knows the secret
| only Leroux and l. One cannot light
I 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 It to be found"
I grasped him by the shoulder. 'Do
you see what this meansT I shouted
ut means a glorious life r he cried
"All the wealth In the world"
rNo. II means death I" / answered
"Tt means that II Leroux succeeds In
killing me he win kill you tool DC
you suppose that he VIII share his
hoard with your"
mo. M. Hewlett" answered Lacroil
quietly. "And that is precisely whaf
wanted TO say to you. You are nor
hog like Leroux: can trust you
Come with me. monsieur. don't know
how you got into the wrong passage
but II Is simple-straight ahead. Com,
with me I win precede you"
followed him into the darkness
and very soon. heard the sound Of tn,
cathract again. And then once NOR,
! was standing at the tunnel ENTRANCE
under a brilliant moon and the ehatea,
wns before me.
/ strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door in the dark wing
entered the hall and ascended tn
stairway. took the tnrn to the righ
and passed through the little hall.
heard Leroux's harsh voice within
Ind II / stopped outside It was no
In indecision but because meant {
make sure of my man this tmie.
IL want you, Jacquelne." l hear
him say in voice which betrayed II
throb OF passion. "And | am going (
. have you. always have my way.
am not like that weak fool Hewlett.
J "It was sent him away, not you.
Ehe cried. "Do you think he wa
nfraid OF your"
Leroux looked at her In admiration
"You are splendid woman, Jacqu'
4 line" he said. II like the way yo
defy me-by heaven. dol But 70
\ are quite at my mercy. And you al
going to yieldl You win yield yoI
will to mine"
"Neverr' she cried T will fir
myself into the lake before that sha
happen. All. monsieur"-her volt
took on a pleading tone-"why wi
yOu not take all we have and let !
go7 We are two helpless people; "
shall never betray your secrets. WI
must you have me tooT'
because I love you, Jacqueline
ne cried, and now heard an unde
tone Of passion which had not su
Dected in the man.
He caught her in his arms. She u
tered q little gasping cry and struggle
wildly and Intellectually in his grasp.
was quite cold, for / knew tn
was to be the last Of his villainles.
entered the room and walked up to Il
table. my pistol raised. aiming at h
heart. and felt my own heart be
steadily and the will to kin rise don
nant above every hesitation.
Leroux spun round. He saw n
and he smiled his sour smile. He
not finch, although he must have SCI
that my rand was as steady as a roc
"what you again, monsieur1'