The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1919-06-28
CHAPTER XIX.
The saIt That Lured.

I went along the tunnel In the direc-
ton Of le Well Ange, picking my way
very carefully. peering into the numer-
Gus small caves and assures In the
wall on either hand. And was about
half way through when saw q shadow
running In front OF me and making no
sound.
II was Duchaine. There could be no
mlstakng that tall. caunt figure. just
visible against the distant day.
raced along the tunnel after him.
But he seemed TO be endowed with the
speed Of deer. for he kept his dis
lance easily, and ! would never have
caught him had he not stopped for an
instant az the approach Of the ledge
There just as he was polishing him
self 70 leap. | seized him by the arm.
He dId not attempt violence but
gazed at me with hesitation and pa
thetic doubt.
IN. Duchalne," | pleaded, won't
you come hack with me and let ms talk
1t over? Jacqueline Is with me"
mo. no." he cried. laughing. you
can't catch me with such a trick as
that My little daughter has gone 10
New York 10 make our fortunes az NJ.
Days gaming house. She VIII be back
soon, loaded down with gold"
"She has come back answered
"She Is not fifty yards away"
"With gold?' he inquired. looking at
me doubtfrlly.
with gold" I answered, trying to
allure his imagination as Leroux had
done. "She has rich gold red gold,
such as you will love. You can take
up the coins IN your fingers and let
the gold stream slip through them.
Come with. monsieur"
| grasped him by the arm and tried
10 lead him with me. My argument
had moved him. | thought had won.
But just rs | started back into the
tunnel, holding the arm OF the old
man. who fingered reluctantly and yet
began to yield, pebble leaped from
the rocky platform and rebounded
from the cliff. cast backyard
glance, and there upon the opposite
side saw Leroux standing.
"Bonjour, NJ. HEWLETT" he called
across the chasm. "Don't be afraid OF
me any more than am afraid OF you
Just wait a moment ! want to talk
business"
81 have no business TO talk with
you" ! answered.
but did not say II was with you,
monsieur" he answered in sneering
tones. at Is with our friend Duchaine
Hola. Duchalnew
AT the sound OF Leroux's voice the
old man Strengthened himself and be-
gan mutterIng and looking from the
one 70 the other of us undecldedly.
Suddenly saw him turn his head
and fix his eyes upon Leroux He
craned his neck forward; and then,
very slowly. he began to walk toward
his prosecutor / Grained my neck.
Leroux was holding out--the rou-
lette wheel
Come along, Charles. my friend"
he cried. Come, let us try our for
tunesi Don't you want 10 stake some
money upon your system against met"
The old figure had leaped forward
over the ledge, and in moment lie
roux had grasped him and pulled him
into the tunnel.
fastened back to JacQuelne and
encountered her IN the passage just
where the light and darkness blended.
standing with arms stretched out
against the wall 10 steady herself; and
in her eyes was that look which tells
n man more surely than anything, 1
think, can, that woman loves him.
"Oh. l thought You were deadl" she
sobbed. and fell Into my arms.
I held her tightly 10 support her,
aud led her bnck to the gold cave.
In n few words explained what had
occurred.
NOW JacquelIne you must let me
guide YOU" / said. Don't you see that
there Is no chance for us unless we
leave your father for the present
where he Is and make our own escapef
We can reach Pere Ant0lnes cabin
soon after midday. and we can tell
him your father Is prisoner here. He
would not come with Us, Jacquellne.
even II he were here"
She did NOT reapQnd, Il vaR Lie