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diff --git a/39229-h/39229-h.htm b/39229-h/39229-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b676f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/39229-h/39229-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10836 @@ + + +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mardi Gras Mystery, by H. 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Bedford-Jones + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Mardi Gras Mystery + +Author: H. Bedford-Jones + +Illustrator: John Newton Howitt + +Release Date: March 22, 2012 [EBook #39229] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARDI GRAS MYSTERY *** + + + + +Produced by Darleen Dove, Ernest Schaal, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 476px;"> <img class="border" src="images/cover.jpg" width="476" height="700" alt="Book cover" title="Book cover" /></div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h1>THE MARDI GRAS<br /> +MYSTERY</h1> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="bbox"> +<p class="h2a">BOOKS BY<br /> +H. BEDFORD-JONES</p> + +<p class="hangindent"><span class="smcap">Conquest</span></p> + +<p class="hangindent"> <span class="smcap">Cross and the Hammer: A +Tale of the Days of the Vikings</span></p> + +<p class="hangindent"> <span class="smcap">Flamehair the Skald: A +Tale of the Days Of Hardrede</span></p> + +<p class="hangindent"> <span class="smcap">Golden Ghost</span></p> + +<p class="hangindent"> <span class="smcap">The Mesa Trail</span></p> + +<p class="hangindent"> <span class="smcap">The Mardi Gras Mystery</span></p> + +<p class="hangindent"> <span class="smcap">Under Fire</span></p> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 457px;"> <img class="border" src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" width="457" height="700" alt="" title="" /> +<p class="caption">"<i>'You frightened me, holy man!' she cried gaily. 'Confess +to you, indeed! Not I.'</i>"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p class="h2a">THE MARDI GRAS<br /> +MYSTERY</p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">BY</p> +<p class="cnotmargin">H. BEDFORD-JONES</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 198px;"> <img src="images/title-emb.png" width="198" height="194" alt="" title="" /></div> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">FRONTISPIECE</p> +<p class="cnomargins">BY</p> +<p class="cnotmargin">JOHN NEWTON HOWITT</p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">garden city, n. y., and toronto</span></p> +<p class="cnomargins">DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY</p> +<p class="cnotmargin">1921</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p> </p> + +<p> </p> + +<p class="cnobmargin">COPYRIGHT, 1920, 1921, BY</p> +<p class="cnomargins">DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY</p> +<p class="cnomargins">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, INCLUDING THAT OF TRANSLATION</p> +<p class="cnotmargin">INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING THE SCANDINAVIAN</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p class="margin-left8">CHAPTER <span class="ralign">PAGE</span></p> + +<blockquote> +<ul class="TOCR"> + +<li><span class="smcap">Carnival</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page3">3</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Masquers</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page21">21</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">The Bandit</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page38">38</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Callers</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page58">58</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">The Masquer Unmasks</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page82">82</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Chacherre</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page107">107</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">In the Open</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page125">125</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Comus</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page143">143</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">On the Bayou</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page169">169</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Murder</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page190">190</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">The Gangsters</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page209">209</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">The Ultimatum</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page228">228</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">The Coin Falls Heads</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page249">249</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Chacherre's Bundle</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page262">262</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">When the Heavens Fall</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page280">280</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">The Impregnability of Mr. Fell</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page299">299</a></span></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Mi-Carême</span> <span class="ralign"><a href="#page310">310</a></span></li> + +</ul> +</blockquote> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<h1>THE MARDI GRAS<br /> +MYSTERY</h1> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span></p> + +<h1>THE MARDI GRAS MYSTERY</h1> + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<p class="h2a"><i>Carnival</i></p> + +<p>JACHIN FELL pushed aside the glass +curtains between the voluminous over-draperies +in the windows of the Chess +and Checkers Club, and gazed out upon the +riotous streets of New Orleans. Half an hour +he had been waiting here in the lounge room +for Dr. Cyril Ansley, a middle-aged bachelor +who had practised in Opelousas for +twenty years, and who had come to the city +for the Mardi Gras festivities. Another man +might have seemed irritated by the wait, but +Jachin Fell was quite unruffled.</p> + +<p class="indent">He had much the air of a clerk. His features +were thin and unremarkable; his pale +eyes constantly wore an expression of wondering +aloofness, as though he saw around +him much that he vainly tried to understand. +In his entire manner was a shy reticence. He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> +was no clerk, however, this was evident from +his attire. He was garbed from head to +foot in soberly blending shades of gray whose +richness was notable only at close view. One +fancied him a very precise sort of man, an +old maid of the wrong sex.</p> + +<p class="indent">Doctor Ansley, an Inverness flung over his +evening clothes, entered the lounge room, and +Fell turned to him with a dry, toneless +chuckle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're the limit! Did you forget we +were going to the Maillards' to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Ansley appeared vexed and irritated. +"Confound it, Fell!" he exclaimed. "I've +been all over town looking for El Reys. +Caught in a crowd—no El Reys yet!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Again Fell uttered his toneless chuckle. +His voice was absolutely level, unmarked by +any change of inflection.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear fellow, there are only three +places in the city that can afford to carry +El Reys in these parlous times! This club, +however, happens to be one of the three. +Here, sit down and forget your troubles over +a real smoke! We need not leave for fifteen +minutes yet, at least."</p> + +<p class="indent">Doctor Ansley laid aside his cape, stick, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> +and hat, and dropped into one of the comfortable +big chairs. He accepted the proffered +cigar with a sigh. Across his knees he +laid an evening paper, whose flaring headlines +proclaimed an extra.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose you've been gadding all around +the town ever since the Revellers opened the +season?" he inquired.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hardly," said Fell with his shy air. "I'm +growing a bit stiff with age, as Eliza said +when she crossed the ice. I don't gad much."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You intend to mask for the Maillards'?" +Ansley cast his eye over the gray business +attire of the little man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never mask." Jachin Fell shook his +head. "I'll get a domino and go as I am. +Excuse me—I'll order a domino now, and +also provide a few more El Reys for the evening. +Back in a moment."</p> + +<p class="indent">Doctor Ansley, who was himself a non-resident +member of the club and socially +prominent when he could grant himself +leisure for society, followed the slight figure +of the other man with speculative eyes. +Well as he knew Jachin Fell, he invariably +found the man a source of puzzled speculation.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> +During many years Jachin Fell had been a +member of the most exclusive New Orleans +clubs. He was even received in the inner +circles of Creole society, which in itself was +evidence supreme as to his position. At this +particular club he was famed as a wizard +master of chess. He never entered a tournament, +yet he consistently defeated the champions +in private matches—defeated them +with a bewildering ease, a shy and apologetic +ease, an ease which left the beholders incredulous +and aghast.</p> + +<p class="indent">With all this, Jachin Fell was very much of +a mystery, even among his closest friends. +Very little was known of him; he was inconspicuous +to a degree, and it was usually assumed +that he was something of a recluse, +the result of a thwarted love affair in his +youth. He was a lawyer, and certainly +maintained offices in the Maison Blanche +building, but he never appeared in the courts +and no case of his pleading was known.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was said that he lived in the rebuilt casa +of some old Spanish grandee in the Vieux +Carre, and that this residence of his was a +veritable treasure-trove of historic and beautiful +things. This was mere rumour, adding a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> +spice of romance to the general mystery. +Ansley knew him as well as did most men, +and Ansley knew of a few who could boast +of having been a guest in Jachin Fell's home. +There was a mother, an invalid of whom +Fell sometimes spoke and to whom he appeared +to devote himself. The family, an +old one in the city, promised to die out with +Jachin Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ansley puffed at his cigar and considered +these things. Outside, in the New Orleans +streets, was rocketing the mad mirth of carnival. +The week preceding Mardi Gras was +at its close. Since the beginning of the new +year the festival had been celebrated in a +steadily climaxing series of balls and entertainments, +largely by the older families who +kept to the old customs, and to a smaller +extent by society at large. Now the final +week was at hand, or rather the final three +days—the period of the great balls, the +period when tourists were flooding into town; +for tourists, the whole time of Mardi Gras was +comprised within these three days. Despite +agonized predictions, prohibition had not adversely +affected Mardi Gras or the gaiety of +its celebration.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> +Now, as ever, was Mardi Gras symbolized +by masques. In New Orleans the masquerade +was not the pale and pitiful frolic of colder +climes, where the occasion is but one for +display of jewels and costumes, and where +actual concealment of identity is a farce. +Here in New Orleans were jewels and costumes +in a profusion of splendour; but here +was preserved the underlying idea of the +masque itself—that in concealment of identity +lay the life of the thing! Masquers +swept the streets gaily; if harlequin husband +flirted with domino wife—why, so much the +merrier! There was little harm in the Latin +masque, and great mirth.</p> + +<p class="indent">When Jachin Fell returned and lighted his +cigar he sank into one of the luxurious chairs +beside Ansley and indicated the newspaper +lying across the latter's knee, its +flaring headlines standing out blackly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's that about the Midnight Masquer? +He's not appeared again?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What?" Ansley glanced at him in surprise. +"You've not heard?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell shook his head. "I seldom read the +papers."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good heavens, man! He showed up last +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> +night at the Lapeyrouse dance, two minutes +before midnight, as usual! A detective had +been engaged, but was afterward found +locked in a closet, bound with his own handcuffs. +The Masquer wore his usual costume—and +went through the party famously, +stripping everyone in sight. Then he backed +through the doors and vanished. How he +got in they can't imagine; where he went +they can't imagine, unless it was by airplane. +He simply appeared, then vanished!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell settled deeper into his chair, pointed +his cigar at the ceiling, and sighed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, most interesting! The loot was +valued at about a hundred thousand?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thought you said you'd not heard of it?" +demanded Ansley.</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell laughed softly and shyly. "I didn't. +I merely hazarded a guess."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wizard!" The doctor laughed in unison. +"Yes, about that amount. Exaggerated, of +course; still, there were jewels of great +value——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The Masquer is a piker," observed Fell, +in his toneless voice.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Eh? A piker—when he can make a +hundred-thousand-dollar haul?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> +"Don't dream that those figures represent +value, Doctor. They don't! All the loot the +Masquer has taken since he began work is +worth little to him. Jewels are hard to sell. +This game of banditry is romantic, but it's +out of date these days. Of course, the crook +has obtained a bit of money, but not enough to +be worth the risk."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet he has got quite a bit," returned +Ansley, thoughtfully. "All the men have +money, naturally; we don't want to find +ourselves bare at some gay carnival moment! +I'll warrant you've a hundred or so in your +pocket right now!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not I," rejoined Fell, calmly. "One ten-dollar +bill. Also I left my watch at home. +And I'm not dressed; I don't care to lose my +pearl studs."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Eh?" Ansley frowned. "What do you +mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell took a folded paper from his +pocket and handed it to the physician.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I met Maillard at the bank this morning. +He called me into his office and handed me +this—he had just received it in the mail."</p> + +<p class="indent">Doctor Ansley opened the folded paper; +an exclamation broke from him as he read +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> +the note, which was addressed to their host +of the evening.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">Joseph Maillard</span>, President,</p> + +<p class="indent">Exeter National Bank, City.</p> + +<p>I thank you for the masque you are giving to-night. +I shall be present. Please see that Mrs. M. wears her +diamonds—I need them.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Midnight Masquer.</span></p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Ansley glanced up. "What's this—some +hoax? Some carnival jest?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Maillard pretended to think so." Fell +shrugged his shoulders as he repocketed the +note. "But he was nervous. He was afraid +of being laughed at, and wouldn't go to the +police. But he'll have a brace of detectives +inside the house to-night, and others outside."</p> + +<p class="indent">Ever since the first ball of the year by the +Twelfth Night Club this Midnight Masquer, +as he was termed, had held New Orleans +gripped in terror, fascination, and vivid +interest. Until a month previous to this +week of Mardi Gras he had operated rarely; +he had robbed with a stark and inelegant +forcefulness, a brutality. Suddenly his methods +changed—he appeared and transacted his +business with a romantic courtesy, a daredevil +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> +gaiety; his robberies became bizarre and extraordinary.</p> + +<p class="indent">During the past month he appeared at +least once a week, now at some private ball, +now at some restaurant banquet, but always +in the same garb: the helmet, huge goggles +and mask, and leathern clothes of a service +aviator. On these occasions the throbbing +roar of an airplane motor had been reported +so that it was popular gossip that he landed +on the roof of his designated victims and made +his getaway in the same manner—by airplane. +No machine had ever been seen, and the theory +was believed by some, hooted at by others.</p> + +<p class="indent">The police were helpless. The Midnight +Masquer laughed openly at them and conducted +his depredations with brazen unconcern, +appearing where he was least expected. +The anti-administration papers were clamouring +about a "crime wave" and "organization +of crooks," but without any visible basis for +such clamours. The Midnight Masquer +worked alone.</p> + +<p class="indent">Doctor Ansley glanced at his watch, and +deposited his cigar in an ash tray.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'd best be moving, Fell. You'll want +a domino?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> +"I ordered one when I got my cigars. It'll +be here in a minute."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you seriously think that note is genuine?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell shrugged lightly. "Who knows? I'm +not worried. Maillard can afford to be +robbed. It will be interesting to see how +he takes it if the fellow does show up."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're a calm one!" Ansley chuckled. +"Oh, I believe the prince is to be there to-night. +You've met him, I suppose?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. I've had a rush of business lately, +as Eliza said when she crossed the ice: haven't +gone out much. Heard something about him, +though. An American, isn't he? They say +he's become quite popular in town."</p> + +<p class="indent">Ansley nodded. "Quite a fine chap. His +mother was an American—she married the +Prince de Gramont; an international affair +of the past generation. De Gramont led her +a dog's life, I hear, until he was killed in a duel. +She lived in Paris with the boy, sent him to +school here at home, and he was at Yale +when the war broke. He was technically a +French subject, so he went back to serve his +time.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Still, he's an American now. Calls himself +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> +Henry Gramont, and would drop the +prince stuff altogether if these French people +around here would let him. He's supposed to +be going into some kind of business, but just +now he's having the time of his life. Every +old dowager is trying to catch him."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell nodded. "I've no use for +nobility; a rotten crowd! But this chap +appears interesting. I'll be glad to size him +up. Ah, here's my domino now!"</p> + +<p class="indent">A page brought the domino. Fell, discarding +the mask, threw the domino about +his shoulders, and the two men left the club +in company.</p> + +<p class="indent">They sought their destination afoot—the +home of the banker Joseph Maillard. The +streets were riotous, filled with an eddying, +laughing crowd of masquers and merrymakers +of all ages and sexes; confetti twirled +through the air, horns were deafening, and +laughing voices rose into sharp screams of +unrestrained delight.</p> + +<p class="indent">Here and there appeared the rather constrained +figures of tourists from the North. +These, staid and unable to throw themselves +into the utter abandon of this carnival spirit, +could but stare in perplexed wonder at the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span> +scene, so alien to them, while they marvelled +at the gaiety of these Southern folk who +could go so far with liberty and yet not overstep +the bounds of license.</p> + +<p class="indent">At last gaining St. Charles Avenue, with the +Maillard residence a half-dozen blocks distant, +the two companions found themselves well +away from the main carnival throngs. Even +here, however, was no lack of revellers afoot +for the evening—stray flotsam of the downtown +crowds, or members of neighbourhood +gatherings on their way to entertainment.</p> + +<p class="indent">As the two walked along they were suddenly +aware of a lithe figure approaching from +the rear; with a running leap and an exclamation +of delight the figure forced itself +in between them, grasping an arm of either +man, and a bantering voice broke in upon +their train of talk.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Forfeit!" it cried. "Forfeit—where are +your masks, sober gentlemen? This grave +physician may be pardoned, but not a domino +who refuses to mask! And for forfeit you +shall be my escort and take me whither you +are going."</p> + +<p class="indent">Laughing, the two fell into step, glancing +at the gay figure between them. A Columbine, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> +she was both cloaked and masked. +Encircling her hair was a magnificent scarf +shot with metal designs of solid gold—a +most unusual thing. Also, from her words +it was evident that she had recognized them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Willingly, fair Columbine," responded Fell +in his dry and unimpassioned tone of voice. +"We shall be most happy, indeed, to protect +and take you with us——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So far as the door, at least," interrupted +Ansley, with evident caution. But Fell drily +laughed aside this wary limitation.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nay, good physician, farther!" went on +Fell. "Our Columbine has an excellent passport, +I assure you. This gauzy scarf about +her raven tresses was woven for the good +Queen Hortense, and I would venture a +random guess that, clasped about her slender +throat, lies the queen's collar of star +sapphires——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" From the Columbine broke a cry +of warning and swift dismay. "Don't you +dare speak my name, sir—don't you dare!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell assented with a chuckle, and subsided.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ansley regarded his two companions with +sidelong curiosity. He could not recognize +Columbine, and he could not tell whether +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span> +Fell were speaking of the scarf and jewels in +jest or earnest. Such historic things were +not uncommon in New Orleans, yet Ansley +never heard of these particular treasures. +However, it seemed that Fell knew their companion, +and accepted her as a fellow guest at +the Maillard house.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What are you doing out on the streets +alone?" demanded Fell, suddenly. "Haven't +you any friends or relatives to take care of +you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Columbine's laughter pealed out, and she +pressed Fell's arm confidingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have I not some little rights in the world, +monsieur?" she said in French. "I have +been mingling with the dear crowds and enjoying +them, before I go to be buried in the +dull splendours of the rich man's house. +Tell me, do you think that the Midnight +Masquer will make an appearance to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have every reason to believe that he +will," said Jachin Fell, gravely.</p> + +<p class="indent">Columbine put one hand to her throat, +and shivered a trifle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You—you really think so? You are not +trying to frighten me?" Her voice was no +longer gay. "But—the jewels——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> +"Wear them, wear them!" There was +command in the tone of Fell. "Were they +not given you to wear to-night? Then wear +them, by all means. Don't worry, my dear."</p> + +<p class="indent">Columbine said nothing for a moment; her +gaiety seemed to be suddenly extinguished +and quenched. Ansley was wondering uneasily +at the constraint, when at length she +broke the silence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Since you have ordered, let the command +be obeyed!" She essayed a laugh, which appeared +rather forced. "Yet, if they are lost +and are taken by the Masquer——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In that case," said Fell, "let the blame +be mine entirely. If they are lost, little +Columbine, others will be lost with them, +fear not! I think that this party would be +a rich haul for the Masquer, eh? Take the +rich man and his friends—they could bear +plucking, that crowd! Rogues all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Confound you, Fell!" exclaimed Ansley, +uneasily. "If the bandit does show up +there would be the very devil to pay!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"And Maillard would do the paying." +Fell's dry chuckle held a note of bitterness. +"Let him. Who cares? Look at his house, +there, blazing with lights. Who pays for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> +those lights? The people his financial tentacles +have closed their sucker-like grip upon. +His wife's jewels have been purchased with +the coin of oppression and injustice. His +son's life is one of roguery and drunken +wildness——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Man, are you mad?" Ansley indicated the +Columbine between them. "We're not alone +here—you must not talk that way——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell only chuckled again. Columbine's +laugh broke in with renewed gaiety:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nonsense, my dear Galen! We surely +may be allowed to be ourselves during carnival! +Away with the heresies of hypocritical +society. Our friend speaks the sober +truth. We masquers may admit among ourselves +that Bob Maillard is——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is not the man we would have our daughters +marry, provided we had daughters," +said Fell. Then he gestured toward the +house ahead of them, and his tone changed: +"Still, now that we are about to enter that +house, we must remind ourselves of courtesy +and the limitations of guests. Say no more. +Produce your invitation, Columbine, for I +think we shall find that the doors to-night +are guarded by Cerberus."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> +They had come to a file of limousines and +cars, and approached the gateway of the +Maillard home. They turned into the gate.</p> + +<p class="indent">The house loomed before them, a great +house set amid gardens, stately in the fashion +of olden days. The lower floors were discreetly +darkened to the streets, but on the +upper floor, where was the ballroom with +its floor of cypress, there was a glitter of +bright lights and open windows. Music +drifted to them as they approached. Jachin +Fell touched the arm of Ansley and indicated +an inconspicuous figure to one side of the +entrance steps.</p> + +<p class="indent">"An outer guardian," he murmured. "Our +host, it seems, is neglecting no precaution! +I feel sorry for the Masquer, if he appears +here."</p> + +<p class="indent">They came to the doorway. Columbine +produced an invitation, duly numbered, and +the three entered the house together.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<p class="h2a"><i>Masquers</i></p> + +<p>JOSEPH MAILLARD might have hopefully +considered the note from the Midnight +Masquer to be a hoax perpetrated +by some of his friends, but he took no chances. +Two detectives were posted in the grounds outside +the house; inside, two others, masked +and costumed, were keeping a quietly efficient +eye on all that transpired.</p> + +<p class="indent">Each guest upon entering was conducted +directly to the presence of Joseph Maillard +himself, or of his wife; was bidden to unmask +in this private audience, and was then +presented with a favour and sent forth masked +anew to the festivities. These favours were +concealed, in the case of the ladies, in corsage +bouquets; in that of the men, inside false +cigars. There was to be a general opening of +the favours at midnight, the time set for unmasking. +All this ceremony was regarded +by the guests as a delightful innovation, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> +by Joseph Maillard as a delightful way of +assuring himself that only the invited guests +entered his house. Invitations might be +forged—faces, never!</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie Ledanois entered the presence of her +stately relative, and after unmasking, dutifully +exchanged kisses with Mrs. Maillard. +Until some months previously, until she had +come into the management of her own +property—or what was left of it—Lucie had +been the ward of the Maillards. Their former +attitude of possession still lingered, but +they were relatives for whom she felt little +real affection.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mercy, child, how marvellous you look +to-night!" exclaimed Mrs. Maillard, holding +her off and examining her high colour with +obvious suspicion. Mrs. Maillard was herself +rather plump and red, and stern of eye +into the bargain. She was a keen, masterful +woman.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you, ma'am," and Lucie made a +mock courtesy. "Do you like little Columbine?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very much. Here's Aunt Sally; take +Miss Lucie's cloak, Sally."</p> + +<p class="indent">An old coloured servant bobbed her head +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> +in greeting to Lucie, who removed her cloak. +As she did so, she saw that Mrs. Maillard's +voice died away, and that the lady's eyes +were fastened in utter amazement upon her +throat.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Isn't it pretty, auntie?" she asked, smilingly. +This was straining the relationship +a trifle, but it was a custom which Lucie +usually followed with the family.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My goodness gracious!" The stern eyes +hardened. "Where—where on earth did <i>you</i> +obtain such a thing? Why—why——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Columbine's features flinched. She was +a poor relation, of course, so the look in the +older woman's eyes and the implication of +the words formed little less than an insult.</p> + +<p class="indent">Quietly she put one hand to her throat +and removed the collar, dropping it into the +hand of Mrs. Maillard. It was a thing to +make any woman's eyes widen—a collar of +exquisitely wrought gold studded with ten +great blazing star sapphires. Beside it the +diamonds that bejewelled Mrs. Maillard's +ample front looked cold and lifeless.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That?" queried Lucie, innocently, producing +a scrap of chamois and dabbing at +her nose. "Oh, that's very interesting! It +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> +was made for Queen Hortense—so was this +scarf that keeps my ragged hair from lopping +out!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You didn't buy them, certainly!" demanded +Mrs. Maillard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course not. They were a present—only +this morning."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Girl!" The lady's voice was harsh. "A +present? From whom, if you please?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I promised not to tell; he's a particular +friend of mine. Aren't the stones +pretty?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mrs. Maillard was speechless. She compressed +her firm lips and watched Lucie +replace the sapphire collar without a word to +offer. Silently she extended a corsage bouquet +from the pile beside her; then, in a +trembling voice, forced herself to explain +about the favour inside.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And I hope," she added, "that before +receiving any more such valuable presents +you'll consult <i>me</i>. Of course, if you don't +wish to tell about this, you needn't; but a +word of advice will often save a girl from +making very serious mistakes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you, auntie dear," and Lucie +nodded as she pinned the bouquet. "You're +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> +just as dear to me as you can be! See you +later."</p> + +<p class="indent">Slipping her mask into place she was gone, +not without relief. She knew very well that +within half an hour Bob Maillard would be +informed that she had accepted gifts of +jewels from other men, with all the accompanying +implications and additions that imagination +could furnish. For, although Bob +Maillard wanted very much indeed to marry +her his mother had no intention of sanctioning +such a union.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Neither has Uncle Joseph," she reflected, +smiling to herself, "and neither have I! So +we're all agreed, except Bob."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Columbine!" A hand fell upon her wrist. +"Columbine! Turn and confess thy sins!"</p> + +<p class="indent">A cry of instinctive alarm broke from the +girl; she turned, only to break into a laugh +of chagrin at her own fright.</p> + +<p class="indent">She had come to the foot of the wide, old-fashioned +stairway that led to the floors +above, and beside her had suddenly appeared +a Franciscan monk, cowled and gowned in +sober brown from head to foot.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You frightened me, holy man!" she cried, +gaily. "Confess to you, indeed! Not I."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> +"Never a better chance, butterfly of the +world!" It was a voice that she dimly +recognized, yet she could not name the +owner: a merry, carefree voice that was +slightly disguised.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never a better chance," and the Franciscan +offered his arm. "Haste not to the +dance, fair sister—tarry a while and invite +the soul in speech of import! Having passed +the dragon at the gate, tarry a moment with +this man of vows——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Shrive me quickly, then," she said, laughing.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, without confession? Would you +have me read your thoughts and give penance?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you can do that, holy man, I may +confess; so prove it quickly!"</p> + +<p class="indent">For the moment they stood alone. Higher +on the stairs, and among the rooms behind +them, were gay groups of masquers—dominoes, +imposing Mephistos, backwoodsmen, +gallants of Spain and France, red Indians and +turbaned Hindus.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Franciscan leaned forward. His voice +came low, distinct, clear-cut, and he spoke +in the French which Lucie understood as +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> +another mother-tongue, as do most of the +older families of New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="indent">"See how I read them, mademoiselle! One +thought is of uneasy suspicion; it is typified by +a hard-lipped, grasping man. One thought is +of profound regret; it is typified by a darkly +welling stream of oil. One thought——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly Lucie had shrunk away from him. +"Who—who are you?" she breathed, with a +gasp that was almost of fear. "Who are +you, monsieur?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"A humble brother of minor orders," and +he bowed. "Shall I not continue with my +reading? The third thought, mademoiselle, +is one of hope; it is typified by a small man +who is dressed all in gray——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie turned away from him quickly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think that you have made some grave +error, monsieur," she said. Her voice was +cold, charged with dismissal and offended +dignity. "I pray you, excuse me."</p> + +<p class="indent">Not waiting any response, she hastily ran +up the stairs. After her, for a moment, +gazed the Franciscan, then shrugged his wide +shoulders and plunged into the crowd.</p> + +<p class="indent">The ballroom on the top floor was throbbing +with music, gay with costumes and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page28" id="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> +decorations, thronged with dancing couples. +Into the whirl of it pirouetted Columbine. +Almost at once she found herself dancing +with a gorgeously attired Musketeer; she +separated from him as quickly as possible, +for she recognized him as Bob Maillard. Nor +did he find her again, although he searched, +not knowing her identity; for she evaded him.</p> + +<p class="indent">While she danced, while she chattered and +laughed and entered into the mad gaiety of +the evening, Lucie Ledanois could not banish +from her mind that ominous Franciscan. +How could he have known? How could he +have guessed what only she and one other +barely suspected? There was no proof, of +course; the very breath of suspicion seemed +a calumny against an upright man!</p> + +<p class="indent">Joseph Maillard had sold that Terrebonne +land six months before any gas or oil had been +discovered there, and eight months before +Lucie had come into the management of her +own affairs. He had not known about the +minerals, of course; it was a case only of bad +judgment. Yet, indubitably, he was now a +shareholder and officer in the Bayou Oil +Company, the concern which had bought that +strip of land.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> +Two years previously Maillard had sold +that swamp land up in St. Landry parish; the +land had been drained and sectioned off by +real estate people at enormous profit.</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie strove angrily to banish the dark +thoughts from her mind. Why, Maillard +was a rich man, a banker, an honorable +gentleman! To doubt his honour, although +he was a harsh and a stern man, was impossible. +Lucie knew him better than most, +and could not believe——</p> + +<p class="indent">"May I crave pardon for my error?" came +a voice at her elbow. She turned, to see the +Franciscan again beside her. "With a thousand +apologies for impertinence, mademoiselle; +I am very sorry for my faults. Will +not that admission obtain for me one little +dance, one hint of forgiveness from fair +Columbine?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Something in his voice spelt sincerity. +Lucie, smiling, held out her hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are pardoned, holy man. If you +can dance in that friar's robe, then try it!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Could he dance, indeed! Who could not +dance with Columbine for partner? So saying, +the monk proved his word by the deed +and proved it well. Nor did he again hint +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span> +that he had recognized her; until, as they +parted, he once more left her astonished and +perturbed. As he bowed he murmured:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Beware, sweet Columbine! Beware of +the gay Aramis! Beware of his proposals!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He was gone upon the word.</p> + +<p class="indent">Aramis? Why, that must be the Musketeer, +of course—Bob Maillard! The name, +with its implications, was a clever hit. But +who was this brown monk, who seemed to +know so much, who danced so divinely, +whose French was like music? A vague +suspicion was in the girl's mind, but she had +no proof.</p> + +<p class="indent">Half an hour after this Bob Maillard came +to her, and with impatient words made a +path through the circle which surrounded her. +He caught her hand and bent over it with an +affectation of gallantry which became him +well, for in his costume he made a handsome +figure.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know you now, Lucie!" he murmured. +"I must see you at once—in the conservatory."</p> + +<p class="indent">She was minded to refuse, but assented +briefly. The words of the monk intrigued +her; what had the man guessed? If Bob +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> +were indeed about to propose, she would this +time cut off his hopes for good. But—was +it that sort of a proposal?</p> + +<p class="indent">As she managed to rid herself of her admirers, +and descended to the conservatory, +she was highly vexed with herself and the +Franciscan, and so came to her appointment +in no equable frame of mind. She found +Maillard waiting in the old-fashioned conservatory; +he had unmasked, and was puffing +a cigarette. His heavy features and bold, +shrewd eyes were fastened hungrily upon her +as he came to meet her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"By gad, Lucie, you're beautiful to-night!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks, cousin Robert. Was it for +that——?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No! See here, where did you get that +collar of jewels?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Indeed!" The girl proudly drew herself +up. "What business is that of yours, sir?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Aren't you one of the family? It's our +business to protect your rep——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Be careful!" Anger trembled in her voice, +cut off his words. "Be careful!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But damn it—Lucie! Don't you know +that I want to marry you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear Robert, I certainly do not want +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span> +to marry any man who swears to my face—you +least of all!" she coldly intervened. "I +have already refused you three times; let this +be the fourth and last. I owe you no account +of my possessions nor where I get them; I am +entirely capable of managing my own affairs. +Now, kindly inform me why you wished me +to meet you here. Also, you know that I +don't like cigarette smoke."</p> + +<p class="indent">Sulkily, Maillard threw away his cigarette; +with an effort he calmed himself. He was +anything but a fool, this young man. He was +rather clever, and saw that he had so long +considered his pretty cousin a personal possession +that he was now in some danger of +losing her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have a chance to make some money +for you in a hurry," he said. "Your father +left you a good deal of land up Bayou Terrebonne +way——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your father sold some of it," she put in, +idly. His eyes flickered to the thrust.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes; but you've plenty left, near Paradis. +It's away from the gas field, but I'm interested +in an oil company. We've plenty of +money, and we're going to go strong after the +liquid gold. That land of yours is good for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page33" id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> +nothing else, and if you want to make some +money out of it I'll swing the company into +leasing at a good figure and drilling there."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You think there's oil on the land?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No." He made a swift, energetic gesture +of dissent. "To be frank, I don't. But I'd +like to throw a bit of luck your way, Lucie. +We're getting a lot of money into the company, +and some brains. That fellow Gramont—the +prince, you know him—he's an +engineer and a geologist, and he's in the +swim."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So," the girl smiled a little, "you would +betray your business friends in order to make +a bit of money for me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard stared at her. "Well, if you put +it that way, yes! I'd do more than that +for——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you," she interrupted, her voice +cold. "I don't think I'd trust your sagacity +very far, Robert. Good-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">She turned from him and was gone, dancing +through the great rooms like a true Columbine. +Later he saw her among the dancers +above, although he obtained no further speech +with her.</p> + +<p class="indent">Midnight neared, and brought a concern +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> +to many; the Midnight Masquer had gained +his name by invariably appearing a moment +or two before the stroke of twelve. Jachin +Fell, who divided his time between enjoying +the smoking room and wandering about +among the masquers, perceived that Joseph +Maillard was watching the time with anxiety.</p> + +<p class="indent">A large man, stern and a bit scornful of +look, Maillard was imposing rather than +handsome. He appeared the typical banker, +efficient, devoid of all sentiment. Amused +by the man's evident uneasiness, Jachin +Fell kept him in view while the moments +dragged. One might have thought that the +little gray man was studying the financier +as an entomologist studies a butterfly on a +pin.</p> + +<p class="indent">Shortly before twelve Columbine pirouetted +up to Jachin Fell and accepted the +arm he offered her. They were for the moment +alone, in a corner of the ballroom.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I must see you to-morrow, please," she +breathed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gladly," he assented. "May I call? It's +Sunday, you know——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you will; at three. Something has +happened, but I cannot speak of it here. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page35" id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> +Does any one else know that you—that you +are interested in my affairs?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The pale gray eyes of the little gray man +looked very innocent and wondering.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly not, my dear! Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll tell you to-morrow." Then she broke +into a laugh. "Well, it is midnight—and the +Masquer has not appeared! I'm almost +sorry."</p> + +<p class="indent">The lights flickered off for a moment, then +on again. The signal for unmasking!</p> + +<p class="indent">The dancing ceased. From the whole +room arose a babel of voices—cries of surprise, +exclamations, merry laughter. Columbine removed +her mask. An instant later Joseph +Maillard approached them, chuckling to himself +and looking hugely relieved.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ha, Lucie! I guessed you beneath the +Columbine daintiness! Well, Jachin, it was a +hoax after all, eh? Some confounded joke. +Come down to the library in five minutes, +will you? A meeting of the select circle, +to discuss prohibition."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Aren't you going to invite me, Uncle +Joseph?" broke in Lucie, gaily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no, little one!" Maillard reproved +her, laughingly. "Look not upon the silver +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> +cup at your age, my dear. Have you examined +your favour yet?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Remembering, the girl caught at her corsage. +Cries of delight were arising on all +sides as the favours were revealed—most +handsome favours, even for Mardi Gras! +From the heart of the rosebuds in her hand +Lucie removed a brooch of old filigree work set +with a group of pearls. She glanced about +for Jachin Fell, but he had vanished with +Maillard. A voice rose at her elbow:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mademoiselle, you are not less lucky than +beautiful! Pearls to the pearl!"</p> + +<p class="indent">She turned to see the Franciscan—no +longer masked, but now gazing at her from +a frank, laughing countenance, still partially +veiled by the brown cowl that was drawn up +close about his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Henry Gramont!" she exclaimed. "Oh, +I half suspected that it was you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you were not sure?" he chuckled. +"You're not offended with me, Lucie?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I should be." She tossed her head. "You +were impertinent, M. le prince!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He made a distasteful gesture. "None +of that, Lucie! You know I don't like it——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, la, la!" she mocked him. "M. le +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> +prince is seeing America, <i>n'est ce pas</i>? He +has come to America to find a rich wife, is +it not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont's face lost its smile, and suddenly +became almost harsh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I shall call upon you at four to-morrow, +Lucie," he said, abruptly, and turned. Nor +did he pause to get her reply. An instant +afterward Lucie was surrounded by a merry +group of friends, and she saw no more of +Henry Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">About five minutes later those in the ballroom +distinctly heard, through the open windows, +the heavy pulsations of an airplane +motor.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<p class="h2a"><i>The Bandit</i></p> + +<p>JOSEPH MAILLARD'S library was on the +ground floor of the house; it was a sedate +and stately room, and was invariably +shut off to itself. Not even to-night, of all +nights, was it thrown open with the remainder +of the house.</p> + +<p class="indent">Here, for a good half hour, had been Uncle +Neb. The old butler was mysteriously engaged +with certain tall silver goblets, fragrant +mint, and yet more fragrant—if illegal—bottles. +And it was here that Joseph Maillard +summoned half a dozen of his particular +cronies and friends, after the stroke of midnight +had assured him that there was no danger +to be expected from the bandit. His +son was not among the number. The half +dozen were nearly all elderly men, and, +with the exception of Jachin Fell, all were +men of prominent affairs.