The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-08-22
CHAPTER XIX.
The Bait That Lured.


Gus small caves and assures In the
half way through when ! saw shadow
running in front of me and making no
sound
II was Duchaine. There could be no
mistaking that tall, gaunt figure, just
visible against the distant day
raced along the tunnel after him.
But he seemed to be endowed with the
speed of deer. for he kept his dis
lance easily and | would never have
cnught 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
thetIc doubt.
IN. Duchaine," I pleaded, won't
you come back with me and let us talk
1t over? Jacqueline is with me-"
mo. no." he cried, laughing. "You
can't catch me with such trick as
that My little daughter has gone to
New York to make our fortunes at NJ.
Days gaming house. She win be back
soon. loaded down with gold.'
"She has come back" l 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
no ,.t.
such as you will love. You can take
up the coins in your fingers and let
the gold stream slip through them.
Come with, monsieur"
l grnsped him by the arm and tried
to lead him with me. My argument
had moved him. l thought I had won
But just as l started back into the
tunnel, holding the arm of the old
man, who fingered reluctantly and yet
began to yield a pebble leaped from
the rocky platform and rebounded
from the cliff. / cast backward
glance, and there upon the opposite
side | saw Leroux standing.
"Bonjour. M. Hewlettr' he called
across the chasm. "Dont be afraid of
me any more than l am afraid of you.
Just wait moment. l want to talk
business"
II have no business to talk with
you" l answered.
But | did not say 1t was with you.
monsieur" he answered in sneering
tones. ut is with our friend Duchane
Hola, Duchaine
At the sound of Lerouxs voice the
old man Strengthened himself and be-
gan muttering and looking from the
one to the other Of us undecidedly.
Suddenly saw him turn his head
and fix his eyes upon Leroux. He
craned his neck forward; and then
very slowly, he began to walk toward
his prosecutor. | craned my neck.
Leroux was holding out--the rou
lette wheel.
"Come along Charles. my friend,
he 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 moment lie
roux had grasped him and pulled him
into the tunnel
l FASTENED back to Jacuueline and
encountered her In the passage JUS
where the light and darkness blended
standing with arms stretched out
against the wall TO steady herself; anf
In her eyes was that look which tells
man more surely than anything.
think. can, that n woman loves him
"Oh. / thought you were deadw she
sobbed. and fell into my arms.
| held her tightly to support her
and led her back TO the gold cave
In few words | explained what ha,
occurred.
"Now Jacqueline. you must let ms
guide YOU" | said. Don't you see tina
there is no chance for us unless w
leave your father for the presen
where he is and make our own escape
We can reach pere Antoine's cabir
soon after midday. and we can tel
him your father is prisoner here. III
would not come with US. Jacqueline
even if he were here"
She did not respond. IT was TIL
safety of us two and her fathers If
assured against n miserable fate 70
her, and | knew not what for me
! though l thought Leroux would Civ
me little shrift once was in his powe
again.
She was so silent that ! thought
Rad convinced her. / urged her to he
feet. But suddenly i heard a stealth,
football close at hand, between tn
cave and the cataract.
/ thought 1t was Charles Duehaint
| hoped 1t was Leroux. | placed m
finger ON Jacqueline's lips and crep
stealthily to the passage, revolver Il
hand.
Then. in the gloom, saw the villain
Gus face of Jean Petitjean looking int
mine. twelve PAGES away, and in al
hand was revolver too.
We fired together. But the surpris
spoiled his aim, for his bullet whis
tod past me. / think my shot strue
mr.. somewhere, for he uttered a ye