St. Tammany farmer., 1922-09-30

about to blurt forth; at this instant.
Hammond voiced the thought In his
mind.
TITS frame-upl" said the chauf-
feur, angrily.
"That's likely, isn't itr' Chacherre
hung the words in sneer, but with q
covert glance at Gramont. This fel-
low Is your chauffeur, amt he7 Wen,
| we got to take him In to Houma. that's
ALL"
where's the shertfrs bodyT' de-
manded Gramont, quietly.
"Over there" Chacherre gestured.
I'VE amt had chance to bring him
back yet-this fellow kept us busy.
| Maybe you want to frame up an alibi
for himT'
Gramont paid no attention to the
sneering tone Of this last. He regard
ed Chacherre flxedly, thinking hard
keeping himself well In hand.
"You say the sheriff was here, then
went over toward the Ledanois landr'
he asked. "Did he 60 alone, or were
you with him?'' ~.
"We were Akin. to follow him." as
serted Chacherre, confidently. This
was all Gramont wanted to know
that the man was lying. 1--WE were
trailln' along after him when he
stepped into the bushes This man Of
yours was standing over him with q
knife"
II was, too, when they found mel
was cuttin' me flshpole," said Ham
mond, sulkily. He was plainly begin
ming to be impressed and alarmedsby
the evidence against him. Gramont.
only nodded.
mo one saw the actual murder,
then?"
mo need for It," said Chacherre,
brazenly. "When we found him that
way! Eh7"
Il suppose not" answered Gramont,
mis- 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 Cha
cherre, and launched chance shaft.
you're Ben Chaeherre, aren't you1
Do you work for Mr.. Fell?"
The chance shot scored. EYES,"
said Chacherre. his eyes narrowing.
"What are you doing here, then7"
For TN instant Chacherre was of
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 compart-
ment Of the car. This knowledge, very
naturally, threw him back on the de-
fense of which he was most sure.
II came on an errand for my mas
ter" he said, and with those words
gave the game into Gramont's hands.
There was 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, 1t was quietly
and coolly:
''Then your master Is evidently as
ISOLATED with Memphis 1zzy Gumberts,
who owns this place here. Is that
right?"
Both Hammond and Chacherre's
two friends started ut this.
81 don't know anything about that"
returned Chacherre, with shrug
which did not entirely conceal his un-
easiness. Il know that we've got a
murderer here, and that We'll have to
dispose of him. Do you object1'
"Of course not" said Gramont,
calmly. "Step aside and give me
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 handouts II the
sheriff brought any along. Then you'd
better take in the body Of the sheriff
also. Hammond, word with you II
This totally unexpected acquies-
cence on the part Of Granont seemed
to stun Chacherre into inaction. He
half moved, as though uncertain
whether to bar Gramont from the pris-
oner, then he stepped aside as Gra-
mont advanced A gesture to his two
companions prevented them from in
terfering.
"keep 'em covered, though" he said.
shifting his own rifle slightly and
watching with scowl of suspicion.
Gramont ignored him and went up
to Hammond, with look Of warning.
"You'n have to submit to this, old
man, he said, in tone that the 9TH
ers could not overhear. "Don't dream
that I'm deserting you; but want a
good look at this place If all three OF
them go away. They must not sus-
pect-"
"Cap'n, look out ~ broke In Ham
mond, urgently. "This here Is gang
the whole thing is frame-up on
me!'
81 know IT. was present when the
sheriff was murdered; but keep quiet.
I'll come to Houma later tonight and
see YOU" He turned away with a
shrug, as though Hammond had de-
MED him some favor, and lifted his
voice. "Chacherre! How are you to
take this man into town. How did you
get here? win you need to use my
carr"
mo" The Creole jerked his head
toward the barn. II came in Mr..