</p> + +<p class="indent">About the table grouped Maillard and his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span> +guests, while in the background hovered +Uncle Neb, glistening black, hugely important, +and grinning widely. Fell was the last +to enter the room, and as he did so old Judge +Forester turned to him smilingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, here is an attorney in whom there is +no guile! Jachin, come and settle a dispute. +I maintain that the dignity of the law is not +less now than in the old days; that it has +merely accommodated itself to changing conditions, +and that it is a profession for gentlemen +now as always. Jules, state your +argument!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jules Delagroux, a white-haired Creole +lawyer of high standing, smiled a trifle sadly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My case," he said, "is that the old days +are dead; that the law is no longer a profession, +but a following for charlatans. In a +word, that the law has been killed by the +lawyers." He gestured finality and glanced +at Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So?" Jachin Fell smiled in his shy fashion. +"Gentlemen, I heartily agree with you both. +I am an attorney, but I do not practise because +I cannot accommodate myself to those +very changing conditions of which Judge +Forester speaks. To-day, the lawyer must +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> +be a politician; he must be an adept in the +trick of words and deeds; he must be able not +to serve his profession but to make it serve +him, and he must remember always that the +rights of property are more sacred than those +of life and liberty. Otherwise, he will remain +honest and poor."</p> + +<p class="indent">An ejaculation of "True" from the judge +brought smiles. Jachin Fell continued whimsically:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Regarding these very conditions many +years ago, gentlemen, I was tempted to +change my profession—but to what? I was +tempted to enter the church until I saw +that the same conditions hold good of a +clergyman. I was tempted to enter medicine +until I saw that they also held true of a doctor. +I was tempted to other things, always with +the like result. Well, you know the story +of Aunt Dixie and her black underwear—'Honey, +I ain't ashamed of mah grief; when +I mourns, I <i>mourns</i>!' Even so with the +law——"</p> + +<p class="indent">A burst of laughter drowned him out, +and the original argument was forgotten. +Maillard, standing before a small wall safe +that flanked the open hearth, lifted his silver +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> +goblet, asteam with beads. The moment for +which he had been waiting was here; he +launched his little thunderbolt with an air +of satisfied importance.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My friends, I have a confession to make!" +he announced. "To-day I received a note +from the Midnight Masquer stating that +he would be with us this evening, presumably +at the hour of midnight, his usual time."</p> + +<p class="indent">These words brought an instant silence. +Uncle Neb, from his corner, uttered a startled +"Fore de lawd!" that rang through the +room; yet no one smiled. The half-dozen +men were tense, watchful, astonished. But +Maillard swung up his silver cup and laughed +gaily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I took full precautions, gentlemen. The +hour of danger is past, and the notorious +bandit has not arrived—or, if he has arrived, +he is now in the hands of the law. After +all, that note may have been something in +the nature of a carnival jest! So up with +your cups, my friends—a lifelong health to +Mardi Gras, and damnation to prohibition +and the Midnight Masquer!"</p> + +<p class="indent">From everyone broke a swift assent to +the toast, a murmur of relieved tension. The +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> +silver goblets were lifted, touched in a musical +clinking of edges, and the aromatic breath +of juleps filled the library as the drinkers, in +true Southern fashion, buried noses in the +fragrant mint. Then, as the cups were lowered, +from the recess of the curtained windows +at one end of the room came a quiet voice:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thank you, gentlemen! But I must remind +you, Maillard, that there was not a +time limit set in the note."</p> + +<p class="indent">With a simultaneous gasp everyone turned. +Maillard staggered; his face went livid. +Uncle Neb, who had been advancing to refill +the cups, dropped his silver tray with a crash +that went unheeded, indeed unheard. Every +eye was fastened upon that amazing figure +now advancing from the shadows of the +recess.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was the figure of an aviator, clad in +leather from top to toe, the goggles and helmet +shield completely masking his head and +features from recognition. In his hand he +held an automatic pistol, which covered the +group of men before him with its threatening +mouth.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not a sound, if you please," he warned, +his voice thin and nasal—obviously disguised. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page43" id="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> +"I trust that none of you gentlemen is armed, +because I am very quick on the trigger. A +very pleasant surprise, Maillard? You'd +given me up, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">For an instant no one spoke. Then Maillard +moved slightly, moved his hand toward +a button set in the wall near the safe. The +voice of the bandit leaped out at him like +thin steel:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quiet, you fool! If you touch that button——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard stiffened, and gripped the table +edge with his shaking hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is an outrage, suh!" began Judge +Forester, his white goatee bristling. The +bandit bowed slightly, and addressed the +gathering in a tone of dry raillery:</p> + +<p class="indent">"An outrage? Exactly. You were just +now discussing the majesty of the law. Well, +I assure you that I found your discussion +intensely interesting. Mr. Fell correctly +stated that the rights of property are more +sacred in legal eyes than the rights of human +life. You see, gentlemen, the discussion +touched me very closely!</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am now engaged in outraging the law, +and I have this amendment to propose to Mr. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> +Fell: That if he had been tempted to follow +the profession of a robber he would have +found the same conditions prevailing which +he quoted as applying to other professions."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell, alone of those about the table, +allowed a smile to curve his lips.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The rights of property," pursued the +bandit with a deadly smoothness, "are to +me, also, far more sacred than human life; +there I agree with the law. So, gentlemen, +kindly empty your pockets on the table." +His voice became crisp. "The jewelled scarf-pins +which you received as favours this evening +may be added to the collection; otherwise, +I shall not touch your private possessions. +No watches, thank you. Maillard, kindly +begin! I believe that you carry a wallet? +If you please."</p> + +<p class="indent">The banker could not but obey. His +hands trembling with fear and rage, he took +from his pocket a wallet, and emptied a sheaf +of bills upon the table. One after another, +the other men followed his example. The +bandit made no attempt to search them, +but watched with eyes that glittered from +behind his mask as they laid money and scarf-pins +on the table. When it came his turn, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page45" id="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> +Jachin Fell drew a single bill from his pocket, +and laid it down.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You put some faith in that warning, Mr. +Fell?" The bandit laughed. "Do you think +that you will know me again?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hardly believe so, sir," answered Fell +in his apologetic fashion. "Your disguise +is really excellent."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you." The bandit's voice held a +thin mockery. "Coming from you, sir, that +compliment is most welcome."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What the devil does the fellow mean?" +exploded Judge Forester.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you are not aware that Mr. Fell is a +man of large affairs?" The bandit's white +teeth flashed in a smile. "He is a modest +man, this attorney! And a dangerous man +also, I assure you. But come, Mr. Fell, +I'll not betray you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell obviously did not appreciate +the pleasantry. His shy and wondering features +assumed a set and hardened look.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whoever you are," he responded, a subtle +click of anger in his tone, "you shall be punished +for this!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"For what, Mr. Fell? For knowing too +much of your private affairs?" The bandit +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> +laughed. "Fear not—I am only an amateur +at this game, fortunately! So do your worst, +and my blessing upon you! Now, gentlemen, +kindly withdraw a few paces and join +Uncle Neb yonder against the wall. All but +you, Maillard; I'm not through with you +yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">The automatic pistol gestured; under its +menace everyone obeyed the command, for +the calm assurance of the bandit made it +seem extremely likely that he would use the +weapon without compunction. The men +withdrew toward the far end of the room, +where a word from the aviator halted them. +Maillard remained standing where he was, his +heavy features now mottled with impotent +anger.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Masquer advanced to the table and +gathered the heap of money and scarfpins +into the leathern pocket of his coat. During +the process his gaze did not waver from the +group of men, nor did the threat of his weapon +lift from the banker before him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, Maillard," he quietly ordered, "you +will have the kindness to turn around and +open the wall safe behind you. And don't +touch the button."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> +Maillard started.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That safe! Why—why—damn you, I'll +do nothing of the sort!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you don't," was the cool threat, "I'll +shoot you through the abdomen. A man +fears a bullet there worse than death. It +may kill you, and it may not; really, I care +very little. You—you financier!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Scorn leaped into the quiet voice, scorn +that lashed and bit deep.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You money trickster! Do you think I +would spare such a man as you? You draw +your rents from the poor and destitute, your +mortgages cover half the parishes in the +state, and in your heart is neither compassion +nor pity for man or woman. You take the +property of others from behind the safety +curtain of the law; I do it from behind a +pistol! I rob only those who can afford to +lose—am I really as bad as you, in the eyes +of morality and ethics? Bah! I could shoot +you down without a qualm!"</p> + +<p class="indent">In his voice was so deadly a menace that +Maillard trembled. Yet the banker drew +himself up and struggled for self-control, +stung as he was by this flood of vituperation +before the group of his closest friends.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> +"There is nothing of mine in that safe," +he said, his voice a low growl. "I have given +it to my son to use. He is not here."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That," said the Masquer, calmly, "is +exactly why I desire you to open it. Your +son must make his contribution, for I keenly +regret his absence. If you are a criminal, +he is worse! You rob and steal under shelter +of the law, but you have certain limitations, +certain bounds of an almost outgrown honour. +He has none, that son of yours. Why, he +would not hesitate to turn your own tricks +back upon you, to rob <i>you</i>, if he could! Open +that safe or take the consequences; no more +talk, now!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The command cracked out like a whiplash. +With a shrug of helplessness the banker +turned and fumbled with the protruding +knob of the safe. With one exception all +eyes were fastened upon this amazing Masquer. +The exception was Jachin Fell, who, +suddenly alert and watchful, had turned his +attention to Maillard and the safe, a keen +speculation in his gaze as though he were +wondering what that steel vault would produce.</p> + +<p class="indent">All were silent. There was something about +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> +this Midnight Masquer that held them intently. +Perhaps some were inclined to think +him a jester, one of the party masquerading +under the famous bandit's guise; if so, his +last words to Maillard had removed all such +thought. That indictment had been deadly +and terrible—and true, as they knew. Bob +Maillard was not greatly admired by those +among his father's friends who best knew +him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Now the door of the safe swung open. The +compartments appeared empty.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Take out the drawers and turn them up +over the table," commanded the Masquer.</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard obeyed. He took several of the +small drawers, and all proved to be empty; +this development drew a dry chuckle from +Jachin Fell. Then, from the last drawer, +there fell out on the table a large envelope, +sealed. The Masquer leaned forward, seized +upon this envelope, and crushed it into his +pocket.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you," he observed. "That is all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Damn you!" cried Maillard, shaking a +fist. "You'd try blackmail, would you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The bandit regarded him a moment, then +laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> +"If you knew what was in that envelope, +my dear financier, you might not speak so +hastily. If I knew what was in it, I might +answer you. But I don't know. I only suspect—and +hope."</p> + +<p class="indent">While he spoke the bandit was backing +toward the door that opened upon the lower +hallway of the house. He drew this door +open, glanced swiftly out into the hall, and +then placed the key on the outside.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And now, my friends—<i>au revoir</i>!"</p> + +<p class="indent">The Masquer sprang backward into the +hall. The door slammed, the key clicked. +He was gone!</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard was the first to wake into voice +and action. "The other door!" he cried. +"Into the dining room——"</p> + +<p class="indent">He flung open a second door and dashed +into the dining room, followed by the other +men. Here the windows, giving upon the +garden, were open. Then Maillard came to a +sudden halt, and after him the others; through +the night was pulsating, with great distinctness, +the throbbing roar of an airplane motor! +From Maillard broke a bitter cry:</p> + +<p class="indent">"The detectives—I'll get the fools here! +You gentlemen search the house; Uncle Neb, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> +go with them, into every room! That fellow +can't possibly have escaped——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No word of alarm to the ladies," exclaimed +Judge Forester, hurriedly. "If he +was not upstairs, then they have seen nothing +of him. We must divide and search."</p> + +<p class="indent">They hastily separated. Maillard dashed +away to summon the detectives, also to get +other men to aid in the search.</p> + +<p class="indent">The result was vain. Within twenty minutes +the entire house, from cellar to garret, +had been thoroughly gone over, without +causing any alarm to the dancers in the ballroom. +Maillard began to think himself a +little mad. No one had been seen to enter or +leave the house, and certainly there had been +no airplane about. The Masquer had not +appeared except in the library, and now he was +most indubitably not in the house. By all +testimony, he had neither entered it nor left it!</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I'm damned!" said Maillard, helplessly, +to Judge Forester, when the search +was concluded. "Not a trace of the scoundrel! +Here, Fell—can't you help us out? +Haven't you discovered a thing?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing," responded Jachin Fell, calmly.</p> + +<p class="indent">At this instant Bob Maillard rushed up. He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page52" id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> +had just learned of the Masquer's visit. In +response to his excited questioning his father +described the scene in the library and added:</p> + +<p class="indent">"I trust there was nothing important +among those papers of yours, Robert?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," said the younger man. "No. Nothing +valuable at all."</p> + +<p class="indent">Henry Gramont was passing. He caught +the words and paused, his gaze resting for an +instant upon the group. A faint smile rested +upon his rather harshly drawn features.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I just found this," he announced, holding +out a paper. "It was pinned to the outside +of the library door. I presume that +your late visitor left it as a memento?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell took the paper, the other men +crowding around him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, Maillard! The same handwriting +as that of your letter!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Upon the paper was pencilled a single hasty +line:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="center">My compliments to Robert Maillard—and my +thanks.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Bob Maillard sprang forward, angrily inspecting +the paper. When he relinquished +it, Fell calmly claimed it again.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> +"Confound the rogue!" muttered the +banker's son, turning away. His features +were pale, perhaps with anger. "There was +nothing but stock certificates in that envelope—and +they can be reissued."</p> + +<p class="indent">The festivities were not broken up. As +much could hardly be said for the host, who +felt keenly the verbal lashing that had been +administered to him before his friends. News +of the robbery gradually leaked out among the +guests; the generally accepted verdict was that +the Masquer had appeared, only to be frightened +away before he could secure any loot.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was nearly two in the morning when +Jachin Fell, who was leaving, encountered +Henry Gramont at the head of the wide +stairway. He halted and turned to the +younger man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah—have you a pencil, if you please?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think so, Mr. Fell." Gramont felt +beneath his Franciscan's robe, and extended +a pencil.</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell examined it, brought a paper +from beneath his domino, and wrote down a +word. The paper was that on which the +farewell message of the Midnight Masquer +had been written.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page54" id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> +"A hard lead, a very hard point indeed!" +said Fell. He pocketed the paper again and +regarded Gramont steadily as he returned +the pencil. "Few men carry so hard a pencil, +sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're quite right," and Gramont smiled. +"I borrowed this from Bob Maillard only a +moment ago. Its hardness surprised me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" said Jachin Fell, mildly. "By the +way, aren't you the Prince de Gramont? +When we met this evening, you were introduced +as plain Mr. Gramont, but it seems to +me that I had heard something——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite a mistake, Mr. Fell. I'm no prince; +simply Henry Gramont, and nothing more. +Also, an American citizen. Some of these +New Orleans people can't forget the prince +business, most unfortunately."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, yes," agreed Fell, shyly. "Do you +know, a most curious thing——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes?" prompted Gramont, his eyes intent +upon the little gray man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That paper you brought us—the paper +which you found pinned to the library door," +said Fell, apologetically. "Do you know, +Mr. Gramont, that oddly enough there were +no pin holes in that paper?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> +Gramont smiled faintly, as though he were +inwardly amused over the remark.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not at all curious," he said, his voice +level. "It was pinned rather stoutly—I tore +off the portion bearing the message. I'll +wager that you'll find the end of the paper +still on the door downstairs. You might make +certain that its torn edge fits that of the +paper in your pocket; if it did not, then the +fact <i>would</i> be curious! I am most happy to +have met you, Mr. Fell. I trust that we shall +meet again, often."</p> + +<p class="indent">With a smile, he extended his hand, which +Mr. Fell shook cordially.</p> + +<p class="indent">As Jachin Fell descended the wide staircase +his face was red—quite red. One would +have said that he had just been worsted in +some encounter, and that the sense of defeat +still rankled within him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Upon gaining the lower hall he glanced +at the door of the library. There, still pinned +to the wood where it had been unregarded +by the passersby, was a small scrap of paper. +Mr. Fell glanced at it again, then shook his +head and slowly turned away, as though resisting +a temptation.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," he muttered. "No. It would be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> +sure to fit the paper in my pocket. It would +be sure to fit, confound him!"</p> + +<p class="indent">A little later he left the house and walked +along the line of cars that were waiting parked +in the drive and in the street outside. Before +one of the cars he came to a halt, examining +it closely. The sleepy chauffeur got out +and touched his cap in a military salute; +he was a sturdy young fellow, his face very +square and blunt.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A very handsome car. May I ask whose +it is?" inquired Fell, mildly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Mr. Gramont's, sir," answered the chauffeur.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, thank you. A very handsome car indeed. +Good-night!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Fell walked away, striding briskly +down the avenue. When he approached +the first street light he came to a pause, +and began softly to pat his person as though +searching for something.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I told you that you'd pay for knowing +too much about me, young man!" he said, +softly. "What's this, now—what's this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">A slight rustle of paper, as he walked +along, had attracted his attention. He +passed his hands over the loose, open domino +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> +that cloaked him; he detected a scrap of paper +pinned to it in the rear. He loosened the +paper, and under the street light managed +to decipher the writing which it bore.</p> + +<p class="indent">A faint smile crept to his lips as he read +the pencilled words:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I do not love you, Jachin Fell,</span><br /> +<span class="i0">The reason why I cannot tell;</span><br /> +<span class="i0">But this I know, and know full well,</span><br /> +<span class="i0">I do not love you, Jachin Fell!</span> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly the fellow has wit, if not originality," +muttered Mr. Fell, as he carefully +stowed away the paper. The writing upon +it was in the hand of the Midnight Masquer.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>Callers</i></p> + +<p>THE house in which Lucie Ledanois +lived had been her mother's; the furniture +and other things in it had been +her mother's; the two negro servants, who +spoke only the Creole French patois, had +been her mother's. It was a small house, +but very beautiful inside. The exterior betrayed +a lack of paint or the money with +which to have painting done.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Ledanois family, although distantly +connected with others such as the Maillards, +had sent forth its final bud of fruition in the +girl Lucie. Her mother had died while she +was yet an infant, and through the years +she had companioned her father, an invalid +during the latter days. He had never been +a man to count dollars or costs, and to a large +extent he had outworn himself and the family +fortunes in a vain search for health.</p> + +<p class="indent">With Lucie he had been in Europe at the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> +outbreak of war, and had come home to +America only to die shortly afterward. Once +deprived of his fine recklessness, the girl had +found her affairs in a bad tangle. Under +the guardianship of Maillard the tangle +had been somewhat resolved and simplified, +but even Maillard would appear to have +made mistakes, and of late Lucie had against +her will suspected something amiss in the +matter of these mistakes.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was natural, then, that she should take +Jachin Fell into her confidence. Maillard +had been her guardian, but it was to Fell +that she had always come with her girlish +cares and troubles, during even the lifetime +of her father. She had known Fell all her +life; she had met him in strange places, both +at home and abroad. She entertained a well-grounded +suspicion that Jachin Fell had loved +her mother, and this one fact lay between +them, never mentioned but always there, +like a bond of faith and kindliness.</p> + +<p class="indent">At precisely three o'clock of the Sunday +afternoon Jachin Fell rang the doorbell +and Lucie herself admitted him. She ushered +him into the parlour that was restful with its +quiet brasses and old rosewood.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span> +"Tell me quickly, Uncle Jachin!" eagerly +exclaimed the girl. "Did you actually see +the Midnight Masquer last night? I didn't +know until afterward that he had really been +downstairs and had robbed——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I saw him, my dear," and the little gray +man smiled. There was more warmth to +his smile than usual just now. Perhaps +it was a reflection from the eager vitality +which so shone in the eyes of Lucie. "I +saw him, yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">A restful face was hers—not beautiful at +first glance; a little too strong for beauty +one would say. The deep gray eyes were +level and quiet and wide apart, and on most +occasions were quite inscrutable. They were +now filled with a quick eagerness as they +rested upon Jachin Fell. Lucie called him +uncle, but not as she called Joseph Maillard +uncle; here was no relationship, no formal +affectation of relationship, but a purely abiding +trust and friendship.</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell had done more for Lucie than +she herself knew or would know; without her +knowledge he had quietly taken care of her +finances to an appreciable extent. Between +them lay an affection that was very real. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span> +Lucie, better than most, knew the extraordinary +capabilities of this little gray man; yet +not even Lucie guessed a tenth of the character +that lay beneath his surface. To her +he was never reserved or secretive. Nonetheless, +she touched sometimes an impenetrable +wall that seemed ever present within +him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You saw him?" repeated the girl, quickly. +"What was he like? Do you know who he +is?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly I know," replied Fell, still +smiling at her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! Then who is he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Softly, softly, young lady! I know him, +but even to you I dare not breathe his name +until I obtain some direct evidence. Let us +call him Mr. X., after the approved methods +of romance, and I shall expound what I know."</p> + +<p class="indent">He groped in his vest pocket. Lucie sprang +up, bringing a smoking stand from the corner +of the room to his chair. She held a match to +his El Rey, and then curled up on a Napoleon +bed and watched him intently while he spoke.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The bandit did not enter the house during +the evening, nor did he leave, nor was he +found in the house afterward," he said, tonelessly. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> +"So, incredible as it may appear, +he was one of the guests. This Mr. X. came +to the dance wearing the aviator's costume, +or most of it, underneath his masquerade +costume. When he was ready to act, he +doffed his outer costume, appeared as the +Midnight Masquer, effected his purpose, then +calmly donned his outer costume again and +resumed his place among the guests. You +understand?</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, then! Maillard yesterday received +a note from the Masquer, brazenly stating +that he intended to call during the evening. +I have that note. It was written with an +extremely hard lead pencil, such as few men +carry, because it does not easily make very +legible writing. Last night I asked Mr. X. +for a pencil, and he produced one with an +extra hard lead—mentioning that he had +borrowed it from Bob Maillard, as indeed he +had."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What! Surely, you don't mean——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course I don't. Mr. X. is very clever, +that's all. Here is what took place last night. +Mr. X. brought us another note from the +Masquer, saying that he had found it pinned +to the library door. As a matter of fact, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> +he had written it on a leaf torn from his notebook. +I took the note from him, observing +at the time that the paper had no pin holes. +Probably, Mr. X. saw that there was something +amiss; he presently went back downstairs, +took the remainder of the torn leaf +from his notebook, and pinned it to the door. +A little later, I met him and mentioned the +lack of pin holes; he calmly referred me to +the piece on the door, saying that he had +merely torn off the note without removing +the pins. You follow me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course," murmured the girl, her eyes +wide in fascinated interest. "And he knew +that you guessed him to be the Masquer?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He suspected me, I think," said Fell, +mildly. "It is understood that you will not +go about tracing these little clues? I do not +wish to disclose his identity, even to your +very discreet brain——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't be silly, Uncle Jachin!" she broke +in. "You know I'll do nothing of the sort. +Go on, please! Did you find the airplane?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes." Jachin Fell smiled drily. "I was +thinking of that as I left the house and came +to the line of waiting automobiles. A word +with one of the outside detectives showed me +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> +that one of the cars in the street had been +testing its engine about midnight. I found +that the car belonged to Mr. X.</p> + +<p class="indent">"How simple, Lucie, and how very clever! +The chauffeur worked a powerful motor +with a muffler cutout at about the time Mr. +X., inside the house, was making his appearance. +It scarcely sounded like an airplane +motor, yet frightened and startled, people +would imagine that it did. Thus arose the +legend that the Midnight Masquer came +and departed by means of airplane—a theory +aided ingeniously by his costume. Well, +that is all I know or suspect, my dear Lucie! +And now——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, I suppose," said the girl, thoughtfully, +"you'll put that awful Creole of yours +on the track of Mr. X.? Ben Chacherre is +a good chauffeur, and he's amusing enough—but +he's a bloodhound! I don't wonder that +he used to be a criminal. Even if you have +rescued him from a life of crime, you haven't +improved his looks."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly—Ben is at work," assented Jachin +Fell. "The gentleman under suspicion is +very prominent. To accuse him without +proof would be utter folly. To catch him +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> +<i>in flagrante delicto</i> will be difficult. So, I am +in no haste. He will not disappear, believe +me, and something may turn up at any moment +to undo him. Besides, I can as yet +discover no motive for his crimes, since he is +quite well off financially."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gambling," suggested the girl.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I cannot find that he has lost any considerable +sums. Well, no matter! Now that +I have fully unbosomed myself, my dear, it is +your turn."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right, Uncle Jachin." Lucie took +a large morocco case from the chair beside +her, and extended it. "You lent me these +things to wear last night, and I——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, no," intervened Fell. "I gave them +to you, my dear—in fact, I bought them for +you two years ago, and kept them until now! +You have worn them; they are yours, and +you become them better than even did poor +Queen Hortense! So say no more. I trust +that Mrs. Maillard was righteous and envious?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"She was disagreeable," said Lucie. She +leaned forward and imprinted a kiss upon +the cheek of the little gray man. "There! +that is all the thanks I can give you, dear +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> +uncle; the gift makes me very happy, and I'll +not pretend otherwise. Only, I feel as though +I had no right to wear them—they're so +wonderful!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nonsense! You can do anything you +want to, as Eliza said when she crossed the +ice. But all this isn't why you summoned +me here, you bundle of mystery! What +bothered you last night, or rather, who?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie laughed. "There was a Franciscan +who tried to be very mysterious, and to read +my mind. He talked about oil, about a +grasping, hard man, and mentioned you as +my friend. Then he warned me against a proposal +that Bob might make; and sure enough, +Bob did propose to buy what land is left to +me on Bayou Terrebonne, saying he'd persuade +his oil company that there was oil on +it, and that they'd buy or lease it. I told +him no. The Franciscan, afterward, proved +to be Henry Gramont; I wondered if you had +mentioned——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Mr. Fell, piously. +"I never even met Gramont until +last night! Do you like him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very much." The girl's eyes met his +frankly. "Do you?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> +"Very much," said Jachin Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie's gray eyes narrowed, searched his +face. "I'm almost able to tell when you're +lying," she observed, calmly. "You said +that a trifle too hastily, Uncle Jachin. Why +don't you like him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell laughed, amused. "Perhaps I have +a prejudice against foreign nobles, Lucie. +Our own aristocracy is bad enough, but——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's discarded all that. He was never +French except in name."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You speak as though you'd known him for +some time. Have you had secrets from me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I have!" laughter dimpled in the girl's +face. "For years and years! When I was +in New York with father, before the war, we +met him; he was visiting in Newport with +college friends. Then, you know that father +and I were in France when the war broke +out—father was ill and almost helpless at +the time, you remember. Gramont came +to Paris to serve with his regiment, and met +us there. He helped us get away, procured +real money for us, got us passage to New +York. He knows lots of our friends, and +I've always been deeply grateful to him for +his assistance then.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span> +"We've corresponded quite frequently during +the war," she pursued. "I mentioned +him several times after we got home from +France, but you probably failed to notice +the name. It's only since he came to New +Orleans that I really kept any secrets from +you; this time, I wanted to find out if you +liked him."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell nodded slowly. His face was +quite innocent of expression.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, yes," he said. "Yes—of course. +He's a geologist or engineer, I think?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Both, and a good one. He's a stockholder +in Bob Maillard's oil company, and I +think he's come here to stay. Well, about +last night—he probably guessed at some of +my private affairs; I've written or spoken +rather frankly, perhaps. Also, Bob may +have blabbed to him. Bob still drinks—prohibition +has not hit <i>him</i> very hard!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," agreed Fell, gravely. "Unfortunately, +no. Lucie, I've discovered a most +important fact. Joseph Maillard did not +own any stock in the Bayou Oil Company +at the time your land was sold them by him, +and he had no interest at all in the real estate +concern that bought your St. Landry swamplands +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> +and made a fortune off them. We +have really blamed him most unjustly."</p> + +<p class="indent">For a moment there was silence between +them.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We need not mince matters," pursued +Fell, slowly. "Maillard has no scruples and +no compassion; all the same, I am forced +to the belief that he has maintained your +interest uprightly, and that his mistakes +were only errors. I do not believe that he +has profited in the least from you. Two small +fortunes were swept out of your grip when he +sold those lands; yet they had been worthless, +and he had good offers for them. His +investments in the companies concerned were +made afterward, and I am certain he sold the +lands innocently."</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie drew a deep breath.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am glad you have said this," she returned, +simply. "It's been hard for me to +think that Uncle Joseph had taken advantage +of me; I simply couldn't make myself +believe it. I think that he honestly likes +me, as far as he permits himself to like any +one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He'd not loan you money on it," said +Fell. "Friendship isn't a tangible security +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page70" id="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span> +with him. And a girl is never secure, as +Eliza said when she crossed the ice."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, who really did profit by my loss? +Any one?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell's pale gray eyes twinkled, then cleared +in their usually wide innocence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear Lucie, is there one person in +this world to whose faults Joseph Maillard is +deliberately blind—one person to whose influence +he is ever open—one person to whom +he would refuse nothing, in whom he would +pardon everything, of whom he would never +believe any evil report?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean——" Lucie drew a quick breath, +"Bob?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, I mean Bob. That he has profited +by your loss I am not yet in a position to +say; but I suspect it. He has his father's +cupidity without his father's sense of honour +to restrain him. When I have finished with +the Masquer, I shall take up his trail."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell rose. "Now I must be off, +my dear. By the way, if I have need of you +in running down the Masquer, may I call +upon your services?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly! I'd love to help, Uncle Jachin! +We'd be real detectives?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span> +"Almost." Jachin Fell smiled slightly. +"Will you dine with us to-morrow evening, +Lucie? My mother commanded me to bring +you as soon as possible——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, your mother!" exclaimed the girl, +contritely. "I was so absorbed in the Masquer +that I forgot to ask after her. How is +she?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite as usual, thank you. I presume +that you'll attend Comus with the Maillards?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I'll come to-morrow night gladly, +Uncle Jachin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And we'll take a look at the Proteus ball +afterward, if you like. I'll send Ben Chacherre +for you with the car, if you're not +afraid of him."</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie looked gravely into the smiling eyes +of Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm not exactly afraid of him," she responded, +soberly, "but there is something +about him that I can't like. I'm sorry that +you're trying to regenerate him, in a way."</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell shrugged lightly. "All life is an effort, +little one! Well, good-bye."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell left the house at three-forty. +Twenty minutes later the bell rang again. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page72" id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span> +Lucie sent one of the servants to admit Henry +Gramont; she kept him waiting a full fifteen +minutes before she appeared, and then she +made no apologies whatever for the delay.</p> + +<p class="indent">Not that Gramont minded waiting; he +deemed it a privilege to linger in this house! +He loved to study the place, so reflective of +its owner. He loved the white Colonial mantel +that surrounded the fireplace, perpetually +alight, with its gleaming sheen of old brasses, +and the glittering fire-set to one side. The +very air of the place, the atmosphere that it +breathed, was sweet to him.</p> + +<p class="indent">The Napoleon bed that filled the bow +window, with its pillows and soft coverings; +the inlaid walnut cabinet made by Sheraton, +with its quaintly curved glasses that reflected +the old-time curios within; the tilt +tables, the rosewood chairs, the rugs, bought +before the oriental rug market was flooded +with machine-made Senna knots—about +everything here had an air of comfort, of long +use, of restfulness. It was not the sort of +place built up, raw item by raw item, by the +colour-frenzied hands of decorators. It was +the sort of place that decorators strive desperately +to imitate, and cannot.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> +When Lucie made her appearance, Gramont +bent over her hand and addressed her +in French.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are charming as ever, Shining One! +And in years to come you will be still more +charming. That is the beauty of having a +name taken direct from the classics and bestowed +as a good fairy's gift——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you, monsieur—but you have +translated my name at least twenty times, +and I am weary of hearing it," responded +Lucie, laughingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Poor taste, mademoiselle, to grow weary +of such beauty!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not of the name, but of your exegesis +upon it. Why should I not be displeased? +Last night you were positively rude, and +now you decry my taste! Did you leave +all your manners in France, M. le prince?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Some of them, yes—and all that prince +stuff with them." Smiling as he dropped into +English, Gramont glanced about the room, +and his eyes softened.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is a lovey and loveable home of +yours, Lucie!" he exclaimed, gravely. "So +few homes are worthy the name; so few have +in them the intimate air of use and friendliness—why +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span> +are so many furnished from +bargain sales? This place is touched with +repose and sweetness; to come and sit here +is a privilege. It is like being in another +world, after all the money striving and the +dollar madness of the city."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" The girl's gaze searched him +curiously. "I hope you're not going to take +the fine artistic pose that it is a crime to +make money?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not much! I want to make money +myself; that's one reason I'm in New Orleans. +Still, you cannot deny that there is a craze +about the eternal clutching after dollars. I +can't make the dollar sign the big thing in +life, Lucie. You couldn't, either."</p> + +<p class="indent">She frowned a little.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You seem to have the European notion +that all Americans are dollar chasers!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He shrugged his shoulders slightly. His +harshly lined face was very strong; one +sensed that its harshness had come from the +outside—from hunger, from hardship and +privations, from suffering strongly borne. He +had not gone through the war unscathed, +this young man who had tossed away a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> +princely "de" in order to become plain +Henry Gramont, American citizen.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In a sense, yes; why not?" he answered. +"I am an American. I am a dollar chaser, +and not ashamed of it. I am going into +business here. Once it is a success, I shall go +on; I shall see America, I shall come to know +this whole country of mine, all of it! I have +been a month in New Orleans—do you know, +a strange thing happened to me only a few +days after I arrived here!"</p> + +<p class="indent">With her eyes she urged him on, and he +continued gravely:</p> + +<p class="indent">"In France I met a man, an American +sergeant named Hammond. It was just at +the close of things. We had adjoining cots +at Nice——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah!" she exclaimed, quickly. "I remember, +you wrote about him—the man who +had been wounded in both legs! Did he get +well? You never said."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never knew until I came here," answered +Gramont. "One night, not long after I had +got established in my pension on Burgundy +Street, a man tried to rob me. It was this +same man, Hammond; we recognized each +other almost at once.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page76" id="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> +"I took him home with me and learned his +story. He had come back to America only +to find his wife dead from influenza, his home +broken up, his future destroyed. He drifted +to New Orleans, careless of what happened to +him. He flung himself desperately into a +career of burglary and pillage. Well, I gave +Hammond a job; he is my chauffeur. You +would never recognize him as the same man +now! I am very proud of his friendship."</p> + +<p class="indent">"That was well said." Lucie nodded her +head quickly. "I shan't call you M. Le +prince any more—unless you offend again."</p> + +<p class="indent">He smiled, reading her thought. "I try +not to be a snob, eh? Well, what I'm driving +at is this: I want to know this country of +mine, to see it with clear, unprejudiced eyes. +We hide our real shames and exalt our false +ones. Why should we be ashamed of chasing +the dollar? So long as that is a means to the +end of happiness, it's all right. But there are +some men who see it as an end alone, who can +set no <i>finis</i> to their work except the dollar +dropping into their pouch. Such a man is +your relative, Joseph Maillard—I say it +without offence."</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie nodded, realizing that he was driving +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> +at some deeper thing, and held her +peace.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You realize the fact, eh?" Gramont smiled +faintly. "I do not wish to offend you, and +I shall therefore refrain from saying all +that is in my mind. But you have not +hesitated to intimate very frankly that you +are not wealthy. Some time ago, if you +recall, you wrote me how you had just missed +wealth through having sold some land. I +have taken the liberty of looking up that +deal to some extent, and I have suspected +that your uncle had some interest in putting +the sale through——"</p> + +<p class="indent">The gray eyes of the girl flashed suddenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Henry Gramont! Are my family affairs +to be an open book to the world?" A slight +flush, perhaps of anger, perhaps of some +other emotion, rose in the girl's cheeks. "Do +you realize that you are intruding most unwarrantably +into my private matters?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Unwarrantably?" Gramont's eyes held +her gaze steadily. "Do you really mean to +use that word?