The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-27
Swindling One Doctor a Day

Swindling One Doctor a Day
The doctor counted out $1,000 in crisp
bank notes. Her ladyship produced two
copies OK an agreement which. she said
her solicitors had prepared and these they
both signed. Then she babe the departing
doctor en- almost affectionate farewell
and gave him the most minute directions
about meeting her in London a month
later
The next day overheard an almost
similar interview with a doctor from
Glasgow The only point of difference
was that he paid 1900 for the option in
stead. Of 81 900
There was no necessity for further
eavesdropping. / understood now why
Lady Temple read all the medical papers
and why so many doctors came to see
her. No wonder we lived in luxury with
some ambitious doctor contributing at
least $1,000 every day to our support
] said nothing Of what I had seen or
heard and, although ! continued to live
with Lady Temple for several months, she
never explained her affairs with the doc
tors. This seems 10 be a characteristic
OF all women swindlers-to deceive even
their closest friends and never to tell
any one the whole truth about their
nefarious schemes
the complete details of this swindle
There really had been Sir Edward TEN
pie. who was great London physician
Mrs. Gardner, learning of his death
from the newspapers, familiarized her
self with his career from the obituary
notices. secured some photographs of him
and began posing as his widow
Her advertisements in the medical four
nails did not mention Sir Edward by name
but It was to be inferred that the prac-
tice offered for sale was his because Of
his recent death and because the an
nouncements were signed Lady Temple"
Doctors interested were invited to write
her at post office box address She re-
piled from Nice, where sne had gone for
her health" and invited them to come
there and see her. What happened to the
unfortunate doctors who made the trip
/ have already told you.
The supply of physicians willing to pay
for an option on a London practice
seemed inexhaustible and in few weeks
my friend must easily have cleared $780,
600. But she began to tire of Nice and
invited me to accompany her to London.
When we reached there we went TO
Clardges. In Mayfair. and took one OF the
finest suites in that exclusive hotel. The
morning after our arrival she suggested
a shopping expedition.
To my amazement there stood at the
hotel door waiting for us a splendid car
riage drawn by prancing pair Of horses
in heavy slver-plated harness.
On the doors of the carriage was en-
blaZoned a brilliant coat OF arms. On the
box sat a pompous' coachman in livery.
a iverIed footman stood at attention
ready to assist us.
/ had hard work to believe 1t wasn't
all dream as / settled back against the
soft silken cushions and heard my friend
order us driven to Bond street
We stopped in front Of famous jewelry
store-I made ready to alight but that. it
seems. was not the plan. Instead her
ladyship whispered a message to the foot
man and he went into the store.
Out came the proprietor, a dignifled old
Engllshman. At sight of this splendid
equpage with its crests on the door and
the two fine ladies inside, he was all
bows and smiles.
1T Is not customary" he said rubbing
his hands in gleeful anticipation of big
sales to come, Ito let our trays of dia-
monds go out Of the store. but shall DO
glad to arrange 1t for your ladyship."