The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-12
STAGE VERSION OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Pierre DecourceIIe Is the
 Author MODERN SAFE BREAKING Burglars Melt Them Down With oxy. gen Lamp and BIowpipe-A
 New Problem For Man.
 ufacturers.
MODERN SAFE BREAKING
BY PAUL VILLIERS.

Paris, January 11.-Pierre Decourcelle, the famous French dramatist. whose name went all over the world as the author of ''The Two Little Vagabonds l" has made a stage version of Sherlock Holmes which is being produced at Antoines theatre
 M. Decourcelle, who is great admirer of Conan Doyle, says His novels hold n middle place between the terrible stories of Edgar Poe and the humorous fancies of Gaboriau, these two writers being the literary parents of the author of "Sher- lock Holmes.'
 "One evening" continued the dramatist, "I was present at a performance of Sherlock Holmes. It seemed to be in- teresting, but only in parts, so I adopt ed the most typical scenes, and to ob- tain the connection I took other portions from Conan Doyles book, thus getting a homogeneous whole, and the end of the work especially will, l hope, interest the Paris public
 M. Gemier, the manager of Antone's s theatre, who is to take the part of the famous detective, has shaved off his mus tache, in order the better to 'look' the part.
 A great sensation has been caused by the recent exploit of Marselles burglars, namely the melting down of a safe by means of an oxygen lamp and a blow pipe. The Paris police authorities be- lieve the burglars in question, or some of them, have been at some time employed in motor factories, where such imple- ments are used.
 Probably not more than a dozen bur eslars possess such implements, but in any case the prospect is not pleasant, because not the finest lock or the best built safe can resist the action of such lamps. If burglars take to using oxygen and acetylene lamps with blow pipes safe manufacturers have new and very for midable prospect to confront.
 The recent death of NJ Paquin has thrown all the Midinettes of Paris into mourning for in the famous dressmaker they have lost, their best friend. For many years M. Paauin spent much time in arranging festivals for their amuse- ment and the Midinettes' ball was one of the most famous events of the year
 M. Paquin, whose real name was Isi- dore Jacob, had suffered from a painful illness for two years past, and he died at his beautiful house in the Avenue q Lena.
 He was Knight of the Legion of Honor, having been decorated by the French gov ernment when the exhibition of 1900 was being held.
 M. Paquin may be said to have shared with half a dozen other great Parisian dressmakers the position of arbiter of the worlds fashions.
 The business which he built up was turned into a limited company in 1896, with a capital of $2,5O0OO0. and headquar- ters in Paris and Dover street, London. He still took a large share in it's opera tions, however, and the great interest he took in the 800 employees. a number which increased in busy seasons to over 20OO, made him extremely popular.
 For many years he has spent much time in organizing festivals for their amusement, while the Midinettes' ball which he has given annually, was one of the most famous events of the year.