Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-11-15
STEALING FINE DIAMONDS.
A Very Singular Story About an English
Barnnai,

The Figaro tells remarkable story
There ia now living In Parls a LADY,
whose name is not dlyulged--who has
become celebrated throughout all Europe
for her adventures and for her magnla-
cent diamonds. The value Of these dla.
nonds was estimated at eight millions Of
francs.
Among her Intimate friends Madame
X. counted Slr Joshua d. gentleman OF
cold and reserved hearing. He was very
attentive TO her. But, unfortunately for
Madame X. the deyolcd Englshman did
not love her for herself, but for her
jewels, and he was In reality the chief Of
an orga lized band OF robbers.
His plan was well laid. To the month
Of January last year he induced the hus.
band Of Madame X. TO have the ceiling
of his apartment freacoed, and reconl-
mended to him for hat purpose an ltal
ian painter, who, Sir Joshua said, was
an excellent workman. The painter,
member of the robher band, came from
Milan, aud Improved the time he was at
work In the room by taking an impress
sion of all the locks. A month after this,
Sir Joshua suggested to the husband that
his wlfe's diamonds were not in safety,
and that Madame < ought TO buy
iewel-case for them, at the same time
remarking that he knew very good
English maker. The new iewel-case was
accordingly made in London, aud the
diamonds were placed in it.
AT the end Of two months later. on the
warm recommendation of Sir Joshua,
permission was granted by Madame X, to
another of his confederates, a Munich
jeweller, to copy the designs Of some Of
her lewelry, ostensibly for the Empress of
Germany.
The plan was then complete. paitc
de ehanibre, in the employ Of Sir Joshua,
opened every day tho jewel case which
had been provided with secret and in-
visible opening in the hack OF the case.
II was only necessary to press button,
and a secret spring opened the box.
In this way the diamonds were ic'
moved one by one, their places being
supplied By imitation stOuce. which were
made with such ininiitahle perfection by
the Munich lewcller that they exactly
resembled the gehulhe diamonds. Madame
| x. did not perceive any change, and the
robbery was only discovered by chance.
A few days ago one Of her intimate
friends. a lady who was going TO London.
borrowed from Madame Y. a splendid
solitaire.
"Take good care Of it," said Madame
x, as she gave it to her friend It
would he worth fifteen hundred thousand
francs IL II did not have a little defect
The lady wore the diamond at the
Covent Garden Theatre. and while there
one Of the best known jewellers Of Lon
don, Mr.. B., was In her box.
She called his attention to the brilliant,
saying what a pity II was that it had Il
defect.
Mr.. B. examined it and could not de-
tect any flaw.
He asked to be allowed to see It BY
daylight on the following day, He did
so, and pronounced IL an imitation dla
mond.
The English police were notified. Sil
Joshua, fortunately, had been arrested
two days before this in london, on sus
picion of being concerned in the B.dwel
forgery case. He was examined by Mr
Williamson, the chief Of the detectives
about tie diamond robbery. At llrst hi
denied all acknowledge of the affair, bu
afterward, thinking that tho truth wa
known, he related all these interesting
details, and gave tie address Of mapy u
his accompiices.
Fiqaro adds that the whole band We
then IN London, and probably all WOult
he captured that the friend Of Madami
\. had not dared TO reveal her terrible
loss TO her, and that she would frs
learn II from the London police on tn
same day that it was published in th'
columns Of the Figaro.