The Yale expositor., 1922-11-09
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 a thoroughly satisfac-
tory interview with joachim Fell. The
car was waiting for him in Royal
street, not far from the MOnteleone,
and GramOnt approached 1t TO find
Hammond in deep worry over the out
come of the interview with Fell.
well, cap'n!" he exclaimed, anx-
iously. as Gramont drew up. you're
smilin', so ] guess IL amt a 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-
tant thing that | want. TO speak with
you about matter of business"
Hold on, cap'nr' interrupted Ham
mond, quietly, his eye on spot be-
hind GramOnt. lone of your friends
Is headed over this way, and if |
know anything about it, he's got blood
In his eye"
Gramont turned, to see Bob Mail
lard approaching. The latter ad-
dressed him without any response TO
bis greeting.
Have you a moment to spare, Ora
MONTH
"All afternoon" answered Gramont
cheerfully. He affected not TO observe
Maillards air of heavy business, nor
the frowning suspicion that lurked
half-veled 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. 1--WE just come from a talk with
dad. How did 1t happen that you sold
him that stock Of yours in the COM
pany?"
Gramont smiled little. 81 hap
pened TO need the money. Why?"
But why the devil didn't you hang
on to that stock? Or If you needed
money, why didn't you come TO me?"
exploded the Otner, anErily.
"Heavens" drawled GramOnt, who
was quite willing to exasperate young
Maillard to the limit. "YOu seem
frightfully concerned about II What's
the big idea, anyway? ] offered the
stock TO your father at discount. He
realized that IL was good buy. and
took 1t. What's wrong with thatT
Nothing wrong, If you put Ii that
way" snapped Maillard, angrily. But
It's a confounded sly way Of doing
things"
Now, just wait right thereI" Ora
mont's easy smile vanished. 81 don't
take that kind of. talk, Maillard. I'm
of 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 II come here and
now. then" Maillard's tone was ugly.
IF you're so blamed anxious to get
out OF the company, get out I"
Thanks. I'll be glad 10 be re-
lieved Of the job" Gramont turned
and addressed his chauffeur. "Ham-
mUnd, you'll kindly remember this
conversation, in case your future tes-
timony Is needed"
"Confound you, what d'you mean
talking that wayr broke out Maillard.
"Do you suppose I'll deny firing your"
81 don't care to 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 meanT"
Exactly what say-and perhaps I
can prove It Remember the oil con-