The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-09-28

Denlnu MIN ora JuuSt ToitSt'i' Wv
wore a distinctly worried expression.
"Ah. here are Fell and Ansley," ex-
claimed Maillard, almost with relief.
"I-ah-my friends, / don't suppose
you've seen Bob recently?'
Ansley was silent. joachim Fell,
of assent.
Eyes" he said in his peculiarly tone
less manner yes, we have. At least,
! believe it was he"
"Tm worried" said Maillard, anxi-
ously, hurriedly. He made an express
I've gesture of despair. Hes in cos
tune. Of curse. I've been given to
understand that-well, that he has
been-well. drinking"
HE has" said joachim Fell, without
any trace Of compassion. "A number
Of the Krewe are occupying IN OF
the rooms in the building. and they
must have beer visiting 1t frequently.
I trust for your sake that the fact
hasn't become generally known In
slde?'
Maillard nodded. Shame and anger
lay heavily in his eyes.
Judge Forester, in his kindly way,
laid his hand IN the bankers arm.
Tut, tut. Joseph" he said, gently,
a fund OF sympathy in his voice.
Boys will be boys, you know: really,
this Is no great matter. Don't let it
hit YOU so hard. I'll 90 with you to
find the room, of curse. Where is
It, JaChinf'
"Wcll all GO" put in Ansley. "Well
have a little party of our own, gentle
men. Come on. I believe we'll be able
TO discover the place"
The four men left the foyer and
started through the corridors.
II hear" said Judge Forester to
Doctor Ansley, as they followed the
other two, that there has been aston
iShing news today from the Midnight
MaSquer. 1t seems that IA number of
people have received back property
this afternoon-loot the bandit had
taken. 1t appears TO have been some
sort of a carnival joke, after all"
"A poor one, then responded Ans
ley, and in doubtful taste. I've
heard nothing of it. I wouldn't mind
getting back the little rash | lost,
though l must say I'll believe the
story when | see the money"
He broke off quickly.
AS they turned n corner of the cor
ridor to the four men came r~ealiza-
ton that they had attained their goal.
From n of the rooms ahead there
sounded snatches of a boisterOus Choir
us being roared forth Justify. AS
they halted, to distinguish from which
door the singing proceeded, the Choir
US was broken off by an abrupt and
Mdden silence. This silence was &C.
eentuated by the preceding noise, al
though the singers had checked their
naudlin song in mid-career.
oh it" muttered Maillard. did
they hear us coming? No. that
wouldn't matter a hang to them-but
what checked them so quicklyT
"This door" said Fell, indicating
one to their right. He paused at it,
listening, and over his features came.
q singular expression. AS the others
Joined him, they caught a low MUIR
mur Of voices, a hushed sound of talk,
a rattle as a number Of chips fell
from a table.
Cursed queer" observed joachim
Fell, frowning. II wonder what hap
pened to them so abruptly? Perhaps
the deal was fnished-they're having
q game. Well, go ahead, Joseph
Wen back you up as a deputation
from the b~lackcoats, and If you need
any moral support, call on Judge For
ester"
That gentleman flung open the door,
and Maillard entered at his side. They
then came to a startled halt, at view
Of the scene which greeted them.
The oom was large and well light
ed, windows and transom darkened
for the occasion. Tobacco smoke
made a blush haze in the air. In
the center of the room stood q large
table, Uttered with glasses and bot
ties, with scattered cards. with chips
and money.
About this table had been sitting
half n dozen members Of the Krewe
OF COmus. Now, however, they were
standing. their various identities com
pletely concealed by the grotesque cos
tunes which cloaked them. Their
hands were in the air.
Standing at another doorway, mid.
way between their group and that of
the four unexpected %intruders, was the
Midnight Masquer-hOlding them up nj
the point of his automatic,
Nfsdllard was the first to break the
silence Of stupefaction.
"By heavens" he cried, furiously
Here's that ID villain again-holt
him, you. at him, everybody!
In q blind rage. transported out OF
himself by his sudden access of pas
sion, the banker hurled himself for
ward. From the bandit burst q cry
of futile warning; the pistol in hi
hand veered toward his assallant.
This action precipitated the event
Perhaps because the Masquer did no
fire instantly, and perhaps becaus,
Maillard's mad action shamed them
the nearer members of the drinkin,
party hurled themselves at the bandit
The threat of the weapon was forgot