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I do, most certainly!" answered Lucie +with spirit. "I don't think you realize just +what the whole thing tends toward——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page78" id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> +"Oh, yes I do! Quite clearly." Gramont's +cool, level tone conquered her indignation. +"I see that you are orphaned, +and that your uncle was your guardian, and +executed questionable deals which lost money +for you. Come, that's brutally frank—but +it's true! We are friends of long standing; +not intimate friends, perhaps, and yet I +think very good friends. I am most certainly +not ashamed to say that when I had +the occasion to look out for your interests +I was very glad of the chance."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont paused, but she did not speak. +He continued after a moment:</p> + +<p class="indent">"You had intimated to me, perhaps without +meaning to do so, something of the +situation. I came here to New Orleans and +became involved in some dealings with your +cousin, Bob Maillard. I believed, and I +believe now, that in your heart you have some +suspicion of your uncle in regard to those +transactions in land. Therefore, I took the +trouble to look into the thing to a slight extent. +Shall I tell you what I have discovered?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie Ledanois gazed at him, her lips compressed. +She liked this new manner of his, +this firm and resolute gravity, this harshness. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> +It brought out his underlying character very +well.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you please, Henry," she murmured +very meekly. "Since you have thrust yourself +into my private affairs, I think I should +at least get whatever benefit I can!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly. Why not?" He made a grave +gesture of assent. "Well, then, I have discovered +that your uncle appears to be honestly +at fault in the matter——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks for this approval of my family," +she murmured.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And," continued Gramont, imperturbably, +"that your suspicions of him were groundless. +But, on the other hand, something new has +turned up about which I wish to speak—but +about which I must speak delicately."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Be frank, my dear Henry—even brutal! +Speak, by all means."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. Has Bob Maillard offered to +buy your remaining land on the Bayou +Terrebonne?"</p> + +<p class="indent">She started slightly. So it was to this that +he had been leading up all the while!</p> + +<p class="indent">"He broached the subject last night," she +answered. "I dismissed it for the time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good!" he exclaimed with boyish vigour. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span> +"Good! I warned you in time, then! If you +will permit me, I must advise you not to +part with that land—not even for a good +offer. This week, immediately Mardi Gras +is over, I am going to inspect that land for the +company; it is Bob Maillard's company, you +know.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If there's any chance of finding oil there, +I shall first see you, then advise the company. +You can hold out for your fair share of the +mineral rights, instead of selling the whole +thing. You'll get it! Landowners around +here are not yet wise to the oil game, but +they'll soon learn."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You would betray your business associates +to help me?" she asked, curious to hear +his reply. A slow flush crept into his cheeks.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly not! But I would not betray +you to help my business friends. Is my +unwarrantable intrusion forgiven?"</p> + +<p class="indent">She nodded brightly. "You are put on +probation, sir. You're in Bob's company?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes." Gramont frowned. "I invested +perhaps too hastily—but no matter now. I +have the car outside, Lucie; may I have the +pleasure of taking you driving?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you bring that chauffeur?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> +"Yes," and he laughed at her eagerness.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good! I accept—because I must see that +famous soldier-bandit-chauffeur. If you'll +wait, I'll be ready in a minute."</p> + +<p class="indent">She hurried from the room, a snatch of song +on her lips. Gramont smiled as he waited.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>The Masquer Unmasks</i></p> + +<p>IN NEW ORLEANS one may find pensions +in the old quarter—the quarter which is +still instinct with the pulse of old-world +life. These pensions do not advertise. The +average tourist knows nothing of them. Even +if he knew, indeed, he might have some +difficulty in obtaining accommodations, for +it is not nearly enough to have the money; +one must also have the introductions, come +well recommended, and be under the tongue +of good repute.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont had obtained a small apartment +<i>en pension</i>—a quiet and severely retired house +in Burgundy Street, maintained by a very +proud old lady whose ancestors had come +out of Canada with the Sieur d'Iberville. +Here Gramont lived with Hammond, quite on a +basis of equality, and they were very comfortable.</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men sat smoking their pipes before +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> +the fireplace, in which blazed a small fire—more +for good cheer than through necessity. +It was Sunday evening. Between Gramont +and Hammond had arisen a discussion regarding +their relations—a discussion which +was perhaps justified by Gramont's quixotic +laying down of the law.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's all very well, Hammond," he mused, +"to follow custom and precedent, to present +to the world a front which will not shock its +proprieties, its sense of tradition and fitness. +In the world's eye you are my chauffeur. +But when we're alone together—nonsense!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's all right, cap'n," said Hammond, +shrewdly. To him, Gramont was always +"cap'n" and nothing else. "But you know's +well as I do it can't go on forever. I'm +workin' for you, and that's the size of it. I +ain't got the education to stack up alongside +of you. I don't want you to get the notion +that I'm figuring on takin' advantage of +you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bosh! I suppose some day I'll be +wealthy, married, and bound in the chains of +social usage and custom," said Gramont, +energetically. "But that day isn't here yet. +If you think I'll accept deference and servility +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> +from any man who has endured the same +hunger and cold and wounds that I endured +in France—then guess again! We're friends +in a democracy of Americans. You're just as +good a man as I am, and vice versa. Besides, +aren't we fellow criminals?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond grinned at this. There was no +lack of shrewd intelligence in his broad and +powerful features, which were crowned by a +rim of reddish hair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All that line o' bull sounds good, cap'n, +only it's away off," he returned. "Trouble +with you is, you ain't forgot the war yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never will," said Gramont, his face +darkening.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sure you will! We all will. And you +ain't as used to this country as I am, either. +I've seen too much of it. You ain't seen +enough."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've seen enough to know that it's my +country."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Right. But I ain't as good a man as you +are, not by a long shot!" said Hammond, +cheerfully. "You proved that the night you +caught me comin' into the window at the +Lavergne house. You licked me without +half tryin', cap'n!</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> +"Anyhow," pursued Hammond, "America +ain't a democracy, unless you're runnin' for +Congress. It sounds good to the farmers, +but wait till you've been here long enough to +get out of your fine notions! Limousines +and money ain't got much use for democracy. +The men who have brains, like you, always +will give orders, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bosh!" said Gramont again. "It isn't a +question of having brains. It's a question of +knowing what to do with them. All men +are born free and equal——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not much!" retorted the other with +conviction. "All men were born free, but +mighty few were born equal, cap'n. That +sort o' talk sounds good in the newspapers, +but it don't go very far with the guy at the +bottom, nor the top, either!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont stared into the flickering fire and +sucked at his pipe. He realized that in a +sense Hammond was quite correct in his +argument; nonetheless, he looked on the +other man as a comrade, and always would +do so. It was true that he had not forgotten +the war. Suddenly he roused himself and +shot a glance at Hammond.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sergeant! You seem to have a pretty +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page86" id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> +good recollection of that night at the Lavergne +house, when I found you entering and jumped +on you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You bet I have!" Hammond chuckled. +"When you'd knocked the goggles off me and +we recognized each other—hell! I felt like a +boob."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont smiled. "How many places had +you robbed up to then? Three, wasn't it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Three is right, cap'n," was the unashamed +response.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We haven't referred to it very often, but +now things have happened." Gramont's face +took on harsh lines of determination. "Do +you know, it was a lucky thing that you had +no chance to dispose of the jewels and money +you obtained? But I suppose you didn't +call it good luck at the time."</p> + +<p class="indent">"No chance?" snorted the other. "No +chance is right, cap'n! And I was sore, too. +Say, they got a ring of crooks around this +town you couldn't bust into with grenades! +I couldn't figure it out for a while, but only the +other day I got the answer. Listen here, and +I'll tell you something big."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond leaned forward, lowered his +voice, and tamped at his pipe.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> +"When I was a young fellow I lived in a +little town up North—I ain't sayin' where. +My old man had a livery stable there, see? +Well, one night a guy come along and got the +old man out of bed, and slips him fifteen +hundred for a rig and a team, see? I drove +the guy ten miles through the hills, and set +him on a road he wanted to find.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, that guy was the biggest crook in the +country in them days—still is, I guess. He was +on the dead run that night, to keep out o' +Leavenworth. He kep' out, all right, and he's +settin' in the game to this minute. Nobody +never pinched him yet, and never will."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont's face had tensed oddly as he +listened. Now he shot out a single word:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because his gang runs back to politicians +and rich guys all over the country. You ask +anybody on the inside if they ever heard of +Memphis Izzy Gumberts! Well, cap'n, I +seen that very identical guy on the street the +other day—I never could forget his ugly +mug! And where <i>he</i> is, no outside crooks +can get in, you believe me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hm! Memphis Izzy Gumberts, eh? +What kind of a crook is he, sergeant?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> +"The big kind. You remember them +Chicago lotteries? But you don't, o' course. +Well, that's his game—lotteries and such +like."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont's lips clenched for a minute, then +he spoke with slow distinctness:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sergeant, I'd have given five hundred +dollars for that information a week ago!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why?" Hammond stared at him suddenly. +Gramont shook his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Never mind. Forget it! Now, this stunt +of yours was clever. You showed brains +when you got yourself up as an aviator and +pulled that stuff, sergeant. But you handled +it brutally—terribly brutally."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was a little raw, I guess," conceded +Hammond. "I was up against it, that's all—I +figured they'd pinch me sooner or later, but +I didn't care, and that's the truth! I was +out for the coin.</p> + +<p class="indent">"When you took over the costume and +began to get across with the Raffles stuff—why, +it was a pipe for you, cap'n! Look +what we've done in a month. Six jobs, +every one running off smooth as glass! Your +notion of going to parties ready dressed +with some kind of loose robe over the flyin' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> +duds was a scream! And then me running +that motor with the cutout on—all them +birds that never heard an airplane think you +come and go by air, for certain! I will say +that I ain't on to why you're doing it; just +the same, you've got them all fooled, and I +ain't worried a particle about the cops or the +crooks, either one. But watch out for the +Gumberts crowd! They're liable to show +us up to the bulls, simply because we ain't in +with 'em. Nobody else will ever find us +out."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes? But, sergeant, how about the quiet +little man who came along last night at the +Maillard house and asked about the car? +Perhaps he had discovered you had been +running the engine."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Him?" Hammond sniffed in scorn. "He +wasn't no dick."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, I was followed to-day; at least, I +think I was. I could spot nobody after me, +but I felt certain of it. And let me tell you +something about that same quiet little man! +His name is Jachin Fell."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Heluva name," commented Hammond, +and wrinkled up his brow. "Jachin, huh? +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> +Seems like I've heard the name before. Out +o' the Bible, ain't it? Something about +Jachin and Boaz?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I imagine so." Gramont smiled as he +replied. "Fell is a lawyer, but he never +practises law. He's rich, he's a very fine +chess player—and probably the smartest +man in New Orleans, sergeant. Just what +he does I don't know; no one does. I imagine +that he's one of those quiet men who +stay in the backgrounds of city politics and +pull the strings. You know, one administration +has been in power here for nearly +twenty years—it's something to make a man +stop and think!</p> + +<p class="indent">"This chap Fell is sharp, confoundedly +sharp!" went on Gramont, while the chauffeur +listened with frowning intentness. "He's +altogether too sharp to be a criminal—or +I'd suspect that he was using his knowledge +of the law to beat the law. Well, I think +that he is on to me, and is trying to get the +goods on me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" said Hammond. "And someone +was trailin' you? Think he's put the bulls +wise?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont shrugged his shoulders. "I don't +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page91" id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span> +know. He almost caught me last night. +We'll have to get rid of that aviator's suit at +once, and of the loot also. I suppose you've +reconciled yourself to returning the stuff?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond stirred uneasily, and laid down +his pipe.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look here, cap'n," he said, earnestly. +"I wasn't runnin' a holdup game because I +liked it, and I wasn't doing it for the fun of +the thing, like you are. I was dead broke, I +hadn't any hope left, and I didn't care a +damn whether I lived or died—that's on the +dead! Right there, you come along and +picked me up.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You give me a job. What's more, you've +treated me white, cap'n. I guess you seen +that I was just a man with the devil at his +heels, and you chased the devil off. You've +given me something decent to live for—to +make good because you got some faith in me! +Why, when you went out on that first job of +ours, d'you know it like to broke me up? It +did. Only, when we got home that night and +you said it was all a joke, and you'd send +back the loot later on, then I begun to feel +better about it. Even if you'd gone into it +as a reg'lar business, I'd have stuck with you—but +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> +I was darned glad about its bein' a +joke!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded in comprehension of the +other's feeling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's not been altogether a joke, sergeant," +he said, gravely. "To tell the truth, I did +start it as a joke, but soon afterward I learned +something that led me to keep it up. I +kept it up until I could hit the Maillard house. +It was my intention to turn up at the Comus +ball, on Tuesday night, and there make public +restitution of the stuff—but that's impossible +now. I dare not risk it! That man Fell is too +smart."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're not goin' to pull the trick again, +then?" queried Hammond, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. I'm through. I've got what I +wanted. Still, I don't wish to return the +stuff before Wednesday—Ash Wednesday, +the end of the carnival season. Suppose you +get out the loot and find me some boxes. +And be sure they have no name on them or +any store labels."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond leaped up and vanished in the +room adjoining. Presently he returned, bearing +several cardboard boxes which he dumped +on the centre table. Gramont examined them +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> +closely, and laid aside a number that were best +suited to his purpose. Meantime, the chauffeur +was opening a steamer trunk which he +pulled from under the bed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm blamed glad you're done, believe +me!" he uttered, fervently, glancing up at +Gramont. "Far's I'm concerned I don't +care much, but I'd sure hate to see the bulls +turn in a guy like you, cap'n. You couldn't +ever persuade anybody that it was all a joke, +neither, once they nabbed you. They're a +bad bunch o' bulls in this town—it ain't like +Chi or other places, where you can stand in +right and do a bit o' fixing."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You seem to know the game pretty well," +and Gramont smiled amusedly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ain't I been a chauffeur and garage +man?" retorted Hammond, as though this +explained much. "If there's anything us +guys don't run up against, you can't name +it! Here we are. Want me to keep each +bunch separate, don't you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sure. I'll be writing some notes to go +inside."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont went to a buhl writing desk in the +corner of the room, and sat down. He took +out his notebook, tore off several sheets, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page94" id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> +from his pocket produced a pencil having an +extremely hard lead. He wrote a number of +notes, which, except for the addresses, were +identical in content:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>:</p> + +<p class="indent">I enclose herewith certain jewellery and articles, also +currency, recently obtained by me under your kind +auspices.</p> + +<p class="indent">I trust that you will assume the responsibility of +returning these things to the various guests who lost +them while under your roof. I regret any discomfort +occasioned by my taking them as a loan, which I now +return. Please convey to the several owners my profound +esteem and my assurance that I shall not in future +appear to trouble any one, the carnival season having +come to an end, and with it my little jest.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">The Midnight Masquer.</span></p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gathering up these notes in his hand, +Gramont went to the fireplace. He tossed +the pencil into the fire, following it with the +notebook.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can't take chances with that man Fell," +he explained. "All ready, sergeant. Let's +go down the list one by one."</p> + +<p class="indent">From the trunk Hammond produced ticketed +packages, which he placed on the table. +Gramont selected one, opened it, carefully +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> +packed the contents in one of the boxes, +placed the proper addressed note on top, and +handed it to the chauffeur.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wrap it up and address it. Give the +return address of John Smith, Bayou Teche."</p> + +<p class="indent">One by one they went through the packages +of loot in the same manner. Before them on +the table, as they worked, glittered little +heaps of rings, brooches, watches, currency; +jewels that flashed garishly with coloured +fires, historic and famous jewels plucked +from the aristocratic heart of the southland, +heirlooms of a past generation side by side +with platinum crudities of the present fashion.</p> + +<p class="indent">There had been heartburnings in the loss of +these things, Gramont knew. He could picture +to himself something of what had followed +his robberies: family quarrels, new purchases +in the gem marts, bitter reproaches, fresh +mortgages on old heritages, vexations of +wealthy dowagers, shrugs of unconcern by +the <i>nouveaux riches</i>; perchance lives +altered—deaths—divorces——</p> + +<p class="indent">"There's a lot of human life behind these +baubles, sergeant," he reflected aloud, a cold +smile upon his lips as he worked. "When +they come back to their owners, I'd like to be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span> +hovering around in an invisible mantle to +watch results! Could we only know it, +we're probably affecting the lives of a great +many people—for good and ill. These things +stand for money; and there's nothing like +money, or the lack of it, to guide the destinies +of people."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You said it," and Hammond grinned. +"I'm here to prove it, ain't I? I ain't pulling +no more gunplay, now I got me a steady +job."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And a steady friend, old man," added +Gramont. "Did it occur to you that maybe +I was as much in need of a friend as you +were?"</p> + +<p class="indent">He had come to the last box now, that +which must go to Joseph Maillard. On top +of the money and scarfpins which he placed +in the box he laid a thin packet of papers. +He tapped them with his finger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Those papers, sergeant! To get them, +I've been playing the whole game. To get +them and not to let their owner suspect that +I was after them! Now they're going back +to their owner."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who's he?" demanded Hammond.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Young Maillard—son of the banker. He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span> +roped me into an oil company; caught me, +like a sucker, almost the first week I was here. +I put pretty near my whole wad into that +company of his."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You mean he stung you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not yet." Gramont smiled coldly, +harshly. "That was his intention; he thought +I was a Frenchman who would fall for any +sort of game. I fell right enough—but I'll +come out on top of the heap."</p> + +<p class="indent">The other frowned. "I don't get you, +cap'n. Some kind o' stock deal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, and no." Gramont paused, and +seemed to choose his words with care. "Miss +Ledanois, the lady who was driving with us +this afternoon, is an old friend of mine. I've +known for some time that somebody was +fleecing her. I suspected that it was Maillard +the elder, for he has had the handling of +her affairs for some time past. Now, however, +those papers have given me the truth. +He was straight enough with her; his son was +the man.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The young fool imagines that by trickery +and juggling he is playing the game of high +finance! He worked on his father, made his +father sell land owned by Miss Ledanois, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span> +he himself reaped the profits. There are +notes and stock issues among those papers +that give his whole game away, to my eyes. +Not legal evidence, as I had hoped, but +evidence enough to show me the truth of +things—to show me that he's a scoundrel! +Further, they bear on my own case, and I'm +satisfied now that I'd be ruined if I stayed +with him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, that's easy settled," said Hammond. +"Just hold him up with them papers—make +him come across!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm not in that sort of business. I stole +those papers, not to use them for blackmail, +but to get information. By the way, get that +tin box out of my trunk, will you? I want to +take my stock certificates with me in the +morning, and must not forget them."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond disappeared into the adjoining +room.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont sat gazing at the boxes before +him. Despite his words to Hammond, +there was a fund of puzzled displeasure in his +eyes, sheer dissatisfaction. He shook his +head gloomily, and his eyes clouded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All wasted—the whole effort!" he murmured. +"I thought it might lead to something, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> +but all it has given me is the reward of +saving myself and possibly retrieving Lucie. +As for the larger game, the bigger quarry—it's +all wasted. I haven't unravelled a single +thread; the first real clue came to me to-night, +purely by accident. Memphis Izzy +Gumberts! That's the lead to follow! I'll +get rid of this Midnight Masquer foolishness +and go after the real game."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont was to discover that it is not +nearly so easy to be rid of folly as it is to don +the jester's cap and bells; a fact which one +Simplicissimus had discovered to his sorrow +three hundred years earlier. But, as Gramont +was not versed in this line of literature, +he yet had the discovery ahead of him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond reëntered the room with the +tin box, from which Gramont took his stock +certificates issued by Bob Maillard's oil company. +He pocketed the shares.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Does this here Miss Ledanois," asked +Hammond, "play in with you in the game? +Young Maillard's related to her, ain't he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"She's quite aware of his drawbacks, I +think," answered Gramont, drily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I see." Hammond rubbed his chin, and +inspected his employer with a twinkle denoting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> +perfect comprehension. "Well, how +d'you expect to come out on top of the heap?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I want to get my own money back," +explained Gramont. "You see, young +Maillard thinks that he's cleaned me up +fine. I've invested heavily in his company, +which has a couple of small wells already +going. As I conceive the probable scheme, +this company is scheduled to fail, and another +company will take over the stock at next to +nothing. Maillard will be the other company; +his present associates will be the +suckers! It's that, or some similar trick. +I'm no longer interested in the affair."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not, if you got money in it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My son, to-morrow is Monday. Proteus +will arrive out of the sea to-morrow, and the +Proteus ball comes off to-morrow night. In +spite of these distractions, the banks are +open in the morning. Savvy?</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll go to Maillard the banker—Joseph +Maillard—first thing in the morning, and +offer him my stock. He'll be mighty glad to +get it at a discount, knowing that it is in his +son's company. You see, the son doesn't +confide in the old man particularly. I'll let +the father win a little money on the deal +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page101" id="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> +with me, and by doing this I'll manage to +save the greater part of my investment——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Holy mackerel!" Hammond exploded +in a burst of laughter as he caught the idea. +"Say, if this ain't the richest thing ever +pulled! When the crash comes, the fancy +kid will be stinging his dad good and hard, +eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly; and I think his dad can afford +to be stung much better than I can," agreed +Gramont, cheerfully. "Also, now that I'm +certain Bob Maillard is the one who was +behind the fleecing of Miss Ledanois, I'll first +get clear of him, then I'll start to give him his +deserts. I may form an oil company of my +own."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do it," advised Hammond, still chuckling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now," and Gramont rose, "let's take +those packages and stow them away in the +luggage compartment of the car. I'm getting +nervous at the thought of having them +around here, and they'll be perfectly safe +there overnight—safer there than here, in +fact. To-morrow, you can take the car out +of town and send the packages by parcels +post from some small town.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> +"In that way they ought to be delivered +here on Wednesday. You'd better wear one +of my suits, leaving your chauffeur's outfit +here, and don't halt the car in front of the +postoffice where you mail the packages——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I get you," assented Hammond, sagely. +"I'll leave the car outside town, and hoof it in +with the boxes, so that nobody will notice the +car or connect it with the packages, eh? But +what about them aviator's clothes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Take them with you—better get them +wrapped up here and now. You can toss +them into a ditch anywhere."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond obeyed.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ten minutes afterward the two men left +the room, carrying the packages of loot and +the bundle containing the aviator's uniform. +They descended to the courtyard in the rear +of the house. Here was a small garden, with +a fountain in its centre. Behind this were +the stables, which had long been disused as +such, and which were now occupied only by +the car of Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was with undisguised relief that Gramont +now saw the stuff actually out of the +house. Within the last few hours he had +become intensely afraid of Jachin Fell. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page103" id="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> +Concentrating himself upon the man, picking +up information guardedly, he had that day +assimilated many small items which increased +his sense of peril from that quarter. Straws, +no more, but quite significant straws. Gramont +realized clearly that if the police ever +searched his rooms and found this loot, he +would be lost. There could be no excuse +that would hold water for a minute against +such evidence.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the garage, Hammond switched on the +lights of the car. By the glow they disposed +their burdens in the luggage compartment of +the tonneau, which held them neatly. The +car was a large twelve-cylinder, four-passenger +Nonpareil, which Gramont had +picked up in the used-car market. Hammond +had tinkered it into magnificent shape, +and loved the piece of mechanism as the very +apple of his eye.</p> + +<p class="indent">The luggage compartment closed and +locked, they returned into the house and +dismissed the affair as settled.</p> + +<p class="indent">Upon the following morning Gramont, +who usually breakfasted <i>en pension</i> with +his hostess, had barely seated himself at +the table when he perceived the figure of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page104" id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> +Hammond at the rear entrance of the +dining room. The chauffeur beckoned him +hastily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come out here, cap'n!" Hammond was +breathing heavily, and seemed to be in some +agitation. "Want to show you somethin'!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Is there anything important?" Gramont +hesitated. The other regarded him with a +baleful countenance.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Important? Worse'n that!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont rose and followed Hammond out +to the garage, much to his amazement. The +chauffeur halted beside the car and extended +him a key, pointing to the luggage +compartment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here's the key—you open her!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's the matter, man?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The stuff's gone!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont seized the key and opened the +compartment. It proved empty indeed. He +stared up into the face of Hammond who +was watching in dogged silence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I knew you'd suspect me," broke out +the chauffeur, but Gramont interrupted him +curtly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't be a fool; nothing of the sort. +Was the garage locked?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page105" id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> +"Yes, and the compartment, too! I came +out to look over that cut tire, and thought +I'd make sure the stuff was safe——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We're up against it, that's all." Gramont +compressed his lips for a moment. Then he +straightened up and clapped the other on the +shoulder. "Buck up! I never thought of +suspecting you, old fellow. Someone must +have been watching us last night, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The guy that trailed you yesterday, +most like," agreed Hammond, dourly. "It +ain't hard to break into this place, and any +one could open that compartment with a +hairpin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, you're saved a trip into the country."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You think they got us, cap'n? What can +we do?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do?" Gramont shrugged his shoulders +and laughed. "Nothing except to wait and +see what happens next! If you want to +run, I'll give you enough money to land you +in New York or Frisco——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Run—hell!" Hammond sniffed in scorn. +"What d'you think I am—a boche? I'll +stick."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good boy." Gramont turned toward the +house. "Come along in and get breakfast, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> +and don't touch that compartment door. I +want to examine it later."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond gazed admiringly after him as +he crossed the garden. "If you ain't a cool +hand, I'm a Dutchman!" he murmured, and +followed his master.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page107" id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>Chacherre</i></p> + +<p>AT TEN o'clock that Monday morning +Gramont's car approached Canal +Street, and halted a block distant. +For any car to gain Canal, much less to follow +it, was impossible. From curb to curb the +wide avenue was thronged with carnival folk, +who would hold their own until Proteus came +ashore to manage his own parade and his own +section of the festivities.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont left the car, and turned to speak +with Hammond.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've made out at least two fingerprints on +the luggage compartment," he said, quietly. +"Drive around to police headquarters and +enter a complaint in my name to a robbery +of the compartment; say that the thief got +away with some valuable packages I had been +about to mail. They have a process of transferring +fingerprints such as these; get it done. +Perhaps they can identify the thief, for it must +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> +have been some clever picklock to get into the +compartment without leaving a scratch. Take +your time about it and come home when +you've finished."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond listened stolidly. "If it was +the bulls done it, cap'n, going to them will get +us pinched sure——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If they had done it," said Gramont, +"we'd have been pinched long before this! +It was someone sent by that devil Jachin +Fell, and I'll land him if I can!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then Fell will land us if he's got the +stuff!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let him! How can he prove anything, +unless he had brought the police to open up +that compartment? Get along with you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond grinned, saluted, and drove +away.</p> + +<p class="indent">Slowly Gramont edged his way through the +eddying crowds to Canal Street, and presently +gained the imposing portals of the Exeter +National Bank. Entering the building, he +sent his card to the private office of the +president; a moment later he was ushered +in, and was closeted with Joseph Maillard.</p> + +<p class="indent">The interior of the Exeter National reflected +the stern personality that ruled it. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span> +The bank was dark, old fashioned, conservative, +guarded with much effrontery of iron +grills and bars against the evil doer.</p> + +<p class="indent">The window men greeted their customers +with infrequent smiles, with caution and +reserve so great that it was positively chilly. +Suspicion seemed in the air. The bank's +reputation for guarding the sanctity of wealth +seemed to rest heavily upon each pair of +bowed shoulders. Even the stenographers were +unhandsome women, weary-eyed, drearily efficient, +and obviously respectable.</p> + +<p class="indent">As befitted so old and conservative a New +Orleans institution, much of its business was +transacted in French.</p> + +<p class="indent">The business customers of this bank found +their affairs handled coldly, efficiently, with +an inhuman precision that was admirable. +It was good for business, and they liked it. +There were no mistakes.</p> + +<p class="indent">People who were accustomed to dealing +with bankers of cordial smile and courteous +word, people who liked to walk into a bank +and to be met with a personal greeting, did +not come here, nor were they wanted here. +The Exeter National was a place for business, +not for courtesy. It was absolutely precise, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page110" id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> +cold, inhuman, and spelled business from the +ground up. Its oldest customer could not +buy a draft on Paris or London or other of the +bank's correspondents without paying the +required fee. The wealthiest depositor could +not expect to overdraw his checking account +one dollar without being required to settle up +before the next day was gone. Loans were +made hesitatingly, grudgingly, and of necessity, +always on security and never on character.</p> + +<p class="indent">Such was the Exeter National. Its character +was reflected in the cold faces at its +windows, and the chance customers who +entered its sacred portals were duly cowed +and put in their proper place. Most of them +were, that is. Occasionally some intrepid +soul appeared who seemed impervious to the +gloomy chill, who seemed even to resent it. +One of these persons was now standing in the +lobby and staring around with a cool impudence +which drew unfavourable glances from +the clerks.</p> + +<p class="indent">He was a decently dressed fellow, obviously +no customer of this sacrosanct place, +obviously a stranger to its interior. Beneath +a rakishly cocked soft hat beamed a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page111" id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> +countenance that bore a look of self-assured +impertinent deviltry. After one look at that +countenance the assistant cashier crooked a +hasty finger at the floor guard, who nodded and +walked over to the intruder with a polite query.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can I help you, sir?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The intruder turned, favoured the guard +with a cool stare, then broke into a laugh and +a flood of Creole dialect.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, if it isn't old Lacroix from Carencro! +And look at the brass buttons—<i>diable</i>! You +must own this place, hein? <i>la tchè chatte +poussé avec temps</i>—the cat's tail grows in time, +I see! You remember me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ben Chacherre!" exclaimed the guard, +losing his dignity for an instant. "Why—you +<i>vaurien</i>, you! You who disappeared +from the parish and became a vagrant——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you turn up your sanctified nose at +Ben Chacherre, do you?" exclaimed that +person jauntily. He thrust his hat a bit farther +over one ear, and proceeded to snap his +fingers under the nose of Lacroix.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A <i>vaurien</i>, am I? Old peacock! Lead +me to the man who cashes checks, lackey, +brass buttons that you are! Come, obey me, +or I'll have you thrown into the street!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page112" id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> +"You—you wish to cash a check?" The +guard was overcome by confusion, for the +loud tones of Chacherre penetrated the entire +institution. "But you are not known +here——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bah, insolent one! <i>Macaque dan calebasse</i>—monkey +in the calabash that you are! Do +you not know me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Heaven preserve me! I will not answer +for your accursed checks."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Go to the devil, then," snapped Chacherre, +and turned away.</p> + +<p class="indent">His roving eyes had already found the +correct window by means of the other persons +seeking it, and now he stepped into the small +queue that had formed. When it came his +turn, he slid his check across the marble slab, +tucked his thumbs into the armholes of his +vest, and impudently stared into the questioning, +coldly repellent eyes of the teller.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well?" he exclaimed, as the teller examined +the check. "Do you wish to eat it, +that you sniff so hard?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The teller gave him a glance. "This is +for a thousand dollars——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can I not read?" said Chacherre, with an +impudent gesture. "Am I an ignorant +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page113" id="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> +'Cajun? Have I not eyes in my head? If +you wish to start an argument, say that the +check is for a hundred dollars. Then, by +heaven, I will argue something with you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are Ben Chacherre, eh? Does any +one here know you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre exploded in a violent oath. "Dolt +that you are, do I have to be known when the +check is endorsed under my signature? Who +taught you business, monkey?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"True," answered the teller, sulkily. "Yet +the amount——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, bah!" Chacherre snapped his fingers. +"Go and telephone Jachin Fell, you +old woman! Go and tell him you do not +know his signature—well, who are you looking +at? Am I a telephone, then? You are +not hired to look but to act! Get about +it."</p> + +<p class="indent">The enraged and scandalized teller beckoned +a confrere. Jachin Fell was telephoned. +Presumably his response was reassuring, for +Chacherre was presently handed a thousand +dollars in small bills, as he requested. He +insisted upon counting over the money at the +window with insolent assiduity, flung a final +compliment at the teller, and swaggered across +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> +the lobby. He was still standing by the entrance +when Henry Gramont left the private +office of the president and passed him by without +a look.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont was smiling to himself as he left +the bank, and Ben Chacherre was whistling +gaily as he also left and plunged into the +whirling vortex of the carnival crowds.</p> + +<p class="indent">Toward noon Gramont arrived afoot at +his pension. Finding the rooms empty, he +went on and passed through the garden. +Behind the garage, in the alley, he discovered +Hammond busily at work cleaning and polishing +the engine of the car.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello!" he exclaimed, cheerily. "What +luck?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Pretty good, cap'n." Hammond glanced +up, then paused.</p> + +<p class="indent">A stranger was strolling toward them along +the alleyway, a jaunty individual who was +gaily whistling and who seemed entirely +carefree and happy. He appeared to have +no interest whatever in them, and Hammond +concluded that he was innocuous.</p> + +<p class="indent">"They got them prints fine, cap'n. What's +more, they think they've located the fellow +that made 'em."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> +"Ah, good work!" exclaimed Gramont. +"Some criminal?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond frowned. The stranger had +come to a halt a few feet distant, flung them +a jerky, careless nod, and was beginning to +roll a cigarette. He surveyed the car with a +knowing and appreciative eye. Hammond +turned his back on the man disdainfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yep—a sneak thief they'd pinched a +couple of years back; didn't know where he +was, but the prints seemed to fit him. They'll +come up and look things over sometime to-day, +then go after him and land him."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont gave the stranger a glance, but +the other was still surveying the car with +evident admiration. If he heard their words +he gave them no attention.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who was the man, then?" asked Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A guy with a queer name—Ben Chacherre." +Hammond pronounced it as he +deemed correct—as the name was spelled. +"Only they didn't call him that. Here, I +wrote it down."</p> + +<p class="indent">He fished in his pocket and produced a +paper. Gramont glanced at it and laughed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, Chacherre!" He gave the name the +Creole pronunciation.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span> +"Yep, Sasherry. I expect they'll come +any time now—said two bulls would drop +in."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right." Gramont nodded and turned +away, with another glance at the stranger. +"I'll not want the car to-day nor to-night +that I know of. I'm not going to the Proteus +ball. So your time's your own until to-morrow; +make the most of it!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He disappeared, and Hammond returned +to his work. Then he straightened up, for +the jaunty stranger was bearing down upon +him with evident intent to speak.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Some car you got there, brother!" Ben +Chacherre, who had overheard most of the +foregoing conversation, lighted his cigarette +and grinned familiarly. "Some car, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"She's a boat, all right," conceded Hammond, +grudgingly. He did not like the other's +looks, although praise of the car was sweet +unto his soul. "She sure steps some."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. All she needs," drawled Chacherre, +"is some good tires, a new coat of paint, a +good steel chassis, and a new engine——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Huh?" snorted Hammond. "Say, you +'bo, who sold you chips in this game? Move +along!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page117" id="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> +Ben grinned anew and rested himself against +a near-by telephone pole.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Free country, ain't it?" he inquired, lazily. +"Or have you invested your winnings and +bought this here alley?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond reddened with anger and took +a step forward. The next words of Chacherre, +however, jerked him sharply into self-control.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Seen anything of an aviator's helmet +around here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Huh?" The chauffeur glared at his tormentor, +yet with a sudden sick feeling inside +his bosom. He suddenly realized that the +man's eyes were meeting his squarely, with a +bold and insolent directness. "Who you +kiddin' now?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nobody. I was asking a question, that's +all." Ben Chacherre flung away his cigarette, +untangled himself from the telephone pole, +and moved away. "Only," he flung over +his shoulder, "I was flyin' along here last +night in my airplane, and I lost my helmet +overboard. Thought maybe you'd seen it. +So long, brother!