The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-09-01
SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS i
CHAPTER I.-During the height Of thS
Nav Orieans carnival season joachim Fell,
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cAt-
teen, and DR.. Ansley, are dlscusSlnk
series of robberies by an Individual known
alfred as an aviator. has long defied tho
police. Joseph Naillard, wealthy 6anksf,
Is giving a ball that night, at Whlcn tns
Masauer has threatened 70 appear en +h a
way to the affair, meet girl dressed az
Coium bine, seemingly known to Fell oue
masked. who accompanies them to the
bali,
CHAPTER II.-Lucie Ledanois. recent
" the ward Of her uncle. Joseph Mall
lard, is the Columbfne.
CHAPTER Iu-In his library Joseph
Matllard and group Of friends are ne!o
up and 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: e. seM rs
an. old friend Of her parents ana deeply
interested in the girl. Henry Gramont:
really the prince de Gramont, son OK
a French father and an American motner,
enamored Of Lucie and believes himself
Z not unfavored sutton.
CHAPTER v.-Gramonts chauffeur:
amy. in France. and there known to
Granont, lives with him. He was the
original Midnight Masauer. and Gramont'
fora particular purpose. ateer aIsco' th.
role. Where Hammond had been ROB.
ber for financial gain. Gramont: Tor, OK
course, Is not He arranges to return
the loot to those whom he has robbed:
The Jewels and money. irr individual pack
ages, are got ready for delivery next day
to their original owners. That night they
are stolen from Gramonts auto.
CHAPTER v1.-Ben Cacherre. an In
dividuat Of unsavory character, appears
to be associated with joachim Fell He
phis ley Gumberts. notorious influential
crook, IN which there is significant refer
ence to a mysterious bose"
CHAPTER v11.-Lucie summons Ora
mont to her home and shows him the
packages from his auto. He admits ne
IS. the Midnight Masquer. but convinces
He refuses, however. to explain his pur-
pose The packages are returned to
their owners.
>dAPTER V11I.I1nss evening Fell.
Gramont, and DR.. Ansley, at the kreWe
Of 'Cofnus ball. are accosted by an m
toxicated masked individual whom they
them to. a convivial party in private
room. They refuse, and Gcamont leaves
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
SoS. fee e1na, HDew VIA FIJI as and Ansy
going on Entering they discover an IN
diyidual. attired as an aviator. in the ac'
Of robbing the intoxicated YOUTHS ~ !.
a struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "Masquer' escapes.
CHAPTER 1x.-Gramont. with Ham
mond, visits Terrebonne. a wild section
of the country, to inspect Lucie Ledanois
land. which he believes contains oil He
finds Indications Of apparently almost IN
stopping over pool of water which
clearly shows traces Of oil on its sur
face. Gramont hears his name spoken.
CHAPTER x.-He cannot see the
speakers, but the conversation ends Singh
larly abruptly. Gramont does not investi-
gate. Hammond finds dead man IN
sene woods and is charged by Ben Ca
cherra 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 Cacherre was one OF the men talk
Ing, and is the murderer.
CHAPTER xL-Believing himself alone
Gramont investigates buildings on the
adjoining farm. which he kac~s belongs
to Memphis Izzy Gumberts He hnd'
evidence of automobile stealing on a
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 joachim Fell is the mysterious boss. y
CHAPTER XII.-BacK In the city. Ora
mont learns Of the killing Of Joseph Mail
lard. He seeks further evidence against
Fell. Gramont, Fell, and Lucie Ledanols
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 fortune for the
girl. Gramont refuses to be party to
the project Fell threatens to prove him
the murderer of Maillard. which he seems
able to do, and Gramont reluctantly
agrees to 1oin him
CHAPTER XIII.-Gramont realizes ne
must act quickly if he is to secure the
members OF the robber gang. Cacherre
brings him a note from Fell. and he
stuns and binds the messenger. finding In
his pocket evidence he believes OF value
Leaving Cacherre bound, Gramont sets
out for Terrebonne. knowing that Mem
phis Icy Gumberts IS to be there thai
afternoon.