The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-30

/ Danger d1166 upo6 Gf1mont-
flashed upon. him vivtdly and with
startling clearnsss. He realized that
anything was possible in this isolated
spot-this spot where murder had 50
lately been corlsummatedl He checked
on his very lips what he had been
about to blurt forth; at this instant,
+ Hammond voiced the thought in his
. mind. e. So - ="
TITS a fra me-up!" said the chauf-
ferh., ansrily. Il r.
"Ehat's lik ely, isn't it," Chacherre
flung the words in sheer, but with a
covert glance at Gramont. 'This fell
low Is your chauffeur, amt he? Well,
we got to take him in to Houma, thatS
ALL" i
where's the sherifrs body7", de-
I handed Gralnont, quietly.
&s"Over there" Chacherre gestured.
1--WE amt had a chance to bring him
back yet--this fellow kept us busy.
Maybe you want to frame up an alibi
for him y ..- D. .'sst .&TS VI, -
Gramont paid no attention to the
sneering tom, Of this last. He regard
ed Chacherr ! fixedIy, thinking hard.
keeping hims elf well in hand. ~. =
you say tile sheriff was here, then
went over tow ard the Ledanois land2'
he asked. 'sDad he 60 alone, or were
you with him.e'
I'VE were s kim to follow him." as
serted Chach' .rre, confidently. This
was all Gram0nt wanted to know
that the man was lying. I'VE were
trailin' along after him when he
stepped into the bushes. This man of
yours was standing over him with a
knife" g.
II was, too. when they found mel
was ,cuttin' me fishpole," said Ham,
mond, sulkily. He was plainly begin
ming to be impressed and alarmed BY
the evidence against him. Gramont
only nodded.
mo one saw the actual murder.
them" ~.''
mo need for it," said Chacherre,
brazenly. when we found him tina:
way! .Eh?' t"'~s'r -
x suppose not" answered Gramont..
mis- eyes fastened thoughtfully on
Hammond. The latter caught the look,
let his jaw fall in establishment. then
flushed and compressed his lips-and
waited. Gramont glanced at Cha;
cherre, and launched a chance shaft.
you're Ben Chacherre, aren't you?
Do you work for Mr.. Fell?"
The chance shot scored. Eyes,"
said Chacherre, his eyes narrowing.
"What are you doing here, then?"
For an instant: Chacherre was off
guard. He did not know how much
or Httle-Gramont knew; but he did
know that Gramont was aware who
had taken the loot Of the Midnight
Masquer from the luggage compart-
ment Of the car. This knowledge, very
naturally, threw him back on the de-
tense of which he was most sure. Co.,
II came on an errand for my mas,
ter" he said, and with those words
gave the game into Gramont's hands.
!. There was a moment of silence.
Gramont stood apparently in musing
thought. conscious that every eye was
fastened upon him, and that one false
move would now spell disaster. He
p gave no sign Of the tremendous shock
that Chacherre's words had just given
him when he spoke, it was quietly
and .coollys- xs-4, -. -, = ! s;ss.,;,
'sThen your master is evidently as.
ISOLATED with Memphis Icy Gumberts,
who owns this place here. Is that
right?"
"a. Both Hammond and Chacherre's
two friends started at this.
|. II don't know anything abHt that"
returned Chacherre. with a shrug
which did not entirely conceal his I'M.
easfness. II know that we've got Z
murderer here, and that Wen have to
dispose Of him. Do you object?'' =
"Of course not" said Gramont,
calmly. "Step aside and give me I
moment in private with Hammond.
Then by all means take him In to
Houma. I'd suggest that you tie him
up, or make use Of handouts IL the
sheriff brought any along. Then you'd
better take in the body Of the sheriff
also. Hammond, a word with you!"
This totally unexpected acquies-
cence on the part Of Gramont seemed
3 torstun Chacherre into inaction. He
half moved. as though uncertain
whether to bar Gram0nt from the pris-
oner, then he stepped aside as Ora
mont advanced. A gesture to his two
companions prevented them from in
-terfering.' - - T
Keep 'em covered though" he said,
: shifting Ills own 5riae slightly and
Z watching with a escowEof suspicion. =
Gramont ignored him and went up
to Hammond, with look Of warning.
you'll have to submit to this, old
man" he said, in a tone that the 9TH
ers could not overhear. Don't dream
that I'm deserving you; but want a
good look at this place If all three Of
them 60 away. They must not sus-
pect-"
I "Cap'n, look out!" broke In Ham,
mond, urgently. '"This here is gang
the whole thing Is a frame-up on
met"
II know i'll was present when the
sheriff was murdered; but keep quiet.
I'll come to Houma later tonight and
see YOU" He turned away with a
shrug, as though Hammond had de,
MED him some favor, and lifted his
! - kSH