White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-16

Muia'uiu nus 8Oue " pieecs. NJ "ou-
der"
"Yes. | was there with her oil day
yesterday, and shall go again today.
They say Bob Is terribly broken up.
lie sent for his mother. and she re-
fused TO see him. ! don't know how It
is all going to endi Do you think his
story might be true-that somebody
else might have acted as the Masquer
that night?"
Gramont shook his head.
ITS possible" he said, reluctantly,
yet 1t hardly seems very probable.
And now. Lucie. I'm very sorry indeed
to say it-but you must prepare your
self against another shock In the rear
future"
"what do you meant About the
oil"
mo. It's too long a story to tell
you now: here we are at the Maison
Blanche. Just remember my words,
please. It's something that I can't go
into now"
"very well, Henry Do you think
that it's possible your chauffeur. Ham,
mond, could have learned about the
drinking party, and could have"
Gramont started. "Hammond7 No.
I'll answer for him beyond any ques-
tion, Lucie. By the way, does Fell
know anything about Hammond hav-
ing been the first Masquerf"
Not from me-" said the girl, watch
Ing him.
VERY well. Hammond got into a bit
Of trouble at Houma, and l had to
leave him there. It was none of his
fault, and he'll get out Of 1t all right.
Well. come along up to u oil meet
ingi Forget your troubles, and don't
let my croakings about a new shock
cause you any worry Just yet"
He was thinking Of Jachin Fell, and
the girls ~closeness to Fell. Had he
not known that Fell was responsible
for Hammond's being In jail, he might
have felt differently. AS II was, he
was now forewarned and forearmed.
although he could not see what AMI
mus Fell could possibly have against
Hammond.
1t was lucky, he reflected grimly,
that he had never breathed to a soul
except Lucle the fact that Hammond
had been the first Masquerl Had Fell
known this fact, his desire to lay Ham,
mold by the heels might have been
easily fulfilled-and Hammond would
probably have found himself charged
with Maillard's murder.
They found Jachin Fell debating TO
a stenographer. He greeted them
warmly, usherlng them at n ce into
his private office.
Gramont found 1t difficult to con-
vince himself that his experiences Of
the previous afternoon had been real.
1t was almost impossible to believe
that this shy. apologize little man In
gray was In realitf the imam higher
upi" Yet he knew 1t to be the case
knew 1t beyond any escape.
by the way" and Fell turned to
Gramont, "if you'll dictate a brief
statement concerning that oil seepage.
I'd be obliged Merely give the facts.
/ may have need OF such a statement
from you.
Gramont nodded and Joined the
stenographer In the outer office, where
he dictated a brief statement. It did
not occur to him that there might be
danger In this; at the moment. he was
rather of his guard. He was thinking
so much about his future assault on
Fell that he quite ignored the posi-
bility of being placed on the de-
fensiye.
Within five minutes he had returned
10 Lucie and Jachin Fell. who were
discussing the condition of Mrs. Mall
lard. Gramont signed the statement
and handed 1t to Fell, who laid 1t with
other papers at his elbow.
II suppose we may proceed to bust
ness?" began Fell. II have drawn up
articles of partnership; we can apply
for Incorporation later IL we so desire.
Lucie, both Henry Gramont and l are
putting twenty-five thousand dollars
into this company, while you are put
ting In your land. which I am valuing