White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-09

that he ceased speaking. for what he
had Just said proved to be open to
misconstruction, and II he had said
any more be would have spoiled II.
For the man facing him was staring
at him In mingled disgust and sur
prise.
you're In partnership with the
boss - came the astounding words.
"Well. why In hi 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 amt pullin' something
cute on mel"
do you know FeIl's writlng?' asked
Gramont, with difficulty forcing him.
self to meet the situation coherently.
joachim Fell-the boss!
II know his mitt, all right"
From his pocket Gramont produced
a paper-the memorandum or agree
ment which he had drawn up with
Fell the previous afternoon, relating
to the oil company. The other man
took 1t and switched on an electric
light bulb overhead. In this glare he
was revealed as a ratty little indi-
vidual with open mouth and teeth
hanging out-an adenoidal type. and
certainly a criminal type.
It crossed the mind of Gramont that
one blow would do the workout he
stood motionless. No sudden game
would help him here. The discovery
that Fell was 'the boss paralyzed
him completely. lie had never dreamed
Of such a contingency. Fell. Of all
men
joachim Fell the boss of this estab-
lishment! Jachin Fell the man high
er up-the brains behind this criminal
organization 1t was a perfect thun-
derbolt to Gramont. Now he under
stood why Chacherre was In the en-
ploy of Fell-why no arrest Of the
man had been possible! Now he per-
ceived that Chacherre must have told
the truth about coming here on bust
ness for Fell. Reaching farther back.
he saw that Fell must have received
the loot of the Midnight Masquer.
must have turned 1t over to Lucie
Ledanois-
Did she known
"All right, Mr.. Gramont." The ratty
little man turned 10 him with evident !
| change of front. 1--WE amt takin' no
chances here, understand. Got quite
a shipment of cars comm in from
Texas, and we're tryin' to get some o.
these boats cleaned out TO make room.
Bring out any orders?'
Gramont's brain worked fast.
By overcoming this guttersnipe he
might have the whole place at his
mercy-but that was mo- 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 s~uspecting
him In any way.
Ibid you see Ben ChacherreT he
~countered.
"Uh-huh-seen him just after he
come. Gumberts will be put day after
tomorrow. 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 II.
He figgers on gettin' Hammond on ac-
count Of some car that's bein' hunted
up"
Gramont laughed suddenly. for there
was n grim humor about the thing. So
joachim Fell wanted to get something"
N poor Hammond! And Chacherre
had seized the golden opportunity that
presented itself this -afternoon-in.
stead of getting Hammond for the
theft of a car, Chacherre had coolly
fastened murder upon hint 4
ben Is one smart man I expect he
thinks the gods are working for him."
said Gramont, thinly. $50 you don't
know what happened today, Ell? Well,
lie great news, but I've got no time
to talk about II. They'll tell you when
they get back" (
"where'd they go7' demanded the
other.
"Houma. Now listen close. Cha
cherre did not know that was in
partnership with the boss, get me7 l
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"
Say. l get you there! !" broke In the
other. sagely. Il tells him six months
ago to watch out for that Creole guy i"I
Exactly. You can tell the boys
about me when they come back
don't suppose Ben will be with them.
Now, I've been looking over that place
next door"
"Oh!' exclaimed the other, sudden
ly. Sure The boss said that one Of
his friends would be down to-"
I'm the one-or one of them,' and
Gramont chuckled as he reflected on
the ludicrous aspects of the whole af.
fair. Tn going to Houma now, and
then back to the city. My cars over