St. Tammany farmer., 1922-10-07
SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER I.-During tho height OF tn
nv Orleans carnival season JachIn Fell
wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
fxen, and DR.. Ansley, are discussing
series Of robberies by an individual know
% the Midnight Masquer. who, invariabl,
police. Joseph Maillard. wealthy banker
q giving ball that night, at which tn,
NasQuer has threatened to appear ant
rob the guests: Fell and Ansley, on theil
Coiumbine. seemingly known to Fell. bul
masked, who accompanies them to the
ball.
II The ward OF her uncle, joseph Mail.
lard, Is the Columbine.
CHAPTER III.-In his library JOSEPH
Naillard and 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 circum-
stances. Joseph Maillard's handling OF
her funds has been unfortunate. Fell Is
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, IL
Il not unfavored suitor.
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,
Ing Hammond's activities, assumes the
role Where Hammond had been a 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 Gramonts auto.
CHAPTER vI.-Ben Cacherre. an in
dividual of unsavory character, appears
has a peculiar interview with one Men,
Dhls Izzy Gumberts, notorious influential
crook, in which there Is significant refer
ence to a mysterious ''boss."
CHAPTER v1I.-Lucie summons Gra-
mont to her home and shows him the
packages from his auto. He admits he
II the Midnight Masquer, but convinces
He refuses. however, to explain his pur-
pose. The packages are returned to
their owners.
CHAPTER V1I1.-That evening Fell.
Gramont and Dr. Ansley, at the Krewe
q comgs ball, are Aceosted BY an in
sSeia rsccsnize % as Bob % Mailard. en He invites s
them to a convivial party in private
room. They refuse, and Gramont leaves
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
o. 1RG eonon wh Fa as and xnssg
they find the room where the revels are
going on. Entering they discover an in
diyidual attired as an aviator, In the act
Of irobbing the intoxicated youths. I,
struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed The ''Masquer" escapes.
CHAPTER Ix.-Gramont. with Ham
monA. visits Terrebonne. q wild section
land, which },e believes contains oil. He
finds indications of apparently almost un-
beteyable quantities Of the stun. While
STOPPING over pool of water, which
face. Gramort hears his name spoken.
CHAPTER x-He cannot see the
epeakers, but the conversation ends singu-
hrly abruptly. Gramont does not invest-
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
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 x1.-Belleving himself alono,
Gramont investigates buildings on the
TO Memphis Izzy Gumberts. He finds
evidence of automobile stealing on q
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 Jachin Fell Is the mysterious boss"
CHAPTER xII.-Back In the city. GrR-
mont learns Of the killing OF Joseph Mall
lard He seeks further evidence against
Fell. Gramont, Fell. and Lucie Ledanois
form company to bore for oil on the Le-
danois place. Fell tells Gramont he plant
cd" the evidence of oil there and un-
folds scheme to make fortune for the
girl. Gramont refuses to be a 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.