Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-07-18
CHAPTER XIV.
III

You seem-temporarily-to have
the advantage of me, M. Hewlett" he
said. II respect your pertinacity, and
now at last l am content in having
discovered the motive of your enter
prise. / thought you were hired by
Carson. If you had been frank with
me we might have come to an under
standing long ago.
"You may leave us, Nine. d'Eper-
nay" he said to Jacqueline. mo
doubt your absence will spare your
feelings, for we are going to be frank
In our speech"
81 thank you for your consideration,
NJ. Leroux," replied Jacqueline, and
walked quietly out of the room.
Leroux sat down heavily.
81 will put down my cards." he said.
IL have you here in my power. have
four men with me. This dotard"-he
glanced contemptuously at old Du-
chaine-'has no bearing on the situa-
ton. You can, of course, kill me; but
that would not help you. Where is
Louis d'Epernny?"
81 have never seen the man." l re-
piled.
Leroux glanced incredulously at me.
Il don't know why you are lying to
me-" he said. at is not to, your ad-
vantage. You must have known that
she was in New York; Louis must
have told Carson, and he must have
told you. And Louis must have told
you the secret OF the entrance, un-
less"
Listen to mer' l cried furiously.
II will not be badgered with any more
questions. 1 have told you the truth.
I met Nine. d'Epernay by accident,
and l escorted her toward the chateau
and followed hGr after you kidnapped
her, to protect her from you"
He scowled at me fereciously, and
then he began studying my face.
returned stare for stare. Finally he
banged his big fist down upon the
table.
swell, 1t doesn't matter" lie said
because whatever your purpose you
cannot do any harm. And you under
stand that she is married woman
So you Will, no doubt, agree to take
your money and depart?"
81 shall go if she tells me to CO.
1 answered; but even while I spoke my
heart sank, for 1 had little hope.
"That is easily settled" answered
Leroux "I will bring her back ant
you shall hear the decision from hel
own lips"
He left the room, and l sat there
alone beside the dotard, listening tt
the click of the ball and the chinl
of the coins and the roar of the twil
cataracts above.
There had been a sinister smooth
ness in Leroux's latest mood. I diC
not trust the man, for all his blunt
ness. / suspected something, and
did not intend to relax my guard.
Leroux came back with Jacquelin
before l could decide.
'If you bid him, madame, NJ. Hew
lett is willing to take his departure,
said Leroux to her. "Is it your wis
that he remain or go?"
"Oh, 1 want you to go, monsieur,
said Jacqueline, clasping her hand
| pleadingly.
"Are you saying this of your owl
free will, Jacqueline?" l cried.
She nodded, and 1 saw Simon's evi
face creased with suppressed mirth.
1 rose up. "Adleu, then, madame,
said. "But first permit me to restor
the money that 1 have been keepin
for you" And l took out my poke
book.
Simon looked at me incredulousl,
81 do not understand you in til
least now, M. Hewlett" he exclaime'
"You are to keep the money. do NJ
go back upon my bargains"
"It is not, however, your money
l retorted, though 1 knew that it SOC
would be. Naturally 1 do not carr
eight thousand dollars about wit
me. 1 shall give you check"
Leroux burst into loud laughter an
clapped me heartily upon the shoulde
"Faul Hewlett" he said with gen
inc admiration, 'you are good as
play. Well, let us take your chec
and it. shall be accepted in full settl
ment." He winked at me and thru
his tongue into his cheek.
l was too sick at heart to pay {
tention to his buffoonery. 1 sat dov
at the table and, taking up a D.
which lay there, wrote a check f
eight thousand dollars, making it O
to Jacqueline d'Epernay. This har
ed to her.
"Adieu, madame" 1 said.
"Adieu, monsieur" she answered
most inaudibly. her head bent low.
/ went OUT of the room, still ar
ping my pistol, and l took care to
Simon see it as we descended t
stairs side by side. The noisy lau,
ter in the ballroom had ceased. bu
heard Raoul and Jean Petitjean gu
reling, and their thick voices told
that they were in no condition to
their master.
Then there was only LerOux 6
Philippe Lacroix to deal with. l co
have saved the situation.
What fool l had beeni What
irresolute foOll l never learned.
AS we reached the bottom of
stairs Philippe Lacroix came out
the ballroom carrying a candle. s
his melancholy, pale face twist W
surprise as ne perceived me.
"Philippe, this is M. Paul Hewle
said Leroux. Tomorrow you will {
vey him to the cabin of Pere Anto
where he will be able TO make his {
plans. You will go by way of lie V
Ange.
"Now, NJ. Hewlett, l shall show
your sleeping quarters for tonig
LerOux continued to me, and cOnd
ed me out into the fenced yard.
Two sleighs were standing BET
the huts. LerOux led me past Il
and Knocked at the door of the lar
cabin.
"Iferrc Caribou" he shouted.
He WAS facing the door and did
" what I saw at the little win
the other a:le. : saw the fac