New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-24
Hypotheses Rejected.


the judicial investigation. and the fferent
chiefs Of the museum.
hypothesis Rejected.
Various hypothesis were advanced,
weighed and examined IN turn, and finally
rejected for lack of evidence. The consen-
sus of opinion. however. was THAT the
picture has not left the building, but Is hid
den in one Of the innumerable recesses. AL
the gatekeepers are positive that nc such
package as the picture would have made
was taken out Of the museum.
AT least a week will be required 70 search
minutely every Granny Of the large build
ing. There is an immense packing room
containing a quantity OF cases used Tor
sending plaster casts Of the statues and
similar works TO the provincial museums
and schools. Il is thought that the picture
might be hidden in one Of these cases, Gov
cred with straw.
An experiment made to-day established
the fact that while q guardian CT per-
son accustomed 10 the work could handle
d picture the size OF Mona Lisa unaided,
Il would be practically impossible for an
inexperienced hand 10 detach ana carry Us
alone. II is supposed that the thief or
thieves entered the museum before It was
closed on Sunday and remained hidden III
the layatories all night, emerging IN the
morning wearing workmens blouses' anu
thus passing unremarked
All persons present on Monday were again
to-day subjected 70 a searching examina-
ton by Magistrate Drioux, but nothing
further was brought TO light. N bcrtilon
took a number of photographs Of ne frame
and the paper packed around the frame 10
prevent dust from penetrating between the
frame and the painting, pieces or which
were found strewn about close 10 the spot
where the frame was discovered. These Will
be examined under the microscope for I'm
ger prints.
It is generally conceded that even duh
person would have perceived the impos-
sibilitv Of selling d work 50 well known
and accordingly psychological explanations
Of the case are sought.
May Have Been Abducted
Tic attendants assigned ordinarily 10
the Salon Carre. where the painting had had
The place Of honor for FIVE years, now tell
of having wondered az the rapt and long
Ing regard given 70 the portrait b. a
Young man who during recent weeks tre-
ouentlv visited the Louvre. His appear
ance suggested that he was of northern
race. He was blond and had blue eyes.
He would gaze strangely at the dark
Italian beauty as though enthrailed with
her divine smile" The theory thus arises
that this man If disordered fancy may
have abducted Mona Lisa so as TO have
her always near him.
Dissertations of the stranger arc being
distributed In this connection artists are
relating singular stories Of the infatuauon
Of madmen FOR statues and portraits.
Support for the theory that the Mona
Lisa" was carried away by some one whose
head had been turned by the beautiful
face was found this evening I'm the adj
mission by VI. Il Prieur, the curator Of
the art museum. that during the last year
letters address TO Mona Lisa have been
received quite frequently at the Louvre.
These communications were addressed
in various ha1dwritings. but in all the
writer expressed in ardent terms OF ten
deruess and passion his admiration for the
Incompatible lady
More than one person has been observed
showing extraordinary emotion In the
presence Of the picture sometimes being
moved 70 tears or murmuring words OF
admiration Tile administration OF the
museum consequently assigned a special
man % watch the portrait.