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond stood staring after the swaggering +figure; for once he was speechless. The +jaunty words had sent terror thrilling into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> +him. He started impulsively to pursue that +impudent accoster—then he checked himself. +Had the man guessed something? Had the +man known something? Or had those words +been only a bit of meaningless impertinence—a +chance shaft which had accidentally flown +home?</p> + +<p class="indent">The last conjecture impressed itself on +Hammond as being the truth, and his momentary +fright died out. He concluded that +the incident was not worth mentioning to +Gramont, who surely had troubles enough +of his own at this juncture. So he held his +peace about it.</p> + +<p class="indent">As for Ben Chacherre, he sauntered from +the alley, a careless whistle upon his lips. +Once out of Hammond's sight, however, he +quickened his pace. Turning into a side +street, he directed his step toward that part +of the old quarter which, in the days before +prohibition, had been given over to low +cabarets and dives of various sorts. Most of +these places were now boarded up, and +presumably abandoned. Coming to one of +them, which appeared more dirty and desolate +than the rest, Chacherre opened a side door +and vanished.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> +He entered what had once been the Red +Cat cabaret. At a table in the half-darkened +main room sat two men. A slovenly waiter +pored over a newspaper at another table in a +far corner. The two in the centre nodded to +Chacherre. One of them, who was the proprietor, +jerked his chin in an invitation to +join them.</p> + +<p class="indent">A man famous in the underworld circles, a +man whose renown rested on curious feats and +facts, this proprietor; few crooks in the +country had not heard the name of Memphis +Izzy Gumberts. He was a grizzled old bear +now; but in times past he had been the head +of a far-flung organization which, on each pay +day, covered every army post in the country +and diverted into its own pockets about two +thirds of Uncle Sam's payroll—a feat still +related in criminal circles as the <i>ne plus ultra</i> +of success. Those palmy days were gone, but +Memphis Izzy, who had never been "mugged" +in any gallery, sat in his deserted cabaret +and still did not lack for power and influence.</p> + +<p class="indent">The man at his side was apparently not +anxious to linger, for he rose and made his +farewells as Chacherre approached.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We have about eighteen cars left," he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> +said to Gumberts. "Charley the Goog can +attend to them, and the place is safe enough. +They're up to you. I'm drifting back to Chi."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Drift along," and Gumberts nodded, a +leer in his eyes. His face was broad, heavy-jowled, +filled with a keen and forceful craft. +"It's a cinch that nobody in this state is +goin' to interfere with us. About them cars +from Texas—any news?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've sent orders to bring 'em in next +week."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gumberts nodded again, and the man departed. +Into the chair which he had vacated +dropped Ben Chacherre, and took from +his pocket the money which he had obtained +at the bank. He laid it on the table before +Gumberts.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There you are," he said. "Amounts +you want and all. The boss says to gimme +a receipt."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wouldn't trust you, eh?" jeered Gumberts. +He took out pencil and paper, +scrawled a word or two, and shoved the paper +at Chacherre. Then he reached down to a +small satchel which lay open on the floor beside +his chair. "Why wouldn't the boss leave +the money come out of the takin's, hey?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> +"Wanted to keep separate accounts," said +Chacherre.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gumberts nodded and produced two large +sealed envelopes, which he pushed across +the table.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There's rakeoff for week before last," he +announced. "Last week will be the big +business, judgin' from early reports."</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre pocketed the envelopes, lighted +a cigarette, and leaned forward.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Say, Izzy! You got to send a new man +down to the Bayou Latouche right away. +Lafarge was there, you know; a nigger shot +him yesterday. The nigger threatened to +squeal unless he got his money back—Lafarge +was a fool and didn't know how to handle +him. The lottery's goin' to get a bad name +around there——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gumberts snapped his fingers. "Let it!" +he said, calmly. "The big money from all +that section is Chinese and Filipino, my +friend. The niggers don't matter."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, the boss says to shoot a new man +down there. Also, he says, you'd better +watch out about spreadin' the lottery into +Texas and Alabama, account of the government +rules."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> +The heavy features of Gumberts closed in a +scowl.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You tell your boss," he said, "that when +it comes to steerin' clear of federal men, I +don't want no instructions from nobody! +We got every man in this state spotted. +Every one that can be fixed is fixed—and +that goes for the legislators and politicians +clear up the line! Tell your boss to handle +the local gov'ment as well as I handle other +things, and he'll do all that's necessary. What +he'd ought to attend to, for one thing, is this +here guy who calls himself the Midnight +Masquer. I've told him before that this +guy was playing hell with my system! This +Masquer gets no protection, see? The quicker +Fell goes after him, the better for all concerned——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre laughed, not without a swagger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We've attended to all that, Izzy—we've +dropped on him and settled him! The guy +was doin' it for a carnival joke, that's all. +His loot is all goin' back to the owners to-day. +It needn't worry you, anyhow! There was +nothin' much to it—jewellery that couldn't +be disposed of, for the most part. We +couldn't take chances on that sort o' junk."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> +"I should say not." Gumbert regarded +him with a scowl. "You've got the stuff?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"The boss has. Look here, Izzy, I want you +to use a little influence with headquarters on +this deal—the boss doesn't want to show his +hand there," and leaning forward, Ben Chacherre +spoke in a low tone. Then, Gumberts +heard him out, chuckled, and nodded assent.</p> + +<p class="indent">At two that afternoon Henry Gramont, +who was writing letters in total disregard of +the carnival parade downtown, was summoned +to the telephone. He was greeted +by a voice which he did not recognize, but +which announced itself promptly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is Mr. Gramont? Police headquarters +speakin'. You laid a charge this +morning against a fellow named Chacherre?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," answered Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Must ha' been some mistake, then," +came the response. "We thought the prints +fitted, but found later they didn't. We +looked up the Chacherre guy and found he +was workin' steady and strictly O. K. What's +more to the point, he proved up a dead sure +alibi for the other night."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" said Gramont. "Then there's nothing +to be done?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> +"Not yet. We're workin' on it, and maybe +we'll have some news later. Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont hung up the receiver, a puzzled +frown creasing his brow. But, after a minute, +he laughed softly—a trace of anger in the +laugh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah!" he murmured. "I congratulate you +on your efficiency, Mr. Fell! But now wait a +little—and we'll meet again. I think I'm +getting somewhere at last, and I'll have a +surprise for you one of these days!"</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>In The Open</i></p> + +<p>IN NEW ORLEANS the carnival season is +always opened by the ball of the Twelfth +Night Revellers soon after Christmas, and +is closed by that of the Krewe of Comus on +Mardi Gras night. Upon this evening of +"Fat Tuesday," indeed, both Rex and Comus +hold forth. Rex is the popular ball, the +affair of the people, and is held in the Athenaeum. +From here, about midnight, the king +and queen proceed to Comus ball.</p> + +<p class="indent">Comus is an assembly of such rigid exclusiveness +that even the tickets to the galleries +are considered social prizes. The <i>personae</i> +of the Krewe, on this particular year +as in all previous ones, would remain unknown; +there is no unmasking at Comus. +This institution, a tremendous social power +and potentially a financial power also, during +decades of the city's life, is held absolutely +above any taint of favouritism or commercialism. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> +Even the families of those concerned +might not always be certain whether their +sons and brothers belonged to the Krewe +of Comus.</p> + +<p class="indent">Henry Gramont did not attend the ball of +Proteus on Monday night. Instead, he sat +in his own room, while through the streets +of the French quarter outside was raging +the carnival at its height. Before him were +maps and reports upon the gas and oil fields +about Bayou Terrebonne—fields where great +domes of natural gas were already located +and in use, and where oil was being found in +some quantity. Early on Wednesday morning +Gramont intended to set forth to his work. +He had been engaged to make a report to +Bob Maillard's company, and he would make +it. Then he would resign his advisory job, +and be free. A smile curled his lips as he +thought of young Maillard and the company.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The young gentleman will be sadly surprised +to discover that I've gotten out from +under—and that his respected father holds +my stock!" he reflected. "That was a good +deal; I lost a thousand to old Maillard in order +to save the balance of thirty thousand!"</p> + +<p class="indent">A knock at his door interrupted the thread +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> +of this thought. Gramont opened, to find +the concierge with a note which had been +left at the door below by a masked Harlequin, +who had then disappeared without awaiting +any reply.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont recognized the writing on the +envelope, and hastened to the note inside. +His face changed, however, as he read it:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="indent">Please call promptly at eleven to-morrow morning. +I wish to see you upon a matter of business.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Lucie Ledanois.</span></p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent">Gramont gazed long at this note, his brows +drawn down into a harsh line. It was not +like Lucie in its tone, somehow; he sensed +something amiss, something vaguely but most +decidedly out of tune. Certainly it was not +her way to write thus curtly and harshly—the +words disquieted him. What could have +turned up now? Then, with a shrug, he tossed +the note on the table.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Eleven to-morrow morning, eh?" he murmured. +"That's queer, too, for she's to be +at the Proteus ball to-night. Most girls +would not be conducting business affairs +at eleven in the morning, after being up all +night at Proteus! It must be something important. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> +Besides, she's not in the class with +any one else. She's a rare girl; no nonsense +in her—full of a deep, strong sense of +things——"</p> + +<p class="indent">He forced himself from thoughts of Lucie, +forced himself from her personality, and returned +to his reports with an effort of concentration.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont wanted to look over her Terrebonne +land with a full knowledge of its geology +and situation. Oil drilling is a gamble +in any case, yet Gramont took a scholar's +solid satisfaction in getting his subject thoroughly +in hand before he went to work at it. +Then, he reflected, he would get his task +finished as rapidly as might be, turn in his +report, and resign from the company. After +that—freedom! He regretted sadly enough +that he had ever gone into any relations with +Maillard's company.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet, what's to hinder my going ahead, +in the meantime?" he considered. "What's +to hinder getting my own company on its +feet? Nothing! All I need is backing. I'll +put in twenty-five thousand, and that much +more added to it will give us plenty of capital +to start in drilling with. If I could find someone +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span> +who had a positive faith in my judgment +and whom I could trust in turn——"</p> + +<p class="indent">He checked himself suddenly, and stared +at the papers before him with widening eyes. +A slow whistle came from his lips, and then +he smiled and pulled the papers to him. Yet, +as he worked he could not keep down the +thought that had forced itself upon him. It +was altogether absurd, of course—yet why +not?</p> + +<p class="indent">When Gramont went to bed that night +it was with a startling and audacious scheme +well defined in his brain; a scheme whose +first conception seemed ludicrous and impossible, +yet which, on second consideration, +appeared in a very different light. It deserved +serious thought—and Gramont had +made his decision before he went to sleep.</p> + +<p class="indent">The following day was Tuesday—Mardi +Gras, Shrove Tuesday, the last day before +Lent began, and the final culminating day +of carnival. Henry Gramont, however, was +destined to find little in its beginning of much +personal pleasure.</p> + +<p class="indent">At eleven in the morning Hammond drove +him to the Ledanois home, where Gramont +was admitted by one of the coloured servants +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> +and shown into the parlour. A moment later +Lucie herself appeared. At first glance her +smiling greeting removed the half-sensed apprehensions +of Gramont. Almost immediately +afterward, however, he noted a +perceptible change in her manner, as she +led him toward the rear of the room, and gestured +toward a mahogany tilt-top table which +stood in a corner.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come over here, please. I have something +which I wish to show you."</p> + +<p class="indent">She needed to say no more. Gramont, +following her, found himself staring blankly +down at the symbol of consternation which +overwhelmed him. For upon that table, lay +all those self-same boxes which he himself +had packed with the loot of the Midnight +Masquer—the identical boxes, apparently unopened, +which had been stolen from his +automobile by the supposed thief Chacherre!</p> + +<p class="indent">For a moment Gramont found himself unable +to speak. He was thunderstruck by +the sight of those unmistakeable boxes. A +glance at the calm features of the girl showed +him that there was nothing to be concealed +from her, even had he wished it. He was +further stunned by this realization. He could +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page131" id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span> +not understand how the packages had come +here. Recovering his voice with an effort, he +managed to break the heavy silence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well? I suppose you know what is in +those parcels?"</p> + +<p class="indent">She nodded. "Yes. One of them was +opened, and the note inside was discovered. +Of course, it gave a general explanation. Will +you sit down, please? I think that we had +better talk it over quietly and calmly."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont obeyed, and dropped into a chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">He was absurdly conscious of his own confusion. +He tried to speak, but words and +thoughts failed him. Torn between pride +and chagrin, he found himself able to say +nothing. Explanations, at any time, came +to him with difficulty; now, at least, he felt +that he could not lie to this girl. And how +was he to tell her the truth?</p> + +<p class="indent">And how had Lucie come into the affair? +This staggered him above all else. Was she +behind the theft of the loot? It must be. +How long had she suspected him, then? He +had thought Jachin Fell the sole danger-point—he +had never dreamed that this gray-eyed +Athene could be tracing down the +Masquer! He tried to visualize the situation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span> +more clearly and his brain whirled. He +knew, of course, that she was fairly intimate +with Fell, but he was not aware of any particular +connection——</p> + +<p class="indent">He glanced up at her suddenly, and surprised +a glint of laughter in her eyes as she +watched him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You seem to be rather astonished," she +observed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am." Gramont drew a deep breath. +"You—do you know that those boxes were +taken from my car?"</p> + +<p class="indent">She nodded again. "Certainly. They were +brought to me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you had someone on my trail?" +Gramont flushed a little as he put the question +to her.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. I have been chosen to settle affairs +with you, that is all. It has been learned +from the note in the opened box that you +were not criminal in what you did."</p> + +<p class="indent">She leaned forward, her deep eyes searching +him with a steady scrutiny.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tell me, Henry Gramont, what mad +impulse brought you to all this? Was it a +silly, boyish effort to be romantic—was it a +mere outburst of bravado? It was not for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span> +the sake of robbery, as the note explained +very clearly. But why, then? Why? There +must have been a definite reason in your +mind. You would not have taken such dangerous +chances unless you had something to +gain!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded slightly, then flushed +again and bit his lip. For a moment he +made no response to her query.</p> + +<p class="indent">He might, of course, say that he had been +the Midnight Masquer because of her alone; +which would be decidedly untrue. He might +tell her, as he had told Hammond, that all +his efforts had led up to that scene in the +Maillard library, when without suspicion by +any concerned he might verify his own surmise +as to who had been defrauding Lucie +Ledanois. It would sound very well—but +it would be a lie. That had been far from +his only reason for playing the Midnight +Masquer's game.</p> + +<p class="indent">But why tell her anything?</p> + +<p class="indent">A slight smile touched his lips. "You're +not going to send me to prison, I trust?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I ought to!" The girl broke into a laugh. +"Why, I can hardly yet believe that it was +really you who were guilty of those things! +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span> +It mortified me, it stunned me—until I realized +the truth from the note. Even the fact that +you did not do it for criminal ends does not +relieve the sheer folly of the act. Why did +you do it? Come, tell me the truth!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont shrugged. "The truth? Well, +my chauffeur, Hammond, was the original +Masquer. I caught him in the act—you +remember I told you about him? After +taking him into my employ, I became the +Masquer. Poor Hammond was some time +in realizing that my motives were altruistic +and not criminal. He was quite distressed +about it until he found that I meant to return +all the loot intact."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why did you do it, then?" persisted the +girl.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Call it bravado, my dear Lucie. Call +it anything you like—I can't lie to you! I +had a motive, and I refuse to admit what it +was; that's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not particularly." He smiled. "I had +a good end in view, and I accomplished it. +Also, I flatter myself that I accomplished +it very decently; there's nothing like being +a good workman, you know. Now that I'm +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page135" id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span> +all through, now that I've finished playing +my little game, you happened to discover it. +I am ashamed on that point, Lucie—ashamed +because the discovery has very naturally +made you think harshly of me——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think you've been very silly," she said +with a disconcerting calmness. He regarded +her for a moment, steadily. "And you +have displayed a fearful lack of judgment!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Silly? Well—perhaps. What are you going +to do with those boxes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll put them in the mail. I'm going downtown +for luncheon, and will do it then. They'll +be delivered this afternoon."</p> + +<p class="indent">He nodded. "I had meant to have them +delivered to-morrow; it makes no difference. +You're the boss. It will give the good people +a little more reason for jubilation to-night, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">A sudden laugh broke upon his lips. "I'm +beginning to see the humour of it, Lucie—and +I know who put you next to me. It was +Jachin Fell, the old fox! I suspected that he +was on my trail, and I thought that he had +managed the theft of those boxes. In fact, +I was preparing to give him a big surprise +this afternoon. But tell me, Lucie—are you +angry?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> +She looked at him steadily for a space, +then a swift smile leaped to her lips and she +extended a pardoning hand. Her gesture +and words were impulsive, sincere.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Angry? No. I think you've some good +reason behind it all, which you won't confide +to me. I can read you pretty clearly, Henry +Gramont; I think I can understand some +things in you. You're no weakling, no romantic, +filibustering crackbrain! And I like +you because you won't lie to me. You've +a motive and you refuse to tell it—very well! +I'll be just as frank and say that I'm not a bit +angry. So, that's settled!</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now what was the big surprise that you +just mentioned you were going to give poor +Mr. Fell this afternoon?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont's eyes twinkled. "You remember +that I thought he suspected me of being the +Masquer? Well, I was going to him and +propose that we enter business together."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh! As bandits?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No, as oil promotors. I'm out of Maillard's +company, or shall be out of it soon. +The minute I'm out, I'll be free to go into +business for myself. It occurred to me that +if Jachin Fell had brains enough to run down +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page137" id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span> +the Midnight Masquer, he would be a mighty +good business partner; because I'm poor on +business detail. Also, I think Fell is to be +trusted. The things you've told me and +written me about him prove that much. +He's very strong politically, I have found—although +few people know it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But he's not interested in oil is he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know; I take for granted that he's +interested in making money. Most men are. +The only way to make money in oil is to have +money—and he has some! I have a little. +I can put in twenty-five thousand. With +an equal amount from him, we can sink +a couple of wells, perhaps three. If we +go broke, all right. If we find oil, we're +rich!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, my dear Henry, if he knew you to +be the Midnight Masquer, do you think he'd +want to go into business with you?" Her +gray eyes were dancing with amusement +as she put the query.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why not?" Gramont laughed. "If he +knew that I had brains enough to pull off +that stunt and keep all New Orleans up in +the air—wouldn't I make a good partner? +Besides, I believe that I have some notion +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page138" id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> +where to go after oil; I'm going to examine +your land first——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My good prince, you surely have no lack +of audacity!" She broke into a peal of +laughter. "Your argument about inducing +Mr. Fell to go into business with you is +naïve——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But, as an argument, isn't it quite sound?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Possibly. Since it is Lucie Ledanois and +not Jachin Fell who has brought you to a +confession of your crimes against society—aren't +you going to propose that she go into +business with you? Doesn't the argument +hold good with her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Although Gramont was taken aback, he +met her gaze squarely.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. Oil is no woman's game, unless she +can well afford to lose. I imagine that you +cannot, Lucie. Once I get my company +formed, however——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're right, I can't put in any money. +I'm land poor. Unless I were to sell that +Bayou Terrebonne land—it's an old farm, +abandoned since before father died——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't sell it!" he exclaimed, quickly. +"Don't consider any dealings with it until +I have looked it over, will you?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span> +"Since you ask it, no. If there's gas near +by, there must be oil."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who knows?" he shrugged. "No one +can predict oil."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then you still mean to go to Jachin Fell +with your scheme?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded. "Yes. See here, Lucie—it's +about noon! Suppose you come along +and lunch with me at the Louisiane, if you've +no engagement. We can put those boxes +in the mail en route, and after luncheon I'll +try and get hold of Fell."</p> + +<p class="indent">She put her head on one side and studied +him reflectively.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're sure you'll not kidnap me or +anything like that? It's risky to become a +friend of hardened criminals, even if one is +trying to uplift them."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good! You'll come?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you can give me ten minutes——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear Lucie, you are the most charming +object in New Orleans at this minute! Why +attempt to make yourself still more attractive? +Gilding the lily is an impossible task."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, wait for me. Is your car here? +Good! I want to see Hammond's face when +he sees us carrying out those boxes."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> +Laughing, the girl started toward the +stairs. At the doorway she paused.</p> + +<p class="indent">"One thing, M. le prince! Do you solemnly +promise, upon your honour, that the +Midnight Masquer is dead for ever?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Upon my honour!" said Gramont, seriously. +"The farce is ended, Lucie."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right. I'll be right down. Smoke +if you like——"</p> + +<p class="indent">In her own room upstairs Lucie closed +the door and sat down before her dressing +table. She made no move toward the array +of toilet articles, however. Instead, she took +a desk telephone from the table, and called a +number. In a moment she received a response.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Uncle Jachin!" she exclaimed. "Yes—it's +just as we thought; it's all a joke. No, +it was not a joke, either, because he had some +motive behind it, but he won't tell me what +it was. I'm terribly glad that you opened +one of those boxes and found the letter—if +you had gone to the police it would have +been perfectly dreadful——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never go to the police," said Jachin Fell +with his dry chuckle. "You are quite satisfied +that there is nothing serious in the affair, then?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> +"Absolutely! He told me that he had accomplished +his purpose, whatever it was, +and that it's all ended. He just gave me his +word that the Masquer was dead for ever. +Now, aren't you glad that you confided in +me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very," said Jachin Fell. "Very glad, +indeed!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now you're laughing at me—never mind! +We're going to lunch downtown, and we'll +mail those boxes on the way, by parcels post. +Is that all right?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite all right, my dear. It is the method +adopted by the most exclusive and elusive +criminals in the country, I assure you. Every +handbag snatcher gets rid of his empty bags by +mailing them back to the owner—unless +first caught. It pays to follow professional +examples, as Eliza said when she crossed the +ice. Did your gown come for to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's to come this afternoon."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. Do not plan to wear any +jewels, Lucie. I have a set to lend you for +the occasion—no, not a gift, merely a loan +for the sake of Comus. They are very nice +pearls; a little old fashioned, because they +were mounted for the Princesses de Lamballe, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span> +but you will find that they fit in excellently +with your gown. I'll bring them with me +when I call for you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"And I'll tender fitting thanks then. One +thing more: Henry Gramont is going to see +you after luncheon, I think—on business. +And I want you to be nice to him, Uncle +Jachin."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Most assuredly," said the other, drily. +"I should like to be associated in business with +that young man. The firm would prosper."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Will you stop laughing at me? Then I'll +ring off—good-bye!"</p> + +<p class="indent">And, smiling, she hung up the receiver.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ten minutes later, when Gramont and +Miss Ledanois entered the waiting car, Hammond +saw the boxes that they carried. He +stood beside the open door, paralyzed, his +eyes fastened on the boxes, his mouth agape.</p> + +<p class="indent">"To the postoffice, sergeant," said Gramont, +then affected to observe his stupefaction. +"Why, what's the matter?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond met his twinkling eyes, saw the +laughter of Lucie, and swallowed hard.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I—er—nothing at all, cap'n," he answered, +hoarsely. "A—a little chokin' spell, +that's all. Postoffice? Yes, sir."</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>Comus</i></p> + +<p>FROM the time they left the Ledanois +house with Lucie, Gramont had no +opportunity of seeing his chauffeur +in private until, later in the afternoon, he +left the Maison Blanche building. He had +enjoyed a thoroughly satisfactory interview +with Jachin Fell. So wholly had Gramont's +thoughts been given over to the business, indeed, +that it was almost a shock to emerge into +Canal Street and find everyone else in the +world thinking only of the water carnival and +the Rex parade.</p> + +<p class="indent">As for the Midnight Masquer and the +mystery of the boxes of loot, all this had +quite fled Gramont's mind before larger and +more important things. The car was waiting +for him in Royal Street, not far from the +Monteleone, and Gramont approached it to +find Hammond in deep worry over the outcome +of the interview with Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span> +"Well, cap'n!" he exclaimed, anxiously, as +Gramont drew up. "You're smilin', so I guess +it ain't a pinch!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont laughed gaily. "Those boxes? +Nonsense! Say, sergeant, you must have +been scared stiff when you saw them!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Scared? I was ready to flop, that's all! +And how in the name o' goodness did they +get in <i>her</i> house? What's behind all this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont glanced around. He walked with +Hammond to the front of the car, where he +could speak without being overheard by the +passersby.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It seems that I was more or less mistaken +about Fell being on our trail," he explained, +reflectively. "We had a very frank talk +about it, and he disclaimed all knowledge of +the boxes themselves. I gathered from little +things he dropped that some criminal had +looted the stuff from the car, and that it came +to his attention yesterday in a legal capacity——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Legal capacity, hell!" snorted Hammond. +"Did you swallow all that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"My swallowing capacity was pretty good," +and Gramont chuckled. "It seems that he +opened one of the boxes, and found the note +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> +I had written. This explained the business, +and by way of a little joke he turned over the +loot to Miss Ledanois and she had a bit of fun +with us. Fell, in fact, proved to be a pretty +good fellow——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He sure handed you out a fine line of +bull!" commented Hammond, savagely. +"What gets me is your falling for all that +dope! Looks like you wanted to believe +him, cap'n."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps I did." Gramont shrugged his +shoulders. "Why not? I've no reason to +disbelieve him. The note made it plain that +we were not criminals; now the whole affair +is cleaned up and out of the way. We're +out of it in good shape, if you ask me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You said something there," agreed Hammond, +not without a sigh of relief. "All +right, if you say so, only I ain't sure about +this Fell——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't worry. The stuff is returned, and +the matter is now closed. We can forget all +about the Midnight Masquer. Now, there's +another and more important thing that I +want to speak with you about, a matter of +business——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hold on, cap'n!" interrupted Hammond, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page146" id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span> +quietly, his eye on a spot behind Gramont. +"One of your friends is headed over this way, +and if I know anything about it, he's got +blood in his eye."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont turned, to see Bob Maillard approaching. +The latter addressed him without +any response to his greeting.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Have you a moment to spare, Gramont?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"All afternoon," answered Gramont, cheerfully. +He affected not to observe Maillard's +air of heavy business, nor the frowning suspicion +that lurked half-veiled in the other's +glowering features. "By the way, I've been +looking up a New Orleans landmark without +much success—the Ramos gin fizz establishment. +It seems to be gone!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is," returned Maillard, sourly. "Prohibition +killed it, like it's killing everything. +François moved into the place last September +from Old 27, and it's become his restaurant +now. But look here, Gramont!" The two +were standing a bit apart, and Hammond was +fussing with one of the headlights, but Gramont +suspected that the chauffeur was listening +avidly. "I've just come from a talk with +dad. How did it happen that you sold him +that stock of yours in the company?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page147" id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span> +Gramont smiled a little. He was amused +by the way Maillard was endeavouring to +keep down an outburst of angry passion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I happened to need the money. Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"But why the devil didn't you hang on to +that stock? Or if you needed money, why +didn't you come to me?" exploded the other, +angrily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Heavens!" drawled Gramont, who was +quite willing to exasperate young Maillard to +the limit. "You seem frightfully concerned +about it! What's the big idea, anyway? I +don't recall that any of us went into an +agreement not to sell if we wanted to. I +offered the stock to your father at a discount. +He realized that it was a good buy, and took +it. What's wrong with that?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing wrong, if you put it that way," +snapped Maillard, angrily. "But it's a confounded +sly way of doing things——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, just wait right there!" Gramont's +easy smile vanished. "I don't take that +kind of talk, Maillard. One more such +insinuation, and you'll need to use a mask at +the ball to-night, I promise you! I'll show +you how sly I am, my friend! I'm off in the +morning to start work on that report I was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> +engaged to make. When the report comes in, +my resignation comes with it."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right. Let it come here and now, +then." Maillard's tone was ugly. "If you're +so blamed anxious to get out of the company, +get out!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks. I'll be glad to be relieved of the +job." Gramont turned and addressed his +chauffeur. "Hammond, you'll kindly remember +this conversation, in case your future +testimony is needed——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Confound you, what d'you mean talking +that way?" broke out Maillard. "Do you +suppose I'll deny firing you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't care to have you offer any reflections +on my actions, Maillard," said Gramont, +evenly. "My course in this matter is +perfectly open and above board, which is more +than you can say for your doings."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What?" Maillard clenched his stick and +took a forward step, anger working in his +face. "What the devil d'you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly what I say—and perhaps I can +prove it. Remember the oil concern to +which you persuaded your precious father to +sell some of Miss Ledanois's bayou land? +Remember the real estate company to which +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span> +you persuaded him to sell her St. Landry +parish property? You had interests in both +concerns; I don't imagine you'd care to have +your share in those transactions exposed. +Further, I entirely understand your indignation +over my getting rid of this stock before +the crash, and it ill becomes you to assume +any such attitude."</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard glared at him for a long moment, +a red tide of rage flooding and ebbing from +his heavy countenance. Then, mastering +himself, he turned and strode away without +further speech.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hurray!" observed Hammond, when he +was gone. "Cap'n, that guy is off you for +life! I bet he'd like to meet you alone on a +dark night!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont shook his head. "He's a bad +enemy, all right. Here, get into the car!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He climbed in beside Hammond.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't drive—I want to speak with you. +Now that Maillard has relieved me of the +necessity of making any report to his company, +I'm free, and glad of it! I've been +talking business with Mr. Fell, and I'm to +have my own company."</p> + +<p class="indent">"With him?" Hammond sniffed.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> +"Yes. He's matching his money against +mine, and we're going to look for oil on some +land owned by Miss Ledanois. It'll be a +close corporation, and if we strike oil, we'll +all three have a good thing. We may go +broke, and we may go rich; if you're saving +any coin out of your salary and feel like taking +a gamble, I'll get you a bit of the stock +after Mr. Fell gets things in shape. You can +think it over——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't want to think it over," broke in +Hammond, eagerly. "I'm on, here and now—and +it sure is mighty good of you, cap'n! +Say, I ain't had any chance to tell you before, +but I pulled two hundred out o' the lottery +last week——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Lottery!" Gramont looked at him +quickly. "What lottery?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond looked a trifle sheepish. "Well, +it's against the law, o' course, but they run +'em right along just the same. A bunch of +the chauffeurs here are wise to it; they put up +some coin for me last week, and as I was +sayin' I pulled out two hundred. I got most +of it left, and have some saved up on the side. +I'll stick it all in, huh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded. "Well, we'll see later. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span> +You're free until morning, sergeant. I'm +going to the Comus ball to-night as a guest of +the Lavergnes, and they'll call for me. Enjoy +yourself, keep out of jail, and be ready to +start at six in the morning for Terrebonne."</p> + +<p class="indent">Leaving Hammond to take the car home, +Gramont headed for Canal Street to mingle +with the carnival crowd and revel in his new-found +sense of freedom. Now that he was his +own master, he felt like a new man.</p> + +<p class="indent">Overnight, it seemed, all weights had +dropped from his shoulders. On the score of +the Midnight Masquer, he was vastly relieved; +all that was over and forgotten. +Financially, he had achieved what was nothing +less than a masterly triumph. In a +business way, he was free of all ties and able +to look forward to decisive action on his own +behalf and that of a partner in whom he +could feel a perfect reliance.</p> + +<p class="indent">Consequently, he began really to enjoy +Mardi Gras for the first time, and plunged +into the eddying crowds in a free and light-hearted +manner which had not been his for +years.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was the moment for the carnival spirit +to seize on him, and seize him it did. With +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> +a boyish abandon he tramped the streets +merrily, exchanging jests and confetti, shoves +and bladder-blows, laughs and kisses. Madness +and reckless gaiety were in the very +air, and Gramont drank deep of these youthful +tonics. When at last he wandered home +to his pension, he was footsore, weary, disarranged, +and touseled—and very happy. The +wine of human comradeship is a good wine.</p> + +<p class="indent">That evening the Comus ball, the most +exclusive revel of the most exclusive aristocracy +of the southland, crowded the edifice in +which it was held to capacity. Here evening +dress was prescribed for all the guests. The +Krewe of Comus alone were masked and +costumed, in grotesque and magnificent costumes +which had been in the making for +months. The Krewe is to the South what +the Bohemian Club is to the western coast, +with the added enhancement of mystery.</p> + +<p class="indent">Despite the revels of the Krewe, however—despite +the glittering jewels, the barbaric +costumes, the music, the excitement—an +indefinable air of regret, almost of sadness, +pervaded the entire gathering. This feeling +was something to be sensed, rather than observed +definitely. Some said, afterward, that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span> +it was a premonition of the terrible event that +was to happen this night. Wrong! It was +because, for the first time in many generations, +the Comus ball was held in one of the +newer public buildings instead of in its accustomed +place. Everyone was speaking of +it. Even Maillard the banker, that cold man +of dollars, spoke uneasily of it when Gramont +encountered him in the smoking room.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It doesn't seem like Comus," said Maillard, +with a vexed frown. "And to think that +we had just finished redecorating the Opera +House when it was burned down! Comus +will never be the same again."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I didn't know you could feel such emotion +for a ruined building, Maillard," said Gramont, +lightly. The banker shrugged a trifle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Emotion? No. Regret! None of us, who +has been brought up in the traditions of the +city but regarded the French Opera House +as the centre of all our storied life. You +can't understand it, Gramont; no outsider can. +By the way, you haven't seen Bob? He's +in costume, but he might have spoken to +you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont answered in the negative, with a +slight surprise at the question.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> +It was not long before he came to comprehend +more fully just what the loss of the old +French Opera House meant to the assembly. +He heard comparisons made on every hand, +regretful allusions, sighs for the days that +were no more.</p> + +<p class="indent">This present building, to be sure, was one +of the city's finest, up to date in every way, +with an abundance of room—and yet everyone +said that Comus would never be the same. +About the Opera House had clung the romance +of many generations. About it, too, had +clung the affections of the people with a +fierceness beyond reason. More famous buildings +had been allowed to go to ruin, like the +Hotel Royale, but the Opera House had been +kept in repair for Mardi Gras. It was itself—a +landmark. Nothing else would ever be like +it.</p> + +<p class="indent">From his seat in the Lavergne box Gramont +contented himself during the early evening +with the common rôle of all the "blackcoats"—that +of looking on idly. More than once he +saw Lucie Ledanois called out, among others +of the fair sex, as a dancing partner for some +member of the Krewe. None of the male +guests, however, was allowed to participate +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> +in the festivity until Rex and his queen should +arrive—at midnight; thus, Gramont saw almost +nothing of Lucie during the evening.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was, inevitably, more or less visiting +in boxes and foyers, and not a little lounging +in the smoking room. The building was a +huge structure, and richly furnished. Only a +portion of it was in use by the Krewe; the +remainder was, of course, deserted for the +time being.</p> + +<p class="indent">While in search of smoking companions, +Gramont encountered many of his acquaintances, +and among them Doctor Ansley and +Jachin Fell. In order to enjoy Fell's proffered +El Reys in a somewhat clearer atmosphere +these three strolled off together into one of the +unused passages leading to other parts of the +building. They opened a window and stood +watching the crowd that surged in the street +below, constantly increasing as the hour +grew later, for the procession of Rex would be +well worth seeing and nobody meant to miss +anything upon this night of nights.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly, at the sound of an approaching +footstep, the three men turned. The electric +lights were going in all of the hallways, and +they perceived that the individual approaching +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> +them was a member of the Krewe of Comus. +He was also, it became evident, giving a share +of his allegiance to Bacchus, for his feet were +obviously unsteady. He was clad in a parti-coloured +costume, which was crowned by an +exaggerated head of Mephisto.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good evening to you, worthy gentlemen!" +He came to a fuddled halt and stood there, +laughing at the stares of the three. "Evening, +I say."</p> + +<p class="indent">They responded to his liquor-tinged words +with a laughing reply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Wonderin' who I am, aren't you!" he +hiccuped. "Well, don't wonder; 'sall between +ol' friends to-night! Tell you what, m' +friends—come with me and I'll find you a +li'l drink, eh? No prohibition booze, upon +m' honour; real old Boone pinchneck—got it +from some boys in Louisville, been savin' +it up for to-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">He wagged his head at them, and pursued +his subject in a half-maudlin burst of confidential +assurance. An unsteady hand waved +down the hallway.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Havin' a little party in one of the rooms," +he continued. "All of us friends—lots more +fun than dancin'! And say! I'm going pull +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span> +something great, positively great; you don't +want to miss it, gentlemen! You come along +with me and I'll fix it for you. Come on, +Gramont, that's a good fellow! You'n I had a +dis'greement to-day—don't matter to-night, +nothin' matters to-night, nothin' at all. +Mardi Gras only comes once a year, eh? +Come along, now."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell very civilly refused the invitation, +as did the others. Gramont, who now +recognized their accoster, was less civil in his +refusal. Mephisto sadly wagged his huge +headpiece and regarded them with vinous regret.