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The story takes place in Texas, after the Mexican-American War. The main character is Maurice Gerald, an Irishman and a brave mustang hunter (wild horse), who lives a free life in the harsh expanses of the prairie. Maurice falls in love with Luisa Poindexter, the daughter of a wealthy landowner. Their love is not welcomed, especially by Captain Cassius Calhoun, a relative of the Poindexter family, who also wants to win Luisa. When a member of the Poindexter family – Henri, Luisa's brother – is murdered, Maurice is accused of the crime. The key and enigmatic motif of the novel is the appearance of the Headless Horseman, who roams the prairie at night and who, it seems, is connected to the murder. The mysterious figure creates an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Maurice must prove his innocence, discover the true identity of the murderer and uncover the "confidential secret" hidden by some of the characters. As the plot progresses, a tangle of envy, lies, hidden interests, and betrayal is revealed, and Maurice, with the help of his friends and his own courage, manages to survive numerous traps and clarify the truth.