The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-17
INaENIoUs DIAMOND Ta1RVINq
Recalled by Seeing the Thieves in the
Boston Public Garden.
From The Roston Herald

Recalled by Seeing the Thieves in the
Boston Public Garden.
From the Boston Herald
"Where have l seen that face before9'
The answer to this inquiry. which every
one has some time put to himself at the
sight of a countenanoe once familiar, but lost
sight OF for many years, not always recall
as interesting and timely story as it did TO
gentleman who sat on one OF the seats in
the public garden a short time ago, en-
deavorlng to place" the face Of a man on
the next seat.
The person who had aroused the curiosity
of the gentleman was tall, elderly man OF
grave and distinguished bearing. His hair
and beard were silvery gray, aud his eyes,
which occasionally met those of his neigh
Dor in seemingly casual way, gave proof
that their owner possessed the faculty of
self-control in noticeable degree They
were eyes which gave no sign Of emotion
whatever, and In them il was impossible
to read single token of what thoughts
might be passing through the brain be-
hind.
On the seat with the stranger was a
young woman some 80 years old, of pre-
possessing appearance and charming man-
ner. Her attraotiveness divided the atten-
tion Of the man on the adjoining bench,
who sat patiently puzzling his memory for
the identity of the two companions.
The watcher Of the twain was also a vis-
ttor to Boston. He was a secret service
agent from Europe, whose business brought
him frequently to American cities. and
Boston had become well-known to him in
his twenty-eighs years practice Of his
calling
He was convinced from the frat glance
that his two neighbors were people whom
he had met professionally" somewhere in
knRo A.,e o.
minutes their names and the circumstances
which had brought him into contact with
them eluded him altogether. At length
their identity flashed upon him, and with it
the conviction that the pairs visit to
America BODIED no good TO any one upon
whom they might bestow their intimate
acquaintance.
The man was one of the most accom-
plished diamond thieves in the world, whose
exploits had reduced the wealth Of many a
foreign jeweler by thousands Of dollars,
and whose acts had been SUCCESSFULLY
played throughout Europe for more than
thirty-five years.
for more than fifteen years and passed as
bis daughter In their various joint opera
tions.
The presence Of such skillful pair of
criminals in Boston induced the detective TO
give publicity to one OF many OF their suo-
cessful thefts, accomplished in Naples In
1875
One day the pair appeared at a Neapoli-
tan hotel and registered as an English
gentleman and daughter. (By birth the
man is Pole, but his linguistic attain-
ments and extraordinary versatility OF
manners would enable him to pass for any
of several nationalities) Among their bag
gage were two rosewood chests Of the kind
used by English officers in camp or bar
tracks. and which. when Joined together,
ormed bureau, with an open writing
desk in Its upper part, capable Of folding
upward and closing with spring lock,
They took two rooms communicating by
door, against which, In the mans room,
thispiece of furniture was placed. There
was seemingly nothing to attract suspicion
10 this. and they conducted themselves in
such an affable manner that in q few weeks
they had ingratiated themselves with all
the guests and attendants at the hotel.
The man soon became known at leading
jewelers. as an expert purchaser of dia-
monds, His dealings were small, but all
ways shrewd and judicious, and always paid
for cash down. IL was his custom to drop
| into the richly furnished store aocompa-
MED by his daughter %, who, while papa"
| bar9ained In the coolest and most business
like way for a stone which struck his fancy,
did not fail to exert the influence of her en-
| gazing manners aud bewitchtng eyes upon
the susceptible merchant
In short time the man had established
| his credit solidly with the jeweler, and then
| he went straight TO work to carry out his
scheme. He called on the ieweler one day
to negotiate for q diamond necklace OF
| great value, which the jeweler had shown
| him before and pressed him TO buy for his
charming daughter. The latter was not
with him this time.
Papa" said he wanted to surprise the
girl with the gift on her bridal day. which
was near at hand, and warned the nerch ant
| that the purchase must be kept strictly a
secret between them. A bargain was finally
struck 900 francs were given In part pay
| ment and the necklace was left for certain
alterations, which were 10 be completed Ia a
few days.
On the day in question tho young lady
called on the jeweler, saying that her father
was unwell and wished 70 see him on bust
ness. or course the jeweler went, bringing
the diamond necklace with him. He found
| his customer sitting at the writing desk,
| and after some conversation the subject of
| the business between them was preached
The diamonds were placed on the desk, and
TIE supposed customer began to count out
| the payment.
AT this interesting moment the door OF
the room was opened and the girl, radiant
| with smiles, bounded in. She paused on
seeing the Jeweler and pretended TO retire.
| As the diamonds were TO be a surprise, of
course, she must not see them, so papa
hastily closed up the desk, diamonds, money
| and all.
The merchant was entirely unsuspicious
OF anything wrong in this, and even when
the girl told her father that the Duchess
! - awaited his immediate presence in
the reception room no thought OF theft en-
tered the jewelers. mind.
Papa made tsint of impatIence at the
duchess interruption, but went ont to see
her, leaving the girl to entertain her
caller, which she did in her most csptivst.
ing style.
Suddenly, pretending to take offense at a
| remark of her companion, she rose hurs