The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-11-09

stood in the doorway, his eyes sweep
ing the room and the men inside.
Startled, all four Of them had risen
and were staring at him. In his other
hand he produced an automatic which
he had taken from Dick Hearne.
1.-THE first word from any OF you
gentlemen" he declared, twill draw a
shot. I'm doing all the talking here.
Savvy?"
They stood staring, paralyzed by this
apparition. They had been sitting
about the table, which was heaped
with papers and with packages OF
money. A large safe In the wall stood
open. Beside the table was a small
mail sack. partially emptied Of its con-
tents; torn envelopes Uttered the floor.
That this was the headquarters Of at
least q section of the lottery gang Ora
mont saw without need Of explanation.
you're under arrest" said Gra-
mont, quietly. 1.-THE games up, Gum
berts. Hands up, all of you! Dick
Hearne has peached on the whole
gang. and from the boss down you're
all In for "A term in stir. You with the
derby Take Gumberts' gun, and those
of your companions. then your own;
throw 'em on the fiSor in the corner,
and if you make the wrong kind of a
move, heaven help you! Step lively,
there"'
Each maj there had a revolver or
pistol, and one by II the weapons
clattered into the corner. Gumberts
.tn,l ,nntinnlas, lialinp HE thick Inns
unuttered curses in his glarlng eyes.
And in that instant Gramont heard
the porch steps creak and caught q
low, startled cry.
"Hey, boss! They's a gang comm
on the run"
1t was Charlie the Goog, bursting In
upon them in wild haste. Gramont
stepped into the room and turned
slightly, covering with one of his
weapons the intruder, who stood
aghast in the doorway as he cOmpre-
hended the scene.
No words passed. Staring at the i've
men, then at Gramont, the adenoidal
mechanic gulped once-and like a flash
acted. He ducked low and fired from
his pocket. GramOnt fired at the same
instant, and the heavy bullet, catching
Charlie the GOOg squarely In the chest,
hurled his body half across the room.
With the shots Memphis Izzy flung
himself forward in a headlong rush.
That desperate shot Of the little me-
chanic had broken Gramont's right
arm above the wrist; before he could
fire a second time, with the weapon in
his left hand, Gumberts had wreSted
the pistol aside and was struggling
with him. The other four came into
the melee full weight.
Gramont went down under a crash
ing blow. Over him leaped Memphis
IzZy and rushed into the doorway
then stopped with astounding abrupt
ness and lifted his arms. After him
the other four followed suit. Two men,
painting a little, stood outside the door
and covered them with shOtguns.
"Tie 'em, boys" said Gramont, ris-
Ing dizzily to his feet. mo, I'm not
hurt-my arms broken, l think, but
let that wait. Got the ones outsider
A stamping of feet filled the hall,
and other men appeared there.
"Got two Of 'em, Gramont" re-
sponded the leader. 1.-THE third slipped
In here-ah, there he is"
Poor Charlie the Goog lay dead on
the foor-a touch of heroic tragedy in
his last desperate action the one great
action of his life, possibly. He had
realized that 1t meant doom, yet he
had lone what he could.
II think that's ALL" said GramOnt.
"We've sure made a killing, boys
and It's a good thing you jumped In to
the minute! A second later II they'd
have lone for me. Take care of that
evidence, will you? Get that mail sack
! and the letters particularly; If they've
beer working their lottery outside the
state, it'll be q federal matter"
Gumberts, who was being tied up
with his friends, uttered a hoarse cry.
"Who are you guys? You can't DO
this without authority"
Don't be silly, Memphis Izzy," said
Gramont, smiling a little, then witch
Ing to the pain Of his arm. "These
friends Of mine are members with me
Of the American Legion, and they've
come along at my request to put you
crooks where you belong. AS for au-
thority, you can ask and &c hang.
Here, boys, I've got to get out to
that barn. Come along, some Of you'll!
He led the way out to the barn and,
the others trooping in behind him, en-
tered. He pointed out the car which
had brought Chacherre here previous
", and ordered the extra seat In the
back opened up.
II think there's a bundle inside" he
said. whats In 1t, l don't know"
{ Here we are, cap"
A bundle was produced, and opened.
! In it vas found the aviator's costume
which Gramont had worn as the Mid
= night Masquer, and which Chacherre
; had stolen with the loot. Wrapped
J among the leather garments was an
! automatic pistol.
E Gramont stood aghast before this
q discovery, as realization Of what 1t
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