COMEDY OF THIEVES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 79, 28 December 1920, Page 5

COMEDY OF THIEVES

WHEN POLICE TURNED CROOKS. A ploasant little comedy of thioves is being related in the Vienna criminal courts. A of' Ukrainain officers lived in Vienna ns refugees, and finding life expensive, cast about to devise means of meeting; the high costs of pleasure. Gsneral Palejew and Colonel Blawntny decided something could bo made out of a merchant named Storfcr, who was 110* torious as a smuggler.

Palejew informed Storfor that ho and Blawatny were engaged on a. scheme for financing imports to the Ukraine, which required large quantities of foVeign currency. A meeting took place at Storfer's house, and the latter produced an envelope containing all 6orts of currency, Kerensky roubles, Romanoff roubles, Pmicli francs and others, amounting to .£48,000. This money wag nil lying spread out on a table .when a servant announced three men, who were shown in after tho money had been hastily hidden.

The strangers said they were representatives of the department charged with the duty of putting down smuggling, and had como tc search Storfer's The concealed._money was seized,. and Storfer was told lie was under, arrest. The three officials then departed, ♦nking Blawatny with them, and, of course, Storfer's money. Ho was told ho would not \jd taken that night. This consideration for his comfort made him suspicious, and lie communicated with his solicitor. Now the whole story lias come out. The tale of tho flotation of the trading company was pure moonshine. Tho three'wen who searched Storfer's rooms were really officials, but had been bribed by Falejew and Blawatny to make a search. The schemers disappeared temporarily, but the Vienneso Criminal Department have run them .to earth. All pleaded not guilty, Fnlejew oud Blawatny protested their wishes to float a companv, while the three officials say they thought they were, making a real arrest.

But these beliefs did not pravonfc their sharing tlio loot.