The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1922-09-29

named Jachin Fell, and came out
here on business"
To Gramont's establishment the pis-
tol was lowered instantly. 1t was well
that he ceased speaking, for what he
had just said proved to be open to
misconstruction, and IL he had said
any more he would have spoiled it.
For the man facing him was staring.
at him in mingled disgust and sur
prise.
you're in partnership with the
boss r. came the astounding words.
''WeIl. why in hi didn't you say all
that in the first place, instead o.
beefin' around? That's no way to butt
in, and me thinking you was some
dick on the job! Got anything to
prove that you Amt pullin' something
cute on mel"
do you know FeIls writing?" asked
Gramont. with difficulty forcing him
self to meet the situation coherently.
joachim Fell--the bossl
II know his mitt. all right"
From his pocket Gramont produced
paper-the memorandum or agree
ment which he had drawn up with
Fell the previous afternoon, relating
to the oil company. The other man
took it and switched on an electric
light bulb overhead In this glare he
was revealed as ratty little indi-
vidual with open mouth and teeth
hanging out-an adenoidal type, and
certainly a criminal type.
It crossed the mind Of Gramont that
one blow would do the workout he
stood, motionless. No sudden game
would help him here. The discovery
that Fell was "the boss" paralyzed
him completely. He had never dreamed
OF such contingency. Fell, Of all
men
joachim Fell the boss" Of this estab-
lishmentl Jachin Fell the man high
err up-the brains behind this criminal
organization II was perfect thun-
derbolt to Gramont. Now he under
stood why Chacherre was in the en-
ploy of Fell--why no arrest Of the
man had been possible! Now he per-
ceived that Chacherre must have told
the truth about coming here on busi-
ness for Fell. Reaching farther back,
he saw that Fell must have received
the loot OF the Midnight Masquer.
must have turned 1t over to Lucie
Ledanois-
Did she know?
can ,iUht M. fSrornont - Tho waste
little man turned TO him. with evident
change Of front. Eve amt takin' no
chances here. understand. Got quite
shipment of cars comm in from
Texas. and we're tryin' TO get some O.
these boats cleaned ont to make ROOM
Bring out any orders?"
Gramont's brain worked fast.
BY overcoming this guttersnlpe he
might have the whole place at his
mercy-but that was not what he
wanted. He suddenly realized that he
had other and more important fish to
fry In New Orleans. Gumberts was
there. Fell was there. What he must
do demanded tine. and his best play
was to gain all the time possible, and
to prevent this gang from suspecting
him In any way.
did you see Ben Chacherre?" he
countered.
"Uh-huh-seen him just after he
come. Gumberts will be out day after
tomorrow. he said. The boss is framin'
some sort Of deal on a guy that he
wants laid away-some guy name o.
Hammond. Chacherre is running It,
He figgers on gettin' Hammond on ac-
count Of some car that's bein' hunted
up"
Gramont laughed suddenly, for there
was grim humor about the thing. So
joachim Fell wanted to "get something"
on poor Hammond! And Chacherre
had seized the golden opportunity that
presented itself this afternoon--in-
stead of getting Hammond for the
theft of car, Chacherre had coolly
fastened murder upon him!
ben is one smart man; expect he
thinks the gods are working for him."
said Gramont, thinly. $50 you don't
know what happened today. Ell? Well,
it's great News. but I've got no time
to talk about it. They'll tell you when
they get back"
."where'd they go?" demanded the
other.
"Houma. Now listen closet Cha
cherre did not know that was In
partnership with the boss, get me?
didn't want to tell all the crowd in
front of him. Between you and me.
the boss isn't any too sure about
Ben"
SAY. get you therel" broke in the
other. sagely. Il tells him six months
ago to watch out for that Creole guy ~
'Exactly. You can tell the boys
about me when they come back-I
don't suppose Ben win be with them.
Now. I've been looking over that rlace
next doors
"Oh" exclaimed the other. sudden
ly. "Sure! Tie boss said that one of
his friends would be down to-"
'I'm the one-or one of them," and
Gramont chuckled as he reflected on
the ludicrous aspects of the whole af-