The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-10-27

, 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, 'wilI draw a
shot. I'm doing all the talking here.
Savvy? -s.-ss.ss
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 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 Ora
mont, quietly. 'The games up, Gum
berts. Hands up, all Of you'll 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 If you make the wrong kind Of
move, heaven help you'll Step lively,
| there"
Each man there had revolver or
pistol, and one by one the weapons
clattered into the corner. Gumberts
stood motionless, licking his thick lips,
unuttered curses in his glazing eyes.
And in that instant Gramont heard
the porch steps creak and caught q
low, startled cry.
"Hey, boss! They's gang comm
on the rum"
It 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 five
men, then at Gramont, the adenoidal
mechanic gulped once-and like flash
acted. He ducked low and fired irons
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 de room.
| With the shots Memphis Ivy 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 a 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 crash
| ing blow. Over him leaped Memphis
Izzy 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.
"Tie 'em, boys" said Gramont, ris-
| ing dizzily. to- his feet. mo, I'm not
hurt-my arms broken, think, but
let that wait. Got the ones outsider"
A stamping of feet filled the hall,
and other men appeared there.
"Got two of 'em, Gramont!" re-
sponded the leader. "The third slipped
| in here-ah, there he Is I"
Poor Charlie the Goog lay dead on
| the fioor-a touch Of heroic tragedy in
his last desperate action; the one great
action of his life, possibly. He had
l Ahn+ u0f q
had done what he could.
II think that's ALL" said Gramont.
We've sure made killing, boys
and it's good thing you jumped in to
| the minute A second later and they'd
have done for me. Take care of that
evidence, will you? Get that mail sack
and the letters particularly; If they've
Deen working their lottery outside the
state, it'll be a federal matter"
Gumberts, who was being tied up
with his friends, uttered hoarse cry.
'Who are you guys? You can't do
l this without authority"
"Don't be silly, Memphis Ivy" 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
rome along at my request to put you
crooks where you belong. AS for au-
thority, you can ask and go hang.
Here, boys, I've got to get out to
| that barn. Come along, some of you'll"
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.
81 think there's bundle inside" he
said. whats in it, don't know"
Here we are, cap"
A bundle was produced, and opened.
In it was found the aviator's costume
which Gramont had worn as the Mid
night Masquer, and which Chaeherre
had stolen with the loot. Wrapped
among the leather garments was an
automatic pistol.
.Gramont stood aghast before this
discovery, as realization ofewhat it