The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-05
ADVANCE AGENT OF ROYALTY.
count" OFFERS TO DIG UP An
CESTORS FOR AMERICANS
And Undertake Any Confidential Service
AbrOad-Gets Mail at n Harlem Flat
From Which lie Has MoVed-FloOded
the Upper West Side With His Letters.

From which lie Has MOyed-FIoOded
the Upper West Side With His Letters,
A smooth shaven; we'll dressed man
about SO years old rented a room about
five months ago from Mrs. Louisa Lord,
n widow, who lives on the fifth floor Of the
Edinboro apartment house, 2O3 West 103d
street. He speaks with a strong Scandi-
nayian accent, has blue eyes and light hair
and wears gold trimmed glasses.
He seemed we'll supplied with money
paid his rent regularly and tipped the SER
wants. He received many letters and was
IN his room only at night. Two months ago
he gave up his room and did not tell Mrs,
Ford or the ~janitor Of the apartments where
he was going.
He said he was Armand Athanase; Count
Fouche-S terdingk, q descendant Of Napo-
Icons Minister of Police, and that his every
day name was Armand G. Fouehe. He
has been coming around regularly since
he gave UP his room to get his mail, adj
dressed to the apartment house. Some
times he receives foul or five letters In one
mail, and his average in the last several
months has been about twenty a week.
On n recent visit to the house to get his letters
he said that he expected to move back
again very soon.
Since Mr.. Fouohe left the Edinboro many
well to do residents of the upper West Side
have been receiving a letter, manifolded on
cheap paper and typewriter. The writer
signs himself Armand Athanase. Comte
F0uche-Sterdlngk armand G. Fouche) "
Of ?O3 West 103d street. These are extracts
from the letter.
You may be so good as to recall that / had
heretofore the pleasure and honor OF com.
municating with you In both my official con
.a,,inn ,rith a forai0p TpIsaInn aa wall ma
privately In regard TO my art business which
] take the liberty to state Is carried on by me
as more OF a fad than anything else and by
no means as necessary to my support-a
statement that Is easily verified.
To-day l ask your kline indulgence for
approaching you In consequence of a semi
official advice recently received from my
authorities abroad which is OF such a charac-
ter that il is impossible to me TO reject.
Publicity, advertising in the press as being
AGAINST my principle. also interfering with
my duty. | prefer using this method Of call
ing most respectfully your attention to the
various points in which l desire to serve
American families and individuals of promi-
lnence; tracing up your ancestry and legally
Hfiliating your family with the highest nobil-
ity, even royalty Of Europe, securing for you
the necessary proofs of historical facts In
regard to your ancestors. highest credentials
w Jul q o.
scriptures. family papers. official documents.
diplomas, &o.l from secret and private re-
sources, scientific societies, court. state and
house archives. exclusive libraries, DC.
after the most rigid Investigation. under
certain circumstances this being an indiv-
idual offerl. accompanying orders and deco
ratiOns. Then being presented to royal
and imperial majesties, you and your family,
relatives or friends will have rare facilities
ia aaatIrinn hnofnaao onntranta fHpnN EnrA-
pean governme Its, in most profitable invest
ments and privileges whlle travelling abroad;
all In all. in anything You may undertake In
Europe, and Of which YOU cannot be aware
ut the present time.
Although the proposition I herewith sub
nit to your kind consideration looks very
difficult, and for the beginning, perhaps,
not important enough for an American citl-
zen, l would be deli GIFTED In doing business,
and putting my concentrated efforts In your.
your family. relatives or friends sole inter-
ests. thereby. Of course. following a certain
purpose, which / will explain to you later.
L furthermore take the liberty TO assume
that you may be aware of the fact hat
l occupy a position that enables me per-
sonally to attend for you or anybody else
of best social standing with fidelity and
despatch. to any affairs confidential work
or Investigations requiring responsibility,
ThtiA' h'' hho anu II
among your acquaintance there should
be any one who could make Use of my SER
vices In this regard, l would kindly request
you to be so God as to advise me of the
address Of such person, and you may rest
assured that your and his interests will be
faithfully and conscientiously safeguarded
and conserved by me.
My established connection with the highest
European court and Government officials
81 ra atiOh az RI ann hla M n IN nnoOm Dliuh uhaf
few others in this country can do-a fact
that Is emphasized by the number Of rela-
rives. intimate trends and comrades OF mine
holding positions Of both Influence and inn
portance throughout Europe.
You will fully agree to my very, very easy
conditions when you know me better. The
details Of this entire task can be fulfilled by
ne while we are in this country. thus saving
for you great expense until we have reached
our aim abroad. II all this Is satisfactory to
you or TO other high class persons who mean
business with me. l can arrange matters
preliminarily and open ne gotiations, while
i am busy yet for a few more months on duty
out of town. during my extended overland
journeys. Although We do not know each
other by sight yet. l would like to trust you
sincerely and implicitly. so as a proof Of my
sincerity and high esteem toward you. / give
you a description of myself as follows:
| am a wealthy bachelor with excellent
European cole ge .education, 81 years of |
thinking very English and American, since
1898 spending the greatest part Of every year
in the States of this country. whereI am sta
toned. have wide experience in European
court life. four times travelled around the
world. am a tall, typical Scandinavian Of
French descendance. moderate habits and
healthy tnever was sick or had any diseased.
Photograph and first-class references are at
your disposal.