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Show I The Mardi Gras . Mystery By It BEDFORD-JONES Bf CHAPTER XIV fl 20 H Chacherre'a Bundle. If It WR3 seven In tlio moraine wlicn K Henry Grntnout drovo his car Into 1 UOHjaia. Mi In Uio wire which he had sent orcr W Ofwcherro'a signature he had com- W m rinded Dick Icarno to meet Gramont BJ at about this tlmo at a restaurant fl BArOlio court houso. Putting his car Bg t Uio curb, Gramont went Into tbu H restaurant and ordered a hasty break- fast. Ho had brought with him copies Bf t the morning papers, nnd was penis- l"g tt0 accounts of Hob Molllard's B ptllfttliy weak Btory regarding his Hf fathcr murder, when a stranger It flowed beside lilia. 1 "araniontt" suld tlio other. "Thought was jruu. Iloarno'a my natno I had In ortlera to meet you. Whnt'a upr Wmm 'W'0 totfecr man droppcjl Into tlio I chair opioUe Oramorit, who put Wkm nJ "' Pjx, tlenrno was a'slcok Pflu tAdlvldcial of pasty conr-ptcxlon who evidently' served the gang In no better II I'eht than as a ffo-botweca and run- II n Of errands. Thnt ho suspected1 I aelhlcis was plain from his casual fl I manner, although he'' had nerer seen M I Gramont H-cvlftuly H 1 "Hustness," said Gramont, leaning I ,- back to let the waitress sorve his jl brcalcfaa? When she had departed, 31 fl ho altackcjl It hungrily. 'Tou got flj I Chachcrro'a wire about the stuff la IB I .I'lfl farr Was It burned?" jll . ( "N0.U0 countermanded It Just as I was MrhV a car to' go over to Para- H , tlte," said Hcarne. "What's atlrrtn', III anyhow!" fffi "Plenty. Memphis Tzzy'a coming M down today. Whcn'U ho get In?" M "Uo'll go direct to the other place, 111 wou't come hero. Oh, I reckon he'll ml I Ret tiioro along nbout nine this mom-Mi mom-Mi bng. Why?", Hi "We'll have to go over Uiere to meet fll Mm," mid Onuuont. "I stopped In 91 , hero to pck you up. Hammond is still jH ,Hafe In Jail?" jig "ure." Hearne laughed evilly. "I Df don't guess he'll get out la a hurry, 1 neither I" If "Cliacherre was pinched last night I far the murder," said Gramont, watch- II log the other. jl "The h-tll" Hearne looked aatorf- jff - fsticil,'tbon relaxed and laughed again. Ml "Somo fly cop will euro lose his but- fl'l tOfw,Uical Thoy ain't got uothtn' on if ,,'m,, 1 "t feoard thoy had plenty." I "Don't worry." Uuunie waved a 1 hand grnndlloqucatly. ."Tlio boss Is I solid with the bunco" dp to Baton Itougfl, nnd they'll take care of cvory- body. So old Den got pinched, huh? I Thai's oae Joko, man I" I GnuHoat's worst suspicions were I confirmed by the attitude of Hearne, I who plainly considered that tlio entire I gang had nothing to fear from the law. A Okacuerrc's boasts were backed up sol- I Wiy. It was obvious to Qrnmout that jl to ramifications of the fung extended cl very high up, Indeed. XX "Oetter cut out the talk," ho said, -, 1 ' curtly, "until we get out of here." ; Is Ue&rao aodded and rolled a clga- ! I reUe, ! 1 WkH his hasty meal was finished, i G,raMOQt paid at tJUo counter and led I Urt way outside. He motioned toward i I tb oar, and Hcarno obediently climbed Jl (a, being evidently of so little account jll (a (fee gang that ho was accustomed to Jl OMf; enters from uveryouo. ill Grameut headed out or town nnd jjl toefc tho Paradla road. Uufore he hud III drlyeti a mile, however, he halted the m , oar, dbnbod out, and lifted one sldo of laB the, hood. tlB "GIvq mo IIiobo rags from the bot- im tots oC the car, Iloarne," ho said, fM briefly. 