St. Tammany farmer., 1922-08-26
CHAPTER III.
The Bandit.

The Bandit.
Joseph Maillard's library was on tn,
ground floor Of the house; 1t was {
sedote and stately room, and was In
variably shut off to itself. Not ever
tonight Of all nights, was 1t thrown
open with the remainder Of the house
Here Maillard summoned half G
dozen Of his particular cronies an6
friends, after the stroke Of midnigh,
had assured him that there was nc
danger to be expected from the ban
dit His son was not among the nam.
Der. The half dozen were nearly all
elderly men, and, with the exception
OF Jachin Fell, all were men of promi.
nent affairs.
About the table grouped Maillard
and his guests. Ma1llard, standing be-
fore small wall safe that flanked the
open hearth, lifted his silver goblet,
asteam with beads. The moment for
which he had been waiting was here
he launched his little thunderbolt with
an air of satisfied Importance.
"My friends, have a confession to
make" he announced. 'Today re-
cetved a note from the Midnight Mas
quer stating that he would be with us
this evening, presumably at the hour
Of midnight, his usual time"
These words brought an instant ST.
lence. The half-dOzen men were
tense, watchful, astohshed. But Mail
lard swung up his silver cup and
laughed gaily.
II took full precautions, gentlemen.
The hour Of danger is past, and the
notorious bandit has not arrived-or,
II he has arrived, he is now In the
hands of the law. So up with your
cups, my friends-a lifelong health to
Manm Gras, and damnation to prohibit
tton and the Midnight Masquer!"
From everyone broke swift assent
to the toast, Inurmur Of relieved ten
sion. The silver goblets were lifted,
touched In musical clinking Of edges,
and the aromatic breath Of juleps
filled the library as the drinkers, in
true southern fashion. buried noses
In the fragrant mint Then, as the
cups were lowered, from the recess Of
the curtalned windows at one end Of
the room came a quiet voice:
II thank you, gentlemen! But I
must remind you, Maillard, that there
was not a time limit set In the note"
With 8 simultaneous gasp everyone
turned. Maillard staggered; his face
went Nvld. Every eye was fastened
upon that amazing figure now advanc-
Ing from the shadows OF the recess.
1t was the figure OF an aviator, clad
In leather from top to toe, the goggles
and helmet shield completely masking
his head and features from recogni-
ton. In his hand he held an auto
matte pistol, which covered the group
Of men before him with Its threaten.
ing mouth.
"Not sound, II you please" he
warned, his voice thin and nasal-ob-
viously disguised. II trust that none
Of you gentlemen is armed, because I
am very quick on the trigger. A very
pleasant surprise, Maillard7 You'd
given me up, eh1"
For an instant no one spoke. Then
Maillard moved slightly, moved his
hand toward button set in the wall
near the safe. The voice Of the BAN
lit leaped out at him like thin steel:
"Qulet, you fool! II you touch that
DuttOn-" |
-Maillard 'stiffened, and gripped the
table edge with his shaking hand.
The bandit bowed slightly, and ad-
1ressed the gathering In a tone Of dry
.aillery:
'The rights Of property are to me
ar more sacred than human life;
here I agree with the law. So. gen.
lemen kindly empty your pockets on
he table," His voice became crisp.
The jeweled scarfpins which you re-
:eived rs favors this evening may be
added to the collection; otherwise, I
hall not touch your privnte posses
lions. No watches, thank you. Mail
ard, kindly begin! believe that you
AIRY wallet7 II you please"
The banker could not but obey. His
lands trembling with fear and rage,
le took from his pocket a wallet and
'mptied sheaf OF bills upon the
able. One after another, the other
nen followed his example. When it
nme his turn. Jechln Fell drew a
ingle bill from his pocket, and laid
down.
"You put some faith In that warn
1g, Mr.. Fell?" The bandit laughed.
Do you think that you will know me
gain?"
Il hardly believe so, sir" answered
ell in his apoogetic fashion. "Your
isguise Is really excellent"
"Thank YOU" The bandits voice
eld thin mockery. Coming from
OH. sir, that compliment is most well
ONE"
"What the devil does the fellow
ean?" exploded Judge Forester.
'Then you are not aware that Mr..
ell Is a man Of large affairs?' The
andit's white teeth flashed In q
nile. "He Is modest man, this at
rneyl And dangerous man also, I
'sure you. Bat come, Mr.. Fell, IN
It betray you"
Jachin Fell obviously did not appre-
ate the pleasantly. His shy and won