New-York tribune., 1904-09-18

IS probably not so much the numerous little china
figures that she wears around her neck on a long
chain which have saved her from penalties richly
deserved as the long arm OF the Russian secret
police for she Is a Russian by birth and whether
rightly or wrongly. is credited with enjoying ex-
traordinary influence in the highest diplomato cir
eles In Russia
AT the outset OF her present difficulties Nine Ia
ComteSse de Horn appeared more Of an aAvent,ress
than she really is. for another woman bear
Ing the same name In Paris and the Baronne de
Horn found herself in the disagreeable position OF
having most undesirable double. Three years ago
the baronne lost her private papers and though
the loss at reported to the police she has
never recovered them She naturally enough there
fore. jumped to the conclusion that the no.
torious Comtesse de Horn was IN possession of
these documents and using them to palm herself
or upon her dupes Us the real Nine. de Horn.
This. however has been disproved. The comtesse
had already established her identity in Paris be-
fore the loss OF the baronnes papers, and her right
to the name she bears as the widow OF a Russian
officer is proved beyond dispute
Though only thirty-two years old. the Comtesse
de Horn has had checkered career. for she early
showed the audacity and eccentricity OF her mind
Speaking English. French. German and Spanish
equally duently and equally badly she has tried
her hand at most things. Acting for short time
as a private governess in a Russian family, she
turned from that coorless but respectable walk OF
LIFE 20 1uggle the winning cards in the game OF life
out Of the hands Of her fellow players. Advertise
ment tout Sor an American weekly paper pub
Iished in Paris agent FOR the sale OF automobiles.
! pictures, books any other kind OF wares Nine.
| de Horns peculiar physOgnomy is a familiar one
! in the Madeleine quarter. She bore a slight
/ semblance to her faithful companion, the grim
/ looking Chinese bulldog. OF the black, hairless
| breed without whom she went nowhere. Always
! calm and self f-possessed. when the police consta-
bes armed with the for her arrest, appeared
| before her In her dining room in her small
and shabby apartment not far from the Place
Vendome. she finished her meal Of calves liver
and potato salad with unimpaired appetite. and
then lighting her cigarette. placed herself at the
disposal OF the police
II is IN the character OF negotiator Of money
loans that Nine. do Horn has laid herself open 10
q charge Of swindling. A certain Comtesse de Ia
Tour du Pin. wishing 10 raise considerable sum
OF money without the knowledge Of her husband.
addressed herself 10 the Comtesse dc Horn, who
| al once undertook TO arrange the matter Cor her
q ieweIIer. who was 10 provide the Comtesse de Ia
Tour du Pin with 10000 francs worth OF Jewels
$4,000, which could be pledged for the required
sum. The iewel!er believing himself 20 be making
a !ghtforwgId sale, delivered the Jewels the
her a signed contract acknowledging the receipt
OF the jewels. which were 70 be submitted 10 her
day Having placed al! the stones IL TWO boxes
and carefully sealed both the Jewelier depar1ed
day as agreed Nine. de la Tour du Pin claims
that she gave the receipt oy the instrucaors OK
e9elier perfectly understood his business ana tRat
the signature OF the CohlraCI "'tS 'ncie4S L1t1e
/ comedy arranged between herset ana the IIeF-
chant 10 save appearances.
+ When negotiating loans OF this description, Nine,
Is Horn gives no credit As soon therefore, as inc
eveller had left the house she asked for the 5000
! francs commission due 10 her and. IN fact, she
simply carried of the smaller OF the jewel cases.
containing quantity OF pearls and your nnc rinss
al IS Oc0 francs was then taken 10 the Mont De
Pete, the state pawnshop, and pledged Ior s 800
5rhIes ',s5 ~ All bsI,as ~ the sfiair
! The next morning. the skies fell. The ;eweler