Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-08-05
CHAPTER XVI.
Louis d'Epernay

steps backward, but l saw that he was
unarmed and that he realized his help
lessness. He flung his hands above his
head and stood facing me, surprise
and terror twisting his features into
grimacing grin.
Il have something of Importance to
say to you, monsieur" he began.
81 can be eve that" answered. at
is about lie Well Ange, is it not?'
"By God, did not meant swear
to you, mOnsieur-listen, monsieur,
one moment only" he stammered.
Loves your pistol. You see that L
am unermed !"
lowered 1t. "Well, say what you
have to say" said to him.
"Leroux is a devilr' he burst out,
with no pretended passion. 81 want
you to help me, NJ. Hewlett, and I
can help you In a way 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 Kissed into
my ear: Monsieur, there is more gold
In these rocks than anywhere in the
world! Look here! HereI"
He stopped down and began tossing
pebbles at my feet But they were
pebbles of pure gold and each one of
them was as large as the first joint of
my thumb. And had misjudged his
courage, l think, for it was avarice
and not fear that made him tremble.
sit is everywhere, monsieurw cried
Lacroix. I'm 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 Leroux?"
"NoI 1 and"
He broke off suddenly and eyed me
with furtive cunning.
"Yes, yes, monsieur, EGrOux and |.
And we two worked here together,
with nothing more than picks and
shovels and mortars and pestles, Lee
rOuX and 1. There was nobody else.
1t is the richest gold deposit in the
world, NJ. Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nor Jean Peittjean knows the secret
only Leroux and l. 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 1t to be found"
I grasped him by the shoulder. "Do
you see what this means?" / shouted.
at means a glorious life" he cried.
"All the wealth in the world"
mo, 1t means DEATH" l answered.
at means that If Leroux succeeds in
killing me he will kin you tool Do
yoU suppose that he will share his
hoard with your
'No, NJ. Hewlett" answered Lacroix
quietly. "And that Is precisely what
? wanted to say to you. You are not
hog like Leroux; can trust you.
Come with me, monsieur. don't know
how you got into the wrong passage.
but II is Simple-straight ahead. Come
with mel / will precede you"
I followed him into the darkness,
and very soon heard the sound of the
cataract again. And then once more
1 was standing at the tunnel entrance,
under brilliant moon and the chateau
was before me.
strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door In the dark wing,
stairway. took the turn to the right
end passed through the little hall.
heard Leroux'S harsh voice within,
and If i stopped outside 1t was not
in indecision but because l meant to
make sure of my man this TIME.
II want you, Jacqueline." heard
him say in voice which betrayed no
throb of passion. And am going TO
have you. l always have my way. 1
am not like that weak fool Hewlett"
at was sent him away. not YOU"
she cried. do you think he was
afraid of you?"
Leroux looked at her in admiration.
"You are splendid woman, JacQue-
line" he said. II like the way you
defy me-by heaven. l dol But you
are quite at my mercy. And you are
going TO yield! You will yield your
will TO mine"
Never" she cried. sT will fling
myself into the lake before that shall
happen. All. monSieur"-her voice
took on a pleading tone-''why viii
you not take all we have and let US
got We are two helpless people; we
shall never betray your secrets. Why
must you have me tooI"
Because love you. Jacqueline."
he cried. and now heard an under
tone of passion which I had not sus-
pected In the man.
BE caught her In his arms. She ut
tered little gasping cry and struggled
wildly and Intellectually in his grasp.
was quite cold. for l knew that
was to be the last of his villainies. l
entered the room and walked up TO the
table, my pistol raised. aiming at his
heart, and l felt my own heart beat
steadily and the will to kill rise domi-
nant above every hesitation.
Leroux spun round. He saw me-
and he smiled his sour smile. He did
not finch. although he must have seen
that my hand was as steady as rock.
sH-hSr Won again rn0uSieurS. n !.