The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-03
QUEEN OF PARIS CROOKS.
Beautiful Girl Living In = Palace Falls
Into q Police Net.
From the Chicago Tribun,

From the Chicago Tribune.
The head OF tho Paris murderers, and
burglars trust has just been discovered, and
turns ont TO be a woman, Nine the Baroness
de Gordoue. 81 years old.
Ten days ago an old miser lost rs, ~ francs
in Government bonds by an anonymous mid
night visitor. As he had the numbers, the
papers were quickly LOCATED in bankers
ONCE. The man of money laughed in the
police ieutenant's face. Stolen? Impos-
sible! ! bought these bonds from one Of our
most esteemed and highly connected GUS
toners.
Her name? Why. of course. Madame the
Baroness de Gordoue. Fole St.-Cloi palace,
Rue Neuilly"
Clo palace used to be the home OF one Of
Marie Antoinette's favorites, and the rent
amounts to more than 3'oo, francs per an
NUN. Still. the lieutenant had his dou BITS.
and decided to pursue the bird. no matter
how precious the cage and how beautiful
the plumage.
An hour after midnight the lieutenant let
himself and twelve policemen into the palace
by means of skeleton keys. The vestibule
was pitch dark. but sound Of voices and clat-
ter OF glasses and porcelain indicated that
there was high revelry on the floor above
Following the sounds. the cops reached q
double door. and without ado entered. re-
volver in hand. They saw an opnlently set
table, Lii up by ancient silver candelabra
empty champagne bottles in plenty: and
arou nd the festive board nine gentlemen in
evening dress. who were at once recognized
as persons who occasionally had their pictures
taken by tho police.
The other male guest wore workman's
blouse and shabby hat. while on the back OF
his chair hung discarded false beard. There
were also two ladies, dressed in a style fit for
loo-frnnc box at the Grand Opera, only
more decolle:e. While each of the police
agents covered his man, the officer stepped
and, with polite, bow, asked; The Baroness
an 9 yar vS se and N an
thing vi x,l be satisfactorily explained and
ufTI n.tead OF answer the lieutenant nut his
hand on madame's naked shoulder and pro- 70.
no, need her nder arrest; PIT at t that mo-
The sll gger was quickly overpowered, and
soon the whole gang writhed on the moor,
boz nna o %as SS
search the golden bed for the secret lockers
and fo' nd one containing the Bdronesss
b, re!aiies and mt rders, also few affairs Of
that sort planned foE tss near t.Te
Paris y. %e tho stss "nd ,e
nantiy than their COLLEAGUES in New York and
ceeded In obtaining from Madame tue bar
oness the following admissions:
Age 81, real name Marie Therese Gourdoe
nobility Of her own creation; began her career
as maid to famous actress. became woman
OF pleasure and fell In with some OF the great
rogues Of the day. swinders gam blers later
on with burt glars and murderers. Attained
great sway over these men ny reason of her
beauty and resourceful mind, whereupon a
numocr Of them proposed. Of their own ac-
cord, that shc establish herself as leader OF
the elite Of the Paris criminal classes.
VITA money gained In our glarizing bank
Ing house on the Champs Elysees, the an
cient palace In a secluded street was leased
for a term of years and fitted up vita bust
ness paraphernalia. telephone and t,legra pin
an expert cracksman attended TO tae wires
--lazaretto. depot Of arms, poisons. explo-
accommodations for dozens Of persons.
Az the same time madame est olished
connections with highly respects BILE bank ing
and business houses, where she visited in
her carriage daily. depositinu, selling and
- eNchan ging the moneys. oonds and other
al ticles brought In by her associltes
The Baroness boosted - tae criminals
arrested In her house corrobOrated the fact
that she kept her associates well in leash di-
rec ting their movements and eXacting n
commission of 25 per cent. from the gross
proceeds of any bnr glarly. theft. swindling
operation or murder planned, advocated or
merely countenanced by her. for no crook
burst operate on his own account.
The police found in q secret drawer a list
OF over 200 professional and occasional crimi-
nails. with their addresses and special Qusli-
locations. j