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No 'joyment in you any more? Better +come along. Tell you, I've got the biggest +joke of the season ready to pull off—something +rich! Gramont, come on!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks, no," responded Gramont, curtly.</p> + +<p class="indent">The masquer gave up the struggle and +moved on down the empty hallway. The +three "blackcoats" watched in silence until +the grotesque figure had vanished.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I wonder who that was, now?" mused +Doctor Ansley, frowning. "Evidently, someone +who knew us; at least, he recognized you, +Gramont."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page158" id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> +"So it seemed," put in Jachin Fell. His +tone, like his eyes, held a sombre fire. "A +party of them drinking, eh? that will make +trouble. The Krewe won't like it. Ten to +one, that young man and his friends will +start the makings of a fine scandal and the +Krewe will come down hard on them—mighty +hard. Who was he, Gramont? +Sounded like——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Young Maillard." At Gramont's response +a whistle broke from Doctor Ansley. Jachin +Fell nodded assent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You took the words out of my mouth. +So Bob is drinking again, eh? And they've +occupied one of the rooms somewhere, and +are enjoying a bit of liquor and a card game +by themselves. Cursed slippery going, as +Eliza said when she crossed the ice! The +Krewe will expel them. Hello, Gramont—where +to?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont tossed his cigar through the open +window.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think I'll make my adieux, Fell. I intend +to be up early in the morning and get off +to work——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What?" protested Ansley in astonishment. +"You must stay until Rex comes, at least! +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span> +Why, that's the event of the carnival! The +evening hasn't started yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm growing old and sober, doctor," and +Gramont chuckled. "To tell the truth," +and he gave Fell a whimsical glance, "I am +head over ears in some new business matters +which have actually fired me with the divine +afflatus of enthusiasm. What's more, I was +drifting with the crowds all afternoon, and I've +just begun to realize that I'm dead tired. +Rex or no Rex, I'm afraid that I'd best say +good-night, gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont persisted in his intention, and +bade the other two good-night. In truth, he +cared very little about Rex, and a very great +deal about getting off to Bayou Terrebonne +early in the morning. The oil matter filled +his mind. He had formed a thousand plans, +he was fired with enthusiasm, and was anxious +to make his preliminary investigation.</p> + +<p class="indent">Returning to the auditorium, Gramont +sought out his hosts and made his farewells, +although not without encountering some opposition. +At length he was free, he had obtained +his hat and coat, and as he passed out +of the building he again met Fell and Ansley, +who were finishing their cigars at the entrance. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> +He bade them a final adieu and plunged into +the crowd.</p> + +<p class="indent">It lacked half an hour of midnight. The +streets were filled with merrymakers, who +were making the night riotous with songs, +yells, and noise-producing apparatus, anticipating +the arrival of Rex. For a little Fell +and Doctor Ansley stood talking, then tossed +away their cigars and turned into the building.</p> + +<p class="indent">They halted in the foyer before the appearance +of two men—Joseph Maillard, looking +extremely agitated, and behind him old Judge +Forester, who wore a distinctly worried expression.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, here are Fell and Ansley!" exclaimed +Maillard, almost with relief. "I—ah—my +friends, I don't suppose you've seen Bob +recently?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Ansley was silent. Jachin Fell, however, +responded with a cold nod of assent.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," he said in his peculiarly toneless +manner. "Yes, we have. At least, I believe +it was he——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm worried," said Maillard, anxiously, +hurriedly. He made an expressive gesture of +despair. "He's in costume, of course. I've +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> +been given to understand that—well, that he +has been—well, drinking."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He has," said Jachin Fell, without any +trace of compassion. "A number of the +Krewe are occupying one of the rooms in the +building, and they must have been visiting it +frequently. I trust for your sake that the +fact hasn't become generally known inside?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard nodded. Shame and anger lay +heavily in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes, Jachin. I—I was asked to exert my +influence over Bob. The request came to me +from the floor. This—this is a disgraceful +thing to admit, my friends——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Judge Forester, in his kindly way, laid his +hand on the banker's arm.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tut, tut, Joseph," he said, gently, a fund of +sympathy in his voice. "Boys will be boys, +you know; really, this is no great matter! +Don't let it hit you so hard. I'll go with you +to find the room, of course. Where is it, +Jachin?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll all go," put in Ansley. "We'll +have a little party of our own, gentlemen. +Come on, I believe we'll be able to discover the +place."</p> + +<p class="indent">The four men left the foyer and started +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span> +through the corridors. Among them was a +tacit understanding, a deep feeling of sympathy +for Joseph Maillard, a bond which held them +to his aid in this disgrace which had befallen +him. Jachin Fell, who felt the least compassion +or pity, cursed Bob Maillard—but under +his breath.</p> + +<p class="indent">They walked through the empty, lighted +corridors, following the direction in which Fell +and Ansley had seen young Maillard disappear.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I hear," said Judge Forester to Doctor +Ansley, as they followed the other two, "that +there has been astonishing news to-day from +the Midnight Masquer. It seems that a +number of people have received back property +this afternoon—loot the bandit had taken. +It came by mail, special delivery. One of the +Lavergne boys tells me that they received a +box containing everything that was taken at +their home, even to cash, with a note asking +them to return the things to their guests. It +appears to have been some sort of a carnival +joke, after all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"A poor one, then," responded Ansley, +"and in doubtful taste. I've heard nothing +of it. I wouldn't mind getting back the little +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span> +cash I lost, though I must say I'll believe the +story when I see the money——"</p> + +<p class="indent">He broke off quickly.</p> + +<p class="indent">As they turned a corner of the corridor to +the four men came realization that they had +attained their goal. From one of the rooms +ahead there sounded snatches of a boisterous +chorus being roared forth lustily. As they +halted, to distinguish from which door the +singing proceeded, the chorus was broken off +by an abrupt and sudden silence. This silence +was accentuated by the preceding noise, as +though the singers had checked their maudlin +song in mid-career.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Damn it!" muttered Maillard. "Did +they hear us coming? No, that wouldn't +matter a hang to them—but what checked +them so quickly?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"This door," said Fell, indicating one to +their right. He paused at it, listening, and +over his features came a singular expression. +As the others joined him, they caught a low +murmur of voices, a hushed sound of talk, a +rattle as a number of chips fell from a table.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cursed queer!" observed Jachin Fell, +frowning. "I wonder what happened to them +so abruptly? Perhaps the deal was finished—they're +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page164" id="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> +having a game. Well, go ahead, +Joseph! We'll back you up as a deputation +from the blackcoats, and if you need any moral +support, call on Judge Forester."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Correct!" assented that gentleman with +dignity. "I'll give these jackanapes a little +advice! It's going a bit far, this sort of thing; +we can't have Comus turned into a common +drinking bout. Ready, Joseph?"</p> + +<p class="indent">He flung open the door, and Maillard entered +at his side. They then came to a +startled halt, at view of the scene which +greeted them.</p> + +<p class="indent">The room was large and well lighted, windows +and transom darkened for the occasion. +Tobacco smoke made a bluish haze in the air. +In the centre of the room stood a large table, +littered with glasses and bottles, with scattered +cards, with chips and money.</p> + +<p class="indent">About this table had been sitting half a +dozen members of the Krewe of Comus. Now, +however, they were standing, their various +identities completely concealed by the grotesque +costumes which cloaked them. Their +hands were in the air.</p> + +<p class="indent">Standing at another doorway, midway between +their group and that of the four unexpected +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> +intruders, was the Midnight Masquer—holding +them up at the point of his +automatic!</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a moment of tense and strained +silence, as every eye went to the four men in +evening attire. It was plain what had cut +short the boisterous song—the Masquer must +have made his appearance only a moment or +two previously. From head to foot he was +hidden under his leathern attire. His unrecognizable +features, at this instant, were +turned slightly toward the four new arrivals. +It was obvious that he, no less than the others, +was startled by this entry.</p> + +<p class="indent">Maillard was the first to break that silence +of stupefaction.</p> + +<p class="indent">"By heavens!" he cried, furiously. "Here's +that damned villain again—hold him, you! +at him, everybody!"</p> + +<p class="indent">In a blind rage, transported out of himself +by his sudden access of passion, the banker +hurled himself forward. From the bandit +burst a cry of futile warning; the pistol in his +hand veered toward his assailant.</p> + +<p class="indent">This action precipitated the event. Perhaps +because the Masquer did not fire instantly, +and perhaps because Maillard's mad +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span> +action shamed them, the nearer members of +the drinking party hurled themselves at the +bandit. The threat of the weapon was forgotten, +unheeded in the sweeping lust of the +man-hunt. It seemed that the fellow feared +to fire; and about him closed the party in a +surging mass, with a burst of sudden shouts, +striking and clutching to pull him down and +put him under foot.</p> + +<p class="indent">Then, when it seemed that they had him +without a struggle, the Masquer broke from +them, swept them apart and threw them off, +hurled them clear away. He moved as though +to leap through the side doorway whence he +had come.</p> + +<p class="indent">With an oath, Maillard hurled himself forward, +struck blindly and furiously at the +bandit, and fastened upon him about the +waist. There was a surge forward of bodies +as the others crowded in to pull down the +Masquer before he could escape. It looked +then as though he were indeed lost—until +the automatic flamed and roared in his hand, +its choking fumes bursting at them. The +report thundered in the room; a second report +thundered, deafeningly, as a second bullet +sought its mark.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> +Like a faint echo to those shots came the +slam of a door. The Masquer was gone!</p> + +<p class="indent">After him, into the farther room, rushed +some of the party; but he had vanished utterly. +There was no trace of him. Of course, +he might have ducked into any of the dark +rooms, or have run down the corridor, yet his +complete disappearance confused the searchers. +After a moment, however, they returned +to the lighted room. The Masquer had gone, +but behind him had remained a more grim and +terrible masquer.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the room which he had just left, however, +there had fallen a dread silence and +consternation. One of the masqued drinkers +held an arm that hung helpless, dripping +blood; but his hurt passed unseen and uncared +for, even by himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">Doctor Ansley was kneeling above a motionless +figure, prone on the dirty floor; and +it was the figure of Joseph Maillard. The +physician glanced up, then rose slowly to +his feet. He made a terribly significant +gesture, and his crisp voice broke in upon the +appalled silence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Dead," he said, curtly. "Shot twice—each +bullet through the heart. Judge +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> +Forester, I'm afraid there is no alternative +but to call in the police. Gentlemen, you +will kindly unmask—which one of you is +Robert Maillard?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Amid a stunned and horrified silence the +members of the Krewe one by one removed +their grotesque headgear, staring at the dead +man whose white face looked up at them with +an air of grim accusation. But none of +them came forward to claim kinship with the +dead man. Bob Maillard was not in the +room.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think," said the toneless, even voice of +Jachin Fell, "that all of you gentlemen had +better be very careful to say only what you +have seen—and know. You will kindly remain +here until I have summoned the police."</p> + +<p class="indent">He left the room, and if there were any +dark implication hidden in his words, no one +seemed to observe it.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>On The Bayou</i></p> + +<p>AT THREE o'clock in the morning a +great office building is not the most +desolate place on earth, perhaps; +but it approaches very closely to that definition.</p> + +<p class="indent">At three o'clock on the morning of Ash +Wednesday the great white Maison Blanche +building was deserted and desolate, so far as +its offices were concerned. The cleaners and +scrub-women had long since finished their +tasks and departed. Out in the streets the +tag-ends of carnival were running on a swiftly +ebbing tide. A single elevator in the building +was, however, in use. A single suite of offices, +with carefully drawn blinds, was lighted and +occupied.</p> + +<p class="indent">They were not ornate, these offices. They +consisted of two rooms, a small reception +room and a large private office, both lined to +the ceiling with books, chiefly law books. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> +In the large inner room were sitting three +men. One of the three, Ben Chacherre, sat +in a chair tipped back against the wall, his +eyes closed. From time to time he opened +those sparkling black eyes of his, and through +narrow-slitted lids directed keen glances at +the other two men.</p> + +<p class="indent">One of the men was the chief of police. +The second was Jachin Fell, whose offices +these were.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Even if things are as you say, which I +don't doubt at all," said the chief, slowly, +"I can't believe the boy did it! And darn it +all, if I pinch him there's goin' to be a hell of +a scandal!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell shrugged his shoulders, and made response +in his toneless voice:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Chief, you're up against facts. Those +facts are bound to come out and the newspapers +will nail your hide to the wall in a +minute. You've a bare chance to save yourself +by taking in young Maillard at once."</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief chewed hard on his cigar. "I +don't want to save myself by putting the +wrong man behind the bars," he returned. +"It sure looks like he was the Masquer all +the while, but you say that he wasn't. You +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> +say this was his only job—a joke that turned +out bad."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Those are the facts," said Fell. "I +don't want to accuse a man of crimes I know +he did not commit. We have the best of +evidence that he did commit this crime. If +the newspapers fasten the entire Midnight +Masquer business on him, as they're sure to +do, we can't very well help it. I have no +sympathy for the boy."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course he did it," put in Ben Chacherre, +sleepily. "Wasn't he caught with the +goods?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The others paid no heed. The chief indicated +two early editions of the morning +papers, which lay on the desk in front of Fell. +These papers carried full accounts of the return +of the Midnight Masquer's loot, explaining his +robberies as part of a carnival jest.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The later editions, comin' out now," +said the chief, "will crowd all that stuff off +the front page with the Maillard murder. +Darn it, Fell! Whether I believe it or not, +I'll have to arrest the young fool."</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre chuckled. Jachin Fell smiled +faintly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nothing could be plainer, chief," he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> +responded. "First, Bob Maillard comes to +us in front of the opera house, and talks +about a great joke that he's going to spring on +his friends across the way——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"How'd you know who he was?" interjected +the chief, shrewdly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gramont recognized him; Ansley and I +confirmed the recognition. He was more or +less intoxicated—chiefly more. Now, young +Maillard was not in the room at the moment +of the murder—unless he was the Masquer. +Five minutes afterward he was found in a +near-by room, hastily changing out of an +aviator's uniform into his masquerade costume. +Obviously, he had assumed the guise +of the Masquer as a joke on his friends, and +the joke had a tragic ending. Further, he +was in the aviation service during the war, +and so had the uniform ready to hand. You +couldn't make anybody believe that he hasn't +been the Masquer all the time!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course," and the chief nodded perplexedly. +"It'd be a clear case—only you +call me in and say that he <i>wasn't</i> the Masquer! +Damn it, Fell, this thing has my goat!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's Maillard's story?" struck in Ben +Chacherre.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> +"He denies the whole thing," said the +worried chief. "According to his story, which +sounded straight the way he tells it, he meant +to pull off the joke on his friends and was +dressing in the Masquer's costume when +he heard the shots. He claims that the shots +startled him and made him change back. +He swears that he had not entered the other +room at all, except in his masquerade clothes. +He says the murderer must have been the real +Masquer. It's likely enough, because all +young Maillard's crowd knew about the party +that was to be held in that room during the +Comus ball——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No matter," said Fell, coldly. "Chief, +this is an open and shut case; the boy was +bound to lie. That he killed his father was an +accident, of course, but none the less it did +take place."</p> + +<p class="indent">"The boy's a wreck this minute." The +chief held a match to his unlighted cigar. +"But you say that he ain't the original +Masquer?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No!" Fell spoke quickly. "The original +Masquer was another person, and had nothing +to do with the present case. This information +is confidential and between ourselves."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> +"Oh, of course," assented the chief. "Well, +I suppose I got to pull Maillard, but I hate +to do it. I got a hunch that he ain't the right +party."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Virtuous man!" Fell smiled thinly. "According +to all the books, the chief of +police is only too glad to fasten the crime on +anybody——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Books be damned!" snorted the chief, and +leaned forward earnestly. "Look here, Fell! +Do you believe in your heart that Maillard +killed his father?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell was silent a moment under that intent +scrutiny.</p> + +<p class="indent">"From the evidence, I am forced against +my will to believe it," he said at last. "Of +course, he'll be able to prove that he was not +the Masquer on previous occasions; his alibis +will take care of that. Up to the point +of the murder, his story is all right. And, +my friend, there is a chance—a very slim, +tenuous chance—that his entire story is true. +In that case, another person must have +appeared as the Masquer which seems unlikely——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Or else," put in Ben Chacherre, smoothly, +"the real original Masquer showed up!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> +There was an instant of silence. Jachin +Fell regarded his henchman with steady gray +eyes. Ben Chacherre met the look with +almost a trace of defiance. The chief frowned +darkly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," said the chief. "That's the size of +it, Fell. You're keepin' quiet about the name +of the real Masquer; why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Because," said Fell, calmly, "I happen to +know that he was in the auditorium at the time +of the murder."</p> + +<p class="indent">Again silence. Ben Chacherre stared at +Fell, with amazement and admiration in his +gaze. "When the master lies, he lies magnificently!" +he murmured in French.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well," and the chief gestured despairingly, +"I guess that lets out the real Masquer, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly," assented Fell. "No use dragging +his name into it. I'll keep at work on +this, chief, and if anything turns up to clear +young Maillard, I'll be very glad."</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right," grunted the chief, and rose. +"I'll be on my way."</p> + +<p class="indent">He departed. Neither Fell nor Chacherre +moved or spoke for a space. When at length +the clang of the elevator door resounded +through the deserted corridors Ben Chacherre +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> +slipped from his chair and went to the outer +door. He glanced out into the hall, closed +the door, and with a nod returned to his chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well?" Jachin Fell regarded him with intent, +searching eyes. "Have you any light +to throw on the occasion?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre's usual air of cool impudence was +never in evidence when he talked with Mr. Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," he said, shaking his head. "Hammond +worked on the car until about nine +o'clock, then beat it to bed, I guess. I quit +the job at ten, and his light had been out some +time. Well, master, this is a queer affair! +There's no doubt that Gramont pulled it, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You think so?" asked Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre made a gesture of assent. "<i>Quand +bois tombé, cabri monté</i>—when the tree falls, +the kid can climb it! Any fool can see that +Gramont was the man. Don't you think so +yourself, master?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. But we've no evidence—everything +lies against young Maillard. Early in the +morning Gramont goes to Paradis to examine +that land of Miss Ledanois' along the bayou. +He'll probably say nothing of this murder to +Hammond, and the chauffeur may not find +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> +out about it until a day or two—they get few +newspapers down there.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Drive down to Paradis in the morning, +Ben; get into touch with Hammond, and discover +what time Gramont got home to-night. +Write me what you find out. Then take +charge of things at the Gumberts place. +Make sure that every car is handled right. +A headquarters man from Mobile will be here +to-morrow to trace the Nonpareil Twelve that +Gramont now owns."</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre whistled under his breath. +"What?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell smiled slightly and nodded. +"Yes. If Gramont remains at Paradis, I +may send him on down there—I'm not sure +yet. I intend to get something on that man +Hammond."</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you can't land him that way, master! +He bought the car——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"And who sold the car to the garage people? +They bought it innocently." A peculiar smile +twisted Fell's lips awry. "In fact, they bought +it from a man named Hammond, as the evidence +will show very clearly."</p> + +<p class="indent">Ben Chacherre started, since he had sold +that car himself. Then a slow grin came into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> +his thin features—a grin that widened into a +noiseless laugh.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Master, you are magnificent!" he said, and +rose. "Well, if there is nothing further on +hand, I shall go to bed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"An excellent programme," said Jachin Fell, +and took his hat from the desk. "I must get +some sleep myself."</p> + +<p class="indent">They left the office and the building together.</p> + +<p class="indent">Three hours afterward the dawn had set +in—a cold, gray, and dismal dawn that rose +upon a city littered with the aftermath of +carnival. "Lean Wednesday" it was, in sober +fact. Thus far, the city in general was ignorant +of the tragedy which had taken place at the +very conclusion of its gayest carnival season. +Within a few hours business and social circles +would be swept by the fact of Joseph Maillard's +murder, but at this early point of the day the +city slept. The morning papers, which to-day +carried a news story that promised to shock +and stun the entire community, were not yet +distributed.</p> + +<p class="indent">Rising before daylight, Henry Gramont and +Hammond breakfasted early and were off by +six in the car. They were well outside town +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> +and sweeping on their way to Terrebonne +Parish and the town of Paradis before they +realized that the day was not going to brighten +appreciably. Instead, it remained very cloudy +and gloomy, with a chill threat of rain in the +air.</p> + +<p class="indent">Weather mattered little to Gramont. When +finally the excellent highway was left behind, +and they started on the last lap of their +seventy-mile ride, they found the parish roads +execrable and the going slow. Thus, noon was +at hand when they at length pulled into Paradis, +the town closest to Lucie Ledanois' bayou +land. The rain was still holding off.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Too cold to rain," observed Gramont. +"Let's hit for the hotel and get something to +eat. I'll have to locate the land, which is +somewhere near town."</p> + +<p class="indent">They discovered the hotel to be an ancient +structure, and boasting prices worthy of Lafitte +and his buccaneers. As in many small +towns of Louisiana, however, the food proved +fit for a king. After a light luncheon of quail, +crayfish bisque, and probably illegal venison, +Gramont sighed regret that he could eat no +more, and set about inquiring where the +Ledanois farm lay.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> +There was very little, indeed, to Paradis, +which lay on the bayou but well away from +the railroad. It was a desolate spot, unpainted +and unkept. The parish seat of +Houma had robbed it of all life and growth on +the one hand; on the other, the new oil and gas +district had not yet touched it.</p> + +<p class="indent">Southward lay the swamp—fully forty miles +of it, merging by degrees into the Gulf. Forty +miles of cypress marsh and winding bayou, +uncharted, unexplored save by occasional +hunters or semi-occasional sheriffs. No man +knew who or what might be in those swamps, +and no one cared to know. The man who +brought in fish or oysters in his skiff might +be a bayou fisherman, and he might be a murderer +wanted in ten states. Curiosity was apt +to prove extremely unhealthy. Like the +Atchafalaya, where chance travellers find +themselves abruptly ordered elsewhere, the +Terrebonne swamps have their own secrets +and know how to keep them.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont had no difficulty in locating the +Ledanois land, and he found that it was by +no means in the swamp. A part of it, lying +closer to Houma, had been sold and was +now included in the new oil district; it was +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> +this portion which Joseph Maillard had sold +off.</p> + +<p class="indent">The remainder, and the largest portion, lay +north of Paradis and ran along the west bank +of the bayou for half a mile. A long-abandoned +farm, it was high ground, with the +timber well cleared off and excellently located; +but tenants were hard to get and shiftless +when obtained, so that the place had not been +farmed for the last five years or more. After +getting these facts, Gramont consulted with +Hammond.</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'd better buy some grub here in town +and arrange to stay a couple of nights on +the farm, if necessary," he said. "There are +some buildings there, so we'll find shelter. +Along the bayou are summer cottages—I +believe some of them are rather pretentious +places—and we ought to find the road pretty +decent. It's only three or four miles out of +town."</p> + +<p class="indent">With some provisions piled in the car, they +set forth. The road wound along the bayou +side, past ancient 'Cajun farms and the squat +homes of fishermen. Here and there had been +placed camps and summer cottages, nestling +amid groups of huge oaks and cypress, whose +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> +fronds of silver-gray moss hung in drooping +clusters like pale and ghostly shrouds.</p> + +<p class="indent">Watching the road closely, Gramont suddenly +found the landmarks that had been +described to him, and ordered Hammond to +stop and turn in at a gap in the fence which +had once been an entrance gate.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here we are! Those are the buildings +off to the right. Whew! I should say it had +been abandoned! Nothing much left but +ruins. Go ahead!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Before them, as they drove in from the road +by a grass-covered drive, showed a house, shed, +and barn amid a cluster of towering trees. +Indeed, trees were everywhere about the farm, +which had grown up in a regular sapling forest. +The buildings were in a ruinous state—clapboards +hanging loosely, roofs dotted by gaping +holes, doors and windows long since gone.</p> + +<p class="indent">Leaving the car, Gramont, followed by the +chauffeur, went to the front doorway and surveyed +the wreckage inside.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you say, Hammond? Think we +can stop here, or go back to the hotel? It's +not much of a run to town——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hammond pointed to a wide fireplace facing +them.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page183" id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> +"I can get this shack cleaned out in about +half an hour—this one room, anyhow. When +we get a fire goin' in there, and board up the +windows and doors, we ought to be comfortable +enough. But suit yourself, cap'n! It's +your funeral."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont laughed. "All right. Go ahead +and clean up, then, and if rain comes down we +can camp here. Be sure and look for snakes +and vermin. The floor seems sound, and if +there's plenty of moss on the trees, we can make +up comfortable beds. Too bad you're not a +fisherman, or we might get a fresh fish out of +the bayou——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I got some tackle in town," and Hammond +grinned widely.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good work! Then make yourself at home +and go to it. We've most of the afternoon +before us."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont left the house, and headed down +toward the bayou shore.</p> + +<p class="indent">He took a letter from his pocket, opened it, +and glanced over it anew. It was an old letter, +one written him nearly two years previously +by Lucie Ledanois. It had been written +merely in the endeavour to distract the +thoughts of a wounded soldier, to bring his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" id="page184"></a>[pg 184]</span> +mind to Louisiana, away from the stricken +fields of France. In the letter Lucie had +described some of the more interesting features +of Bayou Terrebonne—the oyster and shrimp +fleets, the Chinese and Filipino villages along +the Gulf, the far-spread cypress swamps; the +bubbling fountains, natural curiosities, that +broke up through the streams and bayous of +the whole wide parish—fountains that were +caused by gas seeping up from the earth's interior, +and breaking through.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont knew that plans were already afoot +to tap this field of natural gas and pipe it to +New Orleans. Oil had been found, too, and +all the state was now oil-mad. Fortunes were +being made daily, and other fortunes were +being lost daily by those who dealt with oil-stocks +instead of with oil.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Those gas-fountains did the work!" reflected +Gramont. "And according to this +letter, there's one of those fountains here in the +bayou, close to her property. 'Just opposite +the dock,' she says. The first thing is to find +the dock, then the fountain. After that, we'll +decide if it's true mineral gas. If it is, then the +work's done—for I'll sure take a chance on +finding oil near it!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" id="page185"></a>[pg 185]</span> +Gramont came to the bayou and began +searching his way along the thick and high +fringe of bushes and saplings that girded the +water's edge. Presently he came upon the +ruined evidences of what had once been a +small boat shed. Not far from this he found +the dock referred to in the letter; nothing was +left of it except a few spiles protruding from the +surface of the water. But he had no need to +look farther. Directly before him, he saw +that which he was seeking.</p> + +<p class="indent">A dozen feet out from shore the water was +rising and falling in a continuous dome or +fountain of highly charged bubbles that rose +a foot above the surface. Gramont stared at +it, motionless. He watched it for a space—then, +abruptly, he started. It was a violent +start, a start of sheer amazement and incredulity.</p> + +<p class="indent">He leaned forward, staring no longer at the +gas dome, but at the water closer inshore. +For a moment he thought that his senses had +deceived him, then he saw that the thing was +there indeed, there beyond any doubt—a +very faint trace of iridescent light that played +over the surface of the water.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It can't be possible!" he muttered, bending +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" id="page186"></a>[pg 186]</span> +farther over. "Such a thing happens too +rarely——"</p> + +<p class="indent">His heart pounded violently; excitement +sent the blood rushing to his brain in blinding +swirls. He was gripped by the gold fever that +comes upon a man when he makes the astounding +discovery of untold wealth lying at his feet, +passed over and disregarded by other and less-discerning +men for days and years!</p> + +<p class="indent">It was oil, no question about it. An extremely +slight quantity, true; so slight a +quantity that there was no film on the water, +no discernible taste to the water. Gramont +brought it to his mouth and rose, shaking his +head.</p> + +<p class="indent">Where did it come from? It had no connection +with the gas bubbles—at least, it did not +come from the dome of water and gas. How +long he stood there staring Gramont did not +know. His brain was afire with the possibilities. +At length he stirred into action and +started up the bayou bank, from time to time +halting to search the water below him, to make +sure that he could still discern the faint iridescence.</p> + +<p class="indent">He followed it rod by rod, and found that it +rapidly increased in strength. It must come +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span> +from some very tiny surface seepage close at +hand, that was lost in the bayou almost as +rapidly as it came from the earth-depths. Only +accidentally would a man see it—not unless he +were searching the water close to the bank, +and even then only by the grace of chance.</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly Gramont saw that he had lost the +sign. He halted.</p> + +<p class="indent">No, not lost, either! Just ahead of him was +a patch of reeds, and a recession of the shore. +He advanced again. Inside the reeds he found +the oily smear, still so faint that he could only +detect it at certain angles. Glancing up, he +could see a fence at a little distance, evidently +the boundary fence of the Ledanois land; the +bushes and trees thinned out here, and on +ahead was cleared ground. He saw, through +the bushes, glimpses of buildings.</p> + +<p class="indent">Violent disappointment seized him. Was +he to lose this discovery, after all? Was he +to find that the seepage came from ground +belonging to someone else? No—he stepped +back hastily, barely in time to avoid stumbling +into a tiny trickle of water, a rivulet that ran +down into the bayou, a tributary so insignificant +that it was invisible ten feet distant! +And on the surface a faint iridescence.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> +Excitement rising anew within him, Gramont +turned and followed this rivulet, his +eyes aflame with eagerness. It led him for +twenty feet, and ceased abruptly, in a bubbling +spring that welled from a patch of low, tree-enclosed +land. Gramont felt his feet sinking +in grass, and saw that there was a dip in +the ground hereabouts, a swampy little section +all to itself. He picked a dry spot and lay +down on his face, searching the water with his +eyes.</p> + +<p class="indent">Moment after moment he lay there, watching. +Presently he found the slight trickle of +oil again—a trickle so faint and slim that even +here, on the surface of the tiny rivulet, it could +be discerned only with great difficulty. A +very thin seepage, concluded Gramont; a +thin oil, of course. So faint a little thing, to +mean so much!</p> + +<p class="indent">It came from the Ledanois land, no doubt +of it. What did that matter, though? His +eyes widened with flaming thoughts as he gazed +down at the slender thread of water. No +matter at all where this came from—the main +point was proven by it! There was oil here for +the finding, oil down in the thousands of feet +below, oil so thick and abundant that it forced +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> +itself up through the earth fissures to find an +outlet!</p> + +<p class="indent">"Instead of going down five or six thousand +feet," he thought, exultantly, "we may have +to go down only as many hundred. But first +we must get an option or a lease on all the +land roundabout—all we can secure! There +will be a tremendous boom the minute this +news breaks. If we get those options, we can +sell them over again at a million per cent. +profit, and even if we don't strike oil in paying +quantities, we'll regain the cost of our drilling! +And to think of the years this has been here, +waiting for someone——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly he started violently. An abrupt +crashing of feet among the bushes, an outbreak +of voices, had sounded not far away—just the +other side of the boundary fence. He was +wakened from his dreams, and started to rise. +Then he relaxed his muscles and lay quiet, +astonishment seizing him; for he heard his own +name mentioned in a voice that was strange to +him.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>Murder</i></p> + +<p>THE voice was strange to Gramont, yet +he had a vague recollection of having at +some time heard it before. It was a +jaunty and impudent voice, very self-assured—yet +it bore a startled and uneasy note, as +though the speaker had just come unaware +upon the man whom he addressed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Howdy, sheriff!" it said. "Didn't see you +in there—what you doin' so far away from +Houma, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, I've been looking over the place +around here," responded another voice, which +was dry and grim. "I know you, Ben Chacherre, +and I think I'll take you along with +me. Just come from New Orleans, did +you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Me? Take <i>me</i>?" The voice of Chacherre +shrilled up suddenly in alarm. "Look +here, sheriff, it wasn't me done it! It was +Gramont——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page191" id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span> +There came silence. Not a sound broke +the stillness of the late afternoon.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont, listening, lay bewildered and +breathless. Ben Chacherre, the sneak thief—how +had Chacherre come here? Gramont +knew nothing of any tie between Jachin Fell +and Chacherre; he could only lie in the grass +and wonder at the man's presence. What +"place" was it that the sheriff of Houma +had been looking over? And what was it +that he, Gramont, was supposed to have +done?</p> + +<p class="indent">Confused and wondering, Gramont waited. +And, as he waited, he caught a soft sound from +the marshy ground beside him—a faint "plop" +as though some object had fallen close by on +the wet grass. At the moment he paid no +heed to this sound, for again the uncanny silence +had fallen.</p> + +<p class="indent">Listening, Gramont fancied that he caught +slow, stealthy footsteps amid the undergrowth, +but derided the fancy as sheer imagination. +His brain was busy with this new problem. +Houma, he knew, was the seat of the parish or +county. This Ben Chacherre appeared to +have suddenly and unexpectedly encountered +the sheriff, to his obvious alarm, and the sheriff +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> +had for some reason decided to arrest him; so +much was clear.</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre had something to do with the +"place"—did that mean the adjacent property, +or the Ledanois farm? In his puzzled +bewilderment over this imbroglio Gramont for +the moment quite forgot the trickle of oil at +his feet.</p> + +<p class="indent">But now the deep silence became unnatural +and sinister. What had happened? Surely, +Ben Chacherre had not been arrested and taken +away in such silence! Why had the voices so +abruptly ceased? Vaguely uneasy, startled by +the prolongation of that intense stillness, +Gramont rose to his feet and peered among the +trees.</p> + +<p class="indent">The two speakers seemed to have departed; +he could descry nobody in sight. A step to +one side gave Gramont a view of the land adjoining +the Ledanois place. This was cleared +of all brush, and under some immense oaks to +the far left he had a glimpse of a large summer +cottage, boarded up and apparently deserted. +Nearer at hand, however, he saw other buildings, +and these drew his attention. He heard +the throbbing pound of a motor at work, and +as there was no power line along here, the place +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page193" id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span> +evidently had its own electrical plant. He +scrutinized the scene before him appraisingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">There were two large buildings here. One +seemed to be a large barn, closed, the other +was a long, low shed which was too large to +be a garage. The door of this was open, and +before the opening Gramont saw three men +standing in talk; he recognized none of them. +Two of the talkers were clad in greasy overalls, +and the third figure showed the flash of a collar. +The sheriff, Ben Chacherre, and some other +man, thought Gramont. He would not have +known Chacherre had he encountered him face +to face. To him, the man was a name only.</p> + +<p class="indent">The mention of his own name by Chacherre +impelled him to go forward and demand some +explanation. Then it occurred to him that +perhaps he had made a mistake; it would have +been very easy, for he was not certain that +Chacherre had referred to him. There could +be other Gramonts, or other men whose name +would have much the same sound in a Creole +mouth.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'd better attend to my own business," +thought Gramont, and turned away. He noticed +that the motor had ceased its work. +"Wonder what rich chap can be down here at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span> +his summer cottage this time of year? May +be only a caretaker, though. I'd better give +all my attention to this oil, and let other +things alone."</p> + +<p class="indent">He retraced his steps to the bayou bank and +turned back toward the house. As he did so, +Hammond appeared coming toward him, knife +in hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm going to cut me a pole and land a couple +o' fish for supper," announced the chauffeur, +grinning. "Got things cleaned up fine, cap'n! +You won't know the old shack."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good enough," said Gramont. "Here, +step over this way! I want to show you +something."</p> + +<p class="indent">He led Hammond to the rivulet and pointed +out the thin film of oil on the surface.</p> + +<p class="indent">"There's our golden fortune, sergeant! Oil +actually coming out of the ground! It doesn't +happen very often, but it does happen—and +this is one of the times. I'll not bother to look +around any farther."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Glory be!" said Hammond, staring at the +rivulet. "Want to hit back for town?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No; we couldn't get back until sometime +to-night, and the roads aren't very good for +night work. I'm going to get some leases +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> +around here—perhaps I can do it right away, +and we'll start back in the morning. Go ahead +and get your fish."</p> + +<p class="indent">Regaining the house, he saw that Hammond +had indeed cleaned up in great style, and had +the main room looking clean as a pin, with a +fire popping on the hearth. He did not pause +here, but went to the car, got in, and started it. +He drove back to the road, and followed this +toward town for a few rods, turning in at a +large and very decent-looking farmhouse that +he had observed while passing it on the way +out.</p> + +<p class="indent">He found the owner, an intelligent-appearing +Creole, driving in some cows for milking, and +was a little startled to realize that the afternoon +was so late. When he addressed the +farmer in French, he received a cordial reply, +and discovered that this man owned the land +across the road from the Ledanois place—that +his farm, in fact, covered several hundred acres.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who owns the land next to the Ledanois +place?" inquired Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I sold that off my land a couple of years +ago," replied the other. "A man from New +Orleans wanted it for a summer place—a business +man there, Isidore Gumberts."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page196" id="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> +Gumberts—"Memphis Izzy" Gumberts! +The name flashed to Gramont's mind, and +brought the recollection of a conversation with +Hammond. Why, Gumberts was the famous +crook of whom Hammond had spoken.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I saw the sheriff awhile ago, heading up the +road," observed the Creole. "Did you meet +him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont shook his head. "No, but I saw +several men at the Gumberts place. Perhaps +he was there——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not there, I guess," and the farmer +laughed. "Those fellows have rented the +place from Gumberts, I hear; they're inventors, +and quiet enough men. You're a stranger +here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont introduced himself as a friend of +Miss Ledanois, and stated frankly that he was +looking for oil and hoped to drill on her land.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'd like a lease option from you," he went +on. "I don't want to buy your land at all; +what I want is a right to drill for oil on it, in +case any shows up on Miss Ledanois' land. +It's all a gamble, you know. I'll give you a +hundred dollars for the lease, and the usual +eighth interest in any oil that's found. I've +no lease blanks with me, but if you'll give me +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page197" id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span> +the option, a signed memorandum will be entirely +sufficient."</p> + +<p class="indent">The farmer regarded oil as a joke, and said +so. The hundred dollars, however, and the +prospective eighth interest, were sufficient to +induce him to part with the option without +any delay. He was only too glad to get the +thing done with at once, and to pocket Gramont's +money.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont drove away, and was just coming +to the Ledanois drive when he suddenly +threw on the brakes and halted the car, +listening. From somewhere ahead of him—the +Gumberts place, he thought instantly—echoed +a shot, and several faint shouts. Then silence +again.