The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-11-24
CHAPTER xv-contInued.

the rest OF the gang, chlefF
Sure" assenfed the officer.
IAN right. Boys, turn over the
whole crowd to the chief. and I'll trus'
you to see that they're properly
booked and Jailed. Turn over all the
evidence likewise, except that mai
sack. Have that brought up here, to
this room. and see that the corridor
outside is kept guarded. Get me7
The two saluted. Eyes, SIR"
Good Send to the federal build
ing, find out where there's an agent
of the Department of Justice, and gel
him here. Have him here inside OF
fifteen minutes"
MY dear Gramont, your devotion
to duty is Roman In spirit" said ia
chin Fell, lightly. II really regret that
circumstances SO conspire to defeat
you'll Why can't you be satisfied with
bagging so many other victims? You
can't bag me"
Cant II" said Gramont. taking a
cigar and biting at IT, He was cooler
now. "By heavens, Fell. there's one
thing In this country that you and no
other man can reach with any infiu-
ence, political bribery or crooked con-
nections-and that's the government
of the United States You can reach
Judges and senators and governors,
but you can't reach the unknown and
humble men who carry the badge Of
the Department of Justicel'
Fell made a slight gesture.
Human nature, my dear Gramont.
1t is quite trde that have not estab-
lished this gang of criminals, as you
call them, without taking proper pre-
cautions. Memphis Ivy. for instance,
has influence that reaches far and
wide. So have /. So have others In
the party. give you nay assurance
that your Department OK Justice man
will not arrest me-"
Gramont paled
joachim Fell glanced at his watch.
'Lucie will be here at any minute
now" he observed. II suppose your
sense of duty will force you to dis
close everything to herr"
Gramont merely nodded, tight
Tipped. A knock at the door, and one
of his men entered with the sack of
mail they had taken as evidence.
"a lady is coming here at any mo-
ment." said Gramont. ALLOW her to
enter"
The other saluted and departed.
"A sense of duty is a terrible thing"
and joachim Fell sighed. what about
the oil company Are you going to
let Miss Ledanois' fortunes go to
wrack and ruin7"
Better that" said Gramont than
70 have her profit come through crimi-
nal money and means. She'd be the
first to say so, herself But I'll tell
you this: I'm convinced that there is
oil under that land of hers If she'll
agree, I'll put up what money I have
against her land; wen be able to have
one well drilled at least, on the
chance 20
IF It's dry" said Fell, you'll be
broke"
81 can always get work." and Ora
mont laughed harshly.
Fell regarded him In silence a mo-
ment. Then: II think Lucie loves you,
Gramont."
A trembling seized Gramont; fu-
rious impulse to shoot the man down
as he sat. Did he have the baseness
to try and save himself through Lu-
Gle? Something of his stifled anger
must have shown In his eyes, for ia
chin Feil laid down his cigar and con-
tinued quickly:
Don't misunderstood. / say that 1
think she cares for you; it is merely
surmise on my part. Lucie is one per-
son for whom I'd do anything. l stand
and have stood in the place of par
ent- to her. She is very dear to me.
have a special reason for intruding
on your personal affairs in this man.
ner. and some right to ask you In re-
gard to your intentions"
II don't recognize any right what
ever on your part" said Gramont,
steadily.
Fell smiled. "Ahl Then you are in
love. Wen. youth must be served"
I'D like to know one thing" struck
In Gramont. "That is, why you were
so cursed anxious to get something on |
my man Hammond And why YOU |
held the Midnight Masquer affair over
me as threat. Did you suspect my
DusinessT'
Fell threw back his head and |
laughed in a hearty amusement that |
vas quite unrestrained.
THAT" he responded, sis really hu-
Do you know, I honestly
thought you a fortune-huster from
Europe? There, / confess. ! made a
crave error"
Without knock the door opened
Ind Lucie Ledanois entered.
"Good evening, stockholders she
exclaimed do you know there's a
'rowd down in the street-policemen
Ind automobiles and a lot of excite
neHt?"
"Allow me-" said Gramont. taking
Ter coat and placing a chair for her.
VIII you sit down, please? You re-
member that ] warned you regarding
shock that would come; and now |
nnst explain" Gramont gravely handed
Ter his commission from the COVER
Ior and resumed his seat. "When