Mountain advocate., 1920-02-06
CHAPTER XVI.
Louis d'Epernay.

He uttered an oath and took two
steps backward, but 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
griiaacing grin.
Il have something Of importance U
say to you, monsieur" he began.
81 can believe that" l answered. at
Is about lie Well Ange, is 1t not?"
'By God, did not meant swear
to you, monsieur-listcn, monsieur
one moment only." he stammered
"Lower your pistol. You see that
ain unarmedH
lowered Il. We'll, say what you
have TO say" said to him.
'Leroux is a DEVIL" he burst out
With no pretended passion. 81 want
ron to help me, NJ. Hewlett, and !
can help you in way you do not
dream of. NJ. Hewlett, how much do
you think this seigniOry is worthT'
"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 han anywhere in the
world! Look here! HcreW
He stopped down and began tossing
pebbles Mt 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, 1 think, for 1t was avarice
and not fear that made him tremble.
at IS everywhere, monsieur" cried
LacrOix. 'In this stream, in these
hills, too. You can gather a mortar
full Of earth anywhere and 1t Will show
color when it is washed. We found
this place together"
you and LerouX?"
mo! I and"
He broke Off suddenly and eyed me
with furtive cunning.
ayes, yes, monsieur, LerouX and I.
And we two worked here together,
with nothing more than picks and
shovels and mortars and pestles, Lee
roux and I. There was nobody else.
1t is the richest gold deposit in the
world. NJ. Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nor Jean Petitjean knows the secret
only LerOuX and /. One cannot light
upon this place save by a miracle Of
chance. such us brought you here. God
put this treasure In these hills, and he
did not mean 1t TO be found"
I o,va cpa1 him hv bo ChAVIdor en-
you see what this means?" I shouted.
at means a glorious lifew he cried
"All the wealth in the world"
mo, 1t means DEATH" / answered
at means that If Leroux succeeds in
killing me he will kill you tool Do
you suppose that he will share his
hoard with your"
"No, NJ. Hewlett" answered Lacroix
quietly. "And that is precisely what
I wanted TO say to you. You are not
a hog like Leroux; / can trust you.
Come with me, monsieur. don't know
how you got into the wrong passage.
but II is 8imple-straight ahead. Come
with mel 1 will precede you"
i followed him into the darkness,
and very soon heard the sound Of the
cataract again. And then once more
l was standing at the tunnel entrance,
under brilliant moon and the chateau
was before me.
I strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door in the dark wing,
entered the hall gnd assembled the
stairway, took the turn TO the right
ard passed through the little hall /
heard Leroux's harsh voice within,
and If 1 stopped outside it was not
In indeclsiOn but because meant to
make sure OF my man this TIME.
II want You, JacquelIne." heard
him Say in a voice which betrayed no
throb Of passion. sand am going to
have you. always have my way. l
am not like that weak fool Hewlett"
1T was l sent him away, not you"
she cried. do you think he was
tfraid OF your"
l-xH.a a - a.. .A,.G-.sl--