The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-28

nreyitus occasions; his alibis will take
care OF that. Up to the point Of the
murder, his story is all right. And,
nv friend, there Is a chance-a very
slim ten, ,ous chance-that his entire
storv is true. In that case. another
nerscn M ust have appeared as the
Maso, yer, which seems unlikely
"Or telse." put in Ben Ohachere.
smoothly, 1.-The real original Masquer
showed up!'
There was an instant silence. ia
chin Fell regarded his henchman with
steady or ey eyes. Ben Chacherre met
the look with almost trace OF def
ance, Thes chief frowned darkly.
"Yes." s:lid the chief. THAT'S the
size Of it, Fell. You're keepin' quiet
about the n ume of the real Masquer;
why?"
BECAUSE" said Eel, calmly, Il hap
pen to know that he was in the audi
forum at the time Of the murder"
Again silence. Ben Chacherre stared
at Fell, with ;lmazement and admira-
ton In his gaze. ""When the master
lies, he lies n'agnificently" he MUIR
INJURED in French.
"Well," and the chief gestured de-
spairingly, II guess that lets out the
real Masquer, chr
"Exactly." assented Fell. mo use
dragging his name into 1t. I'll keep
at work on this. chief, and If any
thing turns up to clear young Mall
lard, I'll be very glad"
"Au right" grunsed the chief, and
rose. I'll be on my way"
He departed. Neither Fell nor Cha
cherre moved or spoke for a space.
When at length the chang of the ele-
vator door resounded through the de-
serted corridors Ben Ckacherre slipped
from his chair and went to the outer
door. He glanced out! into the hall,
closed the door, and With a nod re-
turned to his chair. ~
"WellT' joachim Fell regarded him
| with intent. searching eyes. 'Have
you any light to throw on the occa-
siOn"' =
.LChacherre's usual air. of cool impu-
dence was never in evidence when he
talked with Mr.. Fell
mo" he said, shaking his head.
"Hsmmond worked on. the car until
about nine o'clock, then beat 1t to-
bed, guess. I quit the Job at ten,
and his light had been out some time.
WE'LL master, this Is q queer affair |!
There's no doubt that Gramont pulled
IT. eh7".
you think soT asked Fell.
"Chacherre made gesture Of assent.
"When the tree falls, the kid can climb
It! Any fool can see that Gramont
was the man. Don't you think 30
yourself. master?"
joachim Fell nodded.
Eyes. But we've no evfdence-ev-
erything lies against young Maillard.
Early in the morning Gramont goes to
Paradis to examine that land Of Miss
Ledanols' along the bayou. He'll
probably say nothing Of this murder
to Hammond, and the chauffeur may
not find out about It until a day or
| two-they get few newspapers down
there. I
"Dr1ve down to Paradis in the morn
ing, Ben; get into touch with Ham,
: mond, and discover what time Gra-
mont got home tonight. Write me
what you find out. Then take charge
Of things at the 0umberts place. Make
sure that every car II handled right
- =
"Here We are! those are the build
lngs off to the right. Whew! should
say It had been abandoned! Nothing
much left but ruins. Go aheadI"
! Before them, as they drove In from
the road by a grass+covered drive,
showed house, shed, and barn amid
a cluster Of towering trees. Indeed,
trees were everywhere about the farm,
which had grown up in regular sap
ling forest. The buildings were in
a ruinous state-clapboards hanging
loosely, roofs dotted by gaping holes,
doors and windows long since gone.
Leaving the car, Gramont, followed
by the chauffeur, went to the front:
doorway and surveyed the wreckag4
inside. IL, $50;
what do you say, hammond rhIik
we can stop here. ORC back tostHN,
hotel' It's not muc h Of a run So
town."
Hammond pointed to a wide fire
place facing them. W
Il can get this shack cleaned out In
about half an hour-this one room,
anyhow. When we get a fire goin' in
there, and board up the windows and
doors, we ought to be comfortable
enough. But suit yourself, cap'n! It's
your funeral" -
Gramont laughed. ."'All right. - Go
ahead and clean up, then, and If rain
comes down we can camp here. Be
sure and look for snakes and vermin.
The floor seems sound, and If there's
plenty of moss on the trees, we can
make up comfortable beds. Too bad
you're not fisherman, or we might
get a fresh fish out Of the bayou
II got some tackle in town." and
HaTnonl crinned widely. - -