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont paused, indecisive. The sheriff +was making an arrest, he thought. A hundred +possibilities flitted through his brain, +suggested by the sinister combination of Memphis +Izzy, known even to Hammond as a prince +among crooks, with this secluded place leased +by "inventors." Bootlegging? Counterfeiting?</p> + +<p class="indent">As he paused, thus, he suddenly started; he +was certain that he had caught the tones of +Hammond, as though in a sudden uplifted +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page198" id="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> +oath of anger. Gramont threw in his clutch +and sent the car jumping forward—he remembered +that he had left Hammond beside the +rivulet, close to the Gumberts property. What +had happened?</p> + +<p class="indent">He came, after a moment of impatience, to +an open gate whose drive led to the Gumberts +place. Before him, as he turned in, unfolded +a startling scene. Three men, the same three +whom he had seen from the bushes, were standing +in front of the low shed; two of them held +rifles, the third, one of the "inventors" in +overalls, was winding a bandage about a bleeding +hand. The two rifles were loosely levelled +at Hammond, who stood in the centre of the +group with his arms in the air.</p> + +<p class="indent">Whatever had happened, Hammond had +evidently not been easily captured. His +countenance was somewhat battered, and the +one captor who wore a collar was bleeding +copiously from a cut cheek. The three turned +as Gramont's car drove up, and Hammond +gave an ejaculation of relief.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here he is now——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Shut up!" snapped one of his armed captors +in an ugly tone. "Hurry up, Chacherre—get +a rope and tie this gink!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span> +Gramont leaped from the car and strode +forward.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's been going on here?" he demanded, +sharply. "Hammond——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I found a dead man over in them bushes," +shot out Hammond, "and these guys jumped +me before I seen 'em. They claim I done +it——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"A dead man!" repeated Gramont, and +looked at the three. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Give him the spiel, Chacherre," growled +one of them. Ben Chacherre stepped forward, +his bold eyes fastened on those of Gramont +with a look of defiance.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The sheriff was here some time ago, looking +for a stolen boat," he said, "and went off +toward the Ledanois place. We were following, +in order to help him search, when we came +upon this man standing in the bushes, over the +body of the sheriff. A knife was in his hand, +and the sheriff had been stabbed to death. +He drew a pistol and shot one of us——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont was staggered for a moment. +"Wait!" he exclaimed. "Hammond, how +much of this is true?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What I'm tellin' you, cap'n," answered +Hammond, doggedly. "I found a man layin' +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> +there and was looking at him when these guys +jumped me. I shot that fellow in the arm, +all right, then they grabbed my gun and got +me down. That's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">The sheriff—murdered!</p> + +<p class="indent">Into the mind of Gramont leaped that brief +conversation which he had overheard between +Ben Chacherre and the sheriff; the strange, +unnatural silence which had concluded that +broken-off conversation. He stared from +Hammond to the others, speechless for the +moment, yet with hot words rising impetuously +in him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Now he noticed that Chacherre and his +two companions were watching him very +intently, and were slightly circling out. He +sensed an acquaintance among all these men. +He saw that the wounded man had finished +his bandaging, and was now holding his +unwounded hand in his jacket pocket, bulkily, +menacingly.</p> + +<p class="indent">Danger flashed upon Gramont—flashed upon +him vividly and with startling clearness. +He realized that anything was possible in this +isolated spot—this spot where murder had so +lately been consummated! He checked on his +very lips what he had been about to blurt forth; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page201" id="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span> +at this instant, Hammond voiced the thought +in his mind.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's a frame-up!" said the chauffeur, +angrily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's likely, isn't it?" Chacherre flung the +words in a sneer, but with a covert glance at +Gramont. "This fellow is your chauffeur, +ain't he? Well, we got to take him in to +Houma, that's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where's the sheriff's body?" demanded +Gramont, quietly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Over there," Chacherre gestured. "We +ain't had a chance to bring him back yet—this +fellow kept us busy. Maybe you want to +frame up an alibi for him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont paid no attention to the sneering +tone of this last. He regarded Chacherre +fixedly, thinking hard, keeping himself well in +hand.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You say the sheriff was here, then +went over toward the Ledanois land?" he +asked. "Did he go alone, or were you with +him?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We were fixin' to follow him," asserted +Chacherre, confidently. This was all Gramont +wanted to know—that the man was lying. +"We were trailin' along after him when he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> +stepped into the bushes. This man of yours +was standing over him with a knife——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was, too, when they found me—I was +cuttin' me a fishpole," said Hammond, sulkily. +He was plainly beginning to be impressed and +alarmed by the evidence against him. Gramont +only nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No one saw the actual murder, then?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No need for it," said Chacherre, brazenly. +"When we found him that way! Eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose not," answered Gramont, his +eyes fastened thoughtfully on Hammond. +The latter caught the look, let his jaw fall in +astonishment, then flushed and compressed his +lips—and waited. Gramont glanced at Chacherre, +and launched a chance shaft.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're Ben Chacherre, aren't you? Do +you work for Mr. Fell?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The chance shot scored. "Yes," said Chacherre, +his eyes narrowing.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What are you doing here, then?"</p> + +<p class="indent">For an instant Chacherre was off guard. +He did not know how much—or little—Gramont +knew; but he did know that Gramont +was aware who had taken the loot of the Midnight +Masquer from the luggage compartment +of the car. This knowledge, very naturally, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span> +threw him back on the defence of which he was +most sure.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I came on an errand for my master," he +said, and with those words gave the game into +Gramont's hands.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a moment of silence. Gramont +stood apparently in musing thought, conscious +that every eye was fastened upon him, and that +one false move would now spell disaster. He +gave no sign of the tremendous shock that +Chacherre's words had just given him; when +he spoke, it was quietly and coolly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then your master is evidently associated +with Memphis Izzy Gumberts, who owns this +place here. Is that right?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Both Hammond and Chacherre's two friends +started at this.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't know anything about that," returned +Chacherre, with a shrug which did not +entirely conceal his uneasiness. "I know +that we've got a murderer here, and that we'll +have to dispose of him. Do you object?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Of course not," said Gramont, calmly. +"Step aside and give me a moment in private +with Hammond. Then by all means take +him in to Houma. I'd suggest that you tie +him up, or make use of handcuffs if the sheriff +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span> +brought any along. Then you'd better take +in the body of the sheriff also. Hammond, a +word with you!"</p> + +<p class="indent">This totally unexpected acquiescence on the +part of Gramont seemed to stun Chacherre +into inaction. He half moved, as though uncertain +whether to bar Gramont from the +prisoner, then he stepped aside as Gramont +advanced. A gesture to his two companions +prevented them from interfering.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Keep 'em covered, though," he said, shifting +his own rifle slightly and watching with a +scowl of suspicion.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont ignored him and went up to Hammond, +with a look of warning.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You'll have to submit to this, old man," +he said, in a tone that the others could not +overhear. "Don't dream that I'm deserting +you; but I want a good look at this place if +all three of them go away. They must not +suspect——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Cap'n, look out!" broke in Hammond, +urgently. "This here is a gang—the whole +thing is a frame-up on me!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know it—I was present when the sheriff +was murdered; but keep quiet. I'll come to +Houma later to-night and see you." He +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span> +turned away with a shrug as though Hammond +had denied him some favour, and lifted his +voice. "Chacherre! How are you to take +this man into town? How did you get here? +Will you need to use my car?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No." The Creole jerked his head toward +the barn. "I came in Mr. Fell's car—it's got +a sprung axle and is laid up. We'll take him +back in another one."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well," Gramont paused and glanced +around. "This is a terrible blow, men. I +never dreamed that Hammond was a murderer +or could be one! You don't know of any motive +for the crime?"</p> + +<p class="indent">They shook their heads, but suspicion was +dying from their eyes. Gramont glanced again +at his chauffeur.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll not abandon you, Hammond," he said, +severely, coldly. "I'll stop in at Houma and +see that you have a lawyer. I think, gentlemen, +we had better attend to bringing in the +body of the sheriff, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The wounded man dodged into the barn +and returned with a strip of rope. Chacherre +took this, and firmly bound Hammond's arms, +then forced him to sit down and bound his +ankles.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span> +"You watch him," he ordered the wounded +member of the trio. "We'll get the sheriff."</p> + +<p class="indent">Allowing Chacherre and his companion to +take the lead, Gramont went with them to the +place where the murdered officer lay. As he +went, the conviction grew more sure within +him that, when he lay there by the rivulet, +he had actually heard the last words uttered by +the sheriff; that Chacherre had committed the +murder in that moment—a noiseless, deadly +stab! That Hammond could or would have +done it he knew was absurd.</p> + +<p class="indent">They found the murdered man lying among +the bushes. He had been stabbed under the +fifth rib—the knife had gone direct to the heart. +Chacherre announced that he had Hammond's +knife as evidence and Gramont merely nodded +his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">Lifting the body between them, they bore +it back to the barn.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now," said Gramont, quickly, "I'm off +for Houma—if I don't miss my road! You +men will be right along?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In a jiffy," said Chacherre, promptly.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont climbed into his car and drove +away. He had no fear of anything happening +to Hammond; the evidence against the latter +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> +was damning, and with three men to swear him +into a hangman's noose, they would bring him +to jail safe enough.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A clever devil, that Chacherre!" he +thought, grimly. "We're up against a gang, +beyond any doubt. Now, if they don't suspect +me——"</p> + +<p class="indent">He turned in at the Ledanois gate, knowing +himself to be beyond sight or hearing of the +Gumberts place. He drove the car away +from the house, and into the thick of the +densest bush-growth that he could find where +it was well concealed from sight. Then, on +foot, he made his way along the bank of the +bayou until he had come to the rivulet where +oil showed.</p> + +<p class="indent">Here he paused, concealing himself and +gaining a place where he could get a view of +the Gumberts land. He saw Chacherre and +Hammond there, beside the body of the sheriff; +the other two men were swinging open the +barn door. They disappeared inside, and a +moment later Gramont heard the whirr of an +engine starting. A car backed out into the +yard—a seven-passenger Cadillac—and halted.</p> + +<p class="indent">The three men lifted the body of the sheriff, +into the tonneau. Chacherre took the wheel, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> +Hammond being bundled in beside him. The +other two men climbed in beside the body, +rifles in hand. Chacherre started the car +toward the road.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All fine!" thought Gramont with a thrill +of exultation. "They've all cleared out and left +the place to me—and I want a look at that +place."</p> + +<p class="indent">Suddenly, as he stood there, he remembered +the slight "plump" that he had heard during +that interminable silence which had followed +the conversation between the sheriff and Ben +Chacherre. It was a sound as though something +had fallen near him in the soggy ground.</p> + +<p class="indent">The remembrance startled him strangely. +He visualized an excited murderer standing +beside his victim, knife in hand; he visualized +the abhorrence which must have seized the man +for a moment—the abhorrence which must have +caused him to do something in that moment +which in a cooler time he would not have done.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont turned toward the little marshy +spot where he had lain listening. He bent +down, searching the wet ground, heedless that +the water soaked into his boots. And, after a +minute, a low exclamation of satisfaction broke +from him as he found what he sought.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>The Gangsters</i></p> + +<p>GRAMONT left the covert and walked +forward.</p> + +<p class="indent">He was thinking about that odd +mention of Jachin Fell—had Chacherre lied in +saying he had come here on his master's business? +Perhaps. The man had come in Fell's +car, and would not hesitate to lie about using +the car. For the moment, Gramont put away +the circumstance, but did not forget it.</p> + +<p class="indent">He walked openly toward the Gumberts +buildings, thinking that he would have time +for a good look around the place before dusk +fell; he would then get off for Houma, and +attend to Hammond's defence.</p> + +<p class="indent">As for the place before him, he was convinced +that it was abandoned. Had any one, +other than Chacherre and his two friends, been +about the buildings, the late excitement would +have brought out the fact. No one had appeared, +and the buildings seemed vacant.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page210" id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> +Gramont's intent was simple and straightforward. +In case he found, as he expected to +find, any evidence of illegal occupation about +the place—as the sheriff seemed to have discovered +to his cost—he would lay Chacherre +and the other two men by the heels that night +in Houma. He would then go on to New +Orleans and have Gumberts arrested, although +he had no expectation that the master crook +could be held on the murder-accessory charge. +If this place were used for the lotteries, even, +he was fairly certain that Memphis Izzy would +have his own tracks covered. The men higher +up always did.</p> + +<p class="indent">He walked straight in upon the barn. It +loomed before him, closed, lurid in the level +rays of the westering sun. The doors in front +had been only loosely swung together and +Gramont found them unlocked. He stood +in the opening, and surprise gripped him. +He was held motionless, gazing with astonished +wonder at the sight confronting him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Directly before him was a small roadster, +one which he remembered to have seen Jachin +Fell using; in this car, doubtless, Ben Chacherre +had driven from the city. He recalled +the fact later, with poignant regret for a lost +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> +opportunity. But, at the present moment, +he was lost in amazement at the great number +of other cars presenting themselves to his +view.</p> + +<p class="indent">They were lined up as deep as the barn +would hold them, crammed into every available +foot of space; well over a dozen cars, he +reckoned swiftly. What was more, all were +cars of the highest class, with the exception of +Fell's roadster. Directly before him were two +which he was well aware must have cost close +upon ten thousand each. What did this mean? +Certainly no one man or one group of men, in +this back-country spot, could expect to use +such an accumulation of expensive cars!</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont glanced around, but found no trace +of machinery in the barn. Remembering the +motor that he had heard, he turned from the +doorway in frowning perplexity. He strode +on toward the long shed which stood closer to +the house. At the end of this shed was a door, +and when he tried it, Gramont found it unlocked. +It swung open to his hand, and he +stepped inside.</p> + +<p class="indent">At first he paused, confused by the vague +objects around, for it was quite dark in here. +A moment, and his eyes grew accustomed to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> +the gloomier lighting. Details came to him: +all around were cars and fragments of cars, +chassis and bodies in all stages of dismemberment. +Still more cars!</p> + +<p class="indent">He slowly advanced to a long bench that +ran the length of the shop beneath the windows. +A shop, indeed—a shop, he quickly perceived, +fitted with every tool and machine +necessary to the most complete automobile +repair establishment! Even an air-brush outfit, +at one end, together with a drying compartment, +spoke of repaint jobs.</p> + +<p class="indent">Comprehension was slowly dawning upon +the mind of Gramont; a moment later it became +certainty, when he came to a stop before +an automobile engine lying on the bench. +He found it to be the engine from a Stutz—the +latest multi-valve type adopted by that +make of car, and this particular bit of machinery +looked like new.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont inspected it, and he saw that the +men had done their work well. The original +engine number had been carefully dug out, +and the place as carefully filled and levelled +with metal. Beside it a new number had been +stamped. A glance at the electrical equipment +around showed that these workers had +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> +every appliance with which to turn out the +most finished of jobs.</p> + +<p class="indent">As he straightened up from the engine Gramont's +eyes fell upon a typed sheet of paper +affixed to the wall above the bench. His gaze +widened as he inspected it by the failing light. +Upon that paper was a list of cars. After each +car was a series of numbers plainly comprising +the original numbers of the engine, body, +radiator, and other component parts, followed +by another series of new numbers to be inserted. +That sheet of paper showed brains, organizing +ability, care, and attention to the last +detail!</p> + +<p class="indent">Here was the most carefully planned and +thorough system of automobile thievery that +Gramont had ever heard of. He stood motionless, +knowing that this typed sheet of paper +in itself was damning evidence against the +whole gang of workers. What was more to +the point, that paper could be traced; the +typewriting could be traced to the man higher +up—doubtless Memphis Izzy himself! These +men ran in cars by the wholesale, probably +from states adjacent to Louisiana. Here, at +this secluded point on the bayou, they changed +the cars completely about, in number, paint, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> +style of body, and then probably got rid of the +new product in New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont stood motionless. Surprise had +taken hold of him, and even a feeling of slight +dismay. This was not at all what he had +hoped to find there. He had thought to come +upon some traces of the lottery game——</p> + +<p class="indent">"Seen all you want, bo?" said a voice behind +him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont turned. He found himself gazing +directly into an automatic pistol over which +glittered a pair of blazing eyes. The man was +a stranger to him. The place had not been +deserted, after all. He was caught.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who are you?" demanded Gramont, quietly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Me?" The stranger was unsmiling, deadly. +In those glittering eyes Gramont read the +ferocity of an animal at bay. "I s'pose you +would like to know that, huh? I guess you +know enough right now to get all that's comin' +to you, bo! Got any particular business here? +Speak up quick!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont was silent. The other sneered at +him, viciously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hurry up! Turn over the name and address, +and I'll notify the survivin' relatives. +Name, please?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> +"Henry Gramont," was the calm response. +"Don't get hasty, my friend. Didn't you see +me here a little while ago with Chacherre and +the other boys?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's that?" The glittering eyes flamed +up with suspicion and distrust. "Here—with +them? No, I didn't. I been away fishing +all afternoon. What the hell you doing around +this joint?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your best scheme," said Gramont, coldly, +"is to change your style of tone, and to do it +in a hurry! If you don't know what's happened +here this afternoon, don't ask me; you'll +find out soon enough when the other boys get +back. You'd better tell them I'm going to +get in touch with Memphis Izzy the minute I +get back to the city, and that the less talking +they do——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What the hell's all this?" demanded the +other again, but with a softening of accent. +The moniker of Gumberts had its effect, and +seemed to shake the man instantly. Gramont +smiled as he perceived that the game was won.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I never heard of no Gramont," went on +the other, quickly. "What you doin' here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're due to learn a good many things, I +imagine," said Gramont, carelessly. "As for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> +me, I happened on the place largely by accident. +I happen to be in partnership with a +man named Jachin Fell, and I came out here +on business——"</p> + +<p class="indent">To Gramont's astonishment the pistol was +lowered instantly. It was well that he ceased +speaking, for what he had just said proved to +be open to misconstruction, and if he had said +any more he would have spoiled it. For the +man facing him was staring at him in mingled +disgust and surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're in partnership with <i>the boss</i>!" +came the astounding words. "Well, why in +hell didn't you say all that in the first place, +instead o' beefin' around? That's no way to +butt in, and me thinking you was some dick +on the job! Got anything to prove that you +ain't pullin' something cute on me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you know Fell's writing?" asked Gramont, +with difficulty forcing himself to meet +the situation coherently. Jachin Fell—the +boss!</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know his mitt, all right."</p> + +<p class="indent">From his pocket Gramont produced a paper—the +memorandum or agreement which he +had drawn up with Fell on the previous afternoon, +relating to the oil company. The other +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page217" id="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span> +man took it and switched on an electric light +bulb overhead. In this glare he was revealed +as a ratty little individual with open mouth +and teeth hanging out—an adenoidal type, and +certainly a criminal type.</p> + +<p class="indent">It crossed the mind of Gramont that one +blow would do the work—but he stood motionless. +No sudden game would help him here. +The discovery that Fell was "the boss" paralyzed +him completely. He had never dreamed +of such a contingency. Fell, of all men!</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell the "boss" of this establishment! +Jachin Fell the man higher up—the brains +behind this criminal organization! It was a +perfect thunderbolt to Gramont. Now he +understood why Chacherre was in the employ +of Fell—why no arrest of the man had been +possible! Now he perceived that Chacherre +must have told the truth about coming here on +business for Fell. Reaching farther back, +he saw that Fell must have received the loot of +the Midnight Masquer, must have turned it +over to Lucie Ledanois——</p> + +<p class="indent">Did <i>she</i> know?</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right, Mr. Gramont." The ratty little +man turned to him with evident change of +front. "We ain't takin' no chances here, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span> +y'understand. Got quite a shipment of cars +comin' in from Texas, and we're tryin' to get +some o' these boats cleaned out to make room. +Bring out any orders?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont's brain worked fast.</p> + +<p class="indent">By overcoming this guttersnipe he might +have the whole place at his mercy—but that +was not what he wanted. He suddenly realized +that he had other and more important fish +to fry in New Orleans. Gumberts was there. +Fell was there. What he must do demanded +time, and his best play was to gain all the time +possible, and to prevent this gang from suspecting +him in any way.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Did you see Ben Chacherre?" he countered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Uh-huh—seen him just after he come. +Gumberts will be out day after to-morrow, he +said. The boss is framin' some sort of deal +on a guy that he wants laid away—some guy +name o' Hammond. Chacherre is running it. +He figgers on gettin' Hammond on account of +some car that's bein' hunted up——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont laughed suddenly, for there was a +grim humour about the thing. So Jachin Fell +wanted to "get something" on poor Hammond! +And Chacherre had seized the golden +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> +opportunity that presented itself this afternoon—instead +of "getting" Hammond for the +theft of a car, Chacherre had coolly fastened +murder upon him!</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ben is one smart man; I expect he thinks +the gods are working for him," said Gramont, +thinly. "So you don't know what happened +to-day, eh? Well, it's great news, but I've +got no time to talk about it. They'll tell you +when they get back——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where'd they go?" demanded the other.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Houma. Now listen close! Chacherre +did not know that I was in partnership with the +boss, get me? I didn't want to tell all the +crowd in front of him. Between you and me, +the boss isn't any too sure about Ben——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Say, I get you there!" broke in the other, +sagely. "I tells him six months ago to watch +out for that Creole guy!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Exactly. You can tell the boys about me +when they come back—I don't suppose Ben +will be with them. Now, I've been looking +over that place next door——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" exclaimed the other, suddenly. +"Sure! The boss said that one of his friends +would be down to——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm the one—or one of them," and Gramont +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> +chuckled as he reflected on the ludicrous +aspects of the whole affair. "I'm going to +Houma now, and then back to the city. My +car's over next door. Mr. Fell wanted me to +warn you to lay low on the lottery business. +He's got a notion that someone's been talking."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You go tell the boss," retorted the other +in an aggrieved tone, "to keep his eye on the +guys that <i>can</i> talk! Who'd we talk to here? +Besides, we're workin' our heads off on these +here boats. Memphis Izzy is attending to the +lottery—he's got the whole layout up to the +house, and we ain't touching it, see? Tell the +boss all that."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tell him yourself," Gramont laughed, +good-humouredly. "Gumberts is coming out +day after to-morrow, is he? That'll be Friday. +Hm! I think that I'd better bring Fell out +here the same day, if I can make it. I probably +won't see Gumberts until then—I'm not +working in with him and he doesn't know me +yet—but I'll try and get out here on Friday +with Fell. Now, I'll have to beat it in a hurry. +Any message to send?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not me," was the answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont scarcely knew how he departed, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span> +until he found himself scrambling back through +the underbrush of the Ledanois place.</p> + +<p class="indent">He rushed into the house, found the fire had +died down beyond all danger, and swiftly removed +the few things they had taken from the +car. Carrying these, he stumbled back to +where he had hidden the automobile. He +scarcely dared to think, scarcely dared to congratulate +himself on the luck that had befallen +him, until he found himself in his own car once +more, and with open throttle sweeping out +through the twilight toward Paradis and +Houma beyond. A whirlwind of mad exultation +was seething within him—exultation as +sudden and tremendous as the past weeks +had been uneventful and dragging!</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont, in common with many others, had +heard much indefinite rumour of an underground +lottery game that was being worked +among the negroes of the state and the Chinese +villages along the Gulf coast. And now +he knew definitely.</p> + +<p class="indent">Lotteries have never died out in Louisiana +since the brave old days of the government-ordained +gambles, laws and ordinances to the +contrary. No laws can make the yellow man +and the black man forego the get-rich-quick +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> +heritage of their fathers. On the Pacific coast +lotteries obtain and will obtain wherever there +is a Chinatown. In Louisiana the days of the +grand lottery have never been forgotten. The +last two years of high wages had made every +Negro wealthy, comparatively speaking. The +lottery mongers would naturally find them a +ripe harvest for the picking. And who would +gravitate to this harvest field if not the great +Gumberts, the uncaught Memphis Izzy, the +promoter who had never been "mugged!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Here, at one stroke, stumbling on the thing +by sheer blind accident, Gramont had located +the nucleus of the whole business!</p> + +<p class="indent">Gradually his brain cooled to the realization +of what work lay before him. He was through +Paradis, almost without seeing the town, and +switched on his lights as he took the highway +to Houma. Sober reflection seized him. Not +only was this crowd of crooks working a lottery, +but they were also managing a stupendous +thievery of automobiles, in which cars were +looted by wholesale! And the man at the +head of it all, the man above Memphis Izzy and +his crooks, was Jachin Fell of New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="indent">Did Lucie Ledanois dream such a thing? +No. Gramont dismissed the question at once. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page223" id="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> +Fell was not an unusual type of man. There +were many Jachin Fells throughout the country, +he reflected. Men who applied their +brains to crooked work, who kept themselves +above any actual share in the work, and who +profited hugely by tribute money from every +crook in every crime.</p> + +<p class="indent">To the communities in which they lived +such men were patterns of all that wealthy +gentlemen should be. Seldom, except perhaps +in gossip of the underworld, was their +connection with crime ever suspected. And—this +thought was sobering to Gramont—never +did they come within danger of retribution +at the hands of the law. Their ramifications +extended too far into politics; and the +governors of some southern states have unlimited +powers of pardon.</p> + +<p class="indent">"This is a big day!" reflected Gramont, +dismissing the sinister suggestion of this last +thought. "A big day! What it will lead to, +I don't know. Not the least of it is the financial +end of it—the oil seepage! That little +iridescent trickle of oil on the water means +that money worries are over, both for me and +for Lucie. I'm sorry that I am mixed up with +Fell; I've enough money of my own to drill at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page224" id="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> +least one good well, and one is all we'll need +to bring in oil on that place. Well, we'll see +what turns up! My first job is to make sure +Hammond is safe, and to relieve his mind. I'll +have to leave him in jail, I suppose——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Why did Fell want to "get something" on +Hammond? To this there was no answer.</p> + +<p class="indent">He drove into Houma to find the town abuzz +with excitement, for the news of the sheriff's +murder had stirred the place wildly. Proceeding +straight to the court house, Gramont encountered +Ben Chacherre as he was leaving +the car.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, there!" he exclaimed. "Lost my +road. Where's Hammond?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre jerked his head toward the court +house.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In yonder. Say, are you going back to +the city to-night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes." Gramont regarded him. "Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Take me back, will you? I've missed the +last up train, and if you're goin' back anyhow +I won't have to hire a car. I can drive for +you, and we'll make it in a couple of hours, +before midnight sure."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hop in," said Gramont, nodding toward +the car. "I'll be back as soon as I've had a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page225" id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> +word with Hammond. No danger of his +getting lynched, I hope?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not a chance," said the other, conclusively. +"Six deputies up there now, and quite a bunch +of ex-soldiers comin' to stand guard. You +goin' to fight the case?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," said Gramont. "Can't fight a sure +thing, can you? I'm sorry for him, though."</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre shrugged his shoulders and got +into the car.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont was much relieved to find that +there was no danger of lynching, which had +been his one fear. It was only with much +persuasion that he got past the guard and into +the court house, where he was received by a +number of deputies in charge of the situation.</p> + +<p class="indent">After conferring with them at some length, +he was grudgingly taken to the cell occupied +by Hammond. The latter received him with +a wide grin, and gave no signs of the gruelling +ordeal through which he had passed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Listen, old man," said Gramont, earnestly. +"Will you play out the game hard to the end? +I'll have to leave you here for two days. At +the end of that time you'll be free."</p> + +<p class="indent">The listening deputies sniffed, but Hammond +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page226" id="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span> +merely grinned again and put a hand +through the bars.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Whatever you say, cap'n," he rejoined. "It +sure looks bad——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't you think it," said Gramont, cheerfully. +"A lot of things have happened since +I saw you last! I've got the real murderer +right where I want him—but I can't have him +arrested yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's a gang," said Hammond. "You +watch out, cap'n, I heard 'em say somethin' +about Memphis Izzy—remember the guy I told +you about one day? Well, this is no piker's +game! We're up against somethin' solid——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know it," and Gramont nodded. He +turned to the deputies. "Gentlemen, you +have my address if you wish to communicate +with me. I shall be back here day after to-morrow—at +least, before midnight of that +day. I warn you, that if anything happens to +this man in the meantime, you shall be held +personally responsible. He is innocent."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Looks like we'd better hold you, too," said +one of the men. "You seem to know a lot!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont looked at him a moment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know enough to tell you where to head +in if you try any funny work here," he said, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page227" id="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span> +evenly. "Gentlemen, thank you for permitting +the interview! I'll see you later."</p> + +<p class="indent">The coroner's jury had already adjudged +Hammond guilty of the murder. Returning +to the car, Gramont had Ben Chacherre drive +to a restaurant, where they got a bite to eat. +Twenty minutes later they were on their way +to New Orleans—and Gramont learned for the +first time of Joseph Maillard's murder by the +Midnight Masquer, and of the arrest of Bob +Maillard for the crime.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page228" id="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>The Ultimatum</i></p> + +<p>UPON the following morning Gramont +called both Jachin Fell and Lucie +Ledanois over the telephone. He acquainted +them briefly with the result of his oil +investigation, and arranged a meeting for ten +o'clock, at Fell's office.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was slightly before ten when Gramont +called with the car for Lucie. Under the spell +of her smiling eagerness, the harshness vanished +from his face; it returned again a moment +later, for he saw that she, too, was changed. +There was above them both a cloud. That of +Gramont was secret and brooding. As for +Lucie, she was in mourning. The murder of +Joseph Maillard, the arrest and undoubted +guilt of Bob Maillard, dwarfed all else in her +mind. Even the news of the oil seepage, and +the fact that she was probably now on the road +to wealth, appeared to make little impression +upon her.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page229" id="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> +"Thank heaven," she said, earnestly, as they +drove toward Canal Street, "that so far as you +are concerned, Henry, the Midnight Masquer +affair was all cleared up before this tragedy +took place! It was fearfully imprudent of +you——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," answered Gramont, soberly, reading +her thought. "I can realize my own folly +now. If this affair were to be laid at my door, +some kind of a case might be made up against +me, and it would seem plausible. But, fortunately, +I was out of it in time. Were we +merely characters in a standardized detective +story, I suppose I'd be arrested and deluged +with suspense and clues and so forth."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your escape was too narrow to joke +over, Henry," she reproved him, gravely.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm not joking, my dear Lucie. I learned +nothing about the tragedy until late last night. +From what I can find in the papers, it seems +agreed that Bob was not the real Masquer, +but had assumed that guise for a joke. A +tragic joke! Since he was undoubtedly drunk +at the time, his story can't be relied upon +as very convincing. And yet, it's frightfully +hard to believe that, even by accident, a son +should have shot down his own father——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page230" id="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> +"Don't!" Lucie winced a little. "In spite +of all the evidence against him, in spite of +the way he was found with that aviation +uniform, it's still awful to believe. I can't +realize that it has actually happened."</p> + +<p class="indent">"According to the papers, poor Mrs. Maillard +has gone to pieces. No wonder."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. I was there with her all day yesterday, +and shall go again to-day. They say +Bob is terribly broken up. He sent for his +mother, and she refused to see him. I don't +know how it is all going to end! Do you +think his story might be true—that somebody +else might have acted as the Masquer +that night?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont shook his head.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's possible," he said, reluctantly, "yet +it hardly seems very probable. And now, +Lucie, I'm very sorry indeed to say it—but +you must prepare yourself against another +shock in the near future."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean? About the oil——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. It's too long a story to tell you now; +here we are at the Maison Blanche. Just +remember my words, please. It's something +that I can't go into now."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. Henry! Do you think that +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page231" id="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> +it's possible your chauffeur, Hammond, could +have learned about the drinking party, and +could have——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont started. "Hammond? No. I'll +answer for him beyond any question, Lucie. +By the way, does Fell know anything about +Hammond having been the first Masquer?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not from me," said the girl, watching him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well. Hammond got into a bit of +trouble at Houma, and I had to leave him +there. It was none of his fault, and he'll +get out of it all right. Well, come along up +to our oil meeting! Forget your troubles, +and don't let my croakings about a new +shock cause you any worry just yet."</p> + +<p class="indent">He was thinking of Jachin Fell, and the +girl's closeness to Fell. Had he not known +that Fell was responsible for Hammond's being +in jail, he might have felt differently. As +it was, he was now fore-warned and fore-armed, +although he could not see what +animus Fell could possibly have against Hammond.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was lucky, he reflected grimly, that he +had never breathed to a soul except Lucie +the fact that Hammond had been the first +Masquer! Had Fell known this fact, his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page232" id="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> +desire to lay Hammond by the heels might +have been easily fulfilled—and Hammond +would probably have found himself charged +with Maillard's murder.</p> + +<p class="indent">They found Jachin Fell dictating to a +stenographer. He greeted them warmly, ushering +them at once into his private office.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont found it difficult to convince +himself that his experiences of the previous +afternoon had been real. It was almost +impossible to believe that this shy, apologetic +little man in gray was in reality the "man +higher up!" Yet he knew it to be the case—knew +it beyond any escape.</p> + +<p class="indent">"By the way," and Fell turned to Gramont, +"if you'll dictate a brief statement +concerning that oil seepage, I'd be obliged! +Merely give the facts. I may have need of +such a statement from you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded and joined the stenographer +in the outer office where he dictated +a brief statement. It did not occur to him +that there might be danger in this; at the +moment, he was rather off his guard. He +was thinking so much about his future assault +on Fell that he quite ignored the possibility +of being placed on the defensive.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page233" id="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> +Within five minutes he had returned to +Lucie and Jachin Fell, who were discussing +the condition of Mrs. Maillard. Gramont +signed the statement and handed it to Fell, +who laid it with other papers at his elbow.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I suppose we may proceed to business?" +began Fell. "I have drawn up articles of +partnership; we can apply for incorporation +later if we so desire. Lucie, both Henry +Gramont and I are putting twenty-five thousand +dollars into this company, while you are +putting in your land, which I am valuing at an +equal amount. The stock, therefore, will be +divided equally among us. That is understood?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. It's very good of you, Uncle +Jachin," said the girl, quietly. "I'll leave +everything to your judgment."</p> + +<p class="indent">The little gray man smiled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Judgment is a poor horse to ride, as +Eliza said when she crossed the ice. Here's +everything in black and white. I suggest +that you both glance over the articles, sign +up, and we will then hold our first meeting."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont and Lucie read over the partnership +agreement, and found it perfectly correct.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Very well, then, the meeting is called to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page234" id="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span> +order!" Jachin Fell smiled as he rapped on +the desk before him. "Election of officers—no, +wait! The first thing on hand is to give +our company a name. Suggestions?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was thinking of that last night," said +Lucie, smiling a little. "Why not call it +the 'American Prince Oil Company'?" And +her eyes darted to Gramont merrily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Excellent!" exclaimed Jachin Fell. "My +vote falls with yours, my dear—I'll fill in the +blanks with that name. Now to the election +of officers."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I nominate Jachin Fell for president," +said Gramont, quickly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Seconded!" exclaimed the girl, gaily, a +little colour in her pale cheeks.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Any other nominations? If not, so approved and ordered," +rattled Fell, laughingly. +"For the office of treasurer——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Miss Lucie Ledanois!" said Gramont. +"Move nominations be closed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Seconded and carried by a two-thirds +vote of stockholders," chirped Fell in his +toneless voice. "So approved and ordered. +For secretary——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Our third stockholder," put in Lucie. +"He'll have to be an officer, of course!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page235" id="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span> +"Seconded and carried. So approved and +ordered." Mr. Fell rapped on the table. +"We will now have the report of our expert +geologist in further detail than yet given."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont told of finding the oil; he was not +carried away by the gay mock-solemnity of +Jachin Fell, and he remained grave. He +went on to relate how he had secured the +lease option upon the adjoining land, and +suggested that other such options be secured +at once upon other property in the neighbourhood. +He handed the option to Fell, who laid +it with the other documents.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And now I have a proposal of my own +to make," said Jachin Fell. He appeared +sobered, as though influenced by Gramont's +manner. "Although we've actually found +oil on the place, there is no means of telling +how much we'll find when we drill, or what +quality it will be. Is that not correct, Mr. +Gramont?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Entirely so," assented Gramont. "The +chances are, of course, that we'll find oil in +both quality and quantity. On the other +hand, the seepage may be all there is. Oil is a +gamble from start to finish. Personally, however, +I would gamble heavily on this prospect."