The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-21
SWINDLERS
Who Lived in a Splendid villa and
Wore Borrowed Titles.

Wore Borrowed Titles.
London Telegraph.
Count Gruloff, an alleged magnate
from ST. Petersburg, but in reality
commonplace Frenchman named Ge-
rard, has been arrested, together with
a woman called Marie Despres, who
passed as his wife, for heartlesS swim
ding. They not only defrauded trades
men of goods, but obtained considera-
BILE sums of money from two old Flem-
ish DANES who believed them to be
wealthy and influential members OF
the old Muscovite nobility, and who
are now in Paris almost destitute.
The adventures began operations
here in the beginning of the summer.
when they arranged for the purchase OF
splendid villa at Joinville-le-Pont for
10000. Profiting by the unavoidable
delay caused by the vendors business
man, the so-called Count and Countess
took possession of the villa without
paying a penny. and soon stocked it
with plate, furniture and general COM
modities obtained on credit. Most Of
the tradesmen who were applied to were
obfuscated by the grandeur and man
ners Of the adventures. but one up
hclsterer told them plainly. tina he had
misgivingss as he had gone to the refer
enceS offered and was told that the
two customers were unknown. Hear
ing this. the pair resolved to decamp
from the villa, and lid so as soon a.
possible, having previously sold at short
prices good many of the articles sent
to them on credit.
The police succeeded in arresting the
swindlers in a small fiat In the Rue
Saint Dominique, near the Champs de
Mars With them In their habitation
were the two old Flemish women, who
could not speak French and who had
to be examined with the assistance of
an interpreter. They stated that they
had met the persons, whom they rigid
ly called M. lie Comte and Nine la
Comtesse, in a borough outside Brus-
sells. In that place the two adventure
ers created profound impression, as
they always drove about In q carriage
and pair and spent a lot OF money.
One day the pseudo Count sounded
the old ladies as to their finances and,
finding them to be in possession Of
funds, offered to take them to Paris
and assist them In establishing a bust
ness which with a. comparatively small
outlay would eventually increase their
capital. All he wanted was the sum
of FL 200 which at the end of the year
would blossom into $4,000. Dazzled by
the prospect of golden prosperity. his
victims drew 100000. from their bank
and handed the money over to Count
Gruloff alias Louis Gerard.
All then started for Paris. the
Count" purchasing first-class tickets
and laying in a stock Of cold chicken.
ham, and Bordeaux for the six hours
journey. He showed the two ladies
the sights of Paris at their own ex-
pense, and then took them on a tour
through France. which they had to
pay for. He and the sham countess
said their prayers on their knees in the
grotto at Lourdes with their pious
victims, and, after some jars of con-
secrated water had been obtained at
the Virgins shrine, the return journey
to Paris wss effected The old women
We're accommodated in the little fiat
near the Champs de Mars while their
friends were getting the chateau ready
at Joinvil1e-le-Pont.
The precious couple are now lodged
in less comfortable places, and their
unfortunate dupes. who are nearly
octogenariaDs, will be sent back to
Brussels where they have friends who
may hep them in their misfortune.