The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-10-26
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER I.-During the height of the
New Orleans carnival season joachim Fell,
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
izen, and DR.. AnsIey. are discussing a series
OF robberies by an individual known as the
Midnight Masquer, who, invariably attired
as an aviator, has long deted the police. Jo-
seph Maillard, wealthy banker, is giving a
BAH that night, at which the Masquer has
threatened to appear and rob the guests.
Fell and Ansley, on theid way to the affair,
meet a girl dressed as ~Columbine, seemingly
known to Fell. but masked, who accompanies
them to the ball.
CHAPTER lI.-Lucie Ledanois, recently
the ward of her uncle, Joseph Maillard, is
the Columbine
CHAPTER Hin his library Joseph
Maillard and a group of friends are held up
and robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
lN.-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 girl. Henry Gramont, really the
prince de Gramont, son Of a French father
and an American mother, but who spurns
the title of prince. is enamored of Lucie and
believes himself a not unfavored sutton.
CHAPTER V.-Gramont's chauffer. Ham
mond, sergeant in the American army in
France, and there known TO Gramont, lives
with him. He was the original Midnight
Masquer, and Gramont, for a particular pur.
pose. after discovering Hammond's activities,
assumes the role. Where Hammon has
been a robber for financial gain, Gramont, Of
course, is not. He arranges to return the
loot to those WhOln ne mas lODbtd. / ne
jewels and money. in individual packages,
are got ready for delivery next day 10 their
original owners. That night they are stolen
from Gramont's auto.
Nl.-Ben Cacherre, an indivl-
dual of unsavory character, appears TO be
associated with Jachin Fell. He has a pc
culiar interview with one Memphis Icy
Gumberts, notorious influential crook, in
which there is significant reference to a mys-
teriouS boss"
- summons era
mont to her home and shows him the pack
ages from his auto. He admits he is the
Midnight Masquer, but conyinces her that
he had no thought Of robbery. lie refuses,
however, to explain his purpose. The pack
ages are returned to their owners.
CHAPTER NIII-That evening Fell,
ramon and DR.. Ansley, at the krewe of
masked individual whom they recognize as
Bob Maillard. He invites them to the car
nival party in a private room. They refuse,
and Gramont leaves the building. Joseph
Maillard seeks his son, fearing public scan
day as a result Of Bob's condition. With
Fell and Ansley they find the room where
the revels are going on. Entering they dis
cover an individual, attired a san aviator,
i'm the act of robbing the intoxicated youths.
In a struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "Masquer' escapes.
IX-Gramont, with Ham
mond, visits Terrebonne, a wild section OF
the country, to inspect Lucie Ledanois' land,
which he believes contains Oil. He finds in
dications Of apparently almost unbelievable
quantities OF the stuff. While STOPPING over
a pool of water which clearly shows traces
of oil on it's surface, Gramont hears his
name spoken.