Connecticut western news., 1919-09-18

The Eskimo Dog Was Barking at My
We had talked much over what had
happened, and ten days later. when
Jacqueline had recovered from the
shock and from what proved TO he,
after all, only a fesh-wound, we had
visited the scene of our rescue by the
old priest.
The charge Of dynamite which La
crOix had set exploded, as 1t happened.
beneath that part which buttressed the
entire structure, and combining with
the pressure of the glacier above, had
thrown the mountain on its side. fill
ing the lake with several million tons
of ice and Obliterating all traces of the
chateau which lay buried beneath its
waters.
That was Pere Antoine's explana-
ton. and we realized at once that 1t
was useless to search for Charles Du-
chaine. The whole aspect of the re-
giOn had been changed; there was
neither glacier nor cataract, and the
take, swollen to twice its size and
height. slept peacefully beneath its
covering Of ice and snow.
When we returned to the cabin we
were amazed to see sleigh standing
outside. and dogs feeding. Two men
were seated at the priests table.
smoking.
"Diable. monsieur, don't you keep
a stove in your house?" shouted a we'll
known voice to Pere Antoine. Then,
as Jacqueline and | approached the
entrance. the man turned and sprang
toward us with outstretched hands
that gripped ours and wrung them till
we cried out in pain.
1t was Alfred Dubois.
But 7 was stupefied to see the Sec
ond man who rose and advanced to-
ward me with a shrewd smile. For 1t
was Tom Carson!
Presently ! was telling my story
except for that part which more In
timately concerned myself and JacQue-
line, and the narrative of the murder.
which I gave only as Lacroix had con-
fessed 1t to me.
look of incredulity deepened on
Toms shrewd old face till, at the end,
he burst out explosively at me:
Hewlett, didn't think l was d
fool before-I beg your pardon, miss.
If any man had told me that I would
have knocked him down. But am,
am, and I want you to be my mana
ger"
"Do you mean that l have lied to
your, I asked indignantly.
Every word, Hewlett-every word,
my son. That is why want you back
with me. First you leave my employ
ment without offering any reason;
then you take hold of my business af-
fairs and try to pull off deal over my
head, and then you tell me a yarn
about castle falling into lake."
But, M. Carson" interposed the
priest. Il myself have seen this cha
teau many times. And / have gone to
the entrance and looked from the
mountain, too, and it is 10 longer
there"
Never was" said Carson. "You
fellows get so lonesome up in these
wilds that you have to see things. This
man, d'Epernay, who is said to be dead
now. wanted to sell me the biggest
gold mine in the world for fifty thou
sand dollars, and from what know Of
Leroux l am ready to believe that he
would try to hog it if it really exists"
"But how about Leroux?" I cried,
more amused now than vexed.
That" answered Tom. us pre-
cisely why 7 want to get hold Of you
again, Mr.. Hewlett"
But here is Mile. Duchaine"
shouted the old priest in despair.
Tom Carson raised his fat old body
about five inches and made Jacqueline
what he took to be a bow.
PLEASED to make your acquaint-
ance, miss" he replied. "Ah, we'll, it
doesn't matter. guess that man,
d'Epernay, was lying to me. However,
am ready to look at your gold mine If
you want me to-"
You'll have to do some blasting
then" | said, nettled. ITS just about
two hundred feet below the ground"
Never mind" said Tom. Lumber
is better than gold. Next time I'm
here l shall be glad to have another
look round. And now, Hewlett, if you
want job at five thousand a year to
start-to start, mind you, you play fair
and tell me where Leroux is hiding
HIMSELF
I was too mortified to answer him.
But felt Jacqueline slip her hand into
mine, and suddenly the memory of the
past made Toms raillery an insignif1-