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It was a reach of deep twilight, brightening into sunlight at either end. I picked my way carefully, peering into the numerous small caves and fissures in the wall on either hand. And I was about half-way through when I saw a shadow running in front of me and making no sound. It was Duchaine. There could be no mistaking that tall, gaunt figure, just visible against the distant day.
It seemed like an abominable dream the futile old man, the ruffians and their wenches below. And I had endured so much for Jacqueline, to find myself immeshed in such things in the end. I stepped forward and swept the entire heap of gold into the centre of the table. "M. Duchaine!" I shouted. "Why are you playing the fool here when your daughter is suffering persecution?"
She was so silent that I thought I had convinced her. I urged her to her feet. But suddenly I heard a stealthy footfall close at hand, between the cave and the cataract. I thought it was Charles Duchaine. I hoped it was Leroux. I placed my finger on Jacqueline's lips and crept stealthily to the passage, revolver in hand.
I picked furiously at the ropes which bound my hands, and a long strand uncoiled and whipped back on my wrist. Suddenly I heard old Charles Duchaine bring down his fist with a vigorous thud upon the end of the table. "I'll see you in first, Simon!" was his unexpected remark. "What?" cried Simon, taken completely aback. "No, Simon," continued the old man in his mild voice once more.
I have perfected a system. Listen!" He took me by the arm and spoke in that cunning madman's way: "I will make your fortune if you will let me go free. You shall have millions. We will go to Quebec together and play at the tables, as I did when I was a young man. My system cannot fail!" "M. Duchaine," I pleaded, "won't you come back with me and let us talk it over? Jacqueline is with me "
"No, Simon," muttered Duchaine, looking up hopefully at him. "If you had ten thousand dollars, Charles, you could make your fortune in a week. They play high nowadays, and your system would sweep all before it." "Yes, yes!" cried the dotard eagerly. "If only I had ten thousand dollars I could make my fortune. But I am old now. My little daughter has gone to New York to play for me.
My heart leaped up at the thought of her valour. She had no mind to yield! But I shook my head imperceptibly in answer, and looked down at my bonds. "I don't want you to marry my daughter, Simon," said old Duchaine mildly. "I saw you strike her in the face just now. No gentleman would do that. Come, Simon, you know you are not a gentleman; you ought not to think of such a thing.
"Did I not say that I would drive you here myself because I was anxious about a friend of mine and his young bride who were in the clutches of that scoundrel, Simon Leroux, who killed my brother? And did I not say that they were in the Château Duchaine?" "Well, there may be a château, somewhere," Carson replied. "In fact, there probably is.
But I had not gone six paces before I heard a scream that still rings in my ears to-day, and a shadow sprang out of the darkness and rushed at me. It was old Charles Duchaine. His white hair streamed behind him; his face bore an expression of indelible horror and rage, and in his hand he held the other sword.
I believe now that madame has suffered no wrong from you. But I am a priest, and, as you say, my care is only that of souls. Madame is married. I married her " "To whom?" I cried. "To M. Louis d'Epernay, nephew of M. Charles Duchaine by marriage, less than two weeks ago in the château here." The addition of the last word singularly revived my hopes.
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