The Mardi Gras Mystery

by H. Bedford-Jones

  CHAPTER XV

  _When the Heavens Fall_

  The chief of police entered the office of Jachin Fell, high in theMaison Blanche building, at eight o'clock on Friday evening. Mr. Fellglanced up at him in surprise.

  "Hello, chief! What's up?"

  The officer gazed at him in some astonishment.

  "What's up? Why, I came around to see you, of course!"

  Jachin Fell smiled whimsically. "To see me? Well, chief, that's good ofyou; sit down and have a cigar, eh? What's the matter? You look rathertaken aback."

  "I am," said the other, bluntly. "Didn't you expect me?"

  "No," said Jachin Fell, halting suddenly in the act of reaching for acigar and turning his keen gaze upon the chief. "Expect you? No!"

  "It's darned queer, then! That chap Gramont called me up about tenminutes ago and said to get around here as quick as I could make it,that you wanted to see me."

  "Gramont!" Jachin Fell frowned. "Where's Ben Chacherre? Haven't youfound him yet?"

  "Nary a sign of him, chief."

  The door opened, and Henry Gramont appeared, his right hand bandaged andin a sling.

  "Good evening, gentlemen!" he said, smiling.

  "Here's Gramont now," exclaimed Fell. "Did you call the chief overhere----"

  "I sure did," and Gramont came forward. "I wanted to see you twogentlemen together, and so arranged it. Miss Ledanois is to be here atnine, Fell?"

  The little man nodded, his eyes intent upon Gramont. He noticed thebandaged arm.

  "Yes. Have you been hurt?"

  "Slightly." Gramont brought up a chair across the desk from Fell, andsat down. He put his left hand in his breast pocket, and brought forth adocument which he handed to the chief of police. "Cast your eye overthat, chief, and say nothing. You're here to listen for the present.Here's something to cover your case, Mr. Fell."

  Gramont produced his automatic from the pocket of his coat, and laid iton the desk before him. There was a moment of startled silence. Theofficer, looking over the paper which Gramont had handed him, seemed tofind it of sudden, intense interest.

  "What means all this mystery and melodramatic action, Gramont?" demandedJachin Fell, a slight sneer in his eyes, his voice quite toneless.

  "It means," said Gramont, regarding him steadily, "that you're underarrest. I went out to the Gumberts place on Bayou Terrebonne thismorning, arrested Memphis Izzy Gumberts and four other men engaged inoperating a lottery, and also arrested two mechanics who were engaged inworking on stolen cars. We took in, further, a gentleman by the name ofDick Hearne; a lesser member of the gang, who is now engaged indictating a confession. Just a moment, chief! I prefer to do the talkingat present."

  The chief of police had been about to interfere. At this, however, heleaned back in his chair, tapping in his hand the paper which he hadperused. He looked very much as though in danger from a stroke ofapoplexy.

  Gramont smiled into the steady, unfaltering eyes of Fell.

  "You are next on the programme," he said, evenly. "We know that you areat the head of an organized gang, which is not only operating a lotterythrough this and adjacent states, but also is conducting an immensebusiness in stolen automobiles. Therefore----"

  "Just one minute, please," said Jachin Fell. "Do you forget, Mr.Gramont, the affair of the Midnight Masquer? You are a very zealouscitizen, I have no doubt, but----"

  "I was about to add," struck in Gramont, "that your pleasant friend BenChacherre is charged with the murder of the sheriff of TerrebonneParish, in which I have clear evidence against him, having been presentat the scene of the crime. He is also charged with the murder of JosephMaillard-----"

  "What!" From both Fell and the officer broke an exclamation ofundisguised amazement.

  "Quite true, I assure you," said Gramont. "The evidence is, at least, agood deal clearer than the evidence against young Maillard."

  "My heavens!" said Fell, staring. "I never dreamed that Chacherre----"

  "Perhaps you didn'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 could make a rich haul off a small crowd ofdrunken young sports. He had the costume stolen from my car, as youknow, also the automatic which went with it. Two shots were missing fromthe automatic when we found it in Ben's possession; and you remember theMasquer fired twice at the time Maillard was killed."

