The Press., 1915-06-30
The Baroness Richter She Was a Very Slippery
 Criminal
By E. A. MITCHEL


 take the risk of placing a man under arrest. even if he be armed to the teeth, than u woman. Women are stronger in their weakness than men are in their strength, and they are much more cunning. A woman will be granted certain favors that a man would not even ask, and, though the person who has her within his grasp fears that his request is ruse to give him the slip. he has not the power of resistance to refuse her.
 One of my first duties as a plain clothes man was to arrest a woman whose name was supposed to be Vron- sky. Pole. She claimed to be coun- tess in her own country and was a , very high stopper. She had robbed a man of several thousand dollars and had disappeared. but after an interval information came to our office that the same woman was living in apartments in another city in high feather as Bar oness Richter. the widow of a German nobleman.
 was then young and full of gallant " toward the softer sex. but had no idea when I started out to run in q vrOu-an swindler that I would have any cpmpunction at doing my duty. Go ing to the apartment house where the lady lived. l went up in the elevator to her suit of rooms and pushed the button of the electric bell.
 woman answered the summons who, had she not been in the uniform of a maid, should certainly have talk, er for the baroness. She was come ly of face. and her figure was superb.
 I had been chosen for the job be- cause I was considered capable of playiRg the part of a gentleman, and this faculty was expected to give me an advantage in gaining admission to the lady's presence without exciting suspicion that I was an officer of the law. I was dressed in the height of fashion and wore a solitaire dia- mond scarfpn. I had with me card with the name engraved on it of Dr. Henry Mortimer. 7S4 Harley street. London, England. I was born in Eng land and have something of the Eng fish accent left in my speech. l also knew that Harley street was the resi- dence of the high toned London doc tors.
 "Is the baroness at home?" I asked the maid.
 'I will sec" she replied with slight foreign accent. will monsieur please ts come in?'
 Ch inf Inn IiVinO room. twill monsieur tell me who I am to say calls?" added the maid.
 Taking out a gold mounted morocco cardcase. I drew d card and handed it to her All this while I assumed the bearing of one to the manner born and. throwing myself into an easy chair, be- gan to tap my boot with my cane. After brief absence the maid return ed with a message that the baroness did not remember Dr. Mortimer as among her acquaintances. Would I kindly state where I had met her?
 To this sent reply that had nev- CT met the baroness, but had heard her spoken of with enthusiasm by a friend of mine in the CastletOn club, London. whose report of her attractions had made me especially desirOus to make her acquaintance. While I was giving the maid the message l noticed that her eyes were fixed in admiration upon my diamond scarfpin, and, if her mis- tress was the swindler she was SUD- posed to be, the report of its value would likely be given her and would have the effect of securing me this somewhat irregular introduction.
 The maid withdrew again and was left alone endeavoring to repress my anxiety as to the success or my ruse. Presently I heard a rustic of skirts, and lady tastefully dressed in morn ing costume, of high bred appearance, though not so beautiful as I had ex- pected to find the baroness. stepped across the thseshold and, with a slight inclination. waited for me to speak.
 "The Baroness Richter?" I asked, ris- ing.
 "At your service" Her eyes were bent upon mine suspiciously, and she did not divert her glance for an in stant. Had we been facing each other with foils in mortal combat she could
 
 "I am sorry to announce to you, bar oness, that you are my prisoner"
 "Your prisonerr' she said in a tone and with an expression denoting that she did not understand my meaning.
 "Yes, it is my duty to take you in custody"
 She laughed. You are playing some game. Either you are an old friend whom I do not at once recognize or you have been recommended by an old friend to- ''I am neither. am an officer of the law" Still the baroness looked incredulous. | Be seated" she said after an inquir- | ing glance. We shall get at the bot | tom of this presently. Millington of | the Castleton was always playing jokes | London. Is he the friend who has | spoken of me so highly?" Madame, I must trouble you to put | on your hat and wraps and go with | me to the police station.''
 She had sunk gracefully into an easy chair and upon th.s lurst into a merry laugh. Ned Millington is at the bot tom of this. am sure,' she said. Do you know. one day when l was at the - hotel he came to my rooms nnan- nounced disguised as a bobby and it cost me pony to get rid of him. Of | course he returned the money and dined me sumptuously."
 You are wasting your time, madame. am detective, and you may as well come with me at once." I opened my coat and showed badge on my vest. Gradually changed look came over her face, indicating Il suspicion that after all, must be wrong.
 Are you really in earnest?"