LOVERS HUNTED FROM EUROPE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 263, 10 November 1906, Page 13

LOVERS HUNTED FROM EUROPE.

j - ' ' __ FLIGHT FBOM A HUSBAND'S REVENGE. A mysterious incident occurred at tb.e Hamburg-American pier in New Torb on Saturday, September 27th, on the arriving steamer Koenig Albert. A Russian lady and gentleman, both of aristocratic appearance, travelling first class and plentifully supplied, with money, the man about thirty, tall and soldierly- | looking, bis companion richly dressed, ' handsome, a .d somewhat older, registered as Mme. Gabriel Essipoffi, were preparing to land when they were stopped by the Immigration Commissioner and Russian Consul. They were hurried aboard a Government tug and across the river to the French liner La Savoie. which was on the point of sailing. Their luggage and belongings accompanied them, and within an hour of arriving in America tliey were on their way back to Europe, wbere the next act of a romantic drama will be playec. Great mystery is maintained as to the couple's identity, but it is knowu that tbe lady Is the wife of a Russian general In a post of high command, who eloped from St. Petersburg more than four months ago with a youvg officer of noble family of her husband's staff. The Infuriated husband, threatening to kill the pair on sigbt, immediately started in pursuit. For four mouths the chase continued all over Europe, the husband through the Russian official agencies obtainiug traces of the fugitives' whereabouts at various places. But before he arrived the hunted pair had always Bed. Eventually, ten days ago, lie traced them to Genoa, where he arrived ouly when the smoke of the outgoing steamer which bore them to New York was disappearing on the horizon. He communicated with vie | --•onsiil iv New York to detain them, adding j that meanwhile he uimself was hurrying to Cherburg, and would follow by the next steamer. This was due the day after their arrival. The immigration authorities, howevei, decliued to detain the pair. but. the case bfing within the provisions of the immigration statutes, thought immediate deportation ihc best solution. The fugitives and the pursuing husband j will cross courses at sea, and if rhe busbantf ' continues the pursuit, the fugitives will egatu have two days' start trom Chei--bourg.