The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-08-25
CHAPTER viii.
conus.

From the time they left the Leda-
nois house with Lucie, Gramont had
no opportunity of seeing his chauffeur
in private until, later in the afternoon,
he left the Maison Blanche building.
He had enjoyed thoroughly satisfac-
tory interview with joachim Fell. The
car was waiting for him in Royal
street, not far from the fMonteleone,
and Gramont approached it to find
Hammond in deep worry over the out
come of the interview with Fell.
swell, cap'np he exclaimed, anx-
lously. as Gramont drew up. You're
smilin', so I guess it amt pinch|
"Don't worry The stuff is returned,
and the matter is now closed. Wescan
forget all about the Midnight Masquer.
Now, there's another and more impor-
tant thing that / want to speak with
you about, a matter of business
"Hold on, cap'n Z" interrupted Ham
mond, quietly, his eye on spot be-
hind Gramont "One Of your friends
is headed over this way, and if I
know anything about it, he's got blood
In his eye"
Gramont turned, to see Bob Mail
lard approaching. The latter adj
dressed him without any response to
his greeting.
'Have you a moment to spare, Ora
mont?"
"All afternoon" answered GramOnt,
cheerfully. He affected not to observe
Maillard's air Of heavy business, nor
the frowning suspicion that lurked
half-veiled in the others glowering
features.
The two were standing a bit apart.
and Hammond was fussing with one Of
the headlights, but Gramont suspected
that the chauffeur was listening avid
ly. "I'ye just come from talk with
dad. How did it happen that you sold
him that stock Of yours in the COM
pany?"
Gramont smiled little. 81 hap
pened to need the money. Why7"
But why the devil didn't you hang
on to that stock2 Or if you needed
money. why didn't you come to mew
exploded the other, angrily.
Heavens ~ drawled Gramont, who
was quite willing to exasperate young
Maillard to the limit. ''You seem
frightfully concerned about 1t What's
the big idea. anyway? / offered the
stock to your father at discount. He
realized that it was good buy, and
took it. What's wrong with that?"
Nothing wrong, If you put it that
way" snapped Maillard. angrily. But
it's a confounded sly way of doing
things"
"Now, just wait right, there!" Ora
mont's easy smile vanished. 81 don't
take that kind of talk, Maillard. I'm
off in the morning to start work on
that report was engaged to make.
When the report comes in, my resig-
nation comes with it."
"All right. Let it come here and
now, then" Maillard's tone WAC ugly.
IF you're so blamed anxious to get
out of the company, get out !"
'Thanks. I'll be glad to be re-
lieved Of the job" Gramont turned
and addressed his chauffeur. "Ham-
mond. you'll kindly remember this
conversation, in case your future tes-
timony is needed"
"Confound you. what d'you mean
talking that way" broke out Maillard.
do you suppose I'll deny firing your
II don't care tor have you offer any
reflections on my actions, Maillard,"
said Gramont, evenly. my course in
this matter is perfectly open and above
{ board, which is more than you can say
for your doings."
"What?' Maillard clenched his
stick and took forward step, anger
working in his face. "What the devil
d'you mean?"
Exactly what say-and perhaps I
can prove 1t. Remember the oil con-