St. Tammany farmer., 1922-09-16
The rAAY FARMER CONVICTION SEPTEMBER
Mail1ard nodded. Shame and ange,

Maillard nodded. Shame and anger
lay heavily in his eyes, #
Judge Forester, in bis kindly way,
laid his hand on the bankers arm.
Tut, tut, Joseph he said, gently,
fund Of sympathy In his voice.
s'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
wen all 60" put in Ansley. wen
have little party Of our own, gentle
men. Come on, believe we'll be able
to discover the place.
The four men left the foyer and
started through the corridors.
IT hear" said Judge Forester to
Doctor Ansley, as they followed the
other two, 'that there has been aston
fishing news today from the Midnight
Masquer. It seems that number Of
people have received back property
this afternoon the bandit had
taken. It appears to have been some
sort Of carnival joke, after all"
IA poor one, then" responded Ans
ley, "and In doubtful taste. I've
heard nothing Of it. / wouldn't mind
getting back the little cash lost,
though i must say TIL believe the
story when / see the money"
He broke off quickly.
AS they turned a corner Of the cor
ridor to the four men came realiza-
tion that they had attained their goal.
From one of the rooms ahead there
sounded snatches Of bo1sterous Choir
us being roared forth Justify. AS
they halted, to distinguish from which
door the singing proceeded, the Choir
Va was broken Oft by an abrupt and
sudden silence. This silence was ac-
centuated by the. preceding noise, as
though the singers had checked their
maudlin song In mid career.
"D-n I'll" muttered Maillard. did
they hear us coming? No, that
wouldn't matter hang to them-but
what checked them so quickly z.
"This door," said Fell, indicating
one to their right. He paused at it,
listening, and over his features came.
singular expression. AS the others
Joined him, they caught a low Smur-
mur Of voices, hushed sound Of talk,
rattle as number of chips fell
from table.
Cursed queer!" observed Jachin
Fell, frowning. II wonder what hap
pened to them SO abruptly Perhaps
the deal was fnished-they're having
game. Well go ahead. Josephl
Wen back you up as deputation
from the blackcoats, and II you need
any moral support, call on Judge For
ester" --.z
That gentleman flung open the door,
and Mai1lard entered at his side. They
then came to a startled halt. at view
Of the scene which greeted them.
The room was large and well light.
ed, windows and transom darkened
for the occasion. Tobacco smoke
made BLUSH haze In the air. In
the center Of the room stood large
table, Uttered with glasses and bot
ties, with scattered cards, with chips
and money.
About this table had been sitting
half dozen members of the Krewe
of Comus. Now, however, they were
standing, their various identities COM
pletely concealed by the grotesque cos
tunes which cloaked them. Their
hnn1e wnro In $ho mir
Standing at another doorway, mid
way between their group and that Of
the four unexpected intruders, was the
Midnight Masquer-holdi ding them up at
the point Of his automatic!
Maillard was the first to break the
silence Of stupefaction.
'sBy heavene!' he cried, furiously.
Here's that id villain again-hold
him, you! at him; everybody
In blind rage, transported out Of
himself by his sudden access of pas
sion, the banker hurled himself for
ward. From the bandit burst cry
of futile warning; the pistol In his
hand veered toward his assailant.
This action precipitated the event.
Perhaps because the Masquer did not
fire instantly, and perhaps because
Maillard's mad action shamed them,
the nearer members Of the drinking
party hurled themselves at, the bandit.
The threat of the weapon was forgot