The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-09-15

Here, step over this way! / want to
show you something"
He led Hammond to the rivulet and
pointed out the thin film of oil on the
surface.
there's our golden fortune, SER
geant Oil actually coming out of the
ground! It doesn't happen very often,
but it does happen and this is one Of
the times. I'll not bother to look
around any farther"
''Glory bel" said Hammond, staring
at the rivulet. want to hit back for
town.
mo; we couldn't get back until
some time tonight, and the roads
aren't very good for night work. I'm
going to get some leases around here
perhaps can do 1t right away, and
well start back in the morning. Go
ahead and get your fish,"
Regaining the house, he saw that
Hammond had indeed cleaned up In
great style, and had the main room
looking clean as pin, with fire pop
ping on the hearth. He did not pause
here, but went to the car, got in, and
started it. He drove back to the road
and followed this toward town for
few rods, turning in at large and
very decent-looking farmhouse that
he had observed while passing it on
the way out.
He found the owner, an intelligent
appearing Creole, driving in some
cows for milking, and was little
startled to realize that the afternoon
was so late. When he addressed the
farmer in French, he received cor
dial reply, and discovered that this
man owned the land across the road
from the Ledanois place-that his
farm, in fact, covered several hundred
acres.
"Who owns the land next to the
Ledanois placer" inquired Gramont.
II sold that off my land couple Of
years ago" replied the other. "a man
from New Orleans wanted it for a
summer place-a business man there,
Isidore Gumberts."
Gumberts- Memphis Icy" Gum
berts! The name flashed to Gra-
mont's mind, and brought the recollec-
tion of conversation with Hammond.
Why, Gumberts was the famous crook
of whom Hammond had spoken.
81 saw the sheriff while ago, head
ing up the road" observed the Creole.
did you meet him"
Gramont shook his head. "No, but
I saw several men at the Gumberts
place. Perhaps he was there"
mot there, guess" and the farm
er laughed. "Those fellows have rent
ed the place from Gumberts, / hear;
they're inventors, and quiet enough
men. You're stranger here7"
Gramont introduced himself as a
friend of Miss Ledanois, and stated
frankly that he was looking for oil
and hoped to. drill on her land.
I'D like lease option from YOU"
he went on. II don't want to buy your
land at all; what want is right to
drill for oil on it, in case any shows
up on Miss Ledanois' land. It's all
60IAOACt JO0 hhOWs IL k1tG yOQ u
hundred dollars for the lease, and the
usual eighth interest In any oil that's
found. I've no lease blanks with me,
but If you'll give me the option,
signed memorandum will be entirely
sufficient"
The farmer regarded oil as joke,
and said so. The hundred dollars,
however, and the prospective eighth
interest, were sufficient to induce him
to part with the option without any
delay. He was only too glad to get
the thing done with at once, and to
pocket Gramont's money.
Gramont drove away, and was just
coming to the Ledanois drive when he
suddenly threw on the brakes and
halted the car, listening. From some
where ahead of him-the Gumberts
place. he thought instantly echoed a
shot, and several faint shouts. Then
silence again.
Gramont paused, indecisive. The
sheriff was making an arrest, he
thought. A hundred possibilities fit
ted through his brain. suggested by
the sinister combination Of Memphis
Izzy, known even to Hammond as a
prince among crooks, with this Sc
cluded place leased by Inventors"
Bootlegging? Counteffeiting?
As he paused, thus, he suddenly
started; he was certain that he had
caught the tones Of Hammond. as
though in sudden uplifted oath of
anger. Gramont threw in his clutch
and sent the car jumping forward-he
remembered that he had left Ham,
mond beside the rivulet, close to the
Gumberts property. What had hap
pened?
He came, after moment Of impa-
thence. to an open gate whose drive
led to the Gnmberts place. Before him,
as he turned in, unfolded a startling
scene. Three men, the same three
whom he had seen from the bushes,
were standing IN front Of the low
shed; two Of them held rifles, the
third, one Of the Inventors, In over
alls, was winding a bandage about a
bleeding hand. The two rifles were
loosely leveled at Hammond. who
stood in the center Of the group With