11 lite other obeyed. As Orumont mado E1R no nwve to come nnd get them, fl. Hettrae got out of the car; then Orn- I mont roao from the engine uuoxpect- B ecHy, and Hearne looked Into a pistol. gB "Hold out your hands behind you Mb unA (jum around I" snapped Gramont. aM "Np talk I" HjB Hoomo uttered au onlh, but as the MB pistol jcrkvd at hlin ho obeyed tho 'IB command. Gramont took the strip of IB (iath, which ho hud previously pre- B . pared, aud bound Uio man's wrists. UW "ltiQOO are better than handcuCTs," BS he commented. Too muny slick Indl- BB vlduats van get rid of bracelets but MB ysu'H linvo one man's Job to get rid of B throat Oh t a gun la your pocket, eli? IB' ThAnks." Wm "What t'dt you dolnT' exclaimed ' B the Jwwlldcrfd Hcarue. In ' "tHactng you under arrest," said hB Gramont, cbeorfally. im . "Hwe. Where's your warrant? Tou EBB ain't, ilOc ' mH' V Oianiont cat utiort his protests with I a Ung cloth, which effectually bound ,. Ma Uwer Jaw In place and precluded fi f J ny farther Idea of talk. 1 ' f Ha tfto tied Dick Hearuo securely, ' ' hafl uta root, and thco lashed hlra to II i the top supports of the car. Wjbca ho had Oalslied, Hearne was jjjll MMwilir safe, ne then cilmbed MmMMMmMMMMMMMW v yKFimlMMMmimmmmaiMaiamMmmmmmwm under tho wheel again and proceeded on his way. Hearne's lashings were Inconspicuous to any one whom the car passed. It was a llttlo after eight In the morning when Gramont drove Into Parndls. He noticed that two large automobiles wero standing In front of the post offlce, and thaf about them were a group of men who eyed him nnd his car with some Interest. Paying Pay-ing no attenUon to these, he drove on through tho town without a halt. Sweeping out along the north rood, ho encountered no one. When at length ho reached the Ledanols farm he drovo In toward the deserted Iioubb aud parked the car among some trees where It could not bo seen from tho road. Leaving tho cor, Gramont took his way toward tho bank of tho bayou nnd followed this In tho direction of the adjoining property. Ho went on to an opening In tho bushes which, over the low rail fence, gavo him a clear view of the Gumberts property. There he paused, quickly drew buck, and gnlned a point whence ho could seo without danger of his prcsetico being discovered. He settled Into Immobility and watched. That Memphis toy himself had not yet arrived, he was fairly certain. Near the barn were drawn up two flivvers, fliv-vers, nnd sitting In chairs on tho cot-tngo cot-tngo veranda were thrco men who must hnvo como In theso cars. Gramont Gra-mont had como provided with binoculars, binocu-lars, and got these out. Ho was not long In discovering that all thrco men on the veranda were strangers to hlra. They, no doubt, were men In tho lottery lot-tery game, waiting for Gumberts to arrive. Gramont turned his attention to tho other buildings. both the bnrn and shop were open, and the buzzing thrum of machinery bore witness that tho. mechanics wero hard at work upon the stolen cars. Gramont thought ,of Pen Clmchcrre. still tied and lashed to the chair In his room, and wondered what was Jo be found under the rear seat of Ben's -car, He could see tho car from where he lay. Almost on his. thought, n hlgh-pow-crcd and noiseless car camo sweeping down tho road and he knew at onco that Memphis izry had arrived. Ho know It Intuitively, even before he obtained ob-tained a good glimpse of' tho broad, heavy figure and tho domlnntlng features. fea-tures. Memphis Iwy was far from handsome, but he possessed character. "Whcro'n tho Googr As ho left tho car, which he hnd driven himself, Gumberts Gum-berts lifted Ills voice In a bull-like roar that carried clearly to Gramont. "Where's Charlie tho Goog?" Tho mechanics appeared hurriedly. One of them, no other than Gramont's friend of the adenoidal aspect, who Seemed to own tho mellifluous title of Charlie the Goog, hastened to the side of Gumberts, and the latter gave him ovldent directions regarding Borne repair re-pair to tho car. Then, turning. Memphis Mem-phis Uy Btrode to; the cottage, no