The Connecticut labor press., 1919-08-02
CHAPTER XVI.
Louis d'EpePnaY.

He uttered an oath and took two steps backward, but I saw that he was Iunarmed and that he realized his help 1essness. He flung his hands above his head and stood facing me, surprise and terror twisting his features into grimacing grin.
 "I have something of importance to say to you; monsieur" he began.
 "I can believe that" answered. "1t Is about le VieiI Ange, is it not?"
 "By God, I did not mean-I swear to you, monsieur-listen. monsieur, one moment only" he stammered. Lower your pistol. You see that am unarmed!"
 lowered it. "WeH, say what yoa have 10 say" said to him.
 "Leroux is a devil" he burst out, with no pretended passion. ''I want you to help me. M. Hewlett. and can help you in away you do not dream of. M. Hewlett. how much do you think this seigniory Is worth?"
 "Some half a million dollars, per haps."
 He came, close to me and hissed into my ear: Monsieur, there is more gold fin these rocks than anywhere in the world! hook here! Herer' He stopped down and began tossing pebbles at my feet. But they were pebbles of pure gold and edch one of them was os large as the first joint of my thumb. And I had misjudged his courage, I think, for it was avarice and not fear that made him tremble.>
 "It is everywhere, nhonsieur!" cried Iacrofx. "In this stream, in these hills, too. You can gather a mortar full of earth anywhere and it will show color when it is washed. We found this place together"
 ''You and LerouxT'
 "No! I and"
 He broke off suddenly and eyed me with furtive cunning.
 "Yes, yes. monsieur, Leroux and |. And we two worked here together, with nothing more than picks and Fhovels and mortars and pestles, ,Le- roux and I. There was nobody else. 1t is the richest gold deposit in the world, M. 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 it to be found"
 grasped him by the shoulder. "Do you see what this means?" shouted.
 Tt means a glorious life !" he cried. "All the wealth in the world" "NO, it means death !" I answered. e "It means that if Leroux succeeds in killing me he will kill you too! Do you suppose that he will share his hoard with you?"
 "No, NJ. Hewlett" answered Lacrofx quietly. And that is precisely what ! wanted to say to you. You are not 8 hog like Leroux; can trust you. Come with me. monsieur. I don't know Tow you got into the wrong passage, hut 1t is simple straight ahead. Come with me! I will precede you"
 I followed him into the darkness, and very soon heard the sound of the cataract again. And then once more l was standing at the tunnel entrance, under a brilliant moon and the chateau was before me.
 | strode 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. I heard Leroux's harsh voice within, and if I stopped outside it was not In indecision but because meant to make sure of my man this tmie
 "I want you. Jacqueline," I heard him SAY in a voice which betrayed no throb of passion. And am going to have you I always have my way. am not like that weak fool Hewlett ''
 ''It was sent him away, not you,' she cried. Do you think he was afraid of you?' ~s
 Leroux looked at her in admiration
 You are a splendid woman, Jacque- Hne," he said. ''I like the way you defy me-by heaven, I do! But you are quite at my mercy. And you are eoing to yield! You will yield your will to mine"
 "Neverr' she cried. T will fling EayseIf into the lake before that shall happen. An, monsieur"-her voice took on a pleading tone-"why will you not take all we have and let us rA? We are two helpless people; we shall never betray your secrets. Why must yon have me too?"
 s'Because love you, Jacqueline,' ' ba cried. and now I heard an under