St. Tammany farmer., 1922-10-14

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grizzled age, must have flashed q
warning to his crooks bran. In the
mans eyes Gramont read surge OF
suspicion and knew that his bluff could
be worked no longer.
Here's his note, he said, and
reached into his pocket.
Gumberts' hand flashed down. but
halted as Gramont's pistol covered
him.
Back into that room, and do II
quickly" said Gramont, stepping for
ward. "Quick!'
Memphis Izzy obeyed. Gramont
stood in the doorway, his eyes sweep
Ing the room and the men inside.
Startled, all four of them had risen
and were staring at him. In his other
hand he produced an automatic which
he had taken from Dick Hearne.
"The first word from any of you
gentlemen" he declared, "will draw a
shot. I'm doing all the talking here.
Savvy7''
They stood staring, paralyzed by this
apparition. They had been sitting
about the table, which was heaped
with papers and with packages Of
money. A large safe In the wall stood
open. Beside the table was a small
mail sack, partially emptied Of it's con-
tents; torn envelopes Uttered the floor.
That this was the headquarters Of at
least section Of the lottery gang Gra-
mont saw without need Of explanation.
you're under arrest" said Gra-
mont, quietly. ''The games up, Gum
berts. Hands up, all Of you! Dick
Hearne has peached on the whole
gang, and from the boss down you're
all in for term in stir. You with the
derby! Take Gumberts' gun, and those
Of your companions, then your own !;
throw 'em on the floor In the corner,
and II you make the wrong kind Of q
move, heaven help you'll Step lively,
therel"
Each man there had q revolver or
pistol, and one by one the weapons
clattered into the corner. Gumberts
stood motionless, licking his thick lips,
unuttered curses in his glarlng eyes.
! And in that instant Gramont heard
the porch steps creak and caught q
low, startled cry.
"Hey, boss! .They's gang colnin'
on the rum"
1t was Charlie the Goog, bursting In
upon them in wild haste Gramont
stepped into the room and turned
slightly, covering with one Of his
weapons the intruder, who stood
aghast in the doorway as he compre-
hended the scene.
No words passed. Staring at the i've
men, then at Gramont, the adenoidal
mechanic gulped once-and like q flash
acted. He ducked low and fred from
his pocket. Gramont fired at the same
instant, and the heavy bullet, catching
Charlie the Goog squarely in the chest,
hurled his body half across the room.
With the shots Memphis Ley flung
himself forward in a .headlong rush.
That desperate shot of the little me-
chanic had broken Gramont's right
arm above the wrist; before he could
fire second time, with the weapon in
his left hand, Gumberts had wrested
the pistol aside. and was struggling
with him. The other four came into
the melee full weight.
Gramont went down under a crash
ing blow. Over him leaped Memphis
1zzy and rushed into the doorway
then stopped with astounding abrupt
ness and lifted his arms. After him
the other four followed suit. Two men,
painting little, stood outside the door
and covered them with shotguns.
'"Ne 'em, boys" said Gramont, ris-
ing dizzlly to his feet. mo, I'm not
hurt-my arms broken, think, but
lot that wait. Got the ones outsider :.
A stamping of feet filled the hall.
and other men appeared there.
"Got two Of 'em, Gramontl' re-
sponded the leader. '@The third slipped
In here-ah, there he s!'
Poor Charlie the GooS lay dead on
the hoor-a touch Of heroic tragedy In
his last desperate action; the one great
action Of his life, possibly. He had
realized that it meant doom, yet he
had done what he could.
II think that's all" said Gramont.
"We've sure made a killing, boys
and it's good thing you jumped In to
the minutel A second later and they'd
have done for me. Take care Of that
evidence, will you1 Get that mail sack
and the letters particularly; II they've
been working their lottery outside the
state, it'll be asfederai matter"
Gumberts, who was being tied up
with his friends, uttered hoarse cry.
"Who are you guys7 You can't do
this without authority"
"Don't be silly, Memphis 1zzy," said
Gramont, smiling . little, then twitch-
ing to the pain Of his arm. these
friends Of mine are members with me
Of the American Legion, and they've
come along at my request to put you
crooks where you belong. As for au-
thority. you can ask and 60 hang.
"Here, boys, I've got to get out to
that barn. Come along. some of youl"
He led the way out to the barn and,
the others trooping In behind him. en-
tered He pointed out the car which
had brought Chacherre here previous
ly, and ordered the extra seat In the
back opened up.
II think there's bundle inside" he
said. "What's in 1t. 1 don't know