New-York tribune., 1909-10-17
GRASS WIDOWS VICTIMS
Some of Them BIackmGiIed at Fash
ionable French Resorts.
Paris. october 5.

Department, has succeeded in capturing a syn
clcate Of bIackmailers whose operations at tash-
fonabIe summer resorts and watering places have
victimized thirty-fve young married women.
among whom are three Americans. The sums
e1torted by these well organized. perfectly
equipped, smartIy groomed and fashiOnably
tailored rascals exceed $4,000. The scenes Of
their exploits were Trouville. Dinard, Aix-les-
Raines. Vichy. Vittel and Evian
The young and attractive wife OF a govern
rnent functionary. Nine. B.. called recently on
NJ. Hamard at his Office in the Quai des Orfevres
and related her story. which was subsequently
communicated 20 the police reporter Of lie
Matin" Nine. BIS story was in substance as
follows:
Il have come to you. n. Hamard. to impIore
you 20 deliver me from a most odous persecu-
ton. Last June my physician prescribed for
me treatment at Vittel- Ny husband. detained
fn Paris by his business. was unable to accom-
psny me. I stopped at the Grand Hotel Of the
bathing establishment at Vittel. Ny neighbor
az the table d'hote was a young man, apparently
well bred and educated. He dressed in perfect
taste and had the bearing and airs Of a gentle
man. He spoke French with slight Spanish
accent His conversation was refined, and even
brilliant. He was a great adInirer Of the novels
OF II. Anatole France He was familiar with
the writings Of n. Paul Bourget, who, in his
opinion, lacked the terse logic and lucidity Of
n Rene Bazin. He deplored Zolas mania for
minute descriptions Of distasteful things. and
regretted that NJ Marcel Prevosts novels evinced
somewhat loose moral temperament. My neigh
Dor was q good pianist. He played with skill
and sentiment nocturnes Of Chopin. sonatas Of
Beethoven, and the amazingly difficult Hun
FaEIan dance music Of Brahms. used to chat
with him during the repasts, and afterward he
would play upon the piano or talk in a cap
tivating way about literature. painting or poll
tics. One afternoon he persuaded me TO take
walk with him 70 visit the mountain gorges
couple OF miles distant from our hotel. Ny COM
panion. who had hitherto maintained severe,
well bred reserve. suddenly became very 'iirta-
fious' AS soon as we entered small path in
the woods his attentions became assiduous
that got angry, and was about 10 return alone
&c the hotel. without a moments warning he
seized me in his arms and kissed While
was struggling TO regain my freedom two men
appeared. One a garde champetre, or
rural constable and the ether was a policeman.
They stated that they felt Obliged TO draw up
process verbal against my companion and myself
for indecent conduct and to arrest Imagine
my consternationl The local papers would pub
lish the terrible accusation. My husband would
be furious should be dishonored. The stua-
tion was terrible Ny companion seemed to be
quite as overcome as was myself He became
male and trembled with emotion. He said to
ile Two Officers O. Aile 4efN- III A-C@hoA N'@N'
take pity on Us, II necessary Will pay hand
solnely if you viii simply pass the matter over
in silence Here. take all the money that have
on my person; il is only 200 francs. but you are
welcome TO it. Moreover, this lady WILL no
doubt hand over TO you her jewels If you viii
only go on your way and thus avoid a scandal
"As the men hesitated, I took OF my rings.
watch and chain and my purse and gave theIh
10 the garde chanpetre and TO the police agent
,1,1ae won aVVaV IL
out drawing up the process verbal or asking for
our names Ny companion proffered all sorts
of excuses for his passionate impulse OF the
moment. he accompanied me TO the hotel
Next day left Vittel and returned 10 Paris
/ supposed the matter had ended. But two
weeks afterWard visitor called at my apart
rnent during the absence Of my husband and
asked 20 see me on a matter Of great urgency.
When the maid ushered him into the sitting
room ] saw to my amazement that 1t was the
police agent who had been the cause OF the
trouble at Vittel. He told me that it was because
he had refused to make the arrest at Vittel that
he had been replaced by another agent, and that
now he was discharged. He declared that If
declined 10 preSide him with funds he would be
obliged to communicate with my husband on the
subject. 1 at once realized that was being
aictimized by 4 band of blaclmailers. In order
20 avoid scandal in my apartment said that
had no money valuables al hand but
promised that would obtain The sum he needed
sn three days. ] waited until the had gone
away, and then, taking the greatest precautions
N 70 ascertain that / was not shadowed, / came
n directly 10 you TO implore you 70 deliver me
from these blackmaiIers!'
n Hamard took note Of the case and at once
put three detectives on the track Of the crimi-
mails.
Shortly afterward the wife Of a well known
Partisan jeWeller called upon NJ. Hamard This
woman met with similar experiences at Eylan.
She had forthwith told her husband all about
st. and her husband accompanied her when she
came 10 see NJ. Hamard. -Four more complaints
OF this same nature were received by the chef
de surete in rapid succession. one Of the VIC
tims-an American woman-had been persuaded
10 abandon jewelry of the value OF $4,000.
The other day II. Hamard's agents managed
10 discover the whereabouts Of the blacknailers
who were closely watched before being arrested.
They were captured just as they were about 10
add another victim 10 their list-a young Eng
lish woman, who had been stopping AT Dinard
The blackmaiIing syndicate was composed of
three exceedingly clever men. a Partisan, forty
three years OF age, who had formerly been q
crouper at Aix-Ies- Bains, played the part of
the police agent The self-styled 'garde cham
petre" was Z Belgian who had served in a cav
airy regiment with the grade of sergeant. The
accomplished young pianist and literary critic,
who posed with brilliant success as a Don Juan,
Was a Partisan who had been brought up by
respectable. well-to-do parents. who. after Civ
ing him q good education and sending him 10
the Conservatory OF Music, had at last been
PLANTING FALL, BIJIBS