The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-11-23
SYNOPSIS
Illustrations By
Irwin Myers
cs,yisht ), Ds,b'easy. Page and Company

CHAPTER I-During the height of the
New Orleans carnival season joachim Fell,
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
Of robbcries by an individual known as the
Midnight Masquer. VINO. Invariably attired
as an aviator. has long detied the police. Jo-
scph Maillard. wealthy banker, is giving a
bah that night. at which the Masquer has
threatened t. appear and rob the guests.
Fen and Ansley, on theid way 10 the affair,
meet a girl dressed as ~Columbine, seemingly
known to Fell, but masked, who accompanies
them to the bah.
CHAPTER H-Lucie Ledanois, recently
the ward of her uncle, Joseph Maillard, is
the Columbine.
CHAPTER Hin his library Joseph
Malilard ana a group of friends are held up
and robbed by the Midnight MasQuer.
CHAPTER IN.-Lucie Ledanois. the last
Of an old family, is in straitened circum-
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling of her
funds has been unfortunate. Fell is an old
friend Of her parents and deeply Interested
in the girI Henry Gramont, really the
prince de Gramont son of a French father
ana an American mother, but who spurns
the title Of prince, is enamored of Lucie and
believes himself a not unfavored sutton.
CHAPTER N.-Gramonts chaufer, Ham
mond, sergeant in the American army in
France. and there known to Gramont, lives
with him. He was the original Midnight
Nasquer, and Gramont, for a particular pur.
pose, after discovering Hammond's activities,
assumes the role. Where has
been a robDer for financial gain, Gramont, OF
N''''f AS f'' ~ " N'N
'lonl' TO those whom he has robbed. The
Jewels and money, in individual packages,
are got ready for delivery next day to their
original owners. That night they are stolen
CHAPTER NL-Ben Cacherre, an indivi-
dual Of unSay0ry character, appears to be
associated with joachim Fell lie has a pc
Cu.ar interview with one Memphis Icy
Gumhcrts. notorious influential crook, in
FERROUS boss"
CHAPTER vIL-Lucie summons era
mont to her home and shows him the pack
ages from his auto. He admits he is the
Midnight Masqucr. but couvinces her that
Ia" had no thought of robbery. lie refuses,
however, to explain his purpose. The pack
ages are returned to their owners.
CHAPTER NlII-That evening Fell,
Gramont, and Dr Ansley, at the krewe Of
Cpmus bah, are accosted by an intoxicated
masked !aGiyidual whom they recognize as
Bob Mailiard. He invites them to the car
nival party in a private room. They refuse,
and Gramont leaves the building. Joseph
day as a result Of Bob's condition. With
Fell ana Ansley they find the room where
the reyels are going on. Entering they dis
cover an individual, attired a san aviator,
in the act of robbing the intoxicated youths.
In a struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "Masqucr" ESCAPES.
CHAPTER IX-GramOnt, with Ham
mond, visits Terrebonne, a wild section OF
Tie country, to inspect Lucie Ledanois' land,
which he believes contains oil. He finds in
dirations of apparently almost unbelievable
quantities of the stuff. While STOPPING over
a pool Of water which clearly shows traces
OF oil on its surface, Gramont hears his
CHAPTER X.-He cannot see the speak
ers, but the conversation ends singularIy
abruptly. Gramont does not investigate.
Hammond finds a dead man in some woods
and is charged by Bon Cacherre and two
Other men with murder. Gramont can do
nothing. The men take ANN to the
town of Houma. Later Gramont finds a
bjoodstained knife whore he had heard the
voices. He then realizes that C%acherre was
y-L 80 .la ,Ar . % l., ay All So tho m ~ .saT
CHAPTER NI.-BelicNing himself alone,
GramoHt investigates buildings on the ad-
Joining farm, which he knows belongs to
Memphis Ivy Gumberts. He finds evidence
of automobile stealing on a studendous scale
ana learns from Il man who discovers hin.
and whom he outwits, that the place is also
the headquarters of the underground lottery
game and that joachim Fell is the mysterious
boss"
CHAPTER NII-Back in the city, Cr1
mont learns of the killing of Joseph Mail.
lard. He seeks further evidence against
Fell Gramont. Fell. and LuCie Lcdanoia
form a company to bore for oil on the Le-
lauois place. Fell tells GramOnt he plant.
ed" the evidence Of oil there and unfolds a
scheme to make a fortune for the girl. Fell
threatens to prove him the murder of Mail
lard, which he seems able to do, and era
mont reluctantly agrees to join him.
CHAPTER NII-Gramont realizes he
must act quickly il he is to secure the
members Of the rober gang, Cacherre
aud binds the messenger. finding in his
pocket evidence he believes of value. Leav-
ing Cacherre bound, Gramont sets out for
Tegreboune, knowing that Memphis Ivy
Gumhors is to be there that afternoon.
CHAPTER Nli.--At y" orleans era
mont dis",osos himself as commissioned by
the governor to run down Gum3"rts and his
crowd, presents evidence against Fen and
TIL res. and demands that zen pc ADDED TO
those atroadv in custody. Tn chief ncSi-
tates ana Fell declaring hi l o. E -. 20
u.u r.cttrian, 'Tampnt n ''".S II ="
Governor Of the state. To his astonish-
--. 49,. gsa;. n.+rs,s. him, M, ia Az