The New York herald., 1922-05-12
Story of Second Theft From
Woman Prisoner Results i'm
Making Him Captive.
CLEW TO $4,000 PLUMBER
Diamond Broker Declares He
Knew Mrs. Vardeman as
Theatrical Woman.

Henry Hirsch. a diamond broker
with offices in the Loew State Theater
Building at Broadway and Forty-flfth
street, was locked up last night in
Police Headquarters on a charge Of
grand larceny in connection with the
theft of 100000 in Liberty bonds
from the Chase National Bank, for
which two other men and woman
are already IN custody.
Arthur f. Chase soldier of fortune,
whose life has been full of adventure
on the plains and mountains of Texas
and Arizona, yesterday was held in
SIS, 900 bail by Magistrate Corrigan in
the Tombs Court on charge of the
actual theft of the Liberty bonds when
he was a guard in the Chase National
Bank.
James w. vardeman, formerly a
guard in tho bank. and his wife are to
be extradted from Savannah. Ca.
where they were arrested two days ago.
one result having been the recovery 81
$4,000 worth OF the loot in safe de-
post boxes in st. Augustine. Fla
Chase boarded with the yardemans a.
152 West Forty-ninth street in this
city.
Hirsch was arrested by Detectives
Brown and Mayer, to whom Chase con-
fessed HIe was released this morning
on $4,000 bail furnished by a casualty
company.
Says Part of Loot Was Stolen.
Chase is alleged to have told Detec-
tives Mayer and Brown that Mrs. Var
deman, who is known by the stage
names Of Ferne Hollis, La Blanche and
Du Barry. informed him that she wen:
to Hirsch's office day after the rob-
berry with the $4,000 worth of bonds
She is quoted as having said she showed
them TO the jeweler, who. according TO
the story, declared he did not have the
cash on hand and told her to return
later in the day.
The alleged confession OF Chase goe :
on TO say that Mrs. Vardeman returned
TO the Loew Building the same day
and in the hallway was attacked by two
men and robbed of the S3f. 900 In bonds
She then ran into Hirsch's office and
accused him of being in league with
the robbers. crying: "My God, is there
no honor among thievesg'
According to the detectives, Hirsch
who makes his home at Freeport, l.. L.
denied that Mrs Vardeman ever had
taken any bonds TO his office. He said
he had known the woman under the
names of Mrs. Hollis and Mrs. La
Blanche for more than fifteen years and
had legitimate dealings with her in the
buying and selling Of jewelry.
Hirsch's version. as told by the police.
Is that the woman visited his office on
April IS. two days before the robbery.
and asked him II he could dispose of
some Liberty bonds. saying There Is
gentleman backing me In theatrical
enterprise and wants cash on the bonds
He told her TO return. and later she did
SO. appearing TO be greatly excited. and
saying she had lost the bonds Hirsch is
quoted as saying by the police.
was In Rainbow Division.
With excellent references Chase OBJ
tanned employment with the bank six
teen months ago and was paid $40 a
week. In the Tombs he said he had been
Texas ranger and for three years was
a member Of the Territorial Mounted
Police OF Arizona. Chase is 43 years
old and he volunteered for service In
the philippines and on the border. When
the United States entered the world war
he joined the 15Ist Artillery of the
Forty second (Rsinbow) Division.
II have not and am not going TO men
ton any lady's name In this case.
Chase told reporters In the Tonbs, where
he sat calmly smoking a cigarette
Continued on Page Six.