The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-11-03

by the side of Hilary's, Hilary wedged
the ends against the chained stacks on
either side, so that the whole would
form an immovable barrier. He toiled
furiously, for their scanty time was
precious beyond value. Soon Made
leine was behind the barricade, adj
justing the logs that Hilary brought,
and 1t stood the height Of his waist.
1t was improbable that either Du.
pont, Pierre or Leblanc carried re
volver; but even II they did, the bar
ricade was bullet-proof. Hilary for
got his aching head the retching nuu-
sea. The barrier was shouider-high.
He clamhered behind 1t and took his
station there just as the grinding of
the foes ceased. and the schooner
caught the clear water.
A ray OF moonlight. struggling
through the fog. disclosed old Dupont
at the wheel above the poop. and the
great mainsaIl sweeping over it--and
two forms that crept along the pas
sage between the lumber piles They
started back In sudden CONSERVATION
at the sight of the unexpected barri-
cade. and Hilary's club. aimed at
Pierre's head. descended upon the out
laws arm, which dropped limp at his
side.
With a yell Pierre started back. but
Leblanc leaped forward. knife in hand.
So sudden was the attack that II
drove within an inch of Hilary's
throat. Madeleine screamed, rushed
forward, and pulled Hilary back. AS
Leblanc caught sight of her he uttered
an exclamation and followed Pierre
back into the darkness of the lumber
piles.
Silence followed. That wait was
tense and nerve-gripping. Hilary tried
to get Madeleine to return into the
cabin. but she kept her place at his
side. Then. to Hilary's utter surprise,
he heard Brousseau's voice. and dis
cerned him moving out of the dark
ness of the lumber.
Monsieur Askew. want to speak to
you !" he called. II am coming to
you. / can trust YOU"
Hilary returned no answer, but
Brousseau. apparently confident of
Hilary's honor, pushed forward and
came up to the barricade.
"Ah. mademoiselle. you have done a
foolish thingr' he said quietly to Mad
eleine. mo harm was meant to Mon
sieur Askew. want those papers
that's all. / heard he was coming
aboard and adopted this ruse to get
them. They are lies. written by dis
charged employee. and / can't afford to
be lied about. l want to clear my
honor in your eyes, mademoiselle."
But as neither answered him he
dropped his pose Of blandness and adj
dressed Hilary.
seigniory and the asbestos mine," he
cried. that's only drop In the
bucket. / admit It's been fair fight
between us and you've won. l didn't
want the seigniory. wanted the fight.
I'm willing to drop ii now and give
you best. But want those papers.
''They amt yours. Monsieur Askew.
Morris forged them, but you kept
them, and that's why / trapped you
here 1t was me stopped Dupont from
killing you, because of his daughter"
Madeleine laughed contemporary
at the lie. and Brousseau snorted like
a dashed horse.
81 want those papers," he went on
doggedly. 'They amt In your clothes,
and they amt In your bag. Give them
10 me and We'll cry quits, and I'll put
you and Madeleine ashore at Ste
Anne. can trust you and you can
trust me. Are you going to agreei"
"Now shouted Hilary.
He had had the sense that Brous-
seau medItated some treachery, but he
was not prepared for what followed.
Madeleine cried to him and pulled
him back, just as Pierre and Leblanc
leaped down from the forecastle roof,
to which they had climbed during
Brousseau's fictitious parleying. Each
had his knife ready, and they were
upon Hilary together.
There was no room for maneuvering.
and Hilary never knew afterward how
lie escaped. But he thrust his club
into Leblanc's face, and, then, as the
man stumbled back, brought 1t down
with full force upon Pierre's skull.
All the strength of his arms went
into the blow. Pierre never spoke
again. He went reeling across the
deck like an inanimate thing. struck
the bulwark. and. as the schooner
lurched. toppled into the sea. He was
probably dead before he disappeared
beneath the waves. ~
Leblanc rushed frantically toward
the barricade. Hilary was upon him
when he saw Brousseau whip out a re-
volver and take deliberate aim at him.
He felt the bullet clip his cheek. Twice
more Brousseau fired. At the second
shot Hilary stumbled and fell fiat In
the cabin entrance. At the third. Lee
blanc. shot through the brain, whirled
round twice and collapsed In front of