New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24

The recent adventure OF the diamond necklace
which for over three hundred years has been
the property OF the Houses Of Hapsburg and
Bourbon has made this rivlere which was fire.
Quently worn by Marie Antoinette second only
IN interest to the stiI more famous one which
gave the enemies Of the unfortunate Queen a
handle against her 10 be used with such dis
sstrous results at the eve OF the Revolution.
The two, however must not be COMPOUNDED.
The celebrated collier, offered &c the Queen by
tne Cardinal de Rohan through the tnterme-
diary OF Nine. de Lamotte. disappeared en-
tf-ely after the Revolution. leaving no trace be-
hlnd. This one has been attended by better
lick and was last week restored TO its right
rol owner after a very short interval.
In a family so necessitous as the Bourbons OF
to-day string Of diamonds is a z-0luable asset.
and more than once Don Jaime has raised
money on his necklace Consisting OF a string
o1tforty-twO fire brilliants set IN a single row.
the value of the Jewel has been estimated at
100000 francs. but the historic interest attached
to it would obtain for & a far higher price in a
sale. Once the property OF Marie Therese, En-
press OF Austria. II passed 10 the crown OF
France on the marriage OF that princess's
daughter. Marie Antonette, with the Dauphin.
ssterwsrd Louis XVI. Later. the Queens neck
lace descended 10 the Spanish branch Of the
House OF Bourbon. OF which Don Carlos is the
head. and is to-day the property OF that princes
eldest son. Don Jaime. Before leaving for the
Far East. 10 1oin the star OF General Kuro-
patkin Don Jaime placed the stones IN the
hands or Paris 5eweller explaining their value
and also his intentions with regard 10 them In
the event OF his not returning alive from the
Russo-Japanese War. he wished the necklace to
De given 10 his sister. the Princess Blanca wife
OF the Archduke Leopold Salvador. r. however.
as q wedding present 10 the princess whom he
might marry. But II IN the mean time N.
Froment Meurice. the Paris jeweller. should re-
ceIve a very good offer for the necklace. he
might a once communicate with the prince,
who would then decide whether or not he would
care 70 part with Il. Don Jaime then LETT for the
East stopping the way 20 see HIS lawyer in
Vienna 10 make some final dispositions with
regard to his possessions. re informed him of
the Instructions he had given respecting the
necklace IN Paris, and advised that the Jeweller
should be communicated with. so that nothing
might be done about the stones without the
knowledge OF the lawyer. Thereupon. like bolt
from the blue. came the tidings that the neck
lace no longer IN the possession OF NJ Fro
ment Meurfce. es he had handed Il 20 the
princes secretary and representative. NJ dc Spa
Further inquiries showed shat secretary and
Jewels had alike disappeared. The police were
Informed and a hue ana cry ensued.
q Now. Don Jaime possesses all The reckless i'm
petuosity that distinguishes his family. and IN
bis choice OF secretary he showed very little
caution. lie had met TIE good looking young
Belgian engineer, who called himself the Count
de Ligne de Spa in Italy. and after q very short
srQuaintancs had engaged him az secretary and
given him his entire confidence. Immediately
sitter the princes departure from Paris NJ de
Spa went TO n. Froment Meurice. TO whom his
position IN the princes household was perfectly
well known. and after 8 short conversation
shout the princes private affairs he demanded
che necklace. The jeweIler had no misgivings
and at once handed q over TO him.
: The police found no diflculty in tracing the
Jewels 20 the Mont-de-Pete. the state admin
uttered pawnbroking depot OF France. where
they had been placed by q firm who had ad-
vsnceo 10000 francs upon them to a gentleman
answering the description OF NJ. de Spa The
secretary was also traced far as London
srfither he had fed with his WIFE but there
hss scent was lost oddly enough, however. in