The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-10-27


trailin' along after him when b
stepped into the bushes. This man o
yours was standing over him with
knife"
II was. too. when they found me
was cuttin' me a ishpole," said Ham
m0nd. sulkily. He was plainly begin
ming TO be impressed and alarmed by
the evidence against him. Gramonl
only nodded.
mo one saw the actual murder
them"
mo need for IT," said Chacherre
brazenly. when we found him that
wayl Eh?"
Il 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, n launched a chance shaft.
You're Ben Chacherre. aren't your
Do you work for Mr.. Fell?"
The chance shot scored. ayes"
said C~hacherre. his eyes narrowing.
What are you doing here. then?"
For an instant Chacherre was Off
guard. He did not know how much
or little-Gramont knew; but he did
know that Gramont was aware vino
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.
81 came on an er1and 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
gave no sign of the tremendous shock
that Chacherre's words had just given
him: when he spoke. it was quietly
and coolly:
Then our master is evidently MS
sociated with Memphis Icy Gumberts.
who owns this place here. Is that
right?"
Both Hammond and C~hacherre's
two friends started at this.
81 don't know anything about that"
returned Chacherre. with a shrug
which did not entirely conceal his un-
e~asiness. II know that we've got a
murderer here. and that wen have TO
dispose of him. Do you object?"
"Of course not" said Gramont.
calmly. "Step aside and give me. a.
moment in private with Hammond.
Then by all means take him in TO
HOuma. I'd suggest that you tie bin
up. or make use of handouts If the
sheriff brought any along. Then you'd
better take in the body of the sheriff
also. Hammond. a word with your"
This totally unexpected acquies-
cence on the part of Gramonf seemed
to stu Chacherre into inactiOn. He
half moved. as though uncertain
whether TO bar Gramonf from the pris-
oner. then he stepped aside as Ora
mont advanced. A gesture to his two
companions prevented them from in
terfering.
Keep 'em covered. though" he said.
his own rifle slightly and
watching with a scowl of suspicion.
Gramont ignored him and went up
% Hammond. with a look of warning.
you'll have TO submit to this. old
he said. in a one that the 9TH
s-s could not overnear. "DOn't dream
hat I'm deserving you; but | a q
good look at this prace if a. three OF
hem go away. They must not sus-
'Cap'n, look out !" broke in Ham
nond. urgently. ''This here is a gang
whole thing is a frame-up ON
II know i'll was present when the
heriff was murdered but keep quiet.
II come to Houma later tonight and
you" He turned away with a
hrug, as though Hammond had de-
led him some favor. and lifted his
dice. "Chacherrel How are you. TO
AXE this a into town? How did you
et here? VIII you need to use my
arr"
NO" The Creole jerked his head
oward the barn. 81 came in Mr..
ellis CARTS got a sprung axle and
5 laid up. Wen take him back in an
Their one"
VERY WELL" Gramont paused and I
lanced around. This is a terrible :
low. men. L never dreamed tnat I
hammond was a murderer or could be g
ne fou don't know of any motive
,r the crime?" n
They shok their heads. but suspi- 4
on was dying from their eyes. Ora .
ont glanced again at his chauffeur. h
'Tll no abandon you, Hammond" Il
= said, severely, coldly. an stop In r
Houma and see that you have a
wyer. ! think, gentlemen, we had
attend to bringing in the body
the sheriff, eh7"f
The wounded man lodged into the a
and returned with a strip Of Il
pc. Chacherre took this and firm o
bound Hammond's arms, then q
him to sit down and bound his "
lkles. n
You watch him." he ordered the L
Ounded member of the trio. Wen ~