The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-10-06

brains enough to run down the Mid
night Masquer, he would be mighty
good business partner; because I'm
poor on business detail. Also. think
Fell Is TO he trusted. He's very strong
politically. l have found-although
few people know It,"
"But he's not interested In oil, 10
he?"
81 don't know; l take for granted
that he's interested In making money.
Most men are. The only way to make
money In oil is 10 have money-and
he has somel l have a little / can
put in twenty-five thousand. With an
equal amount from him. we can sink
couple of wells perhaps three. IL
we 90 broke. all right. II we find oil,
we're rich !"
but, my dear Henry. II he knew
you to be the Midnight Masquer, do
you think he'd want to go into busi-
ness with your"
"why notY Gramont laughed. III
he knew that / had brains enough 10
pull Off that stunt and keep all New
Orleans up In the air-wouldn't l
make good partnerf Besides. l Do
lieve / have some notion where to 80
after oil; I'm going TO examine your
land first"
my good prince. you surely have no
lack Of audacity" She broke into 4
peal of laughter. "Youf argument
about inducing Mr.. Fell - 60 into
business with you is naive-F
But, as an argument. iSpt Is quite
sound?"
Possibly. Since 1t is Lucie Leda-
nois and not Jachin Fell who has
brought you to confession OF your
crimes against society-aren't you
going to propose that she go into busi-
ness with you? Doesn't the argument
hold good with herr"
mo. OH Is no womaa's game. un-
less she can well afford to Nose. 4
lima CINE that you cannot. Lucfs."
you're right. can't put . any
money. I'm land poor Unless were
to sell that Bayou Terrebonne baud
It's an cid farm. abandoned sin<k be-
fore father died"
Don't sell IT." he exclaimed quick
ly. Don't consider any dealings with
1t until 1 have looked it over. will
your"
"Slnce you ask 1t, no. II therey gas
near by, there must be OIL"
"Who knows?" he shrugged. mo
one can predict OIL"
Then you still mean to go to Jaahin
Fell with your scheme?"
Gramont nodded. yes. See here,
Lucie--it's about noonl Suppose you
come along and lunch with me at the
Louisiana, IL you've no engagement.
We can put those boxes In the mali en-
route, and after luncheon I'll try and
get hold of Fell"
She put her head on one side and
studied him refiectively.
you're sure you'll not kidnap me
or anything like that? It's risky TO be-
come friend of hardened criminals,
even If one is trying to uplift them"
Good You'll Gomez"
IF you can give me ten minutes
my dear Lucle, you are the most
charming object in New Orleans at
this minutel Why attempt to make
yourself still more attractive? Cid
ing the lily is an impossible task"
"Well, walt for me. Is your Ger
here? Good / want to see Ham
face when he sees us carrying
out those boxes"
Laughing, the girl started toward
the stairs. At the doorway she paused.
zone thing, NJ. lie prince Do you
solemnly promise, upon your honor.
that the Midnight Mssquer In dead
seriously. "The farce IL ended. Lucis."
"All right. I'll be right down. Smoke
( you like"
In her own room urStaIrs Lucle
,losed the door and sat Gown before
Ter dressing table. She made no
move toward the array or toilet A.
icles, however. Instead, she took Z
lesk telephone from the table. ana
allied number. In a moment she
received a response.
"Uncle Jachinl" she exclaimed
'Yes-it's just as we thought; it's ali
/ joke. No, it was not joke. either,
because he had some motive behind II,
nut he won't tell me what II vas. Pm
erribly glad that you open~a one Of
hose boxes and found the fettsr-if
'ou had gone to the police II would
lave been perfectly dreadful
Il never go to the police said ia
hin Fell with his dry chuckle. "You
ire quite satisfied that there Is moth
ng serious in the affair. them
Absolutely He told me that he
lad accomplished his purpose, what
,ver 1t was, and that It's all ended.
de just gave me his word that he
Iasquer was dead forever. Now,
,ren't you glad that you confided In
ne?"
"very," said Jachin Fell "vesy
glad, indeed"
Nov you're laughing at me- -never
nIndi We're going to lunch down
own. and well mail those boxes on
he way, by parcels post. Is that all