DISMAY IN MAYFAIR

Evening Star, Issue 20134, 26 March 1929, Page 7

DISMAY IN MAYFAIR

“A RICH YOUNG COUPLE ” Several London people in Maylair, including a number of men and women of title, would give much to renew acquaintanceship with a " rich American ” and his pretty wife, who lately left London in haste and in secret. Scotland Yard, too, arc interested in their future, and were recently in communication with the French police. What led to the precipitate departure of the engaging couple was the insistence of an exclusive firm of jewellers that a single-stone diamond ring worth £745, selected on Christmas Eve, should either be paid for at once or returned. Flow that ring was retrieved the moment the man and woman set foot iu Paris, and how they came to the conclusion that the French capital might prove inhospitable, and immediately chartered an aeroplane and Hew to Switzerland, adds to the interest in their activities. The silver-tongued American, tall, dark, clean shaven, ami immaculate, apparently came to London a low months ago. With him was the petite woman known as his wife, who spoke English with a mixture of American twang and French accent. They took a pleasant furnished service Hat in Park lane, and their agreeable manners soon won them friends and introductions. Occasionally they visited the theatre and the more exclusive night clubs, ami they gave a number of dinner parties, which wore attended by well-known people, some with names which appear iu Debrett. Host and hostess were never so charming. The man talked easily and well on many subjects, but ho was at his best when ho discoursed on finance. In the most incidental manner ho claimed to be able to invest money in concerns that would yield substantial and early profit. His knowledge, of the bourses of the world appeared cncyclopa'dic, and some of his guests —including more than one business man —fell under his spell. Shares changed hands, and for these the seller took cheques. In the brief space of weeks there were many such friendly transactions. With the advent of Christmas it was natural that the kindly and prosperous American should make a gift of jewellery to Ills wife. So a selection of costly rings was taken to the Park Lane flat. The man’s references seemed unimpeachable, and the £745 ring was chosen on Christmas Eve to the delight of the charming wife. It was arranged that the purchaser should pay for the ring just after Christmas. Days went by, and he sent neither cheque nor explanation. Discreet inquiries were followed by the demand that payment should be made immediately or the ring returned. Subsequently the purchaser, under pressure, promised a cheque the next day. But the next day it was found that both lie and Ids wife had departed from their Hat for Paris.

Fortunately the jewellers wore acquainted with a private detective, an Englishman, in Paris, to whom they gave the fullest description of their missing clients by telephone. When the boat train arrived in Paris the detective was on tho platform to greet the couple. ,Ho had little trouble. He detained them by a ruse about their passports, and then point blank asked the man for tho ring, hinting that unpleasant consequences might follow his refusal to give it up. The man turned pale and' gave up the ring. Within a few hours the American had ordered an aeroplane, and ho and his disappointed partner were ilown to Switzerland. When it became known that they had left London there was bewilderment and uneasiness. Other valuable goods besides the ring had not been paid for. Mayfair purchasers of shares found they bad parted with good money Tor mere scraps of paper, and it is said that even the owner of the Park lane Hat lias been left lamenting.