St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-08-19

| glanclne at the gay figure between
them. A Columbine, she was both
| cloaked and masked. Encircling her
! hair was magnificent scarf shot with
metal designs of solid gold-a most
unusual thing. Also, from her words
1t was evident that she had recognized
them.
Willingly, fair Columbine," respond
ed Fell in his dry and unjmpassioned
tone OF voice. eve shall be most happy
indeed to protect and take you with
us" !
$50 far as the door, at least" inter-
rupted Ansley, with evident caution.
But Fell drlly laughed aside this wary
limitation.
may, good physician, farther!" went
on Fell. "Our Columbine has an excel
lent passport, l assure you. This gauzy
scarf about her raven tresses was
woven for the good Queen Hortense,
and would venture q random guess
that, clasped about her slender throat,
lies the queens collar of star sap
phfres-"
"Ohl' From the Columbine broke a
cry Of warning and swift dismay.
Don't you dare speak my name, sir
don't you dare!"
Fell assented with 4 chuckle, and
subsidized. -..
Ansley regarded his two companions
with sidelong curiosity. He could not
recognize Columbine, and he could not
tell whether Fell was speaking of the
scarf and jewels in Jest or earnest.
Such historic things were not uncom.
mon in New Orleans, vet Ansley never
heard Of these particular treasures.
However, 1t seemed that Fell knew
their companion, and accepted her as q
fellow guest at the Maillard house.
"What are you doing out on the
streets alone" demanded Fell, sud-
denly. Haven't you any friends or
relatives to take care OF your
Columblne's laughter pealed out, and
she pressed Fell's arm conf1dingly.
"Have not some little rights In the
world. monsieurY" she said In French.
Il have been mingling with the dear
crowds and enjoying>them, before go
to be buried in the dull splendors OF
the rich mans house. Tell me, do you
think that the Midnight Masquer will
make an appearance tonightT'
II have every reason to believe that
he will" said joachim Fell, gravely.
Columbine put one hand to her
throat, and shivered trifle.
"You-you really think sol You are
not trying to frighten me7' Her voice
was no longer gay. "But-the Jewels
If they are taken by the Masquer-"
I'm that case," said Fell, "let the
blame be mine entirely. II they are
lost, little Columbine, others will be
lost with them, fear not think that
this party would be rich haul for the
Masquer. eh7 Take the rich man and
his friends-they could bear plucking,
that crowdl Rogues ALL"
"Confound you, Fell" exclaimed
Ansley, uneasily. 'If the bandit does
show up there would be the very devil
to pay"
"And Maillard would do the paying"
Fell's dry chuckle held note OF BIT
terness. "Let him. Who cares3 Look
at his house, there, blazing with lights.
Why pays for those lights7 The people
his financial tentacles have closed their
sucker-like grip upon. His wife's Jew.
els have been purchased with the coin
Of oppression and injustice. His sons
life Is one OF roguery and drunken
wildness3
'Man, are you madr' Ansley indi-
Gated the Columbine between them.
"We're not alone here-you must not
talk that way"
joachim Fell only chuckled again. Col
umbine's laugh broke In with renewed
gaiety:
"Nonsense, my dear Galenl We
masquers may admit among ourselves
that Bob Maillard is"
us not the man we would have our
daughters marry, provided we had
daughters" said Fell.
They had come to a file of linou-
sines and cars, and approached the
gateway Of the Maillard home. They
turned into the gate. joachim Fell
touched the arm Of Ansley and indicat-
ed an inconspicu0us figure to one side
OF the entrance steps.
IAN outer guardian" he murmured.
"Our host, 1t seems, is neglecting no
I feel sorry for the
MasQuer, il he appears here.
They came to the doorway. Column
bine produced an invitation, duly num-
bered, and the three entered the house
together.