The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-09-04
CHAPTER XIV.
III
Won-an6 Lost.

We must have stood confronting
each. other for fully a minute. Then
Leroux dropped his hands and smiled
sourly at me-
you seem-temporarily have
the advantage Of me, NJ. Hewlett" he
said. 81 respect your pertinacity, and
now at last I am content in having
discovered the motive of your enter
prise. I thought you were hired by
OaEsOn. 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,
n. Leroux," replied Jacqueline, and
walked quietly out of the room.
Leroux sat down heavily.
81 will put down my cards." he said.
81 have you here in my power. I 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'Epernay?"
81 have never seen the man. l re-
piled.
Leroux glanced fncredulousIy at me.
81 don't know why you are lying to
me-" he said. 'fIt 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
1 al
you the secret Of the entrance, I'M
less
Listen to met" I cried furiousIy
81 will not be badgered with any more
questions. I have told you the truth
I met Nine. d'Epernay by accident,
and escorted her toward the chateau
and followed her after you kidnapped
her, to protect her from you"
He scowled at me ferociOusly, and
then he began studying my face. I
returned stare for stare Finally he
banged his big fist down upon the
table
"Well, 1t doesn't matter" he said
| because whatever your purpose you
cannot do any harm. And you under
stand that she is a married woman.
So you will, no doubt, agree to take
your money and depart?"
81 shall go if she tells me to GO"
I answered; but even while spoke my
heart sank, for I had little hope
''That is easily settled" answered
Leroux ST will bring her back and
you shall hear the decision from her
own lips"
He left the room. and sat there
alone beside the dotard, listening to
the click of the ball and the chink
OF the coins and the roar of the twin
cataracts above.
There had been a sinister smooth
ness in Leroux's latest mood. 1 did
ness. I suspected something, and
did not intend to relax my guard.
Leroux came back with Jacqueline
before I could decide.
eff you bid him, madame. NJ Hew-
lett is willing to take his departure, y
said Leroux to her. Us it your wish
that he remain or go?"
ooh. I want you to go, monsieur
said Jacqueline, clasping her hands
pleadingIy.
"Are you saying this of your own
free will, Jacqueline?" I cried.
She nodded, and saw Simon's evil
face creased with suppressed mirth.
rose up. "Adieu, then, madame
I said. But first permit me to restore
the money that have been keeping
for you" And took out my pocket
book
Simon looked at me incredulousIy
81 do not understand you in the
least now, NJ. Hewlett" he exclaimed.
you are to keep the money. do not
go back upon my bargains
at is not, however, your money
1 retorted, though 1 knew that 1t soon
would be. Naturally I do not carry
eight thousand dollars about with
me. I shall give you a check"
Leroux burst into loud laughter and
clapped me heartily upon the shoulder.
paul Hewlett he said with genu-
inc admiration, you are good as a
play. Well, let US take your check,
and it shall be accepted in full settle
ment." He winked at me and thrust
his tongue into his cheek
was too sick at heart to pay at
tention to his buffoonery. I sat down
at the table and, taking up a pen
which lay there. wrote check for
to Jacqueline d'Epernay. This hand
ed to her.
"Adieu, madame I said.
"Adieu, monsieur" she answered al
most inaUdibly, her head bent low.
I went out Of the room, still grip
ping my pistol, and I took care to let
Simon see IL as we descended the
stairs side by side. The noisy laugh
ter In the ballroom had ceased. but I
heard RaouI and jean Petitjean quar-
relin9, and their thick voices told me
that they were in no condition to aid
their master.
Then there was only Leroux and
Philippe Lacroix TO deal with. I could
have saved the situation.
What fool had been! What an
| irreso3ute fool! I never learned.
| As We reached the bottom OF the
stairs Philippe Lacroix came out Of
the bsilroom carrying candle. l saw
his melancholy, pale face twist with
surprise as he perceived me.