The Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder. — 1886-08-14 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THEFT OF BONDS BY A MONK.  Bordeaux has been in a state of excitement about the trial before the Assisi. Court there of a Dominican named Pierre Brochard. This monk is aleo a Doctor in Theology, and • remarkably fine-looking man of 35, with • long brown beard of exceptional luxuriance. The indictment set forth that on the 31st March last • malefactor entered the Dominican monastry at Lille, and with the aid of false keys enoceeded in opening the safe in which money, Stock Exchange securities, and other property were kept. He carried off 12 debentures of Austrian Rente,worth 300,000 fr., and upwards of 9.000 fr. in bank-notes and gold. This robbery moat have been committed by • person familiar with the monastery, as no window waa broken, nor wee any noise heard by anyone belonging to the house. Pierre Brocharl, it was further set forth, left the building on the eve of the robbery, and on the 13th May, assuming the name of Barthier went to the office of M. Molina, • money changer of Bordeaux, and sought to get several Austrian debenture. °imbed. Al notice had been reoeived by the money changers of Bordeaux not to pay the stolen 1 bonds, M. Molina, finding the numbers were the same as thoee on the list sent by the Dorninioans of Lille, caused Pierre Brochard to be arrested. The ' monk, on being interrogated, owned that be bad been enabled by false keys which a Lille locksmith factored for him on the model of the real on to open the iron safe of the order. He committed the robbery the night after he left the monastery, when all the inmates were in bed, limply by unlocking every door that came in his way. On quitting Lille he des aided to renounce an ecclesiastical life, and gave out that he had committed suicide. Then in plain clothe; and under the name of Berthier he proceeded to Bordeaux and attempted to negotiate the securities he had stolen. He explained that he had prepared everything beforehand, and had some time previously obtained leave, on the ground of failing health, to quit Lille and go to the monastery at Mouleau. He said that it was true that he had takes money and 'acuities in the safe, amounting to 40.0001., and that he simulated suicide by leaving his monastic suit on the bank of • river, where they were found. He swam to the other side, and, as he had prepared the brotherhood for suicide, they concluded, when his frock and underclothing were found, that he had drowned himself. When he got away he told everyone he met about the suicide of the monk Brochard, so that he was never suspected of the robbery, and would not have been detected but for the money-ohanger noticing the numbers of the Austrian debentures. Nothing could be more full than the avowal. On the judge asking whether he had anything to add in extenuation of his offence, be said that he had a grave malady which enema was powerless to cure, and that owing to it. effects on his brain he was unable to preach. It Ilell under the influence of this derangement that he planned and executed the robbery, which he owned, be went about in • cool end cautions manner that seemed incompatible with the mental state be deeeribed. His crime was abominable, and his repentance was deep and bitter. A Dominican brother wee called by Brochard's counsel as • witness of the inreumstanoseof the robbery. He knew nothing beyond what had been I:entailed, but he informed the jury that according to the civil law thite had been no robbery, all things being in common in amonaidery,ibrooherd had prrhape taco more than his share Med pop maturely out of • feud of which be vas • coproprietor, for under the decree for the expulsion of the religious orders this money wee dteid.d equally among the brethromerho ware to be regarded as • religious family. The presiding judos indignantly against this theory, but it went bola* to tbe rrors,kd who reanraed ea ansairoone Terdiot, ol eolnittaL • • •  ,