The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-09-05
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SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER I.-During the height Of tho
New Orleans carnival season joachim Fell,
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
izen, and DR.. Ansley, are discussing a
series Of robberies by an individual known
as the Midnight Masquer. who. INVARIABLY
attired as an aviator. has long de1ed the
police. Joseph Maillard. wealthy banker.
is giving a ball that night, at which the
Masquer has threatened to appear and
rob the guests: Fell and Ansiey, ont on the D
Colum bine. seemingly known to. Fell. put
masked. who accompanies them to the
ball
CHAPTER II.-Lucie Ledanois. recent
" the ward of her uncle, Joseph Mail
lard. Is the Columbine.
CHAPTER HIN his library Joseph
up and robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
CHAPTER Iv-Lucie Ledanois. the last
Of an old fsmily. is In straitened circum:
her funds has been unfortunate. Fell is
an old friend of her parents and deeply
Interested In the girl Henry Gramont:
really the prince de Gramont, son OF
but who spurns the title of prince. is
enamored Of Lucie and believes himself
q not unf2vored sutton.
CHAPTER v.-Gramont's chauffeur.
Hammond, sergeant in the American
army in France, and there known to
Gramont, lives with him. He was the
original Midnight Masquer. and Gramont'
for particular purpose, after discover
ing Hammond's activities, assumes the
role. Where Hammond had been rob.
Der for financial gain. Gramont, OF
course, is not. He arranges to return
The jewels and money in individual pack
ages, are got ready for delivery next day
to their original owners. That night they
are; stolen from Gramont's auto.
CHAPTER vI.-Ben Cacherre. an in
divIdual of unsavory character, appears
to be associated with joachim Fell He
has a peculiar interview with one Mem,
phis Ley Gumberts. notorious influential
crook, in which there is significant refer
ence to a mysterious "boss.''
CHAPTER VII.-Lucie summons Ora
packages from his auto. He admits he
Is the Midnight Masqher. but convincei
har' tbat' he had no thought OF robbery.
He refuses. however. to explain his pur-
their owners.
dAPTER VIIY.-TnaI evening Fell.
CRANE n and DR.. Ansley. at the Krewe
ofsCm1Ls ball, are accosted by an In
toxicated masked individual whom they
recognize as Bob Mafllard. He invites
them to a convivial party In private
su Thsy sossph Maard seeks his
son, fearing public scandal as result OF
.Bob's condition. With Fell and Ansley
they find the room where the revels are
going on. Entering they discover an m
Of robbing the intoxicated youths. l.
a struggle that ensues Ma!llard Is shot
and killed. The "Masquer" escapes.
CHAPTER 1x.-Gramont with Ham,
mond, visits Terrebonne. a wild section
OF the country. to inspect Lucie Ledanols'
land which he believes eontains OIL Te
believabls quantities Of the stuff. While
clearly shows traces of oil on its sur.
face. Gramonr hears his name spoken.
CHAPTER X.-He cannot see tho
speakers, but the conversation ends singu-
larly abruptly. Gramont does not investi-
some woods and is charged BY Ben Ca:
cherrs and two other men with murder.
Gramont can do nothing. The men take
Hammond to the town Of Houma: Later
he had heard the voices. He then realizes
that Cacherrs was one Of the men talk
ing, and is the murderer.
CHAPTER xI-Believing himself alone.
GramoH investigates buildings on the
adjoining farm. which he knows belongs
to Memphis 1zZy Gumberts. He finds
evidence of automobile stealing on a
stupendous scale and learns from a man
who discovers him and whom he outwts.
that the place is also the headquarters
Of the underground lottery game and
that joachim Fell Is the mysterious boss "
CHAPTER X1I-BacK In the city. Ora
mont learns OF the killing of Joseph Mall
lard. He seeks further evidence against
Fell. Gramont. Fell and Lucie Ledanois
form a company to bore for oil on the Le-
danois place. Fell tells Gramont he plant
ed" the evidence Of oil there and un-
folds scheme to make a fortune for the
girl. ,Gramont refuses to be party to
the project. Fell threatens to prove him
the murderer OF Mailard. which he seems
able to do, and Gramont reluctantly
agrees to Join him
CHAPTER XIII.-Gramont realizes he
must act quickly II he Is to secure the
members Of the robber gang. Cacherre
brings him note from Fell, and he
stuns and binds the messenger. finding TN
his pocket evidence he believes of value.
Leaving Cacherre bound, Gramont sets
out for Terrebonne, knowing that Men,
phis Izzy Gumberts is to be there that
afternoon.