The Elbert County tribune., 1919-08-01
CHAPTER XIV.
Won-and 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-to have
the advantage of me, NJ Hewlett" he
said. II respect your pertinacity, and
now at last ! am content in having
discovered the motive of your enter
prise. 1 thought you were hired by
Carson. II 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"
Il thank you for your consideration,
NJ. Leroux." replied Jacqueline, and
walked quietly out of the room.
Leroux sat down heavily.
Il will put down my cards." he said
II have you here in my power I have
four men with me. This dotard"-he
glanced contemporary at old Du-
chaine-'has no bearing on the situa-
ton. You can. of course, kill me; but
thai would not help you. Where is
Louis d'Epernay?"
81 have never seen the man." re-
piled.
Leroux glanced incredulously at me.
Il don't know why you are lying to
me-" he said. ut 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 mel" I cried furiously.
II will not be badgered with any more
questions. 1 have told you the truth.
1 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. 1
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 married woman.
So you will, no doubt, agree to take
your money and depart"
II shall go If she tells me to CO."
1 answered; but even while spoke my
heart sank, for had little hope.
"That is easily settled" answered
Leroux. 81 will bring her back and
you shall hear the decision from her
own lips"
He left the room, and I 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
not trust the man, for all his blunt
ness. 1 suspected something, and L
did not intend to relax my guard.
Leroux came back with Jacqueline
before 1 could decide.
''If you bid him, madame, NJ Hew-
lett is willing to take his departure"
said Leroux to her. as it your wish
that he remain or go?'
"Oh, 1 want you to go, monsieur"
said Jacquellne, clasping her hands
pleadingly.
"Are you saying this of your own
free Will, Jacqueline?" 1 cried.
She nodded, and 1 saw Simon's evil
face creased with suppressed mirth.
/ rose up. "Adieu, then. madame"
/ said. "But first permit me to restore
the money that I have been keeping
for you" And / took out my pocket
book.
Simon looked at me incredulously.
81 do not understand you in the
least now. NJ. Hewlett" he exclaimed.
"You are to keep the money. l do not
go back upon my bargains"
'It is not, however. your money"
/ retorted, though knew that it 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
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 pen
which lay there, wrote a check for
eight thousand dollars. making 1t out
to Jacqueline d'Epernay. This hand
ed to her.
"Adieu. madama,.' I said.
"Adieu, monsieur she answered al
most inaudibly, her head bent low.
1 went out Of the room, still grip
ping my pistol. and took care to let
Simon see 1t as we descended the
stairs side by side. The noisy laugh