The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-21
FOR FRAUDS IN PARIS
THE HUfBERTs ARE ARRESTED IN
SPANS CAPITAL.
CHARGED WITH THE SWINDLE
PERPETRATED IN CONNECTION
WITH SECURITY BOXES.

Humberts and the d,Aurignacs Were
Were Under Surveillance for n
Week Before the Gordon of Police
Closed in Upon Them-Dramatic
Scenes Ensued-The Prisoners Are
Held Subject to the Wishes of the
French Government.
Madrid, Dec. 20.-Madame Humbert.
her husband and daughter Eva, and NJ.
and Madame d'Aurignac, the brother
and sister-in-law of Nine. Humbert.
who became notorious in connection
with the great safe frauds in
Paris, have been arrested here. They
had been in Madrid since May 9. Marie
d Aurignac was also arrested.
The police suspected a house on the
Gale Ferray. Some time yesterday
Roman dAurignac was seen to enter
the building. A search warrant was
obtained and the house was surround
ed. After some difficulty the police
were admitted and arrested the long
sought-for defaulters.
The prisoners protested that they
were NICllIlS VI lilldIiiOuS pIOCCCQHBS.
They threatened to "get even" with
certain persons in France, and said
they had come to Madrid direct from
Paris.
Mile. Eva became hysterical and
Nine. Humbert clasped Marie d'Aurig
nae and her daughter in her arms.
pleading with the police ''for the love
of God not to separate me from my
daughter"
TN. = -
contents of the apartments, and found
parcel of jewels valued at $4,000, a
couple Of lottery tickets and about $115
in cash. Seals were then attached to
the house. and the whole family were
removed to Jail and placed at the dis
position of the French ambassador.
The police suspect the Humberts OF
having disposed of important papers in
the lavatories while delaying the en-
try of the officers. The family tried to
escape by the windows, but failed, as
the house was cordoned.
The project of police subsequently
had an audience of King Alfonso and
reported the capture. The King con-
graduated the project, saying:
II rejoice that our police have been
able to render service to France"
The project said he had known OF
the presence of the Humberts for q
week, put delayed TAKING action until
he was assured that he had the whole
party Gagged.
The Humberts maintain they are in
nocent, declare they themselves have
been victimized. and say they desire
to return to France and defend them
selves against the charges.
The interest of all Paris on May 8
was conferred on an empty safe at SIS
Avenue de la Grand Arme. Il was
supposed to contain $4,000, 900 left by
Robert Crawford, said to be an Amer
lean millionaire"
This sum was alleged to be held in
trust by Nine. Theresa Humbert, who,
under Mr.. Crawford's first will, was
constituted his sole legatee, and on the
strength of her title to the fictitious
vast estate, succeeded in borrowing
over $12,000,000 from bankers, money
lenders and othfrs in France and Bel
GUM. Eventually an investigation
was started. The Humberts and 9TH
ers connected with them in the opera
tons fled from Paris, and on May 8,
when the chief of the detective depart
ment of Paris, M. Cochefort, opened
the safe, it brought to light the great
est swindle of the century, for the safe
was found to contain nothing but an
old jewel box, some old papers and
the official seals, which had made the
swindle possible, the fortune" having.
under the terms of a second will, been
represented as being held In trust un-
til Mile. d'Aurignac, Nine. Humbert's
niece, attained her majority, when all
the heirs mentioned in the two wills
were TO come to an amicable agree
ment for an equitable division of the
property.