St. Tammany farmer., 1922-10-14
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER I.-During the height OF tn,
fGAW Orleans carnival season Jnchin Fell
wealthy though some what mysterious cit
f1a1. and DR.. Ansley, are discussing
eartes OF robberies by an individual known
g the Midnight Masquer, who. invariabl,
attired as an aviator, has long defied thu
police. Joseph Maillard, wealthy banker
Il giving ball that night, at which thu
Nasqusr has threatened to appear ane
ROB the guests. Fell and Ansley, on theil
way to the affair, meet a girl dressed Al
masked, who accompanies them to the
ball.
CHAPTER 11:-Lucie Ledanois. recent
" the ward Of her uncle, Joseph Mail
EFA, is the Columbine
CHAPTER II1.-In his library JOSEPH
Naillard and group Of friends are held
CHAPTER IV.-Lucis Ledanois. the last
Of IN old family, 4 in straitened circum.
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling Of
her funds has been unfortunate. Fell IL
IN old friend OF her parents and deeply
4 interested In the girl. Henry 4ramont
rally the prince de Gramont. son OF
French father and an American mother
6ut who spurns the title of prince, IL
euamored OF Lueie and believes himself
\ . not unfavorsd suitor.
CHAPTER v.-Gramont's chauffeur
Hammond sergeant In the American
0ramont, lives, with him. He was the
original Midnight Masquer. and Gramont,
lng Hammond's activities assumes the
role. Where Hammond had been a rob-
Der for financial gain, Gramont, Of
: course. Is not. He arranges to return
The Jewels and money, in individual pack
l. eRes are got ready for delivery next day
to their original owners That night they
ars stolen from Gramont's auto.
CHAPTER VI-Ben Cacherre, an in
dividual of unsavory character, appears
% be associated with Jachin Fell. He
has peculiar interview with one Mem
phis 1zzy Gumberts. notorious influential
crook In which there Is significant refer
enco to q mysterious "boss."
CHAPTER vII.-Lucie summons Gra-
mont to her home and shows him the
packages from his auto. He admits he
10 the Midnight Masquer, but convinces
her that he had no thought of robbery.
pose. The packages are returned to
their owners.
CHAPTER VII1.-That evening Fell,
Gramont, and DR.. Aneley, at the Krewe
q Comus bali. are Hccosted BY an In IN
them to convivial party in a private
room. They refuse, and Gramont leaves
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
son; fearing public t.a scandal Il, as result Of
they find the room where the revels Are
Soing on Entering they discover an in
ditidual, attfred as an aviator, In the act
Of robbin9 the intoxicated youths. r
ana killed. The "Masquer'' escapes.
4 CHAPTER x.-Gramont. with Ham
nonA, visits Terrebonne: a wild section
q ne county to Inspect L1eiS
nnds Indications Of apparently almost un-
bslisvable quantities Of the stuff. While
ntooping over 4 pool of water which
cisarly shows traces OF oil on its sur
Z CHAPTER x.-IIe cannot see the
speakers, but the conversation ends singu
some woods and Is charged by Ben Ca
chsrre and two other men with murder.
Gramont can do nothing; The men take
0Famont finds bloodstained knife whore
he had heard the voices. He then realizes
that Cacherre was one OF the mon talk
Ing. and is the murderer.
CHAPTER xI.-Believing himself alone.
Gramont investigates buildings on tho
adjoining farm, which he knows belongs
TO Memphis 1zzy Gumberts. He 1nd'
evidence of automobile stealing on
stupendous scale and learns from a man
Who discovers him and whom he outwits,
that the place is also the headquarters
OF the underground lottery game and
that Jachin Fell Is the mysterious boss"
CHAPTER XII.-Back in the city, Grn
mont learns of the killing of Joseph Mall
lard He seeks further evidence against
(4r1mnnt I.a6Qn014
form q 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 forNthe
gtrl Gramont refuses to be partyNto
the project. Fell threatens to prove him
the murderer Of Maillard, which he seems
able to do, and Gramont reluctantly
agrees to join him.