The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-11-23

I've got the evidence TO put this lot
terry business into federal hands. Boys!
come in here"
At his shout the door opened and
two of his men entered. Gramont
looked at the chief.
you're willing to take care Of all
the rest of the gang, chief?'
Sure" assented the officer.
"All right. Boys, turn over the
whole crowd to the chief, and I'll trust
you to see that they're properly
booked and jailed. Turn v all the
evidence likewise. except that mail
sack. Have hat brought up here, to
this room, and see that the corridor
outside is kept guarded. Get me?"
The two saluted. Eyes, sir"
"Good. Send to the federal build
ing, find out where there's an agent
of the Department of Justice. and get
him here. Have him he.e inside of
fifteen minutes
"My dear GramOnt, your devotion
to duty is Roman in spirit" said ia
chin Fell, lightly. 81 really regret that
circumstances so c%onspire to defeat
you! Why can't you be satisfied with
bagging so many other victims? You
can't bag me-"
Cant II" said Gramont. taking a
cigar and biting at it. He was cooler
now. by heavens. Fell, there's one
thing in this country that you and no
other man can reach with any influ-
ence, political bribery or crooked con-
nections-and that's the government
Of the United States! You can reach
judges and senators and governors,
but YOU can't reach the unknown and
humble men who carry the badge Of
the Department Of JUSTICE"
Fell made a slight gesture.
Human nature. my dear Gramont.
1t is quite true that l have not estab-
lished this gang of criminals, as you
call them, without taking proper pre-
cautions. Memphis Ivy, for instance,
has influence hat reaches far and
wide. SO have l. SO have others in
the party. l give you my assurance
that your Department of Justice man
will not arrest me-"
Gramont paled.
joachim Fell glanced at his watch.
"Lucie will be here at any minute
now" he observed. 81 suppose your
sense of duty will force you to dis
close everything to her?'
Gramont merely nodded, tight
Tipped. A knock at the door, and one
Of hic man nptarnI with fhn cnnI nf
mail they had taken as evidence.
"A lady is coming here at any mo-
ment," said GramOnt. ALLOW her to
enter"
The other saluted and departed.
"A sense Of duty is a terrible thing"
and joachim Fell sighed. What about
the oil company? Are you going to
let Miss Ledanois' fortunes go to
wrack and ruinp"
Better that" said Gramont. than
to have her profit come through crimi-
nal money and a Shed be the
first to say so, herself. But I'll tell
you this: I'm convinced hat there is
oil under that land of hers. If sheu
agree, I'll put up what money I have
against her land Wen be able to have
n well drilled at least. on the
chance"
"If it's dry said Fell, you'll be
broke"
81 can always get work. and Ora.
mont laughed harshly.
Fell regarded him In silence a mo-
ment. Then: ~ think Lucie loves you,
GramOnt."
A trembling seized Gramont; a fu-
rious impulse to shoot the man dov
as he sat. Did he have the baseness
to try and save himself through Lu-
Gle? Something of his stifled anger
must have shown in his eyes. for ia
chin Fell laid down his cigar and con
tinued quickly:
Don't misunderstood. / say that |
think she cares for you; it is merely
surmise on my part. Lucie IS one per
son for whom I'd do anything. I stand
and have stood in the place Of a par
ent to her. She is very dear to me.
| have a special reason for intruding
your personal affairs in this man
ner. and some right to ask you in re-
gard to your intentions"
81 don't recognize any right what
ever on your part" said Gramont.
steadily.
Fell smiled. "Ah, Then you are in
love. Well, youth must be served"
I'D like to know one thing" struck
in Gramont. THAT is, why o were
50 cursed anxious to get something on
my mar Hammond. And why you
held the Midnight Masquer affair oyer
me as a threat. Did you suspect my
buSiness?'
Fell threw back his head and
laughed in a hearty amusement that
was quite unreStrained.
That" he responded. "is really hui
morouS, Do you know, ! honestly
thought you n fOrtune-hunter from
Europe? There, / confess, | made a
grave error"
Without a knock the doOr opened
and Lucie Ledanois entered.
Good evening. stockholders" she
exclaimed. do you know there's a
crowd down in tho ctraat -pnIinau1pn