The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-11-02

blulllhiu mas sNAN hN~
der"
eyes. I was there with her Oil day
Yesterday. and shall go again today
They say Bob Is terribly broker up
He sent for his mother, and she re
fused to see him. | don't know how !,
is all going to end! Do you think his
story might be true-that somebody
else might have acted as the MasQuer
that nightT"
Gramont shook his head.
"It's possible" he said, reluctantly,
"yet II hardly seems very probable
And now, Lucie. I'm very sorry indeed
to say it-but you must prepare your
self against another shock In the near
future"
what do you meant About the
oil"
mo. It's too long q story TO tell
you now; here we are at the Maison
Blanche. Just remember my words,
please. It's something that l can't go
into now"
every well, Henryi Do you think
that it's possible your chauffeur. Ham
mond, could have learned about the
drinking party, and could have
Gramont started. Hammond No.
I'll answer for him beyond any ques-
ton, Lucie. BY the way, does Fell
know anything about Hammond hav-
ing been the first MasQuer?'
mot from me-" said the girl, watch
Ing him.
"Very we'll. Hammond got into a bit
Of trouble at Houma, and l had TO
leave him there. 1t was none Of his
fault, and he'll get out Of II oil right.
Well. come along up TO our oil meet
lngl Forget your troubles, and don't
let my croakings about a new shock
cause you any worry just yet"
He was thinking Of joachim Fell, and
the girls clOseness TO Fell. Had he
not known that Fell was responsible
for Hammond's being in Jail, he might
have felt differently. AS It was, he
was now forewarned and forearmed,
although he could not see what ami
mus Fell could possibly have against
Hammond.
1t was lucky, he reflected grimly,
that he had never breathed to q soul
except Lucie the fact that Hammond
had been the first Masquer! Had Fell
known this fact, his desire 10 lay Ham
mond by the heels might have been
easily ~fulhlled-and Hammond would
probably have found himself charged
with Maillard's murder.
They found joachim Fell debating to
a stenographer. He greeted them
warmly, ushering them Mt nee into
his private office.
Gramont found It difficult to con-
vince himself that his experiences Of
the previous afternoon had been real.
II was almost impossible TO believe
that this shy, apologize little man In
gray was in reality the man higher
up!" Yet he knew 1t to be the case
knew It beyond any escape.
"By the way" and Fell turned to
Gramont, "if you'll dictate a brief
statement concerning that oil seepage,
I'd be obliged Merely give the facts.
I may have need Of such a statement
from you"
Gramont nodded and Joined the
stenographer In the outer office, where
he dictated a brief statement. 1t did
not occur to him that there might be
danger In this at the moment, he was
rather off his guard. He was thinking
80 much about his future assault on
Fell that he quite ignored the posi-
bility Of being placed on the de-
fensive.
Within five minutes he had returned
to Lucie and joachim Fell. who were
discussing the condition Of Mrs. Mail.
lard. Gramont signed the statement
and handed 1t to Fell, who laid 1t with
other papers at his elbow.
~ suppose we may proceed to bust.
ness7" began Fell. II have drawn uI
articles Of partnership; we can apply
for incorporation later II we so desire
Lucie, both Henry Gramont and l are
putting twenty-five thousand dollars
into this company, while you are put
ting In your land. which I am valuint