White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-07-09
SYNOPSIS

wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
tSen, and DIR. Ansley. are discussing a
series of robberies by an individual known
rs the Midnight Masquer. who. invariably
attired as an aviator, has long defied 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 Ansley, on their
way 70 the affair. meet a girl dressed as
Columbine, seemingly known to Fell. but
masked. who accompanies them to the
ball.
CHAPTER H.-Lucie Ledanois. recent
ly the ward OF her uncle, Joseph Mall
lard. II the Columbine.
CHAPTER HIN his library Joseph
Maillard and . group of friends are. held
up n robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
CHAPTER Iv.-Lucie Ledanois. the last
OF an old family, Is In straitened circum-
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling. Of
her funds has been unfortunate. Fell II
an old friend of her parents and deeply
Interested In the girl. Henry Gramont.
really the prince de Gramont. son. of
but who spurn the title of prince. Is
enamored OF Lucie and believes himself
q not unfavored 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 a particular purpose, after discover
ing Hammond's activities. assumes the
role. Where Hammond had been a rob.
Der for financial gain, Gramont, OF
course. Ia not He arranges to return
the loot to those whom he has robbed.
The Jewels and money, In Individual pack
ages. are got ready for delivery next day
20 their original owners. hat night they
are stolen from Gramont's auto.
CHAPTER VI-Ben cacherre. an in
dividual of unsavory character, appears
TO be associated with Jachin Fell. lie
10. n al tnT a. .F aff 49, AAUr-
phis Icy Gufnberts, notorious influential
crook, IN which there Is significant refer
nee to a mysterious boss"
CHAPTER vH.-Iueie summons era
mont TO her home and shows him the
is the Midnight Masquer. but convinces
her that he had no thought of robbery.
He refuses, however, to explain his pur-
pose The packages are returned TO
their owners
CHAPTER vIu-That evening Fell.
Gramont. and DR.. Ansiey. at the Krewe
of Comus ball. are accosted by an IN
toxicated masked Individual whom they
recognize as Bob MaiIlard. He invites
room. They refuse. and Grament leaves
the building. Joseph Mailiard seeks his
son. fearing public scandai as a result OF
Bob's condition. With Fell and Ansley
they n the room where the reveis are
Sividusi. alfred az an aviator. IN the ac'
OF TODDInK Int T1tONIthttu FpuANT =
a struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "Masduer" escapes.
CHAPTER Ix.-Gramont. with Ham,
mond, visits T~errebonne. a wild section
of the country. to inspect Lucie Ledanois
nnds indications of apparently almost IN
believable quantities of the stun. While
STOPPING over a pool of water which
clearly shows traces OF oil on Its sur
face. Gramont hears his name spoken.
(CONTfNu ED FROM LAST WEEK.
Whatever had happened. Hammond
had evidently not been easily cap
tured. His c~ountenance was m
what battered. and the n captor who
wore n collar was bleeding copiously
from a cut cheek. The three turned
as Gramont's car drove up. and Ham,
mond gave an ejaculation Of relief.
Here he is now"
Shut upt" snapped one of his
armed captors In m ugly tone. Hurry
up, Chaeherre---get a rope and tie this
gink I"
Gramont teaped from the car and
strobe forward.
whats been going on thereY' he
demanded. sharply. "Hammond-'
II found a dead man over In them
bushes" shot cut Hammond, land
these guys jumped me before ! seen
'em. They claim I done it"
"a dead mani" repeated Gramont.
and looked at the three. What do
you meanT
"Give him the spiel. Chachexre."
growled one OF them. Ben Chacherre
stepped forward, his bold eyes das-
tened on those Of Gramont with n look
of defiance. :
1.-THE sheriff was here some time
ago. looking for a stolen boat" he
said, "and went OF toward the Leda-
,nols place. We were following, in or
der TO help him search, when we came
upon this man standing In the bushes,
over the body OF the sheriff. A knife
was In his hand, and the sheriff had
been stabbed to death. lie drew a PTS
toll md shot m OF US"
GraRont wns staggered for a mo-
ment. ~Wait |" he exclaimed. Ham
mond, hew much of this is true?"
"What I'm tellin' you, cap'n," an
swered Hammond, ~doggedly. II found
q man layin' there and was looking at
him when these guys jumped me. l
shot that fellow In the arm. all right.
then they grabbed my gun ard got me
down. That's ALL"
The sherin-muTdered!
Into the mind of Gramont lenped
that brief conversation which he had
overheard between Ben Chacllerre and
the sheriff; the strange. unnatural ST.
lence which had concluded that
broken-ofr conversations. lie stared
from Hammond to the others, speech
less for the momeHt, yet with hot
words rising im%petuously II him.
= Now he noticed that Clacherre and
his two companions were watching
him very Intoutly. pnd weis slightly
circline out. lie sensrd an %eclualnt-
c mons all these men. Hc saw