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page236" id="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> +"Naturally," said Mr. Fell. "However, +I have been talking over the oil business with +a number of men actively engaged in it in the +Houma field. I think that I may safely say +that I can dispose of the mineral rights to +our company's land, together with this lease +option secured yesterday on the adjoining +land, for a sum approximating one hundred +and fifty thousand dollars; reserving to our +company a sixteenth interest in any oil +located on the property. Personally, I believe +this can be done, and I am willing to +undertake the negotiations if so empowered +by a note of our stockholders. Lucie, you do +not mind if we smoke, I know? Let me +offer you a cigar, Mr. Gramont."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont took one of the El Reys offered +him, and lighted it amid a startled silence. +Fell's proposal came to him as a distinct +shock, and already he was viewing it in the +light of prompt suspicion.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why," exclaimed Lucie, wide-eyed, "that +would be fifty thousand dollars to each of +us, and not a cent expended!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"In case it went through on that basis," +added Jachin Fell, his eyes on Gramont, +"I would vote that the entire sum go to Miss +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page237" id="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span> +Ledanois. Her land alone is involved. If +she then wishes to invest with us in a new +company to exploit other fields, well and +good. One moment, my dear! Do not protest +this suggestion. The sixteenth interest +reserved to our company would provide both +Mr. Gramont and me with a substantial reward +for our slight activity in the matter. +Don't forget that interest, for it might amount +to a large figure."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Right," assented Gramont. "I would +second your vote, Mr. Fell; I think the idea +very just and proper that Miss Ledanois +should receive the entire amount."</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie seemed a trifle bewildered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But—but, Henry!" she exclaimed. "What +do you think of selling the lease to these other +men?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont eyed the smoke from his cigar +reflectively, quite conscious that Mr. Fell +was regarding him very steadily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I can't answer for you, Lucie," he said at +last. "I would not presume to advise."</p> + +<p class="indent">Mr. Fell looked slightly relieved. Lucie, +however, persisted.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What would you do, then, if you were in +my place?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page238" id="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span> +Gramont shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="indent">"In that case," he said, slowly, "I would +gamble. We know oil is in that ground; we +know that it has been found in large quantities +at Houma or near there. To my +mind there is no doubt whatever that under +your land lies a part of the same oil field—and +a rich one. To sell fifteen-sixteenths of that +oil for a hundred and fifty thousand is to +give it away. I would sooner take my +chances on striking a twenty-thousand barrel +gusher and having the whole of it to myself. +However, by all means disregard my words; +this is not my affair."</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie glanced at Jachin Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You think it is the best thing to do; Henry +does not," mused the girl. "I know that +you're both thinking of me—of getting that +money for me. Just the same, Uncle Jachin, +I—I won't be prudent! I'll gamble! Besides," +she added with smiling naïveté, "I'm +not a bit willing to give up having a real oil +company the very minute it is formed! So +we'll outvote you, Uncle Jachin."</p> + +<p class="indent">Despite their tension, the two men smiled +at her final words.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That motion of mine has not yet been +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page239" id="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span> +made," said Fell. Her rejection of his proposal +had no effect upon his shyly smooth +manner. "Will you excuse us one moment, +Lucie? If I may speak with you in the +outer office, Mr. Gramont, I would like to +show you some confidential matters which +might influence your decision in this regard."</p> + +<p class="indent">Lucie nodded and leaned back in her chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont accompanied Fell to the outer +office, where Fell sent the stenographer to +keep Lucie company. When the door had +closed and they were alone, Fell took a chair +and motioned Gramont to another. A cold +brusquerie was evident in his manner.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gramont," he said, briskly, "I am going +to make that motion, and I want you to vote +with me against Lucie. Unfortunately, I +have only a third of the voting power. I +might argue Lucie into agreement, but she is +a difficult person to argue with. So I mean +that you shall vote with me—and I'm going +to put my cards on the table before you."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah!" Gramont regarded him coolly. +"Your cards will have to be powerful persuaders!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"They are," returned Jachin Fell. "I +have been carefully leading up to this point—the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page240" id="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span> +point of selling. I have practically arranged +the whole affair. I propose to sell +the mineral rights in that land, largely on the +strength of the signed statement you gave me +a few moments ago. That statement is +going to be given wide publicity, and it will +be substantiated by other reports on the oil +seepage."</p> + +<p class="indent">"You interest me strangely." Gramont +leaned back in his chair. The eyes of the two +men met and held in cold challenge, cold +hostility. "What's your motive, Fell?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll tell you: it's the interest of Lucie +Ledanois." In the gaze of Fell was a strange +earnestness. In those pale gray eyes was +now a light of fierce sincerity which startled +and warned Gramont. Fell continued with +a trace of excitement in his tone.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've known that girl all her life, Gramont, +and I love her as a father. I loved her +mother before her—in a different way. I +can tell you that at this moment Lucie is +poor. Her house is mortgaged; she does not +know, in fact, just how poor she really is. +Of course, she will accept no money from me +in gift. But for her to get a hundred and +fifty thousand in a business deal will solve +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page241" id="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span> +all her problems, set her on her feet for +life!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I see," said Gramont with harsh impulse. +"What do you get out of it?"</p> + +<p class="indent">He regretted the words instantly. Fell +half rose from his chair as though to answer +them with a blow. Gramont, aware of his +mistake, hastened to retract it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Forgive me, Fell," he said, quickly. "That +was an unjust insinuation, and I know it. +Yet, I can't find myself in agreement with you. +I'm firmly set in the belief that a fortune in +oil will be made off that land of Lucie's. I +simply can't agree to sell out for a comparative +pittance, and I'll fight to persuade her +against doing it! As I look at it, the thing +would not be just to her. I'm thinking, +as you are, only of her interest."</p> + +<p class="indent">A light of sardonic mockery glittered in the +pale eyes of Jachin Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are basing your firm conviction," +he queried, "very largely upon your discovery +of the free oil?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"To a large extent, yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I thought you would," and Fell laughed +harshly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page242" id="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> +"I mean," said the other, fiercely earnest, +"that for a month I've worked to sell that +land! I had young Maillard hooked and +landed—it would have been poetic justice to +make him hand over a small fortune to Lucie! +But that deal is off, since he's in jail. And do +you know why young Maillard wanted to buy +the land? For the same reason you don't +want to sell. I sent him out there and he +saw that oil seepage, as I meant that he +should! He thought he would skin Lucie +out of her land, not dreaming that I had +prepared a nice little trap to swallow him. +And now you come along——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Man, what are you driving at?" exclaimed +Gramont. He was startled by what +he read in the other man's face.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Merely that I planted that oil seepage +myself—or had it done by men I could +trust," said Jachin Fell, calmly. He sat back +in his chair and took up his cigar with an air +of finality. "The confession is shameless. +I love Lucie more than my own ethical +purity. Besides, I intend to wrong no one in +the matter."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont sat stunned beyond words. The +oil seepage—a plant!</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page243" id="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> +The thing could have been very easily +done, of course. As he sat silent there unfolded +before him the motives that underlay +Fell's entire action. The amazing disclosure +of Jachin Fell's intrigue to enrich the girl +left him bewildered. This, coupled with +what he had learned on the preceding day +about Jachin Fell, put his own course of action +into grave perplexity.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was no reason to doubt what Fell +said. Gramont believed the little man sincere +in his love for Lucie.</p> + +<p class="indent">"No matter what the outcome, your reputation +will not be affected," said Fell, quietly. +"The company which will buy this land of +Lucie's is controlled by me. You understand? +Even if no oil is ever found there, I shall see +to it that you will not be injured because of +that signed statement."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded dull comprehension. He +realized that Fell had devised this whole +business scheme with infernal ingenuity; had +devised it in order to take a hundred and +fifty thousand dollars out of his own pocket +and put it into that of Lucie. It was a +present which the girl would never accept as +a gift, but which, if it came in the way of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page244" id="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> +business, would make her financially independent. +Nobody would be defrauded. +There was no chicanery about it. The thing +was straight enough.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's not quite all of my plan," pursued +Fell, as though reading Gramont's unuttered +thoughts. "The minute this news becomes +public, the minute your statement is published, +there will be a tremendous boom in +that whole section. I shall take charge of +Lucie's money, and within three weeks I +should double it, treble it, for her. Before the +boom bursts she will be out of it all, and +wealthy. Now, my dear Gramont, I do not +presume that you will still refuse to vote +with me? I have been quite frank, you see."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont stirred in his chair.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes!" he said, low-voiced. "Yes, by +heavens, I do refuse!"</p> + +<p class="indent">With an effort he checked hotly impulsive +words that were on his tongue. One word +now might ruin him. He dared not say that +he did not want to see Fell's money pass into +the hands of Lucie—money gained by fraud +and theft and crime! He dared not give his +reasons for refusing. He meant now to +crush Fell utterly—but one wrong word +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page245" id="page245"></a>[pg 245]</span> +would give the man full warning. He must +say nothing.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's not straight work, Fell. Regardless +of your motives, I refuse to join you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell sighed slightly, and laid down +his cigar with precision.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gramont," his voice came with the softly +purring menace of a tiger's throat-tone, +"I shall now adjourn this company meeting +for two days, until Saturday morning, in +order to give you a little time to reconsider. +To-day is Thursday. By Saturday——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I need no time," said Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"But you will need it. I suppose you +know that Bob Maillard has been arrested for +parricide? You are aware of the evidence +against him—all circumstantial?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont frowned. "What has that got to +do with our present business?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite a bit, I fancy." A thin smile +curved the lips of Jachin Fell. "Maillard is +not guilty of the murder—but you are."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Liar!" Gramont started from his chair as +those three words burned into him. "Liar! +Why, you know that I went home——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, wait!" Fell lifted his hand for peace. +His voice was calm. "Ansley and I both +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page246" id="page246"></a>[pg 246]</span> +saw you depart, certainly. We have since +learned that you did not reach home until +some time after midnight. You have positively +no alibi, Gramont. You may allege, +of course, that you were wandering the +streets——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"As I was!" cried Gramont, heatedly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then prove it, my dear fellow; prove it—if +you can. Now, we shall keep Lucie out of +all this. What remains? I know that you +were the Midnight Masquer. My man, Ben +Chacherre, can prove by another man who +accompanied him that the Masquer's loot was +taken from your car. A dictograph in the +private office, yonder, has a record of the talk +between us of the other morning, in which +you made patent confession to being the +Masquer.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Once let me hand this array of evidence +over to the district attorney, and you will +most certainly stand trial. And, if you do +stand trial, I can promise you faithfully that +you will meet conviction. I have friends, +you see, and many of them are influential in +such small matters."</p> + +<p class="indent">It was not a nice smile that curved the lips +of Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page247" id="page247"></a>[pg 247]</span> +Gramont choked back any response, holding +himself to silence with a firm will. He +dared say nothing, lest he say too much. He +saw that Fell could indeed make trouble for +him—and that he must strike his own blow +at Fell without great delay. It was a battle, +now; a fight to the end.</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell regarded Gramont cheerfully, seeming +to take this crushed silence as evidence of his +own triumph.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Further," he added, "your man Hammond +is now in jail at Houma, as you know, +for the murder of the sheriff. Now, my +influence is not confined to this city, Gramont, +I may be able to clear Hammond of this +charge—if you decide to vote with me. I +may keep what I know about the Midnight +Masquer from the press and from the district +attorney—if you decide to vote with me. +You comprehend?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded. He saw now why Fell +wanted to "get something" on Hammond. +Fell had rightly reasoned that Gramont +would do more to save Hammond than to +save himself.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You think I murdered Maillard, then?" +he asked.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page248" id="page248"></a>[pg 248]</span> +"Gramont, I don't know what to think, +and that's the honest truth!" answered Fell, +with a steady regard. "But I am absolutely +determined to put this oil deal across, to +make Lucie Ledanois at least independent, if +not wealthy. I can do it, I've made all my +plans to do it, and—I <i>will</i> do it!</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll hold another meeting day after to-morrow—Saturday +morning." Fell rose. +"That will give me time to conclude all +arrangements. I trust, Mr. Gramont, that +you will vote with me for the adjournment?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," said Gramont, dully. "I will."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thank you," and Jachin Fell bowed +slightly, not without a trace of mockery in his +air.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page249" id="page249"></a>[pg 249]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>The Coin Falls Heads</i></p> + +<p>GRAMONT sat in his own room that +afternoon. It seemed to him that he +had been away from the city for weeks +and months. Yet only a day had intervened. +He sat fingering the only piece of mail that +had come to him—a notice from the post of the +American Legion which he had joined, to the +effect that there would be a meeting that +Thursday evening. Only Thursday! And +to-morrow was Friday.</p> + +<p class="indent">If he was to effect anything against the +headquarters of Fell's gang he must act on +the morrow or not at all. Gumberts was to +be out there to-morrow. Gumberts would +talk with the ratty little man of the projecting +teeth and adenoids, would find Gramont +had imposed upon the fellow, and there would +be upheavals. The gang would take to +flight, certainly, or at least make certain that +Gramont's mouth was shut.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page250" id="page250"></a>[pg 250]</span> +He sat fingering the postal from the Legion, +and turning over events in his mind. Against +Fell he had particular animosity. All that +the little gray man had done had been done +with the thought of Lucie Ledanois as a +spur.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yet he can't realize that Lucie wouldn't +have the money if she knew that it came from +criminal sources," he thought, smiling bitterly. +"He's been scheming a long time +to make a fortune for her, and now he's +determined to push it through regardless of +me. It was clever of him to jail Hammond! +He guessed that I'd do a great deal to save +the redhead—more even than to save myself. +Mighty clever! And now he's pretty +sure that he's got me between a cleft stick, +where I can't wriggle.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If I'm to strike a blow, I'll have to do it +to-morrow—before noon to-morrow, also. I'll +have to leave here mighty early, and get +there before Gumberts does. What was it +Hammond said that day about him—that +nobody in the country had ever caught +Memphis Izzy? I bet I could do it, and his +whole gang with him—if I knew how. There's +the rub! Fell won't hesitate a minute in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page251" id="page251"></a>[pg 251]</span> +having me arrested. And as he said, once +he got me arrested, I'd be gone. He must +be able to exert powerful influence, that +man!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Should he strike or not? If he struck, he +might expect the full weight of Jachin Fell's +vengeance—unless his blow would include +Fell among the victims.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont was still pondering this dilemma +when Ben Chacherre arrived.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont heard the man's voice on the +stairs. Ben's impudence, perhaps added to +his name and the Creole French upon his +lips, had carried him past the concierge +unannounced, although not without a continued +exchange of repartee that served to +give Gramont warning of the visitor. Smiling +grimly, Gramont drew a coin from his +pocket, and flipped it.</p> + +<p class="indent">The coin fell heads. He pocketed it again +as Ben Chacherre knocked, and opened the +door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah, Chacherre!" he exclaimed. "Come +in.</p> + +<p class="indent">Ben swaggered inside and closed the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Brought a message for you, Mr. Gramont," +he said, jauntily, and extended a note.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page252" id="page252"></a>[pg 252]</span> +Gramont tore open the envelope and read a +curt communication:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="indent">Kindly let me know your answer as soon as possible. +By to-morrow evening at the latest. It will be necessary +to arrange affairs for Saturday.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Jachin Fell.</span></p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent">To arrange affairs! Fell was taking for +granted that Gramont would give an assent, +under force of persuasion, to the scheme. +He would probably have everything in readiness, +and if assured by Friday night of +Gramont's assent, would then pull his strings +and perhaps complete the whole deal before +the following Monday.</p> + +<p class="indent">The meeting of the company had been +adjourned to Saturday morning. Gramont +thought a moment, then went to his buhl +escritoire and opened it. Chacherre had +already taken a seat. Gramont wrote:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="indent"><span class="smcap">My Dear Mr. Fell</span>,</p> + +<p class="indent">If you will arrange the company meeting for to-morrow +evening, say nine o'clock, at your office, I think +that everything may then be arranged. As I may not +see Miss Ledanois in the meantime, will you be kind +enough to assure her presence at the meeting?</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page253" id="page253"></a>[pg 253]</span> +He addressed an envelope to Fell's office, +and then stamped and pocketed it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, Chacherre," he said, rising and +returning to the Creole, "any further news +from Houma? They haven't found the real +murderer yet?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The other came to his feet with an exclamation +of surprise. As he did so, Gramont's fist +caught him squarely on the point of the jaw.</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre crumpled back across his chair, +senseless for the moment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm afraid to take any chances with you, +my fine bird," said Gramont, rubbing his +knuckles. "You're too clever by far, and too +handy with your weapons!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He obtained cloths, and firmly bound the +ankles and wrists of Chacherre. Not content +with this, he placed the man in the +chair and tied him to it with merciless knots. +As he was finishing his task, Chacherre +opened his eyes and gazed rapidly around.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Awake at last, are you?" said Gramont, +genially. He got his pipe, filled and lighted +it. The eyes of Chacherre were now fastened +upon him venomously. "Too bad for you, +Chacherre, that the coin fell heads up! That +spelled action."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page254" id="page254"></a>[pg 254]</span> +"Are you crazy?" muttered the other in +French. Gramont laughed, and responded +in the same tongue.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It does look that way, doesn't it? You're +slippery, but now you're caught."</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre must have realized that he stood +in danger. He checked a curse, and regarded +Gramont with a steady coolness.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Be careful!" he said, his voice deadly. +"What do you mean by this?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont looked at him and puffed his +pipe.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The game's up, Ben," he observed. "I +know all about the place down there—about +the cars, and about the lottery. Your gang +has had a pleasant time, eh? But now you +and the others are going to do a little work +for the state on the road gangs."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Bah! <i>Ça? va rivé dans semaine quatte +zheudis!</i>" spat Chacherre, contemptuously. +"That will happen in the week of four Thursdays, +you fool! So you know about things, +eh? My master will soon shut your mouth!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He can't," said Gramont, placidly. +"You'll all be under arrest."</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre laughed scornfully, then spoke +with that deadly gravity.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page255" id="page255"></a>[pg 255]</span> +"Look here—you're a stranger here? Well, +since you know so much, I'll tell you more! +We can't be arrested, and even if you get +us pinched, we'll never be convicted. Do +you understand? We have influence! There +are men here in New Orleans, men in the +legislature, men at Washington, who will +never see us molested!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"They'll be surprised," said Gramont, although +he felt that the man's words were +true. "But not all of them are your friends, +Ben. I don't think the governor of the state +is in your gang. He's a pretty straight man, +Ben."</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's a fool like you! What is he? A +puppet! He can do nothing except pardon +us if the worst happens. You can't touch +us."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, maybe not," agreed Gramont, tapping +at his pipe. "Maybe not, but we'll +see! You seem mighty sure of where you +stand, Ben."</p> + +<p class="indent">Encouraged, Ben Chacherre laughed insolently.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me loose," he commanded. "Or +else you'll go over the road for the Midnight +Masquer's work! My master has a dictograph +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page256" id="page256"></a>[pg 256]</span> +in his office, and has your confession +on record."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So?" queried Gramont, his brows lifted. +"You seem much in Mr. Fell's confidence, +Ben. But I think I'll leave you tied up a +little while. Memphis Izzy is going down to +his summer cottage to-morrow, isn't he? +I'll be there—but you won't. By the way, I +think I'd better look through your pockets."</p> + +<p class="indent">Ben Chacherre writhed suddenly, hurling +a storm of curses at Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">The latter, unheeding the contortions of +his captive, searched the man thoroughly. +Except for a roll of money, the pockets gave +up little of interest. The only paper Gramont +secured was a fresh telegraph blank. +He would have passed this unheeded had he +not noted a snaky flitting of Chacherre's eyes +to it.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah!" he said, pleasantly. "You appear +to be interested in this, Ben. Pray, what is +the secret?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre merely glared at him in silence. +Gramont inspected the blank, and a sudden +exclamation broke from him. He held the +bit of yellow paper to the light at varying +angles.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page257" id="page257"></a>[pg 257]</span> +"It's the most natural thing in the world," +he said after a moment, "for a man to walk +into a telegraph office, write out his telegram, +and then find that he's torn two blanks instead +of one from the pad on the desk. Eh? +I've done it, often—and I've always put the +extra blank into my pocket, Ben, thinking it +might come in handy; just as you did, eh? +Now let's see!</p> + +<p class="indent">"You were excited when you wrote this, +weren't you? You'd just thought of something +very important, and you took care of it +hurriedly—that made you jab down your +pencil pretty hard. Who's Dick Hearne at +Houma? An agent of the gang there?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre merely glared, sullenly defiant. +Word by word, Gramont made out the message:</p> + +<p class="center">Burn bundle under rear seat my car. Have done at +once.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont looked up and smiled thinly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your car? Why, you left it in the garage +at Gumberts' place, eh? That little roadster +of Fell's, with the extra seat behind. If +you'd been just a little bit cooler yesterday, +Ben, you would have made fewer mistakes. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page258" id="page258"></a>[pg 258]</span> +It never occurred to you that other people +might have been there in the bushes when the +sheriff was murdered, eh?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre went livid.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It was another mistake to throw away +your knife after you killed him," pursued +Gramont, reflectively. "You should have held +on to that knife, Ben. There's no blood, +remember, on Hammond's knife—a hard +thing for you and your friends to explain +plausibly. Yet your knife is heavy with +blood, which tests will show to be human +blood. Also, the knife has your name on it; +quite a handsome knife, too. On the whole, +you must admit that you bungled the murder +from start to finish——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Chacherre broke in with a frightful oath—a +frantically obscene storm of curses. So +furious were his words that Gramont very efficiently +gagged him with cloths, gagged him +hard and fast.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You also bungled when you forgot all +about burning that bundle, in your excitement +over getting Hammond jailed for the +murder," he observed, watching Chacherre +writhe. "No, you can't get loose, Ben. +You'll suffer a little between now and the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page259" id="page259"></a>[pg 259]</span> +time of your release, but I really can't spare +much pity on you.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think that I'll send another wire to +Dick Hearne on this blank which you so +thoughtfully provided. I'll order him, in +your name, not to burn that bundle after all; +I fancy it may prove of some value to me. +And I'll also tell your friend—I suppose he +has some familiar cognomen, such as Slippery +Dick—to meet Henry Gramont at Houma +early in the morning. I'd like to gather Dick +in with the other gentlemen. I'll mention +that you were kind enough to supply a few +names and incidents."</p> + +<p class="indent">At this last Ben Chacherre writhed anew, +for it was a shrewd blow. He and his friends +belonged to that class of crook which never +"peaches." If by any mischance one of +this class is jailed and convicted, he invariably +takes his medicine silently, knowing +that the whole gang is behind him, and +that when he emerges from prison he will be +sure to find money and friends and occupation +awaiting him.</p> + +<p class="indent">To know that he would be placed, in the +estimation of the gang, in the same class with +stool-pigeons, must have bitten deeper into +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page260" id="page260"></a>[pg 260]</span> +Ben Chacherre than any other lash. He +stared at Gramont with a frightful hatred in +his blazing eyes—a hatred which gradually +passed into a look of helplessness and of impotent +despair.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont, meantime, was writing out the +telegram to Dick Hearne. This finished, he +got his hat and coat, and from the bureau +drawer took an automatic pistol, which he +pocketed. Then he smiled pleasantly at his +prisoner.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll be back a little later, Ben, and I'll +probably bring a friend with me—a friend +who will sit up with you to-night and take +care of your health. Kind of me, eh? It's +getting late in the afternoon, but I don't +think that it will harm you to go without +any dinner. I'll 'phone Mr. Fell that +you said you'd be away for a few hours, eh?</p> + +<p class="indent">"This evening, Ben, I think that I'll +attend a meeting of my post of the American +Legion. You don't belong to that organization +by any chance? No, I'm quite sure +you don't. Very few of your exclusive acquaintances +do belong. Well, see you later! +Work on those bonds all you like—you're +quite safe. I'm curious to see what is in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page261" id="page261"></a>[pg 261]</span> +that bundle under the rear seat of your car; +I have an idea that it may prove interesting. +Good afternoon!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont closed the door, and left the house.</p> + +<p class="indent">Going downtown, he mailed the letter to +Fell, confident that the latter would receive +it on the following morning; but he did not +telephone Fell. He preferred to leave the +absence of Chacherre unexplained, rightly +judging that Fell would not be particularly +anxious about the man. It was now Thursday +evening. The meeting of the oil company +would be held at nine on Friday evening. +Between those two times Gramont figured on +many things happening.</p> + +<p class="indent">He chuckled as he sent the telegram to +Dick Hearne at Houma—a telegram signed +with the name Chacherre, instructing Hearne +not to burn the bundle, but to meet Gramont +early in the morning at Houma. He +had a very shrewd idea that this Dick Hearne +might prove an important person to dispose +of, and quite useful after he had been disposed +of. In this conjecture he was right.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page262" id="page262"></a>[pg 262]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>Chacherre's Bundle</i></p> + +<p>IT WAS seven in the morning when Henry +Gramont drove his car into Houma.</p> + +<p class="indent">In the wire which he had sent over +Chacherre's signature he had commanded +Dick Hearne to meet Gramont at about +this time at a restaurant near the court house. +Putting his car at the curb, Gramont went into +the restaurant and ordered a hasty breakfast. +He had brought with him copies of +the morning papers, and was perusing the +accounts of Bob Maillard's pitifully weak +story regarding his father's murder, when a +stranger stopped beside him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gramont?" said the other. "Thought +it was you. Hearne's my name—I had +orders to meet you. What's up?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The other man dropped into the chair +opposite Gramont, who put away his papers. +Hearne was a sleek individual of pasty +complexion who evidently served the gang +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page263" id="page263"></a>[pg 263]</span> +in no better light than as a go-between and +runner of errands. That he suspected nothing +was plain from his casual manner, although +he had never seen Gramont previously.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Business," said Gramont, leaning back to +let the waitress serve his breakfast. When +she had departed, he attacked it hungrily. +"You got Chacherre's wire about the stuff in +his car? Was it burned?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No. He countermanded it just as I was +hirin' a car to go over to Paradis," said +Hearne. "What's stirrin', anyhow?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Plenty. Memphis Izzy's coming down +to-day. When'll he get in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"He'll go direct to the other place, won't +come here. Oh, I reckon he'll get there +along about nine this morning. Why?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"We'll have to go over there to meet him," +said Gramont. "I stopped in here to pick +you up. Hammond is still safe in jail?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sure." Hearne laughed evilly. "I don't +guess he'll get out in a hurry, neither!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Chacherre was pinched last night for +the murder," said Gramont, watching the +other.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The hell!" Hearne looked astonished, +then relaxed and laughed again. "Some fly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page264" id="page264"></a>[pg 264]</span> +cop will sure lose his buttons, then! They +ain't got nothin' on him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I heard they had plenty."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't worry." Hearne waved a hand +grandiloquently. "The boss is solid with the +bunch up to Baton Rouge, and they'll take +care of everybody. So old Ben got pinched, +huh? That's one joke, man!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont's worst suspicions were confirmed +by the attitude of Hearne, who plainly +considered that the entire gang had nothing +to fear from the law. Chacherre's boasts +were backed up solidly. It was obvious to +Gramont that the ramifications of the gang +extended very high up indeed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Better cut out the talk," he said, curtly, +"until we get out of here."</p> + +<p class="indent">Hearne nodded and rolled a cigarette.</p> + +<p class="indent">When his hasty meal was finished Gramont +paid at the counter and led the way +outside. He motioned toward the car, and +Hearne obediently climbed in, being evidently +of so little account in the gang that +he was accustomed to taking orders from +everyone.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont headed out of town and took the +Paradis road. Before he had driven a mile, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page265" id="page265"></a>[pg 265]</span> +however, he halted the car, climbed out, and +lifted one side of the hood.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Give me those rags from the bottom of +the car, Hearne," he said, briefly.</p> + +<p class="indent">The other obeyed. As Gramont made no +move to come and get them, Hearne got out +of the car; then Gramont rose from the +engine unexpectedly, and Hearne looked into +a pistol.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hold out your hands behind you and turn +around!" snapped Gramont. "No talk!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Hearne sputtered an oath, but as the +pistol jerked at him he obeyed the command. +Gramont took the strips of cloth, which he +had previously prepared, and bound the +man's wrists.</p> + +<p class="indent">"These are better than handcuffs," he +commented. "Too many slick individuals +can get rid of bracelets—but you'll have one +man's job to get rid of these! Ah! a gun in +your pocket, eh? Thanks."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What t'ell you doin'?" exclaimed the +bewildered Hearne.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Placing you under arrest," said Gramont, +cheerfully.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here, where's your warrant? You ain't +no dick——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page266" id="page266"></a>[pg 266]</span> +Gramont cut short his protests with a long +cloth which effectually bound his lower jaw in +place and precluded any further idea of talk.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You climb into that car, Hearne," he +ordered, "and I'll attend to your feet next. +That's the boy! Nothing like taking it +calmly, Hearne. You didn't know that I +was the fellow who pinched old Ben, did you? +But I am. And before night your whole +crowd will be hooked up, from the big boss +down to you."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont tied Dick Hearne securely, hand +and foot, and then lashed him to one of the +top supports of the car. When he had +finished, Hearne was reasonably safe. He +then climbed under the wheel again and +proceeded on his way. Hearne's lashings +were inconspicuous to any one whom the car +passed.</p> + +<p class="indent">It was a little after eight in the morning +when Gramont drove into Paradis. He +noticed that two large automobiles were +standing in front of the postoffice, and that +about them were a group of men who eyed +him and his car with some interest. Paying +no attention to these, he drove on through +town without a halt.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page267" id="page267"></a>[pg 267]</span> +Sweeping out along the north road, he +encountered no one. When at length he +reached the Ledanois farm he drove in +toward the deserted house and parked the +car among some trees, where it could not be +seen from the road.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You'll have some pleasant company before +long, Dicky, my lad," he observed, +cheerfully. A last inspection showed that +his prisoner was quite secure. "In the meantime, +sit and meditate upon your sins, which +I trust have been many and deep. Chacherre +is up for murder, and he's trying to +save his neck by blowing on the remainder of +your gang. We may give you a chance to +do the same thing and corroborate his testimony. +It's worth thinking over, isn't it?</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps you imagine that you're safe +from conviction. If so, take comfort while +you can—I'll chance that end of it! When +Memphis Izzy comes along, I'll have a nice +comfortable little conversation with him. +Then we'll all join up and go back to the +city together. You get the idea? Well, be +good!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Leaving the car Gramont took his way +toward the bank of the bayou and followed this +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page268" id="page268"></a>[pg 268]</span> +in the direction of the adjoining property. +He looked at the water, a bitter smile upon +his lips, and again made out the faint iridescent +sheen of oil. When he came to the +rivulet which gave birth to the oil he paused. +He remembered the excitement that had so +shaken him upon the discovery of this supposed +seepage two days previously—he remembered +ironically the visions it had aroused in his brain.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Farewell, too sudden wealth!" he murmured. +"Farewell, toil's end and dreams of +luxury! I'm still a poor but honest workingman—but +I still think that there's some real +oil under this land. Well, we'll see about +that later on, perhaps. Our company is by +no means busted up yet!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He passed on, wondering not a little at the +deft skill of Jachin Fell in planting that oil; +the men next door had done the work, of +course. Gramont did not attempt to delude +himself with the idea that Fell had acted +selfishly. The whole affair had been handled +with a clever secrecy, only in order that Fell's +oil company might buy the land from Lucie, +and that Fell might use the resultant boom +to make her financially secure.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page269" id="page269"></a>[pg 269]</span> +"He doesn't believe there's oil here," +reflected Gramont, "and he's sincere in the +belief. Where Lucie is concerned, I think +the man's absolutely unselfish. He'd do +anything for her! And yet Jachin Fell is an +enemy, a deadly enemy, of society! Hm—these +criminals show some queer streaks. You +can't call a man like Fell wholly bad, not by +a good deal; I'll almost regret sending him +to the pen—if I do!"</p> + +<p class="indent">He went on to an opening in the bushes +which, over the low rail fence, gave him a +clear view of the Gumberts property. There +he paused, quickly drew back, and gained a +point whence he could see without danger of +his presence being discovered. He settled +into immobility and watched.</p> + +<p class="indent">That Memphis Izzy himself had not yet +arrived, he was fairly certain. Near the +barn were drawn up two flivvers, and sitting +in chairs on the cottage veranda were three +men who must have come in these cars. +Gramont had come provided with binoculars, +and got these out. He was not long in +discovering that all three men on the veranda +were strangers to him. They, no doubt, +were men in the lottery game, waiting for +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page270" id="page270"></a>[pg 270]</span> +Gumberts to arrive. Gramont turned his +attention to the other buildings.</p> + +<p class="indent">Both the barn and shop were open, and the +buzzing thrum of machinery bore witness that +the mechanics were hard at work upon the +stolen cars. Gramont thought of Ben Chacherre, +still tied and lashed to the chair in +his room, and wondered what was to be found +under the rear seat of Ben's car. He could +see the car from where he lay.</p> + +<p class="indent">The minutes dragged interminably, and +Gramont settled down to a comfortable +position in the grass. Would Fell come? +He hoped so, but strongly doubted it. Fell +appeared to be merely "the boss" and it was +Gumberts who was actually managing the +lottery swindle.</p> + +<p class="indent">Nine o'clock came and passed. A third +flivver came roaring into the opening, and +Gramont leaned forward intently. Three +workers came to the door of the shop. A +single man left the flivver and greeted them, +then went on to the cottage and joined the +other three on the veranda. He was greeted +with no excitement. The house door remained +closed. The newcomer lighted a cigarette and +sat on the steps.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page271" id="page271"></a>[pg 271]</span> +"Evidently he's not Gumberts," thought +Gramont. "Seven of them so far, eh? This +is going to be a real job and no mistake."</p> + +<p class="indent">Almost on his thought, a high-powered and +noiseless car came sweeping down the road and +he knew at once that Memphis Izzy had arrived. +He knew it intuitively, even before +he obtained a good glimpse of the broad, heavy +figure, and the dominating features. Memphis +Izzy was far from handsome, but he +possessed character.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Where's the Goog?" As he left the +car, which he had driven himself, Gumberts +lifted his voice in a bull-like roar that carried +clearly to Gramont. "Where's Charlie the +Goog?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The mechanics appeared hurriedly. One +of them, no other than Gramont's friend of the +adenoidal aspect, who seemed to own the mellifluous +title of Charlie the Goog, hastened to +the side of Gumberts, and the latter gave him +evident directions regarding some repair to the +car. Then, turning, Memphis Izzy strode to +the cottage. He nodded greetings to the four +men who awaited him, took a bunch of keys +from his pocket, and opened the cottage door. +All five vanished within.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page272" id="page272"></a>[pg 272]</span> +Gramont rose. A moment previously, fever +had thrilled him; the excitement of the manhunt +had held him trembling. Now he was +cool again, his fingers touching the pistol in +his pocket, his eyes steady. He glanced at +his watch, and nodded.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It's time!" he murmured. "Let's hope +there'll be no slip-up! All ready, Memphis +Izzy? So am I. Let's go!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Unhurried and openly, he advanced, making +his leisurely way toward the barn and shop. +Charlie the Goog, who was bent over the car +of Gumberts, was first to discern his approach, +and straightened up. Gramont waved his +hand in greeting. Charlie the Goog turned +his head and called his brethren, who came into +sight, staring at Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">The latter realized that if he passed them +the game was won. If they stopped him, he +bade fair to lose everything.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, boys!" he called, cheerily, as he drew +near. "I came out on an errand for the boss—got +a message for Gumberts. Where is he? +In the house?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The others nodded, plainly mistrusting him +yet puzzled by his careless manner and his +reference to Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page273" id="page273"></a>[pg 273]</span> +"Sure," answered Charlie the Goog. "Go +right in—he's in the big front room."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont continued his way, conscious that +they were staring after him. If there was anything +phony about him, they evidently considered +that Memphis Izzy would take care of +the matter very ably.</p> + +<p class="indent">The steps of the cottage porch creaked +protestingly as Gramont ascended them. +Perhaps Memphis Izzy recognized an +unaccustomed footstep; perhaps that conversation +outside had penetrated to him. Gramont +entered the front door into the hall, and as +he did so, Gumberts opened the door on +his right and stood gazing at him—rather, +glaring.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who're you?" he demanded, roughly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Came out with a message from Mr. Fell," +responded Gramont at once. "Brought some +orders, I should say——"</p> + +<p class="indent">The sixth sense of Memphis Izzy, which +had carried him uncaught into a grizzled age, +must have flashed a warning to his crook's +brain. In the man's eyes Gramont read a +surge of suspicion, and knew that his bluff +could be worked no longer.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page274" id="page274"></a>[pg 274]</span> +"Here's his note," he said, and reached into +his pocket.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gumberts' hand flashed down, but halted +as Gramont's pistol covered him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Back into that room, and do it quickly," +said Gramont, stepping forward. "Quick!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Memphis Izzy obeyed. Gramont stood in +the doorway, his eyes sweeping the room and +the men inside. Startled, all four of them had +risen and were staring at him. In his other +hand he produced the automatic which he had +taken from Dick Hearne.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The first word from any of you gentlemen," +he declared, "will draw a shot. I'm doing all +the talking here. Savvy?"</p> + +<p class="indent">They stood staring, paralyzed by this apparition. +They had been sitting about a table +which was heaped with papers and with packages +of money. A large safe in the wall stood +open. Beside the table was a small mail sack, +partially emptied of its contents; torn envelopes +littered the floor.</p> + +<p class="indent">That this was the headquarters of at least +a section of the lottery gang Gramont saw +without need of explanation.