The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-12-30
The Baroness
Richter
She Was a Very Slippery
Criminal
BY F. A. mitchell


years and have learned one thing per-
fectly-that is. that l would rather
take the risk of placing man under
arrest. even If he be armed to the
teeth. than q woman. Women are
stronger in their weakness than men
are In their strength, and they are
much more cunning. 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 frst duties as plain
clothes man was to arrest a woma n
whose name was supposed to be VrOn-
sky, a 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
woman swindler that would have
any conjunction at doing my duty Go
ing to the apartment house where the
lady lived. went up in the elevator
to her suit of rooms and pushed the
button Of the electric bell.
woman answered the summons
who. mad she not been in the uniform
Of a maid. | should certainly have TAX
en- for the baroness She was come
" of face. and her figure was superb
had been chosen for the Job be-
cause was considered capable Of
playing the part Of gentleman. and
this faculty was expected to give me
an advantage In gaining admission to
the lady's presence without exciting
suspicion that | was an officer OF the
law. was dressed in the height Of
fashion and wore solitaire dia-
mond scarfpin. had with me card
with the name engra on 1t Of DR.
Henry Mortimer. 7S4 Harley street.
London, England | was born in Eng
land and have something Of the Eng
fish accent left In my speech also
knew that Harley street was the resi-
dence Of the high toned London doc
tors
as the baroness at homer" asked
rhe maid
~ will see" she replied with a slight
foreign accent. will monsieur please
to come in?"
was shown into luxurious living
room. will monsieur tell me who l
am to say cails?' added the maid.
Taking ont a gold mounted morocco
cardcase, drew card and handed II
bearing Of one to the manner horn and.
throwing myself into an easy chair. be
gan to tap my boot with my cane.
After a brief absence the maid return.
cd with a message that the baroness
did not remember DR. Mortimer as
"Ouio
kindly state where had met her!
To this sent reply that had new
er met the baroness hut had heard her
spoken OF With enthusiasm by friend
Of mine In the Castleton club. London
whose report Of her attractions had
made me especially DESTROYS to make
her acquaintance. While | was giving
the maid the message | noticed that
her eyes We're hxed In admiration upon
my diamond scarfpin. and. il her mis-
treSs was the swindler she was sup,
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 endea, Orin" to repress my
anxiety as to the success OF my ruse
Presently | heard rustic Of skirts
and a lady taStpfnlly dressed in morn
ing costume. Of high bred appearance,
though not so beautiful as had ex
p@ted to find the baroness. stepped
across the threshold and. with slight
inclination. waited for me to speak
The Baroness Richter?" asked. ris-
ing .-.-
lat your service" Her eyes were
bent upon mine Suspiciously and she
did not divert her glance for an i'm
Stnt Had we been facing each other
with fOis in mortal combat she could
not have watched me more closely
II am sorry To announce to you bar
oness that You are my prisoner
Your prisoner" she said In tone
and with an expression denoting that
she did not understand my meaning.
Yes. il is my duty TO take you in
custody
She laughed "You are playing some
game. Either you are an old friend
whom | do not at once recognize or
Won have been recommended by an old
friend to-
II am neither | am an officer of the
law
Still the baroness looked incrednious
he seated" she said after an inquir-
ing glance I'VE shall gel al the bot
tom OF this presently Wilmington OF
the Castleton was always playing jokes