  "Ah! I always said young Maillard wasn't guilty!" exclaimed the chief.

  "And your man Hammond----" began Fell. Gramont interposed.

  "You thought you had Hammond sewed up tight, didn't you? To use thelanguage of your favourite game, Fell, development is everything, andthe player who gives up a pawn for the sake of development shows that heis possessed of the _idee grande_. You took the pawn, or thought youdid--but I've taken the game!

  "In one way, Fell, I'm very sorry to arrest you. It's going to hurt amutual friend of ours. I realize that you've been trying very hard to beunselfish toward her, and I think that you've been perfectly sincere inthis respect. Nonetheless, I've only one duty in the matter, and Ipropose to carry it through to the finish."

  Fell's keen eyes sparkled angrily.

  "You're a very zealous citizen, young man," he said, softly. "I see thatyou've been hurt. I trust your little game did not result incasualties?"

  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 Izzyhardly justified his tremendous reputation, for he yielded like a lamb."

  "So you killed the Goog, eh?" said Fell. "Very zealous, Mr. Gramont! AndI suppose that the exigencies of the case justified you, a privatecitizen, in carrying arms and using them? Who aided you in thismarvellous affair?"

  "A number of friends from my post of the American Legion," said Gramont,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 beengoing on for a year or more. Some time ago, before I came to NewOrleans, the governor of this state appointed me a special officer toinvestigate the matter. There is my commission, which the chief has beenreading. It gives me a good deal of power, Fell; quite enough power togather in you and your bunch.

  "I might add that I have secured an abundance of evidence to prove thatthe lottery gang, under your supervision, has extended its operations toadjacent states. This, as you are aware, brings the affair into Federalhands if necessary."

  The chief of police looked very uneasily 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 tonelessvoice. At this direct charge, and at Gramont's assent, the chief startedin surprise.

  "Yes. One reason was that I suspected someone in society, someone highup in New Orleans, to be connected with the gang; but I never dreamedthat you were the man, Fell. I rather suspected young Maillard. I am nowglad to say that I was entirely wrong. You were the big boss, Fell, andyou're going to serve time for it."

  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. It was one of Gramont's deputies, who happened also to bea reporter from one of the morning papers of the city. He carriedseveral sheets of paper which he laid before Gramont. He glanced atFell, who recognized him and exchanged a nod of greeting, then returnedhis attention to Gramont.

  "Ah!" said the latter with satisfaction, as he examined the papers. "SoHearne has given up everything, has he? Does this confession implicateMr. Fell, here?"

  "Well, rather," drawled the other, cheerfully. "And see here, cap! Thereare 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 ofHearne. "You've made copies of this, of course? All right. Shoot thestuff in to your papers right away, if you wish."

  Fell raised a hand to check the other.

  "One moment, please!" he said, his eyes boring into the newspaper man."Will you also take a message from me to the editor of yournewspaper--and see that it goes to the others as well?"

  "If Mr. Gramont permits, yes."

  "Go ahead," said Gramont, wondering what Fell would try now. He soonlearned.

  "Then," pursued Fell, evenly, "you will kindly inform the editors ofyour papers that, in case my name appears in connection with thismatter, I shall immediately institute suit for libel. No matter what Mr.Gramont may say or do, I assure you fully that no publicity is going toattach to me in this matter. Neither, I may add, am I going to bearrested. That is all, sir."

  Gramont smiled. "Take the message if you see fit, by all means," hesaid, carelessly. "You may also take my fullest assurance that withintwenty minutes you will observe Mr. Fell safely in jail. That's all."

  The newspaper man saluted and departed, grinning.

  Gramont leaned forward, the harsh lines of his face spellingdetermination as he looked at Jachin Fell.

  "So you won't be arrested, eh? Let's see. I know that this gang of yourshas influence running up into high places, and that this influence haspower. The governor knows it also. That is why I was appointed toinvestigate this lottery game secretly, and in my own way. That is why,also, I brought the chief of police here to-night."

  He turned to the perturbed officer, and spoke coldly.

