The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-14
IS MOST NOTED ART CROOK
ADAM WORTH. WHO STOLE THE GAlNSBOROUGH, ALWAYS SUS.
PECTED WHEN VALUABLE PICTURES DISAPPEAR

l., Noi.H' aiidS raymond, IS now 6O,
but looks 10 years younger. Slender.
nervous and active, he made off with
the Mona Lisa and needed no me
to help him: 1t is not his way to en-
ploy an assistant. He did moi take a
train at the Quai d'Orsay. After
crossing the bridge. he turned to the
leit, with the picture, neately covered
with a cloth. under his arm. He thcn
went along the Quail des Orfevres.
irlend's house in the Marais, where
he threw off his, disguise, which had
been That of Il workman. He hid his
booty in the double bottom of his
steamer trunk. After thai he got
himself up as q fine gentleman. rode
in a taxi to the Care du Nord. took
Il train for Calais. and was in London
with his prize before Paris had time
to warn the English police to be on
tho watch for him.
Il could swear that that very even.
ing Worth was seated in the Royal
Cafe. smoking, with his hat tilted
back. and saving. 'Good-evening, old
chaps: to the men from Scotland
Yard who are detailed to watch him.
I'VE can be sure tina the picture
has not been destroyed. Such a
theory is an insult to Worth. A man
With a business head like his woulo
never think of annihilating such Il
valuable work of art. Worth is 81
high-grade rascal and his entire past
protests against this supposition. He
has reached the topmost rank in the
~aristocracy of British thivcs. He has
a position to maintain.
Fl began as a mnchinist, and soon
became so skillful that he could open
the most complicated locks with a
straw. He sought to turn his wits to
practical advantage. and launched out
on his brilliant career by inventing an
all-but-silent dynamite cartridge that
will open any safe, no matter how re-
fractory.
THE diamond fever was then rag
ing at the Cape. The English pre-
scribed hanging for any man caught
with a diamond he could not account
for satisfactorily. Two gawkish fell
lows were seen driving from farm to
farm in South Africa: they boasted
that they meant to get fabulously rich
dealing in ostrich feathers. Every
body poked fun at their a~wkwardness
an unusually heavy consignment of
diamonds reached Kimberley. it was
found that the ferry boats cable had
been cut. 1t seemed reckless to en-
pose the precious merchandise to river
transit under such hazardous circum-
stances, so the box Of diamonds was
locked up in a safe.
Next day the safe was found open.
And the Standardization buyers were
no longer in the country.
"This laid the corner stone of
Worth's fortune. But he vowed that
henceforth he would operate without
an accomplice-for at the last mo.
mont his comrade took fright and
came within one of spelling every
thing.
"once rich, Worth took the name of
Raymond. He kept trotting horses.
lie passed for a gentleman. His COL
ors won on the turf. He was present.
ed to the Prince of Wales CEdward
WIZ. who suspected nothing. and
even complimented Raymond on the
yacht he had bought.
THE gentleman-thief continued his
exploits-only one or two robberies a
Year. but worth the trouble.
He started the first English bar
in Paris. n many q successful race
track sport. stepping there to brag, on
his a home. wondered afterward
what had become Of his well-flled
wallet.
Worth lever Went armed. as he
was resolved never to shed blood. He
used to say. All / ask is two min
utes. throw up the job. Generally
i get that much: and in n hundred |
and twenty seconds. methodically em-
pioNcd, a trained man can accomplish |
almost anything
AT Liege one day he met with trou-
ole. He had climbed into a wagon
belonging to the Messangeries Van
Gend. and seized a big bundle of Sc
curities. In jumping out he ruptured
himself. He was arrested. and spent
nNe years In the Louvain prison. There
ne was an angel inmate, never COM
planning. The warden, struck by his
energy and intelligence, said to him.
"A man OF your parts ought to do bet
ter. The gentleman-thief answered,
'Show me n trade where I can make
money as easily and quickly and safe
", and I'll go in for it.
"Regaining his health, Worth re-
newed his exploits. In 1888, i'm broad
daylight, he picked the lock of a de-
livery wagon in the Place de la Bas-
tile int stole securities worth $780,
200. And after pourparlers arranged
exactly like those of the waiter
Gueneschaut in the case Of the Mona
Lisa the robbed company got back
its securities by paying ..6O,O 600.
Let us wait. Before long art low
ers will again see the Mona Lisa in
ITS accustomed place-that is. If the
French government agrees to make
teens with a man who. after all, is
only a thief. though a thief worthy at
least the respect due to consummate
cleverness."