The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-24

to sell that Bayou Terrebonne land
it's an old farm, abandoned since be-
fore father died"
Don't sell it," he exclaimed, quick
ly. Don't consider any dealings with
it until I have looked it over, will
you?'
"Since you ask it, no. If there's gas
near by. there must be OIL"
"Who knows:'" he shrugged. mo
one can predict tdl."
''Then you still mean to go to joachim
Fell with your st3leme?"
.Gramont nodded. "Yes. See here,
Lucie-lt's about noon! Suppose you
come along and lunch with me at the
Louisiana, 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"
She put her heah on one side and
s tudied him reflectfyely.
You're sure you'll not kidnap me
tr anything like that? It's risky to be-
come friend Of hardened criminals,
even If one Is trying to uplift them"
Good! You'll Gomez"
If you can give me ten minutes"
my dear Lucie, you are the most
charming object III New Orleans at
this nin'ite! Why attempt to make
yourself still more: attractive? Gid
ing the lily is an Impossible task"
We'll, wait for me. Is your car
here? Good! I want to see Ham,
mond's face when he sees us carrying
out those boxes"
Laughing, the girl started toward
the stairs. At the doorway she paused.
"One thing, NJ. lie prince! DO you
solemnly promise, upon your; honor,
that the Midnight Masquer is dead
forever?" -
Upon my honor" said Cramont,
seriously The farce is ended, Lucie."
"All right. III be right downs Smoke
If you like"
In her own room upstairs Lucie
closed the tibOr and sat down. before
her dressing table. She made no
move toward the array Of toilet ar
ticles, howev er. Instead, SHE. took a
desk teIepho ne from the ia Bile, and
called a nur nber. In a MOI nent she
received re Spouse.
Uncle J ichin!" she el claimed.
"Yes-it's ju st as we thought it's all
q joke. No, it vas not joke. either,
because he lad some motive b, hind it,
but he won tell me what it " as. I'm
terribly gla that you opeped one OF
those boxess and found thy, lea.ter-if
you had gone to- the police it would
have been perfectly drea dful-''
Il never go' to the police saAd ia
chin Fell with hi dry dhuckle. '"You
are quite Statistic that there is moth
ing SERIOUS in tile affair. them"
absolutely! He told me that he
h2d accomplished his purpose. v'hat-
vver it was, and that it's all en- lied.
He just gave ME his word that the
AIasquer was dead forever. Now,
aren't you glad that you confdedt in
me?" 49,.
Very" said joachim Fell, "5ery;
glad. indeed"
~ "Now you're laughing at n1e-1S.ver,
mind! We're going to lunch dk,wn-;
town, and ven spails those boxes ont
the way, by parcels post. Is that all
risht?" -' '" Hs!...
Quite all right, my dear. Did, your
gown come for tonight?"
ITS to come this afternoon:
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 loan for the sake Of
Comus. They are very nice pearls: a
little old fashioned, because they We're
mounted for the Princess de Lamballe,
but you will find that they fit in ex-
cellently with your gown. I'll biting
them with me when call for yOu-T
And I'll tender fitting thanks IL zen.