The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-07-28
TITLED ttRAFFLES" IS
EUROPE,S SENSATION
BY Phil Sims.
special Correspondence to The Press

Special Correspondence to The Press
PARIS, July ga man named
Hornung once wrote a clever story
'about,a gentleman burglar whom he
called Raffles. Many people thought
the story improbable. But here is
story harder to believe than the
one .Hornung wrote. And this story
Is true. The French police have
the ugly proofs.
Andor Festetics, a count of the
Austrian empire, son of the for
minister of agriculture of that ma
ton, is the man the police call Raj
files. Count Andor is a scholar, a
gentleman, Beau Brummel, for
mer army officer. a good fellow, a
lion 81 the drawing room, skilled In
CONVEX sation and dancing, and
y IRIS, master of every art by which
mixes are won-and hearts.
1shere was CONSERVATION reach
ing round Europe when the news
went forth that Count Andor Fes-
tetics had been arrested as COM
mon thief. Fine ladies grew pale
and sighed, and at first wouldn't
believe.
But a few men who had known
Count Andor in the Russian army
weren't surprised. In the secrecy
of the officers mess of the regi-
ment ugly tales had been whis-
pered. The count was an excellent
player of cards-too excellent, by
far.
There had been a startling dis
closure one night. an ace and a
king in his ruffled sleeve. White
faced, he had begged for mercy.
And they let him resign without
open scandal. He roamed through
Europe and began to steal. He had
the entry into clubs and society.
Costly treasures were left exposed
before him without question. He
made the most of his opportunity.
Quick-fingered, he stole from
ladies' boudoirs. He lifted jewels
from their cases. He would stroll
with men friends. his deft diabol-
ically clever fingers busy in his
friends pockets.
When times were good Count
Andore Festetics would have no
traffic with any but the most val
liable things. But when times were
harder, nothing was too small for
his needs.
He organized a gang--a wonder
full collection of the shaipers of all
nations. The scum Of eight nations
acknowledged him their leader He
would tip OF the location OF rich
booty. TIe would get entry into no
tells, the word to the gang
when where to strike. The
'hotel SEfs," the terror of travellers.
are b, -, we'd TO include many of
Festetir bang.
The eud came at last. Paris has
the sharpest detectives in the
world One day a grand cleanup
was organized. The dragnets were
thrown out and rich harvest Of
crooks gathered in. found guilty,
senteraed.
In this cleanup only the leader,
my noble count escaped. He was
beyond suspicion. Loyal to their
code of ethics. not are. of his gang
gave :, hint as To who the leader
was. But the detectives knew
there was a leader. They kept on
the trial Every sent they got led
to the nobleman. who. undisturbed.
and serene, was still seen at the
opera, the great balls, the races, in
company with titled women and
men beyond suspicion.
One day the count was called In.
The proofs were laid before him.
He took the hint and vanished.
But the count was poor exile.
rfe couldn't stand 1t to wander I'M
kaown and unnoticed. He reap
4 pared In the gay world at Ostend,
the geat watering place. The de-
teetives watched him. At the first