The Yale expositor., 1922-12-07


II was, too. when they found mel
was cuttin' me a fishpole," said Ham
mond, sulkily. He was plainly begin
ming to be impressed and alarmed by
the evidence against him. Gramont
only nodded.
"No one saw the actual murder,
then?"
mo need for it," said Chacherre,
brazenly. "When we found him that
way! Eh?"
81 suppose not" answered Gramont,
mis- eyes fastened thoughtfully on
Hammond. The latter caught the look,
let his jaw fall in astOnishment, then
flushed and compressed his lips-and
waited. Gramont glanced at Cha
cherre, and launched a chance shaft.
you're Ben Chacherre, aren't your
Do you work for Mr.. Fell?"
The chance shot scored. YES"
said Chacherre his eyes narrowing.
"What are you doing here, thenY
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 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.
81 came on an errand for my mas
ter" he said, and with those words
gave the game into Gramont's hands.
There was moment of silence.
Gramont stood apparently in musng
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 your master is evidently as
sociated with Memphis Izzy Gumberts,
who owns this place here. Is that
right?"
Both Hammond and Chacherre's s
two friends started ar this.
81 don't know anything about that"
returned Chacherre, with a shrug
which did not entirely conceal his un-
easiness. 81 know that we've got a
murderer here, and that we'll have to
dispose of him. Do you object7"
"Of course not" said Gramont,
calmly. "Step aside and give me a
moment in private with Hammond.
Then by all means take him in 10
Houma. I'd suggest that you tie him
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, word with your
This totally unexpected acquies-
cence on the part of Gramont seemed
to stun Chacherre into inaction. He
half moved. as though uncertain
whether to bar Gramont from the prls-
oner, then he stepped aside as Gra-
mont advanced. gesture to his two
companions prevented them from in
terfering.
keep 'em covered, though" he said,
shifting his own rifle slightly and
watching with a scowl of suspicion.
Gramont ignored him and went up
to Hammond, with a look Of warning.
you'll have to submit to this, old
man." he said, in tone that the 9TH
ers could not overhear. Don't dream
that I'm desertlng you; but want a
good look at this place II all three of
them 60 away. They must not sus-
pect-"
"Cap'n. look ont !" broke in Ham
mond, urgently. "This here is gang
the whole thing Is n frame-up on
mel"
81 know it--I 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
voice. "Chacherrel How are you TO
take this man into town. How did you
get here7 Will you need to use my
carr"
mo" The Creole jerked his head
toward the barn. 81 came in Mr..
Fell's CARTS got sprung axle and
is laid up. Wen take him back In an
other one"
"very well" Gramont paused and
glanced around. "This is n terrible
blow. men. never dreamed that
Hammond was a murderer or could be
onel You don't know of any motive
for the crime?"
They shok their heads. but suspi-
cion was dying from their eyes. Ora
mont glanced again at his chauffeur.
"Tll not abandon you, Hammond" F"
he said, severely, coldIy. "Pll stop In
at Houma and see that you have a
lawyer. / think, gentlemen, we had
better attend to bringing In the body
of the sheriff. eh7"
The wounded man lodged into the
barn and returned with a strip OF
rope. Chacherre took this and firm
ly bound Hammond's arms. then
forced him to sit down and bound his
ankles.
"You watch him." he ordered the
wounded member of the trio. "we1l
get the sheriff"