The Washington herald., 1909-07-09
SPANISH SWINDLING
SCHEME Is REVIVED
Mrs. Richard Ryan Exhibits
an Interesting Letter.
READS LIKE TALE OF FICTION
Old Plan OF Getting Money to Pro-
cure Release of Prisoner with
Promise OF Substantial Reward
Revived Russian and Beautiful
Daughter Form Basis.

Slightly changing the old Spanish sure
thing game" Russian and Spanish con-
fdence men recently made a desperate
attempt 70 swindle Mrs. Richard Ryan.
at 1s4 NJ street southwest. out OF several
thousand dollars. left by her husband,
who died about two years ago.
About & week ago Mrs. Ryan answered
her doorbell. and the postman handed
her a letter addressed TO her husband.
Knowing that friends Of the family were
aware of Mr.. Ryan's death, the widow
was unable to understand who had sent
the letter. She opened and read il.
II was written in Madrid. Spain, and
posted in that city. Il ;oId a story Of
intrigue. adventure, crime, and love A
prominent banker was custodian Of gov
ernment money in ST. Petersburg. He
had a beautiful daughter, moved in the
highest circles and was friend OF Rus
sian mobiles.
Loved Money Too Well.
one fault proved his undoing. he loved
money too we'll One night be went 70
the bank, obtained about $4,000. and
taking his daughter. fed. The police were
notified OF the robbery. and the whole
machinery OF the empires law-enforcing
department was put IN motion 10 cap
ture him. Hundreds OF detectives. men,
bers OF the terrible MOSCOW Third Sec
ton" were placed on the case. and the
banker and his daughter were iralled
from city to city. Finally. despite the
efforts Of the Russian police and military.
the fugitlves escaped capture and went
10 Paris.
The French police were informed One
night, about three weeks after the Rus
sian and his child arrived in Paris. a
number OF French criminals were sitting
at a table IN a cafe. They were sing
ing. gambling. and gossiping. Some of
the revelers became intoxicated. While
one was leaving the cafe. another cursed
him, and attempted to strike him. The
man resented the insult and vicious
fight followed. Knives were used, ana
the .aan who had been cursed was Ia
tally stabbed. Before he died he con-
fessed TO the police the Whereabouts Of
the Russian and his daughter.
Acting on the information thus obtain
ed. detectives swooped down upon a small
house IN the Latin Quarter OF the city.
10 prison, the Russian for robbery. and
the girl for aiding her father 10 escape
Thus did the swindlers lay their case
before Mr.. Ryan. Their letter ended
with an appeal 10 Mr Ryan 70 either
come 10 Madrid or send them money.
They stated the Russian was heir 10 a
vast estate. and desired 10 get out or
prison. but could not do SO without
money. His property was so tied up that
at this time he was unable 20 realize on
any or a. Therefore, they appealed 70
Mr.. Ryan 20 aid him, promising In re-
turn 10 procure for him a portion OF
the estate.
Mrs. Ryan Il Puzzled.
When seen regarding the matter yes
terdsy. Mrs. Ryan said:
Il cannot understand the case at all.
DO not know what 70 make OF It. AS far
as I know. my husband never was ac-
Quainted with any Spanish people
The letter is written in a fairly good
hand. and on good paper. II IS regarded
by the police as simply another attempt
10 revive the old Spanish sure thing
estate game" which was worked with
success in this country years ago on
bankers and business men
The men would go into a town and stop
az tbs best hotel They would open a
law or brokerage Office and obtain IN
PRODUCTION 70 leading business men and
bankers. When they had established
themselves they would announce IN an
offhand way that they had a little mat
ter Of business 10 talk over and would
be al the Office IN the morning. Then
the story OF the man in prison would be
told and the money obtained.