St. Tammany farmer., 1922-10-14
CHAPTER xiv
chaoherroia Bundle.

CHAPTER XIV
chaoherre's Bundle.
It was seven In the morning when
Henry 0ramont drove his car into
Houma.
In the wire which he had sent over
Ohacherre's signature he had COM
manded Dick Hearne to meet Gramont
ut about this time at a restaurant
near the court house. Putting his car
at the curb, Gramont went into the
restaurant and ordered a hasty break
fast. He had brought with him copies
Of the morning papers, and was perus-
Ing the accounts Of Bob Malllard's
pitifully weak story regarding his
fathers murder, when a stranger
stopped beside him.
"Gramont7" said the other Thought
1t was you. Hearne's my name-1 had
orders to meet you. What's upT
The other man dropped into the
chair opposite Gramont, who put
away his papers. Hearne was sleek
Individual Of pasty complexion who
evidently served the gang In no better
light than as a go-between and run.
ner Of errands. That he suspected
nothing was plain from his casual
manner, although he had never seen
Gramont previously.
Business" said Gramont, leaning
back to let the waitress serve his
breakfast. When she had departed,
he attacked 1t hungrily. "You got
Chacherre's wire about the stuff In
his carT''/Was 1t burned7"
''No. He countermanded 1t just as I
was hirin' car to go over to Para
dis" said Hearne. "What's stirrin',
anyhow"
"Plenty. Memphis Izzy's coming
down today. 3Whenn he get in7"
Hell go direct to the other place,
won't come here. Oh, l reckon he'll
get there along about nine this morn
ing. Why pr
"We'll have to go over there to meet
him." said Gramont. II stopped In
here to pick you up. Hammond Is still
safe In jail1'
"Sure." Hearne laughed evilly. II
don't guess he'll get out In hurry,
neitherl"
"Chacherre was pinched last night
for the murder" said Gramont, watch
ing the other.
1.-THE hill" Hearne looked aston
ished, then relaxed and laughed again.
"Some fly cop will sure lose his but
tons, then! They amt got nothin' on
him."
II heard they had plenty"
Don't worry" Hearne waved Z
hand grandiloquently. ''The boss 10
solid with the buncn up to Baton
Rouge, and they'll take care of every
body. So old Ben got pinched, huh7
That's one joke, manw
Gramont's worst suspicious were
confirmed by the attitude Of .Hearne,
who plainly considered that the entire
gang had nothing to fear from the law.
boasts were backed up SOL
Idly. It was obvious to Gramont that
the ramifcations Of the gang extended
very high up, indeed.
'Better cut out the talk" he said.
CURLY, until we get out Of here"
Hearne nodded and rolled q ciga-
rette.
When his hasty meal was finished,
Gramont paid at the counter and led
Ihe way outside. He m0tioned toward
fhe car, and Hearne obediently climbed
|n, being evidently of so little account
b the gang that he was accustomed to
taking orders from everyone.
Gramont headed out Of town and
took the Paradis road. Before he had
driven mile, however, he halted the
BAR. climbed out, and lifted one side Of
he hood.
!. aGive nae those rags from the bot
Eom Of the car, Hearne," he said,
briefly.
The other obeyed. As Gramont made
no move to come and get them,
Hearne got ont Of the car; then Gra-
mont rose from the engine unexpect-
idly, and Hearne looked into a pistol.
Hold out your hands behind you
and turn aroundl' snapped Gramont.
No talk r. .rs=Z
Hearne uttered an oath, but as the
pistol terked at him he obeyed the
command. Gramont took the strip Of
10th, which he had previously pre-
pared, and bound the mans wrists.
'These are better than handcuffs,"
be commented. TOO many slick indi-
yiduals can get rid Of bracelets-but
vou'H have one mans Job to get rid Of
these! oh! a gun In your pocket, ehf
Chanks.'
"What tell you doin'T exclaimed
he bewlldered Hearne.
Placing you under arrest" said
9ramont, cheerfu1ly.
"Here, where's your warranty You
mt no dick"
4 Gramont cut short his protests with
J long cloth. which effectually bound
his lower jaw in place and precluded
my further idea of talk.
He then tied Dick Hearne securely,
hand and foot, and then lashed him to
one OF the top supports Of the car
When he had finished, Heane was
safe. He then climbed
lnder the wheel again and proceeded
IN his WAY. Hearne's lashings were