The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-11-24
CHAPTER xv-continued.

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 over all the
evidence likewise, except that mail
sack. Have that brought up here, to
this room, and see that the corridor
outside is. kept guarded. Get me?"
The two saluted. "Yes 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 here inside of
fifteen minutes"
MY dear Gramont, your devotion
to duty is Roman in spirit" said ia
chin Fell, lightly. II really regret that
circumstances so conspire to defeat
you'll Why can't you be satisfied with
bagging SO many other victims? You
can't bag me"
s'Can't 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 senator's and governors,
but you can't reach the unknoww and
humble men who carry the badge Of
the Department of Justice!"
Fell made slight gesture.
Human nature, my dear Gramont.
1t is quite trle that have not estab-
lished this gang of criminals, as you
call them, without taking proper pre-
cautions. Memphis Izzy, for instance,
has influence that reaches far and
wide. So have I. So have others in
the party. give you my assurance
that your Department Of Justice man
will not arrest me-"
Gramont paled.
joachim Fell glanced at his watch.
s'Lucie will be here at any minute
now" he observed. II suppose your
sense of duty will force you to dis
close everything to herr"
Gramont merely nodded, tight
Tipped. A knock at the door, and one
of his men entered with the sack of
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 terrible thing. .
and Jachin Fell sighed. what about
the oil company? Are you going to
let Miss Ledanois' fortunes go to
wrack and ruin?'
Better that" said Gramont, ''than
to have her profit come through crimi-
nal money and means. She'd be the
first to say so, herself. But I'll tell
you this: Pm convinced that there is
oil under that land of hers! If she'll
agree, I'll put up what money have
against her land; wen be able to have
one well drilled at least on the
chance ~
"1f it's dry" said Fell, "you'll be
broke
81 can always get work." and Ora
mont laughed harshly.
Fell regarded him in silence mo-
ment Then: 81 think Lucie loves you,
Gramont."
A trembling seized Gramont; d fu-
riOus impulse to shoot the man down
as he sat- Did he have the baseness
to try and save himself through Luz
Gle? Something Of his stified 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. 1 stand
and have stood in the place of par
ent to her. She is very dear to me.
I have special reason for intruding
on 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 servedr
I'D like to know one thing" struck
in Gramont. "That rs, why you were
SO cursed anxious to get something on
my man Hammond! And why you
held the Midnight Masquer affair over
me as threat. Did you suspect my
business?'
Fell threw back his head and
laughed in hearty amusement that
was quite unrestrained.
THAT" he responded, sis really hui
morous! Do you know, honestly
thought you a 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 the street-policemen
and automobiles and lot of excite
ment?"
"Allow me-" said Gramont. taking
her coat and placing chair for her.
xviii you sit down. please? You re-
I--