  "Now, chief, you've seen my authority, you've heard my charges, and youknow they will be proved up to the hilt. Dick Hearne gave up the namesof most of the lottery gang and their confederates; my deputies alreadywired to their various places of operation for the purpose of securingtheir arrest. We'll make a clean sweep.

  "The same may be said of the automobile gang, although we will probablymiss a few of the smaller fry. What other forms of criminality theorganization may be engaged in I can't say at this moment; but we havesecured quite enough evidence. Are you willing to arrest Jachin Fell, ornot?"

  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, hell!" snapped Gramont, angrily. "He's a criminal, no matterwho his friends may be, and I have the proof of it!"

  "Well, that may be so," admitted the chief of police. "But this thing isgoin' to raise one hell of a scandal, all up and down the state! Youknow 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, I don't doubt that you would. Butyou are not _me_. Now, as a duly-appointed officer acting underauthority of the governor of the state, I call upon you to arrest thiscriminal, and I make you duly responsible for his safe-keeping. Do youdare refuse?"

  The chief hesitated. He looked at Fell for help, but none came. Fellseemed to be rather amused by the situation.

  "Well," said the chief, "I ain't seen the evidence yet----"

  "I'll show you some evidence of another kind, chief," said Gramont,sternly quiet. "Outside the door, here, there are two men who will obeymy orders and my authority. If you dare refuse to do your duty you willyourself be taken from this room under arrest, on a John Doe warrantwhich is already prepared and waiting; and you will be charged withbeing an accomplice of this gang. Now choose, and choose quickly!"

  Gramont leaned back in his chair. The purpling features of the chiefwere streaming with perspiration; the man was in a frightful dilemma,and his plight was pitiable. At this instant Jachin Fell interposed.

  "Let me speak, please," he said, gently. "My dear Mr. Gramont, it hasjust occurred to me that there may be a compromise----"

  "I'm not compromising," snapped Gramont.

  "Certainly not; I speak of our mutual friend here," and Fell indicatedthe chief with a bland gesture. "I believe that Judge Forester of thiscity is at present consulting with the governor at Baton Rouge onpolitical matters. With them, also, is Senator Flaxman, who has comefrom Washington on the same errand. Now, it would be a very simplematter to end all this anxiety. Suppose that you call up the governor onlong distance, from this telephone, and get his assurance that I am notto 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 highplaces you can do anything with absolute impunity. But the governor ofthis state is not in your clutches.

  "He's a man, by heaven! I have his assurance that he'll prosecute to thelimit whoever is behind this criminal gang--and he keeps his word! Don'tthink that if your friend the senator is with him, you will be saved.I'll call him, if only to show the chief, here, that influence is notgoing to count in this game."

  Gramont took down the receiver, called long distance, and put in ahurried call for the executive mansion, asking for the governor inperson.

  "So you think that he's immune from influence, do you?" Jachin Fellsmiled patronizingly and lighted a fresh cigar. The chief of police wasmopping his brow.

  "My dear Gramont, you exhibit a youthful confidence in human nature! Letme topple your clay-footed idol from its pedestal in a hurry. Mention tothe governor that you have me under arrest, and that I have asked him tospeak with Judge Forester and Senator Flaxman before confirming thearrest. I'll wager you five hundred dollars----"

  The smile in Fell's pale eyes drove Gramont into a cold fury of rage.

  "You devil! So your damnable influence goes as far as those two men,does it--those men who are respected above all others in this city? Bythe lord, I'll call your bluff! I know the governor, and I know hedoesn't give a damn for all the dirty crooks and slimy politicians onearth!"

  "What sublime faith!" laughed Fell, softly.

  The telephone rang sharply. Taunted almost beyond endurance, Gramontseized the instrument and made answer. In a moment he had the governoron the wire. His gaze went exultantly to Fell.

  "Governor, this is Henry Gramont speaking," he said. "I've justsucceeded in my work, as I wired you this afternoon--no, hold on aminute! This is important.

  "The head of the entire gang is a man here in New Orleans by the name ofJachin Fell. Yes, Fell. I find it very hard to get him arrested. Fellboasts that his influence is superior to any that I can bring to bear.He asks that you speak with Judge Forester and Senator Flaxman beforeconfirming the arrest, and boasts that you will order me to keep handsoff.

