Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, September 9, 1922, Page 2

. (Continued from last issue) “You're under arrest” said Gra- mbnt, quietly. “The game’s up, Gum- berts. Hands up, all of you! Dick Hearne has peached on the whole gang, and from- the boss down you're all in for a term in stir. You with the derby! Take Gumberts’ gun, and those of your companions, then your own; throw ’em on the floor in the corner, and if you make the wrong kind of a ."move, heaven help you! Step lively, there!” Each man there had a revolver or pistel, and one by one the weapons .elattered into the cormer. Gumberts steod motionless, licking his thick lips, . wnuttered curses in his glaring eyes. - And in that“instait Gramont heard #he porch steps creak and caught a low, startled cry. “Mey, boss! They's a gang comin’ en the run—" It was Charlie the Goog, bursting in wpen 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 docrway as he compre- hended: the. scene. Ko words passed. Staring at the five . men; then at Gramont, the adenoidal . _meehianic gulped once—and like a flash acted. Ha ducked low and fired from ‘bis poeckét. Gramont fired at the same Instant, and the heavy bullet, catching - Eharlie the Goog squarely in the chest, aurled his body half across the room. With the shots Memphis Izzy flung -pimself. forward in a headlong rush. That desperate shot of the little me- ehanic had broken Gramont’s right arm above the wrist; before he could fire a second time, with the weapon in ais Jeft hand, Gumberts had wrested ‘the pistol aside and was struggling with .him. The other four came into the melee full weight. . 'Gramont went down under a crash- mg ‘blow. Over him leaped Memphis lzzy and rushed into the dogrway— -then stopped with astounding abrupt- tess and lifted his arms. After him the other four followed suit. Two men, panting a little, stood outside the door wmd covered them with shotguns. i “Tie ’em, boys,” said Gramont, ris- ng dizzily to his feet. “No, I'm not hurt—my arm’s broken, I think, but let that wait. Got the ones outside?” A stamping of feet filled the hall, and- other men appeared there. “Got two of 'em, Gramont!” re- " sponded the leader. “The third slipped here—ah, there he is!” _.Poor Charlle the Goog lay. dead on | Fell. the floor—a touch of herolc tragedy in | here—" Catching Charlie the Goog Squarely in the Chest, Hurled His Body Hllll Across the Room. } his last desperate action; the one great actfon of his life, possibly. He had realized that it meant doom, yet he had done what he could. “I think that's all,” sald Gramont. “We've sure made a killing, hoys— 2pd it’s a good thing you jumped in to the minute! A second later and they'd have done for me. Take care of that svidence, will you? Get that mail sack apd the letters particularly; if they*ve ’ been working their lottery outside the state, it’ll be a federal matter.” Gumberts, who was belng tied up with his friends, uttered a hoarse cry. “Who are you guys? You can't do this without authority—" - “Don’t be silly, Memphis Tzzy,” said @ramont, smiling a little, then twitche Ing to the pain of his arm. “These friends of mine are members with me | of “the American Legion, and they've | come along at my request to put you crooks where you belong. As for au- thority, you can ask and go hang. “Here, boys, I've got to get out to barn. Come glong. sofme of you!”, e i s e PR Copytight By Doubleday, Page and Comparyy ‘chnir across the desk from Fell, and ~He 1ed the way out to the barn and, the others trooping in behind him, en- tered. He pointed out the car which had brought Chacherre here previous- ly, and ordered the ‘extra seat in the back opened up. “I think there’s a bundle inside,” he sald. “What's in it, I don’t know—" “Here we are, cap.” A bundle was produced, and opened. In it was found the aviator's costume which Gramont had worn as the Mid- night Masquer, and which Chacherre bad stolen with the loot. Wrapped among the leather garments was an automatic pistol. Gramont stood aghast before this discovery, as realization of what it meant broke full upon him. “Good lord!” he exclaimed, amazed- ly. “Boys—why, it must have been Ben Chacherre who killed Maillard! See If that pistol has been used—" Tra Midnight Masquer had fired two buliets into Malllard. Two cartridges were gone from this automatic. —_— CHAPTER XV When the Heavens Fall. The chief of police entered the of- fire of Jachin Fell, high in the Maison Blanche