St. Tammany farmer., 1922-10-21

SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER I.-During the height Of the
New Orleans carnival season Jachin Fell,
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
ixen. and DR.. Ansley, are discussing q
series OF robberles by an individual known
% the Midnight Masquer, who, invariab bly,
ettired as an aviator. has long defied the
police. Joseph Maillard, wealthy banker,
u giving bali that night, at which the
Iasquer has threatened to appear and
rob the guests. Fell and Ansley, on their
way to the affair. meet girl dressed az
Columbin seemingly known to Fell. but
masked, who accompanies them to the
bali.
CHAPTER u.-Lucie Ledanois, recent
" the ward Of her uncle. Joseph Mall
lard, is the Columbine.
CHAPTER III-In his library Joseph
Nslllard and q group OF friends are held
up and robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
CHAPTER IV.-Lucie Ledanois, the last
Of IN old family, is In straitened crcum-
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling Of
hsr end has %
interested In the girl. Henry Gramont,
really the prince de Gramont, son of
q French father and an American mother
but who spurns the title of prince, is
snamored of Lucie and believes himself
q not unfavored sutor.
CHAPTER v.-Gramonts chauffeur
army in France. and there known to
Gramont lives with him. He was the
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
the loot to those whom he has robbed.
The Jewels and money In Individual pack
ages, are got ready for delivery next day
to their original owners. That night they
are stolen from Gramont's auto.
CHAPTER v1.-Ben Cacherre, an in
to be associated with Jachin Fell He
has a peculiar interview with one Men,,
phis 1zzy Gumberts. notorious influential
!. CHAPTER VII.-Lucie summons Gra-
mont to her home and shows him the
actages ts frGm his auto He bt admits he
her that he had no thought of robbery.
He refuses, however, to explain his pur-
pose. The packages are returned to
their owners.
CHAPTER vII1-That evening Fell.
Gramont, and DR.. Ansley, at the Krewe
Of Comus ball are accosted by an in
toxicated masked individual whom they
recognize as Bob Maillard. He invites
them to convivial party in private
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
SON, fearing public scandal as a result of
Bob's condition. With Fell and Ansley
they find the room where the revels are
going on. Entering they discover an in,
dividual, attired as an aviator, In the act
Of robbing the Intoxicated youths. Il,
struggle that ensues Maillard Is shot
and killed. The ''Masquer" escapes
CHAPTER Ix.-Gramont, with Ham
mond visits Terrebonne, a wild section
Of the country. to inspect Lucie Ledanois'
finds indications of apparently almost un-
believable quantities of the stuff. While
STOPPING over pool of water which
clearly shows traces of oil on its sur
CHAPTER x.-He cannot see the
speakers, but the conversation ends singu-
larly abruptly. Gramont does not invest.
some woods and is charged by Ben Ca
cherre and two other men with murder.
Gramont can do nothing: The men take
Hammond to the town of Houma. Later
Gramont finds bloodstained knife where
he had heard the voices He then realizes
that Cacherre was one of the men talk
ing. and is the murderer.
CHAPTER xI.-Believing himself alone
Gramont investigates buildings on the
to Memphis Izzy Gumberts. H" fn,'
evidence of automobile stealing on q
stupendous scale and learns from 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, Ora
mont learns Of the killing Of Joseph Mall
lard. He seeks further evidence against
Fell. Gramont. Fell, ard Lucie Ledanois
form company to bore for oil on the Le-
ed" the evidence Of oil there and un-
folds scheme to make a 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 Join him.
CHAPTER XIII.-Gramont realizes he
must act quickly If he is to secure the
members of the robber gang. Cacherre
brings him note from Fell, and he
his pocket evidence he believes of value.
Leaving Cacherre bound, Gramont sets
out for Terrebonne, knowing that Mem
phis Izzy Gumberts Is to be there tha:
afternoon.
CHAPTER XIV.-At Terrebpnne Gra-
mont surprises and arrests Gumberts and
four others of the gang. One Of Cum
berts' crowd shoots Gramont, breaking his
arm. Gramont kills him, but is about to
be overpowered when members of his
post of the American Legion. whom he
had instructed to follow him, arrive and
take charge of Gumberts and the rest
OF the gang. In Cacherre's auto they find
8 bloodstained aviator's costume and an
automatic revolver. Gramont. is convinced
that Cacherre is the slayer of Joseph
Maillsrd.