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're under arrest," said Gramont, +quietly. "The game's up, Gumberts. Hands +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page275" id="page275"></a>[pg 275]</span> +up, all of you! Dick Hearne has peached on +the whole gang, and from the boss down you're +all in for a term in stir. You with the derby! +Take Gumberts' gun, and those of your +companions, then your own; throw 'em on the +floor in the corner, and if you make the wrong +kind of a move, heaven help you! Step lively, +there!"</p> + +<p class="indent">One of the men who wore a derby on the +back of his head obeyed the command. All +five of the men facing Gramont realized that +a single shout would call help from outside, +but in the eyes of Gramont they read a strict +attention to business. It was altogether too +probable that one man who dared arrest them +alone would shoot to kill at the first false +move—and not even Memphis Izzy himself +opened his mouth.</p> + +<p class="indent">Each man there had a revolver or pistol, and +one by one the weapons clattered into the +corner. Gumberts stood motionless, licking +his thick lips, unuttered curses in his glaring +eyes. And in that instant Gramont heard +the porch steps creak, and caught a low, +startled cry.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hey, boss! They's a gang comin' on the +run——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page276" id="page276"></a>[pg 276]</span> +It was Charlie the Goog, bursting in upon +them in wild haste. Gramont stepped into +the room and turned slightly, covering with +one of his weapons the intruder, who stood +aghast in the doorway as he comprehended the +scene.</p> + +<p class="indent">No words passed. Staring at the five men, +then at Gramont, the adenoidal mechanic +gulped once—and like a flash acted. He +ducked low, and fired from his pocket. +Gramont fired at the same instant, and the heavy +bullet, catching Charlie the Goog squarely in +the chest, hurled his body half across the +room.</p> + +<p class="indent">With the shots Memphis Izzy flung himself +forward in a headlong rush. That desperate +shot of the little mechanic had broken Gramont's +right arm above the wrist; before he +could fire a second time, with the weapon +in his left hand, Gumberts had wrested the +pistol aside and was struggling with him. +The other four came into the mêlée full +weight.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont went down under a crashing blow. +Over him leaped Memphis Izzy and rushed +into the doorway—then stopped with astounding +abruptness and lifted his arms. After +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page277" id="page277"></a>[pg 277]</span> +him the other four followed suit. Two men, +panting a little, stood outside the door and +covered them with shotguns.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Back up," they ordered, curtly. Memphis +Izzy and his four friends obeyed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Tie 'em, boys," said Gramont, rising +dizzily to his feet. "No, I'm not hurt—my +arm's broken, I think, but let that wait. Got +the ones outside?"</p> + +<p class="indent">A stamping of feet filled the hall, and other +men appeared there.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Got two of 'em, Gramont!" responded the +leader. "The third slipped in here—ah, there +he is!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Poor Charlie the Goog lay dead on the floor—a +touch of heroic tragedy in his last desperate +action; the one great action of his life, possibly. +He had realized that it meant doom +yet he had done what he could.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I think that's all," said Gramont. "We've +sure made a killing, boys—and it's a good +thing you jumped in to the minute! A second +later and they'd have done for me. Take care +of that evidence, will you? Get that mail sack +and the letters particularly; if they've been +working their lottery outside the state, it'll be +a Federal matter."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page278" id="page278"></a>[pg 278]</span> +Gumberts, who was being tied up with his +friends, uttered a hoarse cry.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Who are you guys? You can't do this +without authority——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't be silly, Memphis Izzy!" said Gramont, +smiling a little, then twitching to the +pain of his arm. "These friends of mine are +members with me of the American Legion, +and they've come along at my request to put +you crooks where you belong. As for authority, +you can ask and go hang.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here, boys, I've got to get out to that +barn. Come along, some of you! We'll get my +arm tied up later. Nobody hurt out here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Not a scrap, even," responded the leader, +with a trace of disgust. "All three of those +bums were outside, and we covered 'em as we +came out of the brush. The one that got +away did so by getting his friends between +us and him. But you attended to him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"And he attended to me likewise," added +Gramont, not without a wince of pain.</p> + +<p class="indent">He led the way out to the barn, and, the +others trooping in behind him, entered. He +pointed out the car which had brought Chacherre +here previously, and ordered the extra +seat in back opened up.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page279" id="page279"></a>[pg 279]</span> +"I think there's a bundle inside," he said. +"What's in it, I don't know——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here we are, cap."</p> + +<p class="indent">A bundle was produced, and opened. In +it was found the aviator's costume which Gramont +had worn as the Midnight Masquer, +and which Chacherre had stolen with the loot. +Wrapped among the leathern garments was +an automatic pistol.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont stood aghast before this discovery, +as realization of what it meant broke full upon +him.</p> + +<p class="indent">Good lord!" he exclaimed, amazedly. +"Boys—why, it must have been Ben Chacherre +who killed Maillard! See if that pistol has +been used——"</p> + +<p class="indent">The Midnight Masquer had fired two bullets +into Maillard. Two cartridges were gone from +this automatic.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page280" id="page280"></a>[pg 280]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>When the Heavens Fall</i></p> + +<p>THE chief of police entered the office of +Jachin Fell, high in the Maison Blanche +building, at eight o'clock on Friday +evening. Mr. Fell glanced up at him in surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Hello, chief! What's up?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The officer gazed at him in some astonishment.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What's up? Why, I came around to see +you, of course!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell smiled whimsically. "To see +me? Well, chief, that's good of you; sit down +and have a cigar, eh? What's the matter? +You look rather taken aback."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I am," said the other, bluntly. "Didn't +you expect me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"No," said Jachin Fell, halting suddenly in +the act of reaching for a cigar and turning his +keen gaze upon the chief. "Expect you? +No!"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page281" id="page281"></a>[pg 281]</span> +"It's darned queer, then! That chap Gramont +called me up about ten minutes ago and +said to get around here as quick as I could +make it, that you wanted to see me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gramont!" Jachin Fell frowned. "Where's +Ben Chacherre? Haven't you found him yet?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Nary a sign of him, chief."</p> + +<p class="indent">The door opened, and Henry Gramont +appeared, his right hand bandaged and in a +sling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good evening, gentlemen!" he said, smiling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Here's Gramont now," exclaimed Fell. +"Did you call the chief over here——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I sure did," and Gramont came forward. +"I wanted to see you two gentlemen together, +and so arranged it. Miss Ledanois is to be +here at nine, Fell?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The little man nodded, his eyes intent upon +Gramont. He noticed the bandaged arm.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. Have you been hurt?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Slightly." Gramont brought up a chair +across the desk from Fell, and sat down. He +put his left hand in his breast pocket, and +brought forth a document which he handed to +the chief of police. "Cast your eye over that, +chief, and say nothing. You're here to listen +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page282" id="page282"></a>[pg 282]</span> +for the present. Here's something to cover +your case, Mr. Fell."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont produced his automatic from the +pocket of his coat, and laid it on the desk +before him. There was a moment of startled +silence. The officer, looking over the paper +which Gramont had handed him, seemed to +find it of sudden, intense interest.</p> + +<p class="indent">"What means all this mystery and melodramatic +action, Gramont?" demanded Jachin +Fell, a slight sneer in his eyes, his voice quite +toneless.</p> + +<p class="indent">"It means," said Gramont, regarding him +steadily, "that you're under arrest. I went +out to the Gumberts place on Bayou Terrebonne +this morning, arrested Memphis Izzy +Gumberts and four other men engaged in operating +a lottery, and also arrested two mechanics +who were engaged in working on stolen cars. +We took in, further, a gentleman by the name +of Dick Hearne; a lesser member of the gang, +who is now engaged in dictating a confession. +Just a moment, chief! I prefer to do the talking +at present."</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief of police had been about to interfere. +At this, however, he leaned back in his +chair, tapping in his hand the paper which he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page283" id="page283"></a>[pg 283]</span> +had perused. He looked very much as though +in danger from a stroke of apoplexy.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont smiled into the steady, unfaltering +eyes of Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You are next on the programme," he said, +evenly. "We know that you are at the head +of an organized gang, which is not only operating +a lottery through this and adjacent states, +but also is conducting an immense business in +stolen automobiles. Therefore——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Just one minute, please," said Jachin Fell. +"Do you forget, Mr. Gramont, the affair of +the Midnight Masquer? You are a very zealous +citizen, I have no doubt, but——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I was about to add," struck in Gramont, +"that your pleasant friend Ben Chacherre is +charged with the murder of the sheriff of +Terrebonne Parish, in which I have clear +evidence against him, having been present at the +scene of the crime. He is also charged with +the murder of Joseph Maillard——-"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What!" From both Fell and the officer +broke an exclamation of undisguised amazement.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Quite true, I assure you," said Gramont. +"The evidence is, at least, a good deal clearer +than the evidence against young Maillard."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page284" id="page284"></a>[pg 284]</span> +"My heavens!" said Fell, staring. "I +never dreamed that Chacherre——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps you didn't." Gramont shrugged +his shoulders. "Neither did any one else. I +imagine that Ben learned of this room and +drinking party, and rightly decided that he +could make a rich haul off a small crowd of +drunken young sports. He had the costume +stolen from my car, as you know, also the +automatic which went with it. Two shots were +missing from the automatic when we found it +in Ben's possession; and you remember the +Masquer fired twice at the time Maillard was +killed."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah! I always said young Maillard wasn't +guilty!" exclaimed the chief.</p> + +<p class="indent">"And your man Hammond——" began Fell. +Gramont interposed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You thought you had Hammond sewed up +tight, didn't you? To use the language of +your favourite game, Fell, development is +everything, and the player who gives up a pawn for +the sake of development shows that he is +possessed of the <i>idée grande</i>. You took the +pawn, or thought you did—but I've taken +the game!</p> + +<p class="indent">"In one way, Fell, I'm very sorry to arrest +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page285" id="page285"></a>[pg 285]</span> +you. It's going to hurt a mutual friend of +ours. I realize that you've been trying very +hard to be unselfish toward her, and I think +that you've been perfectly sincere in this +respect. Nonetheless, I've only one duty in +the matter, and I propose to carry it through +to the finish."</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell's keen eyes sparkled angrily.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You're a very zealous citizen, young man," +he said, softly. "I see that you've been hurt. +I trust your little game did not result in casualties?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded. "Charlie the Goog went +west. He was desperate, I fancy; at all events +he got me in the arm, and I had to shoot him. +Memphis Izzy hardly justified his tremendous +reputation, for he yielded like a lamb."</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you killed the Goog, eh?" said Fell. +"Very zealous, Mr. Gramont! And I suppose +that the exigencies of the case justified you, a +private citizen, in carrying arms and using +them? Who aided you in this marvellous +affair?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"A number of friends from my post of the +American Legion," said Gramont, evenly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah! This organization is going in for +politics, then?"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page286" id="page286"></a>[pg 286]</span> +"Not for politics, Fell; for justice. I deputized +them to assist me."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Deputized!" repeated Fell, slowly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly." Gramont smiled. "You see, +this lottery business has been going on for +a year or more. Some time ago, before I came +to New Orleans, the governor of this state appointed +me a special officer to investigate the +matter. There is my commission, which the +chief has been reading. It gives me a good +deal of power, Fell; quite enough power to +gather in you and your bunch.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I might add that I have secured an abundance +of evidence to prove that the lottery +gang, under your supervision, has extended its +operations to adjacent states. This, as you +are aware, brings the affair into Federal hands +if necessary."</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief of police looked very uneasily from +Gramont to Jachin Fell, and back again. Fell +sat erect in his chair, staring at Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You were the original Midnight Masquer," +said Fell in his toneless voice. At this direct +charge, and at Gramont's assent, the chief +started in surprise.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes. One reason was that I suspected +someone in society, someone high up in New +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page287" id="page287"></a>[pg 287]</span> +Orleans, to be connected with the gang; but I +never dreamed that you were the man, Fell. +I rather suspected young Maillard. I am now +glad to say that I was entirely wrong. You +were the big boss, Fell, and you're going to +serve time for it."</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell glanced at the chief, who cleared his +throat as if about to speak. At this moment, +however, a sharp knock sounded at the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Come!" called Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">A man entered. It was one of Gramont's +deputies, who happened also to be a reporter +from one of the morning papers of the city. +He carried several sheets of paper which he +laid before Gramont. He glanced at Fell, who +recognized him and exchanged a nod of greeting, +then returned his attention to Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah!" said the latter with satisfaction, as he +examined the papers. "So Hearne has given +up everything, has he? Does this confession +implicate Mr. Fell, here?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, rather," drawled the other, cheerfully. +"And see here, cap! There are two more of us +in the crowd and we've arranged to split the +story. We'd like to rush the stuff to our papers +the minute you give the word, because——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I know." Gramont returned the papers +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page288" id="page288"></a>[pg 288]</span> +that bore the confession of Hearne. "You've +made copies of this, of course? All right. +Shoot the stuff in to your papers right away, +if you wish."</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell raised a hand to check the other.</p> + +<p class="indent">"One moment, please!" he said, his eyes +boring into the newspaper man. "Will you +also take a message from me to the editor of +your newspaper—and see that it goes to the +others as well?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If Mr. Gramont permits, yes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Go ahead," said Gramont, wondering what +Fell would try now. He soon learned.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Then," pursued Fell, evenly, "you will +kindly inform the editors of your papers that, +in case my name appears in connection with +this matter, I shall immediately institute suit +for libel. No matter what Mr. Gramont may +say or do, I assure you fully that no publicity +is going to attach to me in this matter. +Neither, I may add, am I going to be arrested. +That is all, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont smiled. "Take the message if +you see fit, by all means," he said, carelessly. +"You may also take my fullest assurance that +within twenty minutes you will observe Mr. +Fell safely in jail. That's all."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page289" id="page289"></a>[pg 289]</span> +The newspaper man saluted and departed, +grinning.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont leaned forward, the harsh lines of +his face spelling determination as he looked at +Jachin Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you won't be arrested, eh? Let's see. +I know that this gang of yours has influence +running up into high places, and that this +influence has power. The governor knows it +also. That is why I was appointed to investigate +this lottery game secretly, and in my own +way. That is why, also, I brought the chief +of police here to-night."</p> + +<p class="indent">He turned to the perturbed officer, and spoke +coldly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Now, chief, you've seen my authority, +you've heard my charges, and you know they +will be proved up to the hilt. Dick Hearne +gave up the names of most of the lottery gang +and their confederates; my deputies already +wired to their various places of operation for +the purpose of securing their arrest. We'll +make a clean sweep.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The same may be said of the automobile +gang, although we will probably miss a few of +the smaller fry. What other forms of criminality +the organization may be engaged in +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page290" id="page290"></a>[pg 290]</span> +I can't say at this moment; but we have +secured quite enough evidence. Are you willing +to arrest Jachin Fell, or not?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief cleared his throat.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Why, Mr. Gramont," he observed, nervously, +"about the rest of the gang, we'll take +care of 'em, sure! But it's different with Mr. +Fell here. He's a friend of the senator——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Different, hell!" snapped Gramont, angrily. +"He's a criminal, no matter who his friends +may be, and I have the proof of it!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, that may be so," admitted the chief +of police. "But this thing is goin' to raise +one hell of a scandal, all up and down the state! +You know that as well as I do. Now, if I was +you, I'd act kind of slow——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont smiled bitterly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Perhaps you would, chief. In fact, I don't +doubt that you would. But you are not <i>me</i>. +Now, as a duly-appointed officer acting under +authority of the governor of the state, I call +upon you to arrest this criminal, and I make +you duly responsible for his safe-keeping. Do +you dare refuse?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief hesitated. He looked at Fell for +help, but none came. Fell seemed to be rather +amused by the situation.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page291" id="page291"></a>[pg 291]</span> +"Well," said the chief, "I ain't seen the +evidence yet——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll show you some evidence of another +kind, chief," said Gramont, sternly quiet. +"Outside the door, here, there are two men +who will obey my orders and my authority. +If you dare refuse to do your duty you will +yourself be taken from this room under arrest, +on a John Doe warrant which is already prepared +and waiting; and you will be charged +with being an accomplice of this gang. Now +choose, and choose quickly!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont leaned back in his chair. The purpling +features of the chief were streaming with +perspiration; the man was in a frightful dilemma, +and his plight was pitiable. At this +instant Jachin Fell interposed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Let me speak, please," he said, gently. +"My dear Mr. Gramont, it has just occurred +to me that there may be a compromise——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm not compromising," snapped Gramont.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly not; I speak of our mutual friend +here," and Fell indicated the chief with a +bland gesture. "I believe that Judge Forester +of this city is at present consulting with the +governor at Baton Rouge on political matters. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page292" id="page292"></a>[pg 292]</span> +With them, also, is Senator Flaxman, who +has come from Washington on the same errand. +Now, it would be a very simple matter to end +all this anxiety. Suppose that you call up the +governor on long distance, from this telephone, +and get his assurance that I am not to be arrested. +Then you'll be convinced."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont laughed with deep anger.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You gangsters are all alike!" he said, turning +to the desk telephone. "You think that +because you have planted your slimy tentacles +in high places you can do anything with absolute +impunity. But the governor of this state +is not in your clutches.</p> + +<p class="indent">"He's a man, by heaven! I have his assurance +that he'll prosecute to the limit whoever +is behind this criminal gang—and he keeps his +word! Don't think that if your friend the +senator is with him, you will be saved. I'll call +him, if only to show the chief, here, that influence +is not going to count in this game."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont took down the receiver, called long +distance, and put in a hurried call for the +executive mansion, asking for the governor in +person.</p> + +<p class="indent">"So you think that he's immune from influence, +do you?" Jachin Fell smiled patronizingly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page293" id="page293"></a>[pg 293]</span> +and lighted a fresh cigar. The chief of +police was mopping his brow.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear Gramont, you exhibit a youthful +confidence in human nature! Let me topple +your clay-footed idol from its pedestal in a +hurry. Mention to the governor that you +have me under arrest, and that I have asked +him to speak with Judge Forester and Senator +Flaxman before confirming the arrest. I'll +wager you five hundred dollars——"</p> + +<p class="indent">The smile in Fell's pale eyes drove Gramont +into a cold fury of rage.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You devil! So your damnable influence +goes as far as those two men, does it—those +men who are respected above all others in this +city? By the lord, I'll call your bluff! I know +the governor, and I know he doesn't give a +damn for all the dirty crooks and slimy politicians on earth!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What sublime faith!" laughed Fell, softly.</p> + +<p class="indent">The telephone rang sharply. Taunted almost +beyond endurance, Gramont seized the +instrument and made answer. In a moment +he had the governor on the wire. His gaze +went exultantly to Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Governor, this is Henry Gramont speaking," +he said. "I've just succeeded in my +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page294" id="page294"></a>[pg 294]</span> +work, as I wired you this afternoon—no, hold +on a minute! This is important.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The head of the entire gang is a man here +in New Orleans by the name of Jachin Fell. +Yes, Fell. I find it very hard to get him arrested. +Fell boasts that his influence is superior +to any that I can bring to bear. He +asks that you speak with Judge Forester and +Senator Flaxman before confirming the arrest, +and boasts that you will order me to keep hands +off.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Speak with them, governor! If they're in +the gang, too, don't you worry. You confirm +this arrest, and I'll put Fell behind the bars if +I have to turn all New Orleans inside out. +Go ahead! I know that you can't be reached +by any of these crooks—I'm merely calling +Fell's bluff. We have the chief of police here, +and he's sweating. Eh? Sure. Take as long +as you like, governor."</p> + +<p class="indent">He smiled grimly at Jachin Fell as he +waited. Two minutes passed—three—four. +Then he heard the voice of the governor again.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't arrest him, Gramont."</p> + +<p class="indent">"What?" Gramont gasped.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't touch him, I said! Get in all the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page295" id="page295"></a>[pg 295]</span> +others, no matter who they are, but leave Fell +alone——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"You damned coward!" shouted Gramont, +in a heat of fury. "So this is the way you keep +your promises, is it? And I thought you were +above all influences—real American! You're +a hell of a governor—oh, I don't want to hear +any more from you."</p> + +<p class="indent">He jerked up the receiver.</p> + +<p class="indent">There was a moment of dead silence in the +room. The chief mopped his brow, in evident +relief. Jachin Fell sat back in his chair and +scrutinized Gramont with his thin-lipped smile.</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont sat helpless, wrung by chagrin, +rage, and impotency. There was nothing he +could say, nothing he could do. The man +behind him had failed him. The entire power +of the state, which had been behind him, had +failed him. There was no higher power to +which he could appeal, except the power of the +Federal Government. His head jerked up +sharply.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Fell, I've got the evidence on you, and I've +got the evidence to put this lottery business +into Federal hands. Boys! Come in here!"</p> + +<p class="indent">At his shout the door opened and two of his +men entered. Gramont looked at the chief.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page296" id="page296"></a>[pg 296]</span> +"You're willing to take care of all the rest +of the gang, chief?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Sure," assented the officer, promptly.</p> + +<p class="indent">"All right. Boys, turn over the whole +crowd to the chief, and I'll trust you to see +that they're properly booked and jailed. Turn +over all the evidence likewise, except that +mail sack. Have that brought up here, to +this room, and see that the corridor outside is +kept guarded. Get me?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The two saluted. "Yes, sir."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good. Send to the Federal building, find +out where there's an agent of the Department +of Justice, and get him here. Have him here +inside of fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell smiled. "I can save you time, gentlemen. +The agent in charge of this district +will probably be home at this hour. I can +give you his address——"</p> + +<p class="indent">He did so. In the pale eyes Gramont read +an imperturbable challenge. The effrontery +of the man appalled him. He turned to his +men.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Confirm fully that he <i>is</i> the agent before +you get him," he ordered, curtly. "Have him +bring one of his deputy agents likewise, to +meet you here. That's all, chief, if you'll go +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page297" id="page297"></a>[pg 297]</span> +along with these men, you'll be put in charge +of our prisoners and evidence. I've left a +guard at the Gumberts place at Terrebonne, +and I'd suggest that you go through the residence +of Gumberts here in town. You might +find evidence. That's all."</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief departed without a word. It was +obvious that he was mighty glad to be gone. +Gramont and Fell were left alone together.</p> + +<p class="indent">"My dear Gramont, your devotion to +duty is Roman in spirit," said Jachin Fell, +lightly. "I really regret that circumstances +so conspire to defeat you! Why can't you +be satisfied with bagging so many other +victims? You can't bag me——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Can't I?" said Gramont, taking a cigar +and biting at it. He was cooler now. "By +heavens, Fell, there's one thing in this country +that you and no other man can reach with any +influence, political bribery, or crooked connections—and +that's the Government of the +United States! You can reach judges and +senators and governors, but you can't reach +the unknown and humble men who carry the +badge of the Department of Justice!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell made a slight gesture.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Human nature, my dear Gramont. It is +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page298" id="page298"></a>[pg 298]</span> +quite true that I have not established this +gang of criminals, as you call them, without +taking proper precautions. Memphis Izzy, +for instance, has influence that reaches far +and wide. So have I. So have others in the +party. I give you my assurance that your +Department of Justice man will not arrest +me."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont paled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If——" He choked on the word, then +touched the automatic on the desk before +him. "If he won't, Jachin Fell, I'll put a +bullet through you myself!"</p> + +<p class="indent">For the first time the pale eyes of Jachin +Fell looked slightly troubled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"You'll hang if you do," he said, gently.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll be damned if I don't!" snapped +Gramont, and put the weapon in his lap.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page299" id="page299"></a>[pg 299]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>The Impregnability of Mr. Fell</i></p> + +<p>JACHIN FELL glanced at his watch.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Lucie will be here at any minute +now," he observed. "I suppose your +sense of duty will force you to disclose everything +to her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont merely nodded, tight-lipped. A +knock at the door, and one of his men entered +with the sack of mail they had taken as evidence.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A lady is coming here at any moment," +said Gramont. "Allow her to enter."</p> + +<p class="indent">The other saluted and departed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"A sense of duty is a terrible thing," and +Jachin Fell sighed. "What about the oil +company? Are you going to let Miss Ledanois' +fortunes go to wrack and ruin?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Better that," said Gramont, "than to +have her profit come through criminal money +and means. She'd be the first to say so, +herself. But I'll tell you this: I'm convinced +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page300" id="page300"></a>[pg 300]</span> +that there is oil under the land of +hers! If she'll agree, I'll put up what money +I have against her land; we'll be able to have +one well drilled at least, on the chance!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"If it's dry," said Fell, "you'll be broke."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I can always get work," and Gramont +laughed harshly.</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell regarded him in silence a moment. +Then: "I think Lucie loves you, Gramont."</p> + +<p class="indent">A trembling seized Gramont; a furious +impulse to shoot the man down as he sat. +Did he have the baseness to try and save +himself through Lucie? Something of his +stifled anger must have shone in his eyes, for +Jachin Fell laid down his cigar and continued +quickly:</p> + +<p class="indent">"Don't misunderstand. I say that I think +she cares for you; it is merely surmise on my +part. Lucie is one person for whom I'd do +anything. I stand and have stood in the +place of a parent to her. She is very dear to +me. I have a special reason for intruding on +your personal affairs in this manner, and +some right to ask you in regard to your +intentions."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I don't recognize any right whatever on +your part," said Gramont, steadily.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page301" id="page301"></a>[pg 301]</span> +Fell smiled. "Ah! Then you are in love. +Well, youth must be served!"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'd like to know one thing," struck in +Gramont. "That is, why you were so cursed +anxious to get something on my man Hammond! +And why you held the Midnight +Masquer affair over me as a threat. Did you +suspect my business?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell threw back his head and laughed in +a hearty amusement that was quite unrestrained.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That," he responded, "is really humorous! +Do you know, I honestly thought +you a fortune-hunter from Europe? When +I suspected you of being the Midnight +Masquer, and afterward, I was convinced +that you, and very likely Hammond as well, +were very clever swindlers of some kind. +There, I confess, I made a grave error. My +friend Gumberts never forgets faces, and he +said to me, one day, that Hammond's face +was vaguely familiar to him, but he could not +place the man. That led me to think——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Ah!" exclaimed Gramont. "Gumberts +saw Hammond years ago, when he was +escaping from the law—and to think he remembered! +Hammond told me about it."</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page302" id="page302"></a>[pg 302]</span> +"That's why I wanted you and Hammond +in my gang," said Fell. "I thought it would +be very well to get you into the organization +for my own purposes."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Thanks," answered Gramont, drily. "I +got in, didn't I?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Without a knock the door opened and +Lucie Ledanois entered.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Good evening, stockholders!" she exclaimed. +"Do you know there's a crowd +down in the street—policemen and automobiles +and a lot of excitement?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Allow me," said Gramont, taking her +coat and placing a chair for her. "Oh, yes, +we've had quite a strenuous evening, Miss +Ledanois."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Your hand! Why, what has happened?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One of Mr. Fell's friends tried to shoot +me. Will you sit down, please? You remember +that I warned you regarding a +shock that would come; and now I must +explain." Gramont gravely handed her his +commission from the governor, and resumed +his seat. "When I say that I have come +here, not to attend a meeting of our oil +company, but to arrest Mr. Fell, you will +understand. I am very sorry, Lucie, to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page303" id="page303"></a>[pg 303]</span> +have to tell you all this, for I know your +attachment to him."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Arrest—you, Uncle Jachin?" The girl +glanced from the paper to Fell, who nodded. +"And you, Henry—a special officer of the +governor's? Why—this isn't a joke of some +kind?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"None whatever, my dear," said Fell, +quietly. "Mr. Gramont is to be congratulated. +He has discovered that I was +the head of a large organization of criminals. +He has there, under the table, a sack of mail +which proves that my organization was conducting +a lottery throughout several states; +we are now expecting the arrival of Federal +agents, to whom Gramont intends to turn +me over as a prisoner."</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh!" The girl stared at him, wide-eyed. +Her voice broke. "It—it can't be +true——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"It is quite true, my dear," and Jachin +Fell smiled. "But don't let it distress you in +the least, I beg. Here, if I mistake not, are +your Department of Justice friends, Gramont."</p> + +<p class="indent">A knock at the door, and it opened to admit +one of Gramont's men.</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page304" id="page304"></a>[pg 304]</span> +"Here they are, sir—the chief agent and a +deputy. Shall I let them in?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont nodded. Two men entered the +room, and Gramont dismissed his own man +with a gesture. He saw that the agents +both nodded to Fell.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Do you gentlemen know this man?" he +demanded, rising.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Yes," said one of them, regarding him +keenly. "Who sent for us?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"I did." Gramont gave his name, and +handed them his commission. "I have been +investigating a lottery which has been conducted +in this state for a long time by an +organization of very clever criminals. Jachin +Fell is the man at the head of this organization. +To-day I rounded up the entire gang, +and procured all the evidence necessary. +Under that table is a sack of mail proving +that the lottery has been extended to other +states, and that part of its operations have +been conducted by means of the United +States mails.</p> + +<p class="indent">"The lesser members of the gang are in +custody. The police department will not +arrest this man Fell; his influence and that of +his gang is extensive in political fields and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page305" id="page305"></a>[pg 305]</span> +elsewhere. I have called up the governor, +and have been told not to arrest him. I have +disregarded these facts, and I now call upon +you to hold him in custody as a Federal +prisoner. He has boasted to me that you +will not touch him—and if you don't, there's +going to be a shakeup that will make history! +Now go to it."</p> + +<p class="indent">The chief agent laid Gramont's commission +on the table and looked at Jachin Fell. For +an instant there was a dead silence. Then, +when the Federal man spoke, Gramont was +paralyzed.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm very sorry, Mr. Gramont, to have to +refuse——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"What!" cried Gramont, incredulously. +"Do you dare stand there and——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"One moment please," said Fell, his quiet +voice breaking in. "It is quite true that I +have organized all the criminals possible, +Mr. Gramont, and have put the underground +lottery into a systematized form. I have +done this by the authority of the United +States, in order to apprehend Memphis Izzy +Gumberts and other men at one crack. +These gentlemen will tell you that I am a +special agent of the Department of Justice, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page306" id="page306"></a>[pg 306]</span> +employed in that capacity through the efforts +of Judge Forester and Senator Flaxman. I +regret that this had to be held so secret that +not even the governor himself was aware +of it until this evening. The conflict was +quite unavoidable. Not a member of that +gang must become aware of my real identity."</p> + +<p class="indent">Fell turned to the two agents, who were +smiling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I would suggest that you take this sack +of mail, and arrange with the chief of police +in regard to the prisoners," he said. +"The chief, of course, must suspect nothing."</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont sank into his chair, the automatic +dropping from his hand. He was suddenly +dazed, thunderstruck. Yet he had to believe. +He was dimly aware that Lucie had gone to +Jachin Fell, her arms about his neck. He +stared from unseeing eyes.</p> + +<p class="indent">Realization smote him like a blow, numbing +his brain. He saw now why the governor +had conferred with Judge Forester and the +senator, why he had been ordered off the +trail. He saw now why Fell had preserved +secrecy so great that even to the chief of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page307" id="page307"></a>[pg 307]</span> +police his impregnable position was supposedly +due to influence higher up.</p> + +<p class="indent">He saw how Fell must have been working +month after month, silently and terribly, to +form one compact organization of the most +talented criminals within reach—headed by +Memphis Izzy, the man who had laughed at +the government for years! And he saw himself, +furious, raging like a madman——</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont dropped his head into his hands. +The pain of his forgotten wounded arm +stabbed him like a knife. He jerked his head +sharply up, and was aware that the agents +had departed. He was alone with Lucie and +Fell, and the latter was rising and holding +out his hand, smiling.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Gramont, you got ahead of me in this +deal, and I congratulate you with all my +heart!" said Fell, earnestly. "Neither of us +suspected the part played by the other man; +but you've done the work and done it well. +Will you shake hands?"</p> + +<p class="indent">Gramont confusedly took the hand extended +to him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"I've been a fool," he said, slowly. "I +might have guessed that something unusual +was——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page308" id="page308"></a>[pg 308]</span> +"No; how could you guess?" said Fell. +"There are three men in Baton Rouge who +know the truth, and three persons in this +room. That's all, outside of the regular +government men. I had not told even Lucie, +here! I dared not. And I dare say nothing +even now. To the underworld at large +I will be known as the crook whom not +even the government could touch; in days +to come I may be of untold service to my +country."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'm so glad!" Lucie took Gramont's +hand as Jachin Fell dropped it, and Gramont +looked down to meet her brimming eyes. +"For a moment I thought that all the world +had gone mad—but now——"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell regarded them for an instant, +then he quietly went to the door.</p> + +<p class="indent">"If you will excuse me one moment," he +said, "I shall speak with your men who are +on guard, Gramont. I—ah—I will be back +in a moment, as Eliza said when she crossed +the ice; and we may then discuss business. +If you agree, I think that your company +may proceed upon the original lines, and +we shall set to work drilling for oil without +delay——"</p> + +<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page309" id="page309"></a>[pg 309]</span> +Gramont scarcely heard the words, nor did +he hear the door close. He was still looking +into the eyes of Lucie Ledanois, and wondering +if the message they held were really +meant for him.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page310" id="page310"></a>[pg 310]</span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<p class="h2a"><i>Mi-Carême</i></p> + +<p>A NAMELESS gentleman from the +effete North was enjoying for the first +time the privileges of a guest card at +the Chess and Checkers. In a somewhat perplexed +manner he approached the secretary's +desk and obtained a cigar. Then he paused, +listening to the sounds of revelry which +filled the club, and which came roaring in +from the city streets outside.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Say!" he addressed the secretary. +"What's this Mi-Carême I've been reading +about in the papers, anyhow? I thought +everything was tight as a clam down here +after Mardi Gras! It's still the Lenten season, +isn't it? Mardi Gras doesn't come more than +once a year? Then what's all the celebration +about?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The secretary smiled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Certainly, sir, it's still Lent. But the +French people have what they call Mi-Carême, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page311" id="page311"></a>[pg 311]</span> +or Mid-Lent, and they certainly +give it a big celebration! You see, it's a +night halfway through Lent, when they can +enjoy themselves to the limit—let off steam, +as it were. We're having several dinner +parties here in the club to-night, for the +occasion."</p> + +<p class="indent">A slightly built little man, who had much +the air of a shy clerk—had it not been for his +evening attire—approached the desk. He +signed a check for a handful of cigars, which +he stowed away.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Please provide a fresh box of the El Reys +later," he said to the secretary. "Most of +my party is here, I believe."</p> + +<p class="indent">"I'll send them up, Mr. Fell," answered +the secretary, quickly. "Yes, I think the +dining room is all ready for you, sir. By +the way, Mr. Gramont was looking for +you a moment ago—ah! Here he comes +now!"</p> + +<p class="indent">Jachin Fell turned. Gramont was plunging +at him, a yellow telegraph form in his +hand, excitement in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Look here, Jachin! This wire just came +in from Hammond—you know, I left him in +charge of things down at Bayou Terrebonne! +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page312" id="page312"></a>[pg 312]</span> +Read it, man—read it! They've struck oil-sands +at five hundred feet—and sands at +five hundred, with these indications, mean +a gusher at a thousand! Where's Lucie? +Have you brought her?"</p> + +<p class="indent">"She's upstairs. Well, well!" Jachin Fell +glanced at the telegram, and returned it. +"So oil is actually found! This is certainly +going to be one big night, as Eliza said when +she crossed the ice! Come along. Let's +find Lucie and tell her about it——"</p> + +<p class="indent">The two men turned away together.</p> + +<p class="indent">After them gazed the man from the North, +not a little agape over what he had chanced to +hear. Before the wondering questions in his +eyes the assiduous secretary made haste to +enlighten him.</p> + +<p class="indent">"That's Mr. Gramont, sir. They say that +he used to be a real prince, over in France, and +that he threw it up because he wanted to be +an American. Mr. Fell is having a dinner +upstairs—it's Mr. Gramont's engagement, +you know—and the Mi-Carême ball afterward——"</p> + +<p class="indent">"Oh, I know, I know," and the man +from the North sighed a little. "I was +reading all about that in the paper. Fell +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page313" id="page313"></a>[pg 313]</span> +is one of the crack chess players here, isn't +he?"</p> + +<p class="indent">The secretary smiled.</p> + +<p class="indent">"Well, he plays a very fair game, sir—a +very fair game indeed!"</p> + +<p class="center"> THE END</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 196px;"> <img src="images/illus-endpage.png" width="196" height="206" alt="" title="" /></div> + +<p class="center">THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS<br/> +GARDEN CITY, N. Y.</p> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div class="tnote"> +<h2>Transcriber Notes:</h2> + +<hr /> + +<p class="indent">Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of +the speakers. Those words were retained as-is.</p> + +<p class="indent">Errors in punctuations and inconsistent hyphenation were not corrected +unless otherwise noted. For instance, scarfpins was sometimes hyphenated +and some times not.</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 49, a quotation mark was placed after "You'd try blackmail, would you?"</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 99, "hundered" was replaced with "hundred".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 124, "geting" was replaced with "getting".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 156, "asurance" was replaced with "assurance".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 156, "he" was replaced with "be".</p> + +<p class="indent">On page 296, "I am not be arrested." was replaced with "I am not to be arrested."</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mardi Gras Mystery, by H. 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