building, at eight o'clock on Friday evening. Mr. Fell glanced up at him in surprise. “Hello, chief! What’s up?” The officer gazed at him in astonish- ment. “What's up? Why, I came around to see you, of course!” Jashin Fell smiled whimsically. “To see me? Well, chief, that’s good of ' yon; sit down and have a cigar, eh? What’s the matter? You look rather taken aback.” “l am,” sald the other, “Didn’t you expect mre?” “No,” said Jachin Fell, halting sud- denly In the act of reaching for & cigar, and turning his keen gaze upon the chief. “Expect you? No!” “It's darned queer, then! That chap Gramont called me up ‘about ten min- utes ago and said to et around here as quick as I could make it, that you wanted to see me.” “Gramont!’ Jachin. Fell frowned. “Where's Ren Chacherret Haven't you found him yet?” “Nary a sign of him, chfef.” The door opened, and Henry Gra- mont appeared, his right hand band- aged and in a sling. “Good evening, gentlemen’!” he sald, smiling. “Here's Gramont, npow!” exclaimed “Did you call, the chief over bluntly. “I sure did,” and ‘3ramont came for- ward. “I wanted to see you two gen- tlemen together, and so arranged it. Miss Ledanois is %o be here at nihe, Fell?” . The little man modded, his eyes in- tent upon Gramynt. He woticed the bandaged arm. “Yes. Have you been hurt?" “Slightly.” Gramont brought up a sat down. He put his left hamd in his pocket and brought forth a document which he havded to the chief .of police. “Cast your!eye over that, chilef, and say nothing:, You're here to listen for the presen/.. Here's something 2o cover your case, Mr. Fell.” Gramen't produced his mutomatle from the; pocket of his coaz, and laid it on the' desk before him. “There was a'‘momet t of startled silence. The of- ficer, laoking over the: paper which Gramorft had handed 'him, seemed to find it. y,f sudden, intease interest. “What means all this mystery and melc@raumatic action, Gramont?” de- manged: Jachin Fell, :a slight sneer in his eyes, his voice quite toneless. ‘ /It means,” said Griimont, regarding hi'm steadily, “that yotv're under arrest. I fwent out to the Gumberts place on “aayou Terrchonne this morning, ar- ‘rested Memjjhis Izzy Gumberts and four other nien engsged in operating a lottery, and also arrested’ two mechaniclans. who were engaged in | working on stolen cars. We took in, \ further, a gentlaman by the name of | Dick Hearn e; a ‘lesser member of the ‘ gang, who 18 now engaged in dictating | a confessiop. Just a moment, chief! I prefer to do the: talking at present.” Gramont. gyofled ioto the steady, un- faltering egves of R'ell. “You are next ¢n the program,” he sald, evenly -, “We know that you are | at the he ad of :an organized gang, | which is r .ot only operating a lottery through t! iis and adjacent states, but also s cf nducting an immense busi- ness in stolen automobiles. There- fore—" “Just ione minute, please,” said Jachin Fa 1. “Do you forget, Mr. Gra- mont, ttva affair of the Miduight Masquer?® You are a very zealous citl- zen, I ha° §e no doubt, but—" “I was mbout to add,” struck In Gra- mont, “¥ sat your pleasant friend Ben Chacherr @ is chargevd with the murder of the &l Eriff of Tertehonne narish, in .-~ = .|had the costime stolen from my car, THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER which T have “cléar’ evidence against him, having been present at the scene of the crime. He is also charged with the murder of Joseph Maillard—" “My heavens!” said Fell, staring. “I never dreamed that Chacherre—" “Perhaps you didp’t.” , Gramont shrugged his shoulders. “Neither did anyone else. I imagine that Ben learned of this room and drinking party, and rightly 'decided that he coull make a rich haul off, u small crowd of drunken young sports. He [ as you know; also the automatic which went with it., T\wo shots were missing. from the autoriatic when we found it in Ben’s possession; and you remember the Masquer fired twice at the time Maillard was killed.” Fell’s keen eyes sparkled angrily. “You're a very zealous citizen, young man,” he said, softly. “I see that you've been hurt. I trust your little game did not result in casualties?’ Gramont nodded. “Charlie the Goog went west. He was desperate, I fancy; at all events he got me in the arm, and I had to shoot him. Memphis Izzy hardly justified his tremendous reputation, for he yielded like a Jamb.” “So you killed the Goog, eh?” said Fell. “Very zealous, Mr. Gramont ! And 1 suppose that the exigencies of the case justified you, a private citizen, in carrying arms and using them? Who alded you in this marvelous affair?” “A number of friends from my post of the American Legion,” said Gra- mont, evenly. “Ah! This organization is going in for politics, then?” “Not for politics, Fell; for justice. I deputized them to assist me.” “Deputized !” repeated Fell, slowly. “Certainly.” Gramont smiled. “You see, this lottery business has been going on for & year or more. Some time ago, before I came to New Or- leans, the governor of this state ap- pointed me a special officer to investi- gate the matter. There is my commis- sion, which the chief has been reading. It gives me a good deal of power, Fell; quite enough power to gather in you and your bunch.” The chiet of police looked very un- easily from Gramont to Jachin Fell, and back again. Fell sat erect in his chair, staring at Gramont. “You were the original Midnight Masquer,” said Fell in his toneless voice. At this direct charge, and at Gramont’s assent, the chief started in surprise. “Yes. One reason was that I suspect- ed some one in soclety, some one high up in New Orleans, to be connected with the gang; but ¥ never dreamed that you were the man, Fell. T rather suspected young Maillard. I am now glad te say that I was entirely wrong. You were the big boss, Fell, and you're golng to serve time forit.” Fell glanced at the chief, who cleared his throat as if about to speak. At this moment, however, a sharp knock sounded at the door. “Come!” called Gramont. A man entered. Tt was one of Gra- mont's deputies, who happened also to’ be a reporter from one of the morning papers of the city. He carried several sheets of paper which he laid before Gramont. He glanced at Fell, who recognized him and exchanged a nod of greeting, then returned his attention to Gramont. “Ah!” said the latter with satisfac- tlon, as he examined the papers. “So Hearne has given up eversthing, has he? Does this confession implicate Mr. Fell, here?” “Well, rather,” drawled the other, cheerfully. “And see here, cap! There are two more of us in the crowd and we've arranged to split the story. We'd like to rush the stuff to our papers the minute you give the word, because—" “I know.” Gramont returned the papers that bore the confession of Hearne. “You've made coples of this, of course? All right. Shoot the stuff in to your papers right away, if you Fwish.” Fell raised a hand to check the " he said, his " l “ANYTHING IMPORT- ANT, MARION?” “Only the postscript. It says, ‘Please excuge the paper—I'm all out of Ea- » ton’s Highland Linen’ ”. Ezrow's LINEN has strongly = established itself as the writing paper of peopld who care. The use of anything inferior seems to call for an apol- ogy. Its style is authoritative colorings attractive, shap- es distinctive, and its price modest. Let us show you our display of latest shades and styles. CITY DRUG STORE || eyes boring into” the newspaper man. “Will you also take a mnessage from me to the editor of your newspaper—and see that it goes to the others as well?” “If Mr. Gramont permits, yes.” “Go ahead,” said Gramont, wonder- ing what Fell would try now. He soon ledrned. , “Then,” :pursued Fell, evenly, “you will kindly ‘inform the editors of your papers that,’ in case' my:name appears in connection with tliis matter, I shall immediately institute: suit for libel. No matter what Mr. Gramont may say" or do, 1'assure you fully that no pub- licity is going to attach to me in this matter. Neither, I may add, am I going: to be arrested. That is all, sir.” Gramont smiled. “Take the message if you see fit, by all means,” he said, carelessly. “Yoa may also take my fullest assurance that’within twenty minutes you will observe Mr. Fell safely in jail. = That's all.” The newspaper man saluted and de- parted, grinning. Gramont leaned forward, the harsh lines of his face spelling determination as he looked at Jachin Fell. “So you won't be arrested, eh? Let's see. I know that this gang of yours has influence running up into high places, and that this influence has power. That is why I was appointed to investigate this lottery game secret- ly, and in my own way. That is why, also, I brought the chief of police here tonight.” He turned to the perturbed officer, and spoke coldly. “Now, chief, you've seen my author- ity, you've heard my charges, and you know they will be proved up to the hilt. Are you willing to arrest Jachin Fell, or not?” The chief cleared his