The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-18

been seen to enter Or 1eave the mouse,
and certainly there had been no air
plane about. The Masquer had not
appeared except in the library, and
now he was most indubitably not in
the house. BY all testimony, he had
neither entered it nor left it
"Well, I'm DID," said Maillari.
helplessly, to Judge Forester when
the search was concluded. Not a
trace Of the scoundrel! Here, Fell
can't you help us out? Haven't you
discovered a thing?"
"Nothing," responded joachim Fell,
calmly.
At this instant Bob Maillard rushed
up. He had Just learned Of the
Masquer's visit. In response to his
excited questioning his father de-
scribed the scene in the library, and
added: ~. Mt
: Il trust there was nothing impor-
tant among those papers of yours,
Robert?' ~ s .. f..
mo" said the younger man. mo.
Nothing valuable at ALL
Henry Gramont was passing. He
caught the words and paused, his gaze
resting for an instant upon the group.
A faint smile rested upon his rather
harshly drawn features.
-. II just found this" he announced,
holding out paper. 1T was pinned
to the outside of the library door. I
presume that your late visitor left it
as memento?'
joachim Fell took the paper, the other
men crowding around him.
"Ah, Maillard! The same hand
writing as that Of your lette-!"
Upon the paper was penciled a
single hasty line: ~ d, "a
my compliments to Robert Mail
lard-and my thanks"
Bob Maillard sprang forward, an
grily inspecting the paper. When he
relinquished it, Fell calmly claimed it.
"Confound the roguev' muttered the
bankers son, turning away. His fea-
lures were pale, perhaps with anger.
There was nothing but stock certifl-
Gates in that envelOpe-and they can
be reissued." 49,, - T. ZIP
The festivities were not broken up.
News of the robbery gradually leaked
out among the guests; the generally
accepted verdict was that the Masquer
had appeared, only to be frightened
away before he could secure any loot.
d, It was nearly two in the morning
when Jachin Fell, who was leaving,
encountered Henry Gramont at the
head of the wide stairway. He halted
and turned to the younger man.
"Ah-have you a pencil, II you
please?" -
II think so, Mr.. Fell" Gramont felt
beneath his Franciscan's robe, and ex-
tended a pencil.
Jachin Fell examined it, brought a
paper from beneath his domino, and
wrote down a word. The paper was
that on which the farewell message
OF the Midnight MasQuer had been
written. -.
"a hard lead, a very hard point in.
deed!" said Fell. He pocketed the
paper again and regarded Gramont
steadily as he returned the pencil.
Few men carry 50. hard pencil,
sir" ...... .%'1'
you're quite right" and Gramont
smiled. II borrowed this from Bob
Maillard only a moment ago. Its hard.
ness surprised me-"
do you know, most curious
thing" So.
"Yes?" prompted Gramont, his eyes
intent upon the little gray man. q
'"That paper you brought us-the
paper which you found pinned to the
library door," said Fell. apologetically.
do you know, Mr.. Gramont, that
oddly enough there were no pin holes
in that paperT
Gramont smiled family, as though
he were inwardly amused over the re-
mark. --...
mot at all curious" he said, his
voice level. 1T was pinned rather
stoutly-I tore off the portion bearing
the message. I'll wager that you'll
find the end Of the paper still on the
door downstairs. You might make
certain that its torn edge fits that Of
the paper in your pocket; If it did not,
then the fact would be curious! i Lam
most happy to have met you, Mr. Fell.
I trust we shall meet again, often Ta
With a smile, he extended his hand.
which Mr.. Fell shook cordially, Il Re- =, :.
Upon gaining the lower hall Fell
glanced at the door of the library.
There, still pinned to the wood where
it had been unregarded BY the pass
ers-by, was a small scrap Of paper. MIR.
Fell glanced at 1t again, then shook
his head and slowly turned away, as
though resisting a temptation. st.
NO." he muttered. mo. It would
be sure to fit the paper in my pocket.
1t would be sure to fit, confound him."
A little later he left the house,
striding briskly down the avenue.
When he approached the first street
light he came to a pause, and began
softly to pat his person. as though
searching for something. a
81 told you that you'd pay for
knowing too much about me, young
mani he said, softly. "What's this,