  "Speak with them, governor! If they're in the gang, too, don't youworry. You confirm this arrest, and I'll put Fell behind the bars if Ihave to turn all New Orleans inside out. Go ahead! I know that you can'tbe reached by any of these crooks--I'm merely calling Fell's bluff. Wehave the chief of police here, and he's sweating. Eh? Sure. Take as longas you like, governor."

  He smiled grimly at Jachin Fell as he waited. Two minutespassed--three--four. Then he heard the voice of the governor again.

  "Yes?"

  "Don't arrest him, Gramont."

  "What?" Gramont gasped.

  "Don't touch him, I said! Get in all the others, no matter who they are,but leave Fell alone----"

  "You damned coward!" shouted Gramont, in a heat of fury. "So this is theway you keep your promises, is it? And I thought you were above allinfluences--real American! You're a hell of a governor--oh, I don't wantto hear any more from you."

  He jerked up the receiver.

  There was a moment of dead silence in the room. The chief mopped hisbrow, in evident relief. Jachin Fell sat back in his chair andscrutinized Gramont with his thin-lipped smile.

  Gramont sat hel
pless, wrung by chagrin, rage, and impotency. There wasnothing he could say, nothing he could do. The man behind him had failedhim. The entire power of the state, which had been behind him, hadfailed him. There was no higher power to which he could appeal, exceptthe power of the Federal Government. His head jerked up sharply.

  "Fell, I've got the evidence on you, and I've got the evidence to putthis lottery business into Federal hands. Boys! Come in here!"

  At his shout the door opened and two of his men entered. Gramont lookedat the chief.

  "You're willing to take care of all the rest of the gang, chief?"

  "Sure," assented the officer, promptly.

  "All right. Boys, turn over the whole crowd to the chief, and I'll trustyou to see that they're properly booked and jailed. Turn over all theevidence likewise, except that mail sack. Have that brought up here, tothis room, and see that the corridor outside is kept guarded. Get me?"

  The two saluted. "Yes, sir."

  "Good. Send to the Federal building, find out where there's an agent ofthe Department of Justice, and get him here. Have him here inside offifteen minutes."

  Fell smiled. "I can save you time, gentlemen. The agent in charge ofthis district will probably be home at this hour. I can give you hisaddress----"

  He did so. In the pale eyes Gramont read an imperturbable challenge. Theeffrontery of the man appalled him. He turned to his men.

  "Confirm fully that he _is_ the agent before you get him," he ordered,curtly. "Have him bring one of his deputy agents likewise, to meet youhere. That's all, chief, if you'll go along with these men, you'll beput in charge of our prisoners and evidence. I've left a guard at theGumberts place at Terrebonne, and I'd suggest that you go through theresidence of Gumberts here in town. You might find evidence. That'sall."

  The chief departed without a word. It was obvious that he was mightyglad to be gone. Gramont and Fell were left alone together.

  "My dear Gramont, your devotion to duty is Roman in spirit," said JachinFell, lightly. "I really regret that circumstances so conspire to defeatyou! Why can't you be satisfied with bagging so many other victims? Youcan't bag me----"

  "Can't I?" said Gramont, taking a cigar and biting at it. He was coolernow. "By heavens, Fell, there's one thing in this country that you andno other man can reach with any influence, political bribery, or crookedconnections--and that's the Government of the United States! You canreach judges and senators and governors, but you can't reach the unknownand humble men who carry the badge of the Department of Justice!"

  Fell made a slight gesture.

  "Human nature, my dear Gramont. It is quite true that I have notestablished this gang of criminals, as you call them, without takingproper precautions. Memphis Izzy, for instance, has influence thatreaches far and wide. So have I. So have others in the party. I give youmy assurance that your Department of Justice man will not arrest me."

  Gramont paled.

  "If----" He choked on the word, then touched the automatic on the deskbefore him. "If he won't, Jachin Fell, I'll put a bullet through youmyself!"

  For the first time the pale eyes of Jachin Fell looked slightlytroubled.

  "You'll hang if you do," he said, gently.

  "I'll be damned if I don't!" snapped Gramont, and put the weapon in hislap.