The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1919-09-04
CHAPTER XIV.
Won-and Lost.


geroux dropped his hands and smiled
sourly at me.
you seem-temporarily-to have
the advantage of me, M. Hewlett" he
said, 81 respect your pertinacity, and
now at last I am content in having
discovered the motive of your enter
Drise. l 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-
nav" 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,
II 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?"
II have never seen the man." re-
oiled.
Leroux glanced incredulously at me.
II don't know why you are lying to
me," he said. "It 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, IN
less"
Listen to mel" I cried furiously.
II will not be badgered with any more
questions. 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, it 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?''
Il shall go if she tells me to co."
answered; but even while I spoke my
heart sank, for I had little hope.
THAT is easily settled" answered
LerOux. II will bring her back and
you shall hear the decision from her
own lips"
He left the room, and 1 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. / did
not trust the man, for all his blunt
ness. I suspected something, and I
did not intend to relax my guard.
Leroux came back with Jacqueline
before I could decide.
IF you bid him, madame, M. Hew-
lett is willing to take his departure"
said Leroux to her els it your wish
that he remain or go?"
"Oh, [ want you to go, monsieur"
said Jacqueline, clasping her hands
pleadingly.
Are you saying this Of your own
free will, Jacqueline?" cried.
She nodded, and I saw Simon's evil
race creased with suppressed mirth.
l rose up. "Adieu, then, madame"
said. But first permit me to restore
me money that I have been keeping
1or YOU" And I took out my pocket
book.
Simon looked at me incredulously.
Il do not understand you in the
teast now, M. Hewlett" he exclaimed.
You are to keep the money. I do not
% pack upon my bargains"
1t is not, however, your money"
fetarted, though I knew that it soon
would be. Naturally I do not carry
eght thousand dollars about with
we. shall give you a check"
Leroux burst into loud laughter and
Mapped me heartily upon the shoulder.
raul Hewlett" he said with genu-
'ae admiration, "you are good as a
pay Well, let us take your check,
ond 1t shall be accepted in full settle
-. He winked at me and thrust |
MS tongue into his cheek.
was too sick at heart to pay at
sentlon to his buffoonery. sat down
the table and, taking up a pen |
~nlch lay there, wrote a check for
tlsnt thousand dollars, making it out
~ 1acqueline d'Epernay. This hand
ed to her.
Adleu, madame" said.
AGIeu, monsieur" Sho oncwnrod al.
T"t lnaudibly, her head bent low.
ri, went out Of the room, still grip
Sin my pistol, and took care to let
st .nluh see it as we descended the
20 a.s side by side. The noisy laugh
"a RE ballroom had CEASED, but !