The Southern herald., 1922-09-22

that the man was lying. 1--WE were
trailin' along after him when he
stepped into the bushes. This man Of
yours was standing over him with a
knife"
Il 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,
then?"
mo need for It," said Chacherre,
brazenly. "When we found him that
way Eh%
II 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.. Fell2"
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 llttle-GramOnt knew; but he did
know chat 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-
fense of which he was most sure.
Il came on an errand for my mas
ter" he sald and with those words
gave the game into Gramont's hands.
There was 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 Chacherres words had just given
him; when he spoke, 1t 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 Chacherres
two friends started at this.
~ don't know anything about that"
returned Chacherre, with a shrug
which did not entirely conceal his un-
easlness. 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 to
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, a word with yOu!"
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 pris-
oner, then he stepped aside as Gra-
mont advanced. A 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 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 II all three of
them go away. They must not sus-
pect-"
"Cap'n, look outw broke In Ham
mOnd, urgently. This here Is a gang
the whole thing is a 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 q
shrug, as though Hammond had de.
MED him some favor, and lifted his
voice. "Chacherre! How are you tC
take this man into town? How did yor
get hereI Will you need to use my
carr"
NO" The Creole jerked his heaC
toward the barn. II came In Mr.
Fell's CARTS got a sprung axle anC
is laid up. Wen take him back in an
other one"
"very WE'LL" Gramont paused ant
glanced around. "This is a terribl,
blow, men. I never dreamed tina
Hammond was a murderer or could b,
one! You don't know of any motiv,
for the crime"
They shok their heads, but suspi
cion was dying from their eyes. Gra
mont glanced again at his chauffeur,
"Tll not abandon you, Hammond,
he said, severely, coldly. "Tll stop II
at Houma and see that you have {
lawyer. l think, gentlemen, we ha,
better attend to bringing in the bod,
of the sheriff, eh?"
The wounded man lodged into tn
barn and returned with a strip o
rope. Chacherre took this and firm
ly bound Hammond's arms, thel
forced him to sit down and bound hi