White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-09

ASkoAhI0 NAiaNAiCifCs Al "a 10
which did not entirely conceal his un-
easiness. II know hat we've got a
murderer here, and that well have to
dispose of him. Do you objectf"
"Of cours not" said Gramont.
calmly. "Step aside and give me q
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, a word with you'll"
This totally unexpected acquies-
cence on the part of Gramont 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 Ora
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 a scowl OF suspicion.
Gramont ignored him and went up
to Hammond, with a look Of warning.
you'll have to submit to this, old
man." he said, in a one that the 9th.
ers could not overhear. Don't dream
that I'm deserving you but l want a
good look at this place II all three OF
them go away. They must not II
poet"
aC.ns,. I.nl, - - kraln In VVat
mond, urgently. This here Is a gang
the whole thing is a frame-up on
mel"
II 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 q
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 heref VIII you need 10 use my
carr"
NO" The Creole jerked his head
toward the barn. ~ came In Mr..
Fell's CARTS got n sprung axle and
is laid up. Well take him back In an
other one"
every WELL" Gramont paused and
glanced around. This Is a terrible
blow, men. I never dreamed that
Hammond was q murderer or could be
onel You don't know of any motive
for the crimei"
They shok their heads, but suspi-
cion was dying from their eyes. Ora
mont glanced again at his chauffeur.
"I1l not abandon you. Hammond"
he said, severely. coldly. "Ill stop in
at Houma and see that you have a
lawyer. | think, gentlemen. We had
better attend to bringing in the body
of the sheriff. chi"
The wounded man lodged into the
barn and returned with a strip OF
O Chacherre took this and firm
ly bound Hammond's arms, then
forced him to sit down and bound his
ankles.
"You watch him." he ordered the
wounded member of the trio. well
get the sheriff"
Allowing Chacherre and his com
panion TO take the lead, Gramont went
with them TO the place where the inur'
dered officer lay. As he went. the con
viction grew more sure within hin
that, when he lay there by the rivu'
let, he had actually heard the last
words uttered by the sheriff; that Cha
cherre had committed the murder In
that moment-a ~noiseless. deadly stab
That Hammond could or would have
done II he knew was absurd.
They found the murdered man lying
among the bushes. He had been
stabbed under the fifth rib-the knife
had gone direct to the heart. Cha
cherre announced that he had Ham
mond's knife as evidence and Gramoni
merely nodded his head.
Lifting the body between them,
they bore IL back 10 the barn.
"Now." said Gramont. quickly, I'm
eff for Houma-if | dent miss my
road. You men will he right alongf'
I'm 1iny," said chacherre promptly
Gramont climbed into his ear and
drove away. He had no fear Of any
thing happening to Hammond; the
evidence against the latter was damn
ing. and with three men 10 swear him
into n hangman's moose. they would
bring him TO Jail safe enough.
"a clever devil. that chaeherre -
he thought. grimly. Were up against
a gang, beyond any doubt. Now. II
they don't suspect me"
He turned In at the Ledanois gate.
knowing himself to be beyond sight or
hearing of the Gumberts place. He
drove the ear away from the house,
and into the thick of the densest
bush-growth that he could find, where
II was we'll concealed from sight.
Then, on foot, he made his way along
the bank of the bayou until he had
cons 20 the riyulet where oil showed.
Here he paused. concealing himself
and gaining u place where he could
get a view of the Gumberts land. He
saw Chacherre and Hammond there be-
side the body of the sheriff the other
49, $3.50, 80 .x.-fnnt..D ,nap fLa Go I'm