The Dolores star., 1920-07-09

sand dollars, and he's cheated you. Mr..
Rosny, out OF about as much, and prob
ably more, and you can put 1t In any
words you like. And I've got the pa
pers to prove tall of EN-"
Brousseau WINGED and staggered
back dumfounded there was no mis-
taking now that the man was afraid.
Though Madeleine would not deign to
acknowledge that she had listened to
Lafe's words. Lafe caught the flicker
OF her eyelids as she glanced quickly
toward Brousseau. and he knew that
at the same instant she had seen the
look on Brousscau's face. The Seig-
neur, mouthng impotently. had kept
trying to rise; but now he sat open
mouthed in his chair, and thereafter
they listened
I'll tell you why he wants the
seigniory," continued Lafe. ~ guess
It's pnrt plain greed. but there's an
other reason. and that explains why
he wants to get Mr.. Askew off. There's
an asbestos mine on the island-Look
at him Look at him"
Brousseau was glnrng at him. the
P'''oic VI iihpoNchl IdsN-
ing indicated him with his hand, re-
sumed:
He kept It off the map in our office,
pretending the island Isn't on our lIm-
Its. and he spread that story. but you
know better. Mr.. Rosny. The island
has the best asbestos mine this side of
Thetford. and I've seen the mines at
Thetford. And it's worth good quar-
ter million dollars, reckon. Maybe
more. Maybe a miIlion-I amt no
judge. And he's kept 1t secret from
you"
Hes drunk or dreaming" NUT
tered Brousseau, trembling. "a few
strands Of rock fax, commercially
worthless"
But that amt roguery. That's just
a business trick" said Connell How
| did he get you into his power. Mr. Ros-
| ny, asking your pardon? I'll tell you.
| He's cheated you rs he's cheated us.
except that 1t was worse, because you
| trusted him. which we never did.
| That's what I come to tell you, Mr..
ROsny. He's swindled you out Of
nearly forty thousand dollars on one
deal, in North Empire Development
company stock. and maybe in other"
Brousseau feaped at Lafe like q
tiger. Lafe. who had anticipated the
move. stepped dexterously aside, at
the same time twirling the chair on
which his hand was resting. Brous-
seau. in his plunge forward. tripped
over 1t, stumbled and fell prone to the
floor.
"And I got the papers to prove that
-here!" said Lafe triumphantly.
Brousseau rose. rubbing his shins
and muttering curses, and glared saw
agely about him. Madeleine was
breathing quickly. her eyes fixed In
tently on Lafe's face.
Its id lie!" cried BrOusseau.
They've forged those papers. Where
are they? Eth? Show mew
He said he was speaking for you,
Mr.. Rosny." said Lafe, 80 here they
are. l guess you know your sigma
| ture2"
He drew the envelope from his pock-
ct and placed the three documents on
the Seigneur's knee. standing between
him and BrouSseau, who looked ready
to leap again. But he did not leap !;
he muttered to Madeleine, who still
/ watched Lafe breathlessly.
81 guess these letters don't tell you
much. Mr.. Rosny," continued Lafe. "If
you'll put them together you'll see that
those fifty thousand dollar shares were
sold for you in Quebec at hundred
dollars apiece"
Yes. Monsieur Brousseau had i'll
fortune with that company. He ex-
planned it to me-" said the Seigneur.
trembling. "What of it?"
"Why. here's the market price of Its
shares five days before at $S75. that's
ALL" said Lafe. at didn't tumble that
fast. All the country would have been
ringing with 1t If it had done that.
guess Brousseau has that money of
yours tucked away safely somewhere"
You gave me your power OF attor-
ney-" Brousseau began.
But his guilt was written on his
face. The swiftness of the blow had
utterly disconnected him and made him
incapable of defense. Lafe saw the
Seigneur's expression change as II a
mask has been torn from his fea-
lures. He staggered to his feet, his
left side helpless. and, grasping the
chair with his right hand. confronted
Brousseau.
"What have you to say? Is 1t true
or false. monsieur?" he cried. where
are my other stocks? You had hun
dred thousand of my money. Where
Is it?"
"Find III" yelled Brousseau. go to
the devil with your money! tried to
help you out Of friendship. haven't
time to work out your stock exchange
accounts for you. If anybody's cheat
ed you it's the stockbroker Go to him
for III" He started toward Madeleine.
"You don't believe these lies against
meT he cried.
"You have insulted my father. but
you have not answered him."