The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1922-11-02
SYNOPSIS

I.-During the height Of the
New Orleans carnival season Jachln Fcli.
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
izcn, and DR.. Ansley, are discussing a series
of robbaries by an individual known as the
Midnight Masquer, who. Invariably attlTen
as an aviator. has long dehed the ponce. Jo-
seph Manlard, wealthy banker, is giving a
ball that night. at which the Masquer mas
threatened to appear and rob the guests
Fell and Ansley, on theid way to the hnalr,
meet a girl dressed az Columbine, seemingly
known to Fell. but masked, who accompanies
them to the ball.
CHAPTER U.-Llcie Ledanois. recently
the ward Of her uncle, Joseph Maillard, Is
the COlumbine.
CHAPTER uI-In his library Joseph
MaiIlard and a group OF friends are helu up
and robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
CHAPTER IV.-Lucie Ledanois. the last
OF an old family, is in straitened clrcuin-
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling or her
funds has been unfortunate. Fell Is an old
friend OF her parents and deeply Interested
In the girl. Henry Gramont. really tho
prince de Gramont, son OF n french fathef
and an American mother. but who spurns
the title OF prince. Is enamored Of Lucie and
believes himself a not unfayored suitor.
CHAPTER V.-Gramonts 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 activities.
assumes the role. Where Hammond has
been a robber for financial gain. Gramont. OF
course, is not. lie arranges to return the
IODt u thOSh III it hao ~ ''
Jewels and money, in individual packages,
are got ready for delivery next day to their
original owners. That night they are stolen
CHAPTER VL-Ben Cacherre. an indivi-
dual OF unsavory character, appears to be
associated with joachim Fell. lie has n pc
culiar Interview with one Memphis Icy
Gumberts, notorious influential crook, II
which there is significant reference to n mys-
tcTlous boss"
CHAPTER VII.-Lucie summons Ora
mont to her home and shows him the pack
ages from his auto. He admits he Is the
Midnight Masquer. but convinces her tina
he had no thought OF robbery. lie refuses,
however, to explain his purpose. The pack
ages are returned 10 their owners.
CHAPTER VTIG.-That evening Fell
Gramont. and Or. Ansley, at the Krewe OF
Comus ball. are accosted by an intoxicated
masked individual whom they recognize as
Bob MaiIlard. 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 ana Ansley they find the room where
the revels are going on. Entering they dis
cover an individual. attired Il san aviator.
In the act of robbing the intoxicated youths.
In n struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "Masquer" escapes.
CHAPTER IX.-Gramont, with Ham
mond, visits Terrebonne. Il 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 stun. While STOPPING over
n pool OF water which clearly shows traces
OF oil on it's surface, Gramont hears his
name spoken.
X.-He cannot see the speak
ers, but the conversation ends singularly
abruptly. Gramont does not investigate.
mmo finds a dead man in some woods
and is charged by Ben Cacherre and two
other men with murder. Gramont can do
nothing The men take Hammond to the
town OF Houma. Later Gramont finds a
bloodstained knife where he had heard the
voices. He then realizes that Cacherre was
one Of the men talking. and Is the murderer.