throat. “Why, Mr. Gramont,” he observed, nervously, “about the rest of the gang, we'll take care of 'em, sure! But it's different with Mr. Fell, here. He's a friend of the senator—" ) “Different, h—Il!” snapped Gra- mont, angrily. “He’s a criminal, no matter who his friends may be, and I have the proof of it!” “Well, that may be so,” admitted the chief of police. “But this thing is goin' to raise a h—1 of a scandal, all up and down the state! You know that as well as I do. Now, if I was you, I'd act kind of slow—" Gramont smiled bitterly. “Perhaps you would, chief. In fact, T don’t doubt that you would. But you are not me. Now, as a duly-appointed officer acting under authority of the governor of the state, I call upon you to arrest this criminal, and I make you duly responsible for his safe-keeping. Do you dare refuse?” The chief hesitated. He looked at Fell for'help, but none came. Fell seemed to be rather amused by the situation. 7 B e v Making New Markets Gramont leaned back in his chair. The purpling features of the chief were streaming with perspiration; the man was in a frightful dilemma, and his plight was pitiable, At this in- stant Jachin Fell interposed. “Let me speak, please,” he said, gently. “My dear Mr. Gramont, it has just occurred:to me that there may be a compromiSET v . “I'm nQt .£omp! .’ snapped Gramont. e . “Certainly not ; 1 spéhEof our mutu- a1 friend here,” andl _indicated. the. chief with g bland gesture. I believe that Judge Forester of this city is at present constlting with the governor at Baton' Rouge on political ‘matters. who has come from Washington on the. same errand. Now, it would be a very simple matter to end all this anxiety. Suppose that you call up the governor on long distance, from this telephone, and get his assurance that I am not to be arrested. Then you'll be convinced.” Gramont laughed with deep anger. “You gangsters are all alike!” he said, turning to the desk telephone. “You think that because you have planted your slimy tentacles in high places you can do anything with abso- lute impunity. But the governor of this state is not in your clutches. “He's a man, by heaven! I have his asurance that he’ll prosecute to the limit whoever is behind this criminal gang—and he keeps his word! Don't think that if your friend the senator is with him, you will be saved. Il cail him, if only to show the chief, here, that influence is not going to count in this game.” Gramont took down the receiver, called long distance, and put in a hur- ried call for the executive mansion, asking for the governor in person. “So you think that he’s immune from influence, do you?” Jachin Fell smiled patronizingly and lighted a fresh cigar. The chief of police was mopping his brow. “My dear Gramont, you exhibit a youthful confidence in human nature! Let me topple your clay-footed idol from its pedestal in a hurry. Mention to the governor that you have me un- der arrest, and that I have asked him to speak with Judge Forester and Sen- ator Flaxman before confirming the ar- rest. I'll wager you five hundred dol- lars—" The telephone rang sharply. Taunt- ed almost beyond endurance, Gramont seized the instrument and made an- swer. In a moment he had the gover- nor on the wire. His gaze went ex- ultantly to Fell. “Governor, this is Henry Gramont speaking,” he said. I've just succeed- ed in my work, as I wired you this af- ternoon—no, hold on a minute! This is jmnortant. _ .- e ‘With them, also, is Senator Flaxman, . “The man here in New Orleans by the name cf Jachin Fell. very hard to get him arrested. }‘ell» boasts that his influence is superior to any that I can bring tg bear, He asks that you speak with Judge Forester ! and Sen: ing the arrest, and boasts that you will \order: ine to:keep: my hands off. “Speak with them, governor! they’re- WOITY.::1 ¥ik put- Fell ‘behind, the bars if I have SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 9, 1922 . head of the entire gang is a Yes, Fell. 1 find it ator Flaxman before confirm- in -the gang, 'too, don’t you You confirm this arrest, and u. theabst hnempf;th_es et gives 1 to turn all New, Orleans inside out. [ Go ghead! I kew, you cam't be you mntcu abite new | reached by..any of these crooks—I'm garments. : .merely: calling Fell's bluff. We have’ the chief of police here, and he’s sweating. Eh? as you like, governor.” He smiled grimly at Jachin Fell as he waited. three—four. 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