The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-23 00:00:00

POLICE IN

F.—This Day.

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

TILE SOI-DISANT GERMAN BARON AND HIS VICTIMS.—
Ernest Rathenow, a tall German, also styling himself the
" Baron Rox," wearing a fashionable grey coat, was charged
before Mr. Knox with assaulting police-cpnstable 54 E
under the following peculiar circumstances :
A number of cabmen were in attendance to prefer charges
against the prisoner.
The constable said—l was called to 77, Margaret-street,

where a lady, who was in the area, told me that she re-
quired protection from the prisoner, who was conducting
himself in a most extraordinary manner. The
.prisoner

was in the passage and would not let any one into the

house. He afterwards made his appearance at an upper
window and poured two or three jugs of water over him.
I afterwards gained admission to the house and took the
prisoner into custody. The prisoner gave the name of the
Baron Rex.

The Prisoner—My name is Ernest Rathenow. Can I
speak ?
Mr. Knox—Certainly.
Prisoner—l've no questions to ask the constable, but I
did not see him when I threw the water.
Constable—lt is not true. He came to Margaret-street

on Monday evening and engaged apartments, stating that
his luggage would come the next day. He gave the name
of Alberts, and ho was known at the Prussian embassy.
Mr. Hudson, of No. 77, Margaret-street, said—The pri-
soner came to my house on Monday evening and took
apartments. On Tuesday morning several cabmen came
to the house and made a disturbance. The prisoner came
inside and shut the door, would not let any one in, and said
he would sit in the passage. In fact, I was afraid ho would
do mischief either to myself or a little girl. A large crowd
collected outside the house. He dined on Monday evening
at my house, and ordered a bottle of whisky, and yester-
day he had breakfast.
Mr. Knox—My doubt is whether he is in his right mind.
Prisoner—l don't see that I have committed myself.
Mr. Knox—You have thrown water over the constable
and caused a disturbance. There are a number of cabmen
outside.

Prisoner—Oh, that's very likely.
Constable—There is a gentleman present who says the

prisoner has been in an asylum.

Prisoner—l have been in ono, and I got heavy damages
against the person who put me there. I suppose because
a man takes cabs and does not pay for theni immediately,
he is mad!

A cabman here stepped forward and said—The prisoner

I took me from Oxford-street to the Blackwell Station.
While there another cabman came up and claimed some
money of him, and two or three others wanted to see him.
The prisoner then went into a shop to see the directory,
and afterwards told me to ride to Aldermaubury, then to
Throgmorton-street, then to Percy-street, Tottenham-
court-road, and back again. As I could not get my money
I took him to the Guildhall Police-court. They told me
there that I had better take him back to Percy-street,
which I did, when he ran into the house like steam and
through another house, but I succeeded in catching him.
He then told me 1 could lock him up, at the same time
giving an address in Cavendish-square. After that he
made off to the Pantheon; and tried to escape me by dodg-
ing amongst the different stalls. From the Pantheon he
went to Marshall and Snelgrove's, and after another sharp
chase I tracked him to 77, Margaret-street, the door of
which house ho opened with a latch-key. Finding I had
him safe, I went for a constable, and saw him throw
water over him.

A person living in Percy-street said—The prisoner
opened the gate and ran through the house, nearly knock-
ing me down. I then told the cabman to look after him.
Mr. Knox (to the prisoner)—Have you any friend in
London?

Prisoner—Yes, the secretary to the Pmssian Legation.

Another cabman, an elderly, good-humoured man,
after taking a scrutinising glance at the prisoner, said—
On Sunday morning last, at a quarter to 7, he engaged me
in Camden Town. He then took me to Castle-street,
where he changed his suit of clothes. He then told me to
drive to Finchley. When we got to the first gate he said
he had nothing less than a sovereign. I lent him a half-
penny till he got through, knowing the man. On getting
to tho second gate he said he had only a£s note. I went
to Grove-place, and there prisoner stopped. The gentle-
man at the house gave me a cup of coffee. I afterwards
had dinner, the prisoner staying there some hours. Just
as we were about leaving the gentleman came out and
told me he was glad to get rid of his visitor, at the same
time saying, "Do you know him—he is a slippery cus-
tomer ?" which put me down in my luck—(laughter)—as
I thought I had a tidy job, which your worship will see it
turned out. (Laughter.) The prisoner then told me to
drive to Bayswater, to Fitzroy-square, and to his house in
Tower-street. When he came out of the house I
asked him for my money, and he said, "If you go
back to Oxford-street I'll settle with you." On
arriving there—the round being up—he told me
to wait till next day, so I followed him, and at last spoke
to him, when he gave me a false address. I have also
ascertained that he has obtained goods of different trades-
men. I went to the address ho gave me, and found it to
be false. I also found that he had taken three lodgings in
one day, -at each saying his baggage was at the King's-
cross station. He also gave an address in Wigmore-street.
Ah ! there's a butcher there wants to see him. A Mr.
Groom wants to see him, and so does Mr. Way. It's all
true what I'm saying, and my gentleman knows it. I'm
glad he is here, as it will save persons from being robbed
by a man who bilks cabmen, and takes three lodgings in
one day.
Constable—A gentleman in Regent-street has a claim or
charge against the prisoner.

Mr. Knox—l shall remand him.
Constable—Goods were sent in the prisoner's name to
Margaret-street, but were not taken in.
Cabman—l was engaged 11 hours, and never got a
penny, and there are several others who have been served
the same way by him.