The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-09-09

which / have clear evidence against
him, having been present at the scene
of the crime. He is also charged with
the murder of Joseph Maillard-"
MY heavens!'' said Fell, staring. II
never dreamed that Chacherre-"
perhaps you didn't" Gramont
shrugged his shoulders. "Neither did
anyone else. l imagine that Ben
Learned of this room and drinking
party, and rightly decided that he
| could make a rich haul off y small
crowd of drunken young sports. He
had the costume stolen from my cur,
as you know; also the automatic
! which went with it, Two shots were
missing from the automatic when we
found it in Ben's possession; and you
remember the Masquer fired twice at
the time Maillard was killed"
Fell's keen eyes sparkled angrily.
you're q very jealous citizen, young
! man." he said, softly. Il see that you've
been hurt. I trust your little game
did not result in casualties?'
Gramont nodded. Charlie the Goog
went west. He was desperate, l
fancy; at all events he got me in the
arm, and I had to shoot him. Memphis
Izzy hardly justified his tremendous
reputation, for he yielded like lamb"
$50 you killed the Goog, eh?" said
Fell. VERY jealous, Mr.. Gramont! And
suppose that the exigencies of the
case justified you, private citizen, in
carrying arms and using them? Who
aided you in this marvellous AFFAIR."?
"A number of friends from my post
of the American Legion" said Gra-
mont, evenly.
"Ah! This organization is going in
for politics, then?''
mot for politics, Fell; for justice
deputized them to assist me-
"Deputized!" repeated Fell, slowly.
"Certainly." Gramont smiled. 'You
see. this lottery business has been
going on for year or more. Some
time ago, before came to New Or
leans, the governor Of this state ap-
pointed me special officer to investi-
gate the matter. There is my commits
sion. which the chief has been reading.
It gives me a good deal Of power, Fell /;
quite enough power to gather in you
and your bunch
The chief of police looked very I'M
easily from Gramont to joachim Fell,
and back again. Fell sat erect in his
chair, staring at Gramont.
"You were the original Midnight
Masquer," said Fell in his toneless
voice. At this direct charge, and at
Gramont's assent, the chief started In
surprise.
Eyes. One reason was that I suspect
ed some one in society, some one high
up in New Orleans, to be connected
with the gang; but I never dreamed
that you were the man, Fell. I rather
suspected young Maillard. l am now
glad to say that I was entirely wrong.
You were the big BOSS Fell, and you're
going to serve time for it."
Fell glanced at the chief, who
cleared his throat as if about to speak
! At this moment, however, a sharp
knock sounded ut the door.
Gomez called Gram0nt.
A man entered. 1t was one of Ora
| mont's deputies, who happened also to
he a reporter from one Of the morning
| papers of the city. He carried several
sheets Of paper which he laid before
Gramont. He glanced at Fell, who
recognized him and exchanged a nod
Of greeting, then returned his attention
to Gramont.
"Ah!" said the latter with satisfac-
ton, as he examined the papers. so
Hearne has given up everything, has
he? Does this confession implicate
Mr.. Fell, here?"
swell, rather" drawled the other,
cheerfully. "And see here, cap! There
| are two more of US in the crowd and
we've arranged to split the story. Wed
like to rush the stuff to our papers the
minute you give the word, because
II know" Gramont returned the
papers that bore the confession OF
Hearne. you've made copies OF this,
of course? All right. Shoot the stun
in to your papers right away, if you
wish" 1850.
Fell raised a hand to check the
other.