Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-07-07
CHAPTER Ill.
The Bandit.

The Bandit.
Joseph Maillard's library was on the
ground floor OF the house; it was a
sedate and stately room, and was in
variably shut off to itself. Not even
tonight, of all nights, was it thrown
open with the remainder of the house.
Here Maillard summoned half a
dozen of his particular cronies and
friends, after the stroke of midnight
had assured him that there was no
danger to be expected from the ban
dit. His son was not among the num-
Der. The half dozen were nearly all
elderly men, and, with the exception
of joachim Fell, all were men of promi-
uent affairs.
About the table grouped Maillard
and his guests. Maillard, standing be-
fore a small wall safe that flanked the
open hearth, lifted his silver goblet,
asteam with beads. The moment for
which he had been waiting was here;
he launched his little thunderbolt with
an air of satisfied Importance.
"My friends, l have q confession to
maker he announced. To-day 1 re-
ceived a note from the Midnight Mas
quer stating that he would be with us
this evening, presumably at the hour
of midnight, his usual time"
These words brought an instant 81
lence. The half-dozen men were
tense, watchful, astonished. But Mail
lard swung up his silver cup and
laughed gaily.
81 took full precautions, gentlemen.
The hour of danger is past, and the
notorious bandit has not arrived-or,
If he has arrived, he is now in the
hands of the law. So up with your
cups, my friends-a lifelong health to
Mardi Gras, and damnation to prohibit
ton and the Midnight Masquer!"
From everyone broke a swift assent
to the toast, a murmur of relieved ten
sion. The silver goblets were lifted,
touched in a musical clinking Of edges,
and the aromatic breath of juleps~
filled the library as the drinkers, In
true southern fashion, buried noses
In the fragrant mint. Then, as the
cups were lowered, from the recess of
the curtained windows at one end of
the room came a quiet voice:
II thank you, gentlemen! But 1
must remind you, Maillard, that there
was not a time limit set in the note"
With a simultaneous gasp everyone
turned. Maillard staggered; his face
went livid. Every eye vas fastened
upon that amazing figure now advanc-
ing from the shadows of the recess.
1t was the figure of an aviator, clad
in leather from top to toe, the goggles
and helmet shield completely masking
his head and features from recogni-
ton. In his hand he held an auto
matte pistol, which covered the group
ing mouth.
Not a sound, if you please" he
warned, his voice thin and nasaq-ob-
viously disguised. II trust that none
of you gentlemen is armed, because l
am very quick on the trigger. A very
pleasant surprise, Mahlard? You'd
given me up, eh?"
For an instant no one spoke. Then
Maillard moved slightly, moved his
hand toward a button set in the wall
neal the safe. The voice of the ban
dit leaped out at him like thin steel:
Quiet, you fooll If you touch that
button-"
Maillard stiffened, and gripped the
table edge with his shaking hand.
The bandit bowed slightly, and ad-
dressed the gathering in a tone Of dry
raillery:
"The rights Of property are to me
Tar more sacred than human life;
there 1 agree with the law. So, gen.
tlemen kindly empty your pockets on
the table" His voice became crisp.
THE jeweled scarfpins which you re-
ceivedfas favors this evening may be
added to the collection otherwise. !
shall not touch your. private posses
Sions. No watches, thank you. Mail
lard, kindly begin! 1 believe that you
carry a wallet?' If-you please"
The banker could not but obey. His
hands tremblingAwith fear and rage,
he took from. hs'pocketsa wallet. and
emptied a sheaf 'of bills upon the
table. One after another, the other
men followed his example. When 1t
came his turn, joachim Fell drew a