nodded greetings to tho four men who awaited him, took a bunch of keys from his pocket nnd ripened tho cottage cot-tage door. All five vanished within. Gramont roso. A moment previously, previous-ly, fover hnd thrilled him; tho cxclto-mem cxclto-mem of tho manhunt had hold him trembling. Now he was cool again, his fingers touching the pistol In his pocket, his eyes steady. Ho glnuced at his watch and nodded. "It's time I" ho murmured. "Let's hope there'll be no slipup I All ready, Memphis hay. So am I. Let's go I" Unhurried" nnd openly, ho advanced, ranking his leisurely way toward the born nnd shop. Charlie the Goog, who was bent over the car of Gumberts, was first to discern his approach, and straightened up. Gramont waved his hand In greeting. Chnrllo tho Goog turned his head nnd called his brethren, breth-ren, who came Into sight, staring at Gramont. The latter realized that If he passed them tho gnme was won. If they stopped him, he bade fair to lose ever) thing. "Hello, boysl" he called, cheerily, as he drew near. "I came out on an errand er-rand for the boss got a messngo for Oumliorts. Where Is ho? In tho house?" Tho others nodded, plnlnly mistrusting mistrust-ing him, yet puzzled by his careless manner nnd his reference to Fell. "Sure," answered Charlie tho Goog. "Go right In he's In tho big front room." . "ThnnkH." Gramont continued his wny. con-sclous con-sclous Unit they were stnrlng after him. If there was anything phony about him, they evidently considered thnt Memphis Ir.zy would tnkc euro of the mutter very ably. Tho ateps of the cottage porch creaked protestlngly as Gramont ascended as-cended vtlimn. Perhaps Memphis Izzy recognized an unaccustomed footstep; perhaps that conversation outside hnd penetrated to him. Gramont entered the front door Into the hall, and ns he did so, Gumberts opened the door on his right and stood gazing at h: rather, glaring. "Who're you?" he demanded, roughly. "Cume out with n raesrnge from Mr. Fell," responded Gramont at once. "Brought some orders. I should sny " The sixth sense or Memphis Izzy, vhlch had carried him uncaught Into a grlwled nge, must hove flnshed n warning to hla crook's brain. In the man's eyea Gramont read a surge of suspicion and knew that his bluff could be worked no longer. "Here's his note." he said, and reached Into his pocket. Gumberts' hand flarhed down, but halted as Gramont's pistol covered him. , "Bock' Into thai' room, and do It quickly," said Gramont, stepping forward. for-ward. "Quick 1" Memphis Izzy obeyed. Gramma 1 stood In tho doorway, his eyes sweep-1 Ing the room and the tan Inside, Startled, all four of them had risen nnd were staring at htm. In hi other hand ho produced an automatic whlcb he hnd taken from Dick Hcarne. "The first word from any of y gentlemen," ho declared, "will draw shot, rra doing all the talking here. Snvvy?" They stood staring, paralysed by tkt appnrltlon. They had been sitting about tho (nblo, which was heaped with papers and with packages of money. A large safe In tho wall stood open. Beside the table was a small mail sack, partlnlly emptied of Its con tents; torn envelopes Uttered the floor. That this was the headquarters of at least a section of the lottery gang Gramont Gra-mont saw without need of explanation. "Vou're under arrest." said Gramont, Gra-mont, quietly. "The game's up, Gum-licrts. Gum-licrts. Hands up, all of you I Dick Henrno hns peached on the whole ' Sang, and from the boss down you're ull In for a term In stir. You with the derby I Take Gumberts' gun. and those of your compunlons. then your own; throw 'cm on the floor In the corner, and If you make the wrong kind of a move, heaven help you I Step lively, there I" Knch man there hnd a revolver or pistol, and one by one the weapons