Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-09-29

hope there'll be no slipup! All ready.
Memphis Icy. So am I. Let's gOl"
Unhurried and openly, he advanced,
making his ~leisurely way toward the
harm and shop. Charlie the Goog. who
was bent over the ear 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 breth-
rem. who came into sight, staring at
Gramont.
The latter realized that if he passed
them the game was won If they
stopped him, he babe fair to lose
everything.
Hello, boysl" he called, cheerily, as
he drew near. 81 anne out on an err
rand for the boss-got a message for
Gumberts. Where is he? In the
house?"
The others nodded. plainly mistrust-
ing him. yet puzzled by his careless
manner and his reference to Fell.
"Sure." answered Charlie the Goog.
$50 right in-he's in the big front
room"
Thanks"
Gramont continued his way. con-
scfous that they were staring after
him. If there was anything phor%
about him, they evidently considered
that Memphis Ivy would take care of
the matter very ably.
The steps Of the cottage porch
| creaked protestingly as Gramont as
cended them. Perhaps Memphis Ivy
! 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, glazing.
"who're your" he demanded,
roughly.
"Came out with a message from Mr..
Fell" responded Gramont at nee.
brought soma orders, I should say"
The sixth sense of Memphis Ivy,
which had carried him uncaught into a
grizzled age. must have flashed a
warning to his crooks brain. In the
mans eyes Gramont read a surge of
suspicion and knew that his bluff could
be worked no longer.
Here's his note" he said, and
reached into his pocket.
Gumberts' hand flashed down, but
halted as Gramont's pistol covered
him.
Back into that room, and do it
quickly" said Gramont, stepping for
ward. "Quick"
Memphis Ivy obeyed. Gramont
stood in the doorway, his eyes sweep
ing the room and the men inside.
Startled, all -four of them had risen
and were staring at him. In his other
hand he produced an automatic which
he had taken from Dick Hearne.
1.-THE first word from any of you
gentlemen" he declared, will draw d
shot. I'm doing all the talking here.
SavvyY'
They stood staring, paralyzed by this
apparition. They had been sitting
about the 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 con-
tents torn envelopes Uttered the floor.
That this was the headquarters of at
least a section of the lottery gang Ora
mont saw without need Of explanation.
you're under arrest" said Ora
mont, quietly. 1.-THE games up, Gum
berts. Hands up, all of you'll 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 YOU 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!"
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 glazing eyes.
And in that instant Gramont heard
the porch steps creak and caught a
low, startled cry.
"Hey, boss! They's a gang comm
on the run"
1t 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 compre-
hended the scene.
No words passed. Staring at the five
men, then at Gramont. the adenoidal
mechanic gulped once-and like a flash
NIAN