St. Tammany farmer., 1922-09-30
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER I.-During the height OF the
New Orleans carnival season Jachin Fell
5 wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
txen, and DR.. Ansley, are discussing 4
series Of robberies by an individual known
40 the Midnight Masquer, who, invariably
ettired as an aviator. has long defied the
police. Joseph Maillard. wealthy banker,
Il giving q ball that night, at which the
NasQuer has threatened to appear and
rob the guests. Fell and Ansley, on their
way to the affair. meet girl dressed al
Columbine, seemingly known to Fell. but
masked, who accompanies them to the
: ball.
CHAPTER II.-Lucie Ledanois, recent
" the ward of her uncle. Joseph Mall
/, ArA, ID. the Columbine.
CHAPTER III.-In his library Joseph
Naillard and q group OF friends are held
up and robbed by the Midnight MasQuer.
- CHAPTER IV.-Lucie Ledanois, the last
Of an old family, IL in straitened circum-
stances. Joseph Maillards handling Of
her funds has been an unfortunate: Fen is
Interested In the girl. Henry Gramont,
, really the prince de Gramont, son Of
French father and an American mother,
but who spurns the title Of prince. is
q. not unfavored suitor.
Hammond, sergeant In the American
army in France, and there known to
Gramont, lives with him. He was the
: original Midnight Masquer. and Gramont.
ing Hammond's activities, assumes the
role. Where Hammond had been rob-
Der for financial gain, Gramont Of
course. Is not He arranges to return
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 vI.-Ben Cacherre. an in
dividual Of unsavory character, appears
has q peculiar Interview with one Mem
phis Icy Gumberts. notorious influential
crook in which there Is significant refer
ence to a mysterious "boss."
CHAPTER VI1.-Lucie. summons Ora
mont to her home and shows him the
packages from his auto. He admits he
10 the Midnight Masquer,, but conYinces
He refuses. however. to explain his pur-
j. their owners.
CHAPTER V1II.-That evening Fell,
Gramont. and d, DR.. Ansley. at the Krewe
S na whom G an hay
recognize as Bob Maillard. He invites
them to convivial party in private
room. They refuse. and GramOnt leaves
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
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
q struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "Masquer' escapes.
CHAPTER Ix.-Gramont. with HAM
-mond. Visits Terrebonne. q wild section
Of the country, to inspect Lucie Ledanois'
land, which he believes contains oil. He
finds indications of apparently almost I'M
believable quantities Of the stuff. While
stooning over a 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 singu-
larry abruptly. Gramont does not investi-
gate. Hammond finds dead man In
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
ne had heard the voices. He then realizes
that Cacherre was one of the men talk
Ing. and is the murderer.