The Southern herald., 1922-08-25
CHAPTER vii.
Comus.


From the time they left the I.eda-
aOis house with Lucle GramOnt mad
- opportunity " seeing his chauffeur
b private until later in the afternoon.
be left the MaiS0n Blanche building.
He bad enjoyed thoroughly satlSfac-
tory Interview with JaChln Fell. The
car vas Whiting for him in Royal
street, not far from the MOntrlenne,
end GrHmnnt approached 1t TO find
Hammond In deep worry over the out.
come OF thu interview with Fell.
swell, cnpn." he exclaimed. anx-
0Ously. as Grnmont drew up. YOU'RE
sznllIn', so guess 1t amt pinch :"
"DOn't worry. The stuff is returned
and the matter Is now closed. We can
forget all about the Midnight Masquer.
Now, there's another and more impor-
can't thing that l want to speak with
TOu about, a matter Of business"
"HOld on, cap'n!" interrupted Ham,
HOhd, quietly, his eye on a spot be-
Aind GramOnt. zone of your friends
b headed over this way, and If l
know anything about 1t, he's got blood
"a his eye"
GramOnt turned, to see Bob Mall
hrd approaching. The latter ad-
dressed him without any response to
bis greeting.
Have you a moment to spare, Gra-
nont1"
sAH afternoon" answered Gramont,
aheerfuIly. He affected not to observe
MaIIlards air OF heavy business, nor
ne frOwning suspicion that lurked
Aalf-veiled in the others glowering
features.
The two were standing bit apart,
and Hammond was fussing with one of
the headlights, but GramOnt suspected
that the chauffeur was listening avid
b. "Tve just come from talk with
aad. How did 1t happen that you sold
him that stock Of yours in the COM
Pnny"
Gramont smiled a little. 81 hap
Pened to need the money. Why?"
"But why the devil didn't you hang
n to that stock? Or If you needed
AOney, why didn't you come to meT
exploded the other, angrily.
"Heavens" drawled Gramont, who
vas quite willing to exasperate young
MaIllard to the limit. "You seem
Rrlghtfully concerned about it. What's
che big idea, anyway l offered the
stock to your father at discount. He
realized that 1t was a good buy, and
asok 1t. What's wrong with that?"
Nothing wrong, If you put 1t that
way" snapped Malllard, angrlly. "But
R's a confounded sly way of doing
EhlBgs-"
"Now, just wait right there" Ora
Aont's easy smile vanished. II don't
sake that kind Of talk, Malllard. Tn
81 In the morning to start work on
eat report l was engaged to make
Wken the report comes In, my resig
aailOn comes with It,"
~All right. Let it come here ant
8EWe Nlths huilldlu lOhC was ubiJ
IF you're so blamed anxious to ge
eut of the company, get out!"
Thanks. I'll be glad to be re
ReVed Of the job" Gramont turned
aad addressed his chauffeur. Ham
aOad. you'll kindly remember thl
cOayersaHon, In case your future tes
simOny Is needed"
-COnfound you, what d'yOu meal
aalkIng that wayT' broke out Mallard
do you suppose I'll deny firing your
Il don't care to have you offer an
reflections on my actions, Maillard,
aid Gramont, evenly. MY course Il
shIs matter is perfectly open and abOv
board, which is more than you can sa
for your doings."
"WhatY" Mallard clenched hi
stick and took forward step, ange
working In his face. "What the dev
GyOu meanT
Exactly what say-and perhaps
en- prove 1t. Remember the oil col