clattered Into the comer. Gumberts stood motionless, licking his thick lips, unuttcred curses In his glaring eyes. And In that Instant Gramont heard tho porch steps creak and caught a low, startled cry. "Hey. boss I They's a gang comln' on tho run" It was Charlie the Goog, bursting In upon them In wild haste. Gramont stepped Into the room and turned slightly, covering with one of his weapons the Intruder, who stood aghast In the doorway as he comprehended compre-hended tho scene. No words passed. Staring at the Ave men, thon at Gramont, the adenoidal mechanic gulped once and like a flash acted. Ilu ducked low and fired from his pocket, dranlont fired at the same Instant, and the heavy bullet, catching Charlie the Goog squarely In the chest, hurled his body half across the room. With the shots Memphis Izzy flung himself forward In a headlong rush. That desperate 'shot of the little mechanic me-chanic hnd broken Gramont's right arm abovo tho wrist; before he could lire n second time, with the weapon In his loft hand, Gumberts hnd wrested the plstot aside and was struggling with him. The ofher four came Into the melee full weight Gramont went down under a crashing crash-ing blowi Over him leaped Memphis Izzy nnd rushed Into the doorway-Mien doorway-Mien stopped with nstoundlng abruptness abrupt-ness nnd lifted his anus. After him the other four followed suit. Two men, punting a little, stood outside the door and covered them with shotguns. "Tlo 'em, boys," sold Gramont, rising ris-ing dizzily to his feet. "No, I'm riot hurt my arm's broken, I think, but let that wait. Got the ones outsider' A stumping of feet filled the hall, and other men appeared there. "Got two of 'em, Gramont I" responded re-sponded the lender. "The third slipped In bore ah, there he Is I" Poor Charllo the Goog lay dead on the floor a touch of heroic tragedy In hla last desperate action; tho ono great action of his life, possibly. He hud realized that It meant doom, yet bo hnd done whnt he could. "I think that's all," said Gramont. "We've sure made a killing, boys and It's 11 good thing you Jumped In to the minute I A second later and they'd hove done for me. Take care of that evidence, will you? Get that mall sock and tho letters particularly; If they've been working their lottery outside the state. It'll bo 0 federal matter." Gumberts, who was being tied up with his friends, uttered u hoarse cry. Who are you guys? Vou can't do this without authority" "Don't be silly, Memphis izzy," said Gramont, smiling a little, then twitching twitch-ing to the pain of his arm. "Theso friends of mine are members with me of the American Legion, and they've come along ut my request to put you crooks where you belong. As for authority, au-thority, you ran ask nnd go hung. "Here, boys. I've got to get out to thut hum. Come nlong, some of you I" He led the wny out to the barn ami. the others trooping In behind 'him, entered. en-tered. He pointed out the rnr which had brought Clmchcrre here previously, previous-ly, and ordered the extra seat In the back opened up. "1 think there's a bundle Inside," he said. "What's In It, I don't know" "Hero we are, cnp." A bundle wns piodticcd, and opened. In It was found the aviator's coatunlo which Gramont hud worn us the Midnight Mid-night Mnsquer, and which Chuslierre had stolen with the loot. Wrapped among the leather garments was un automatic pistol. Grumont stood aghast before this discovery, as realization of what It meant broke full upon him. "Good lord I" he exclaimed, amazed-ly. amazed-ly. "Boys why, It must have been Hen Clmcherre who killed 'Mulllurd I See If thut pistol has been used" The Midnight Masquer hud fired two bullets Into Malllard. Two cartridges were gone from this automatic. (TO BE CONTINUED.J |
