Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1916-03-10
Who Were
They?
A Case That Puzzled a
Detective.
By EUNcH BLAKE
f+++++*E'.t4f-F44.sfi- $3.50 l,ss : -:

In important social centers where
persons cOngregate who are interested
In passing themselves off for more than
they are worth there are establish
ments where jewelry. fine clothes and
other articles intended for display may
be hired. There is no better location
for such business than gambling
center where crowned heads, mobiles.
capitalists and such like are to be
found In large numbers.
At Monte Carlo there was ten years
ago the firIa OF DOrel & Co. whose
stock Of jewels was worth several mil
lion francs. They would loan these
gems, charging therefor an amount
equal to ) Ter cent a menth on the
money invested In them. Their inten-
tion was to loan only TO persons in
good standing. but since they took a
risk on any one they let have their
jewels they hired detectives to keep all
their debtors in sight and II possible
forestall any loss.
A great many Americans visit Monte
Carlo. and occasionally one of them
would apply to Messrs. Dorel & Co. for
the wherewithal to make a display.
Since an American knows more abOat
America and Americans than Euro
peans know about them the firm con
cluded to send TO New York FOR a De
tective to occupy this especial field
Harry Havens was sent by a promi
nent detective agency and straight
away entered upon bis duties.
Hayens for the purpose Of trial was
set to watch man who purported to
have descended from one Of the old
Dutch settlers Of New York. He was
known as Heiliger Van Zant He told
Mr.. DOrel. head Of the loan firm. that
his family. though impoverished. still
held high social position In New
York society. He had followed Rus
sian heiress to Monte Carlo whom he
was desirous of marrying He needed
clothes and a moderate amount OF jew
elry that he might make a suitable ap-
pearance. AS for money, he had enough
of that to enable him to make neces-
sary expenditures.
He was furnished with what he
asked. and Havens was set to look
after him. though his story was be-
lieved and the property loaned him
was not very valuable. AS have said.
the detective was given an unimpor-
tant case that he might prove his worth.
Havens was not long in getting a
view Of the Russian heiress. Maria
Nicholevna. She was about twenty
five years old and a fine looking wo-
man. She stopped at one of the prin-
cipal hotels with her mother, an aris-
toeratic looking old lady. with two
iron gray curls on either temple She
was known as "the Countess" The
two ladies' drove out q good deal and
sometimes played at the gaming ta-
bles.
Havens hpd doubts as to Mr.. Van
Zant's being genuine member of the
old Dutch aristocraey of New York.
He secured an introduction to Van
Zant and asked him few questions
about life in New York. aud the re-
pnes "eie Haiuis satistastory' but
the gentleman excused MS Ignorance
on the ground that he had been edu-
Gated abroad and had not been ut
home since he was sixteen years old
his accent was decidedly English. and
TINS ne accounted Tor from the faet
thae ne mad studied at Eton college.
Dorel & Co knew nothing about the
relationships oet"eeh persons VINO
were constantly coming 70 ana gong
rom monte oario' reiyins ehuireiy on
tnose tney employed 10 watcn their
ci'en's' havehs was one uay ABOUT 10
enter the ounce oi us employers Wheh
ne met MARIA NichoieNna coming out.
Inc ueteeuNe was close moi ehed
man anu niaue no lnehtioh Oh tue TACT
put ne lo'ted II uowh III us mehtal
memorandum oook.
Ihe next evening the lady appeared
IN the gaming paViiioh IN company
with van zant. wearing a coral neck
lace' tne carving OF which was so
delicate that Havens Knew il must be
Of considerable value.
Inquiry at the office of Dorel 4 Co.
Drought Out the fact that II had beeh
loaned by them that 1t had been made
IN Rome and was worth Sl,ooo Ha-
vens was also told that the lady was
laying her nets TO catch British earl.
who was In Monte Carlo incognito-
Dorel & Co went on lending articles
OF display. and HaveflS continued to