The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-08-29
SYNOPSIS


wealthy though somewhat mysterious cit
izen, and DR.. Ansley, are discussing =
series Of robberies by an individual known
as the Midnight Masquer. who. Invariably
police Joseph Maillard. wealthy banker
il giving a ball that night, at which the
Masquer has threatened to appear ana
way to the affair. meet girl dressed as
Columbine. seemingly known to Fell. but
masked, who accompanies them. to the
ball. = :ts94TTst ssss-a
CHAPTER II-Lucie Ledanois. recent,
ly the ward of her uncls Joseph Mail
lard, is the Columbine.. tsS
CHAPTER HIN; his library Joseph
Naillard and a group Of friends are held
up and robbed by the Midnight Masquer.
CHAPTER 1v.-Lucie Ledanols. the last
Of IN old family, IS in straitened circum.
stances: Joseph Maillard's handling Of
her funds has been unfortunate. Fell is
an old friend Of her parents and deeply
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 sutton.
EcHAPTER v.-Gramont.s chauffeur.
Hammond; sergeant in the American
Gramont lives with him. He was the
original Midnight Masquer, and Gramont.
for a particular purpose, after discover
role. Where Hammond had been q rob.
Der for financial gain. Gramont. OF
course. is not. He arranges to return
the loot to those whom he has robbed.
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
divitual Of unsavory character, appears
to be associated with joachim Fell; He
has a peculiar interview with one Mem:
crock. In which there IS significant refer
ence to q mysterious "boss.'
Iront to her home and shows him the
packages from his auto. He admits he
is. the Midnight Masquer, but convinces
her that he had no thought Of robbery.
pose. The packages are returned to
their owners.
:dAPTER vIIr.-1nax evening Fell.
Of: colnus bail, are accosted by an in
toxicated mashed Individual whom they
them to a convivial party in private
room. They refuse. and Gramont leaves
the building. Joseph Maillard seeks his
son, fearing public scandal as a result OF
they find the room where the revels are
going on. Entering they discover an in
dfviduaE attired as an aviator, in the act
a struggle that ensues Maillard is shot
and killed. The "k1asquer" escapes
CHAPTER Ix.-Gramont with Ham
Mond. visits Terrebonne. 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
STOPPING over pool of water which
clearly shows traces of oil OF its sur
face, Gramont hears his name spoken.
CHAPTER X.-He cannot see the
speakers, but the conversation ends singu-
larly abruptly. Gramont does not investi-
gate. Hammond finds dead man in
some woods and is charged by Ben Ca
cherr, and two other men with murder.
Gramont can do nothing. The men take
Hammond to the town of Houma. Later
Granont 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.-Believlns hlmsel, alone.
adjoining farm, which he kacrs belongs
to Memphis Izzy Gumberts. He finds
evidence Of automobile stealing on a
stupendous scale and learns from q 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"
CHAPTER X1I.-Back In the city, Ora
mont learns Of the killing Of Joseph Mail
lard He seeks further evidence against
Fell. Gramont. Fell, and Lucie Ledanos
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 a fortune for the
girl. Gramont refuses to be a party to
the project. Fell threatens 70 prove him
the murderer Of Maillard. which he seems
able to do. and Gramont reluctantly
agrees to Join him.