Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1922-11-09


'T-ah-my friends, / don't suppose
you've seen Bob recently?"
Ansley was silent. joachim Fell,
however, responded with a cold nod
of assent.
''Yes," he said in his peculiarly tone
less manner. eyes, we have. At least,
I believe it was he"
'Tm worried" said Maillard, anxi-
OusIy, hurriedly. He made an express
Eve gesture of despair. Hes in cos
tune, of course. I've been given to
understand that-well, that he has
6een-well, drinking"
'He has," said joachim Fell, without
any trace of compassion. "a number
of the Krewe are occupying one of
the rooms in the building, and they
must have been visiting it frequently.
trust for your sake that the fact
hasn't become generally known in
sideY
Maillard nodded. Shame and anger
lay heavily in his eyes.
Judge Forester, in his kindly way,
laid his hand on the bankers arm.
"Tut, tut, Joseph" he said, gently,
q fund of sympathy in his voice.
$'Boys will be boys, you know; really,
this is no great matter! Don't let it
hit you so hard. I'll go with you to
And the room, Of course. Where is
1t, Jachin?"
'eWe'n all CO." put in Ansley. "We'll
have little party of our own, gentle
men. Come on, I believe we'll be able
to discover the place."
The four men left the foyer and
started through the corridors
81 hear" said Judge Forester to
Doctor Ansley, as they followed the
other two, "that there has been aston
fishing news today from the Midnight
Masquer. It seems that a number of
people have received back property
this aftenoon-loot the bandit had
taken. 1t appears to have been some
sort of carnival joke, after ALL"
"a poor one, them" responded Ans
ley "and in doubtful taste. I've
heard nothing of it. I wouldn't mind
getting back the little cash / lost,
though l must say I'll believe the
story when see the money"
He broke off quickly.
AS they turned a corner of the cor
ridor to the four men came realiza-
ton that they had attained their goal.
From one of the rooms ahead there
sounded snatches of a boisterous Choir
us being roared forth Justify. AS
they halted, to distinguish from which
door the singing proceeded, the Choir
us was broken off by an abrupt and
sudden silence. This silence was ac-
centuated by the preceding noise, as
though the singers had checked their
maudlin song in mid-career.
'D-n It'll" muttered Maillard. did
they hear us coming? No, that
wouldn't matter a hang to them-but
what checked them so quickly?"
'This door," said Fell, Indicating
one to their right. He paused at it,
listening, and over his features came
a singular expression. AS the others
Joined him, they caught low MUIR
muir of voices, a kushed sound of talk,
a rattle as a number of chips fell
from table.
"Cursed queer!" observed joachim
Fell frowning. "T wonder what hap
pened to them so abruptly? Perhaps
the deal was fnished-theyre having
a game. Well, go ahead, Joseph
Wen back you up as deputation
from the blackcoats, and if you need
any moral support, call on Judge For
ester"
That gentleman flung open the door,
and MaiIlard entered at his side. They
then came to a startled halt. at view
of the scene which greeted them.
The room was large and well light
ed. windows and transom darkened
for the occasion. Tobacco smoke
made blush haze in the air. In
the center of the room stood a large
table. Uttered with glasses and bot
ties, with scattered cards, with chips
and money.
About this table had been sitting
half a dozen members of the Krewe
tof Comus. Now. however, they were
standing, their various identities COM
pIeteIy concealed by the grotesque cos
tunes which cloaked them. Their
hands were in the air.
Standing at another doorway, mid
way between their group and that of
the four unexpected intruders, was the
Midnight Masquer-holding them up at
the point of his automatic!
MaiIlard was the first to break the
silence of stupefaction.
"By heavens J" he cried, furiously.
Here's that id villain again-hold
him, you! at him, everybody
In BLIND rage, transported out Of
himself by his sudden access of pas
sion, the banker hurled himself for
ward From the bandit burst a cry
of futile warning; the pistol in his
hand veered toward his assailant
This action precipitated the event.
Perhaps because the Masquer did not
fire instantly, and perhaps because
Maiuard's mad action shamed them,
the nearer members of the drinking
party hurled themselves at the bandit.
The threat of the weapon was forgot
ten. UNDECIDED in the sweeping lust of
the man-hunt. 1t seemed that the fell
bow feared to fire; and about him
closed the party in surgiag mass,
with a burst of sudden shouts, strik-
ing and clutching to pull him down
and put him under foot.