The diamond drill., 1919-06-07
CHAPTER viii.


Jacqueline and I were together. the
only human beings within score, Of
miles. We were seated side by side
IN the sleigh at which the dogs pulled
steadily.
The mystery OF Jacqueline's rescue
by Captain Dubois had been a simple
one. The young man with the mus
tache was q certain Philippe Lacroix,
weA known 20 Dubois member OF a
good family but Of dissolute habits
just such a one as Leroux found II
convenient 70 attach TO his political
fortunes by timely financial aid.
There was no doubt that he had
been In New York with Leroux. and
that they had hatched the plot 10 kid
nap Jacqueline after had been struck
down.
Fortunately for Us, Lacroix. igno-
rant, as was Leroux himself. that the
two ships had exchanged roles and du-
ties, took Jacqueline aboard the
Sainte-vferge, where Captain Dubois,
who was watching In anticipation Of
jrist such a scheme. seized him ond
marched him NJ pistol point to the
house on Paul street. In which Lacroix
was kept a prisoner by friends OF Du-
bois until the Sainte.Vierge had sailed.
Dubois left US at ST. Boniface with
final caution against Leroux, and
proceeded along the shore with his
bags OF mail; but first he Ind n salts
factory conversation with NJ. Danton
concerning us.
Danton, who OF course knew Jacque-
line, took the opportunity OF assuring
me that her father. though a recluse
and mieanthrope who had not left
his seigniory for forty years, was said
TO be a man of heart Ind wJuld un-
doubtvily forgive US. He was clearly
under the impression that we were
married, and since Dubois had not en-
llghtsmed him on this point i did not
do so.
NJ. Danton had his sleigh and eight
fnelooking dogs ready for us. ] pur-
chased these outright in order TO carry
no hostages. We took with us several
days supply of food, a little tent,
sleeping bags and frozen FISH for the
animals.
II was n strange situation. II might
easily have become an impossible one
But II was sacred comradeship. refined
above tha love OF friend for friend, OF
lover for hover, by her faith, her help
less1ess and need.
think that she liked best TO sit be-
side me In the narrow sleigh and lean
against my shoulder, her physical
wearlmss the reflection OF her spirit
ual unrest, She did not want 10 think.
and She wanted me 10 shield her.
Bht ewen ia this solitude fear drove
me OF. fer I knew that n relentless
enemy followed hard after us, camp
ing where ve had camped and reading
the miles between us by the smolder-
ing ashes of our old fires.
AZ nightfall would pitch the tent
for Jacquallue and place her sleeping
bag within. and while she slept would
lie by the huge FIRE near the dogs, and
we kept watch over her together.
So pasSsd three days and nights.
The fourth short day drew toward
It's epd little after four o'clock. ]
remembeT that we cnmped late. for
the SUN had already dipped to the level
horizon md was casting black. miic-
long slrr sows ACROSS the snow.
harmestt IN the pegs and built o,
flre VITA ny-y boDrhs. collecting qsan-
tity OF Seou Suaicleht 20 last until
mcrning. s1sss Jacuuelne ,mede ten
and we 90 cur s,uFcf and crept duto
our s16sku9 hplf and lay down.
tV0sh 6g Gill my mind. The rw
ceuntSss tsighp IL us. the knowledge
of 1r1siS bAfgl tried pFe sorely. and
ouiy 5afHssatrivs need sustained my
cmrace.
AS pstf On Gle point OF dropping
asleep 4 &f<d o lone wolf howl from
afnn ~ hsstsnty the mack took UP