BURGLAR AND HIS LOVES.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1930, Page 5

BURGLAR AND HIS LOVES.

BERLIN, November 27

Berlin is chuckling over the case of a man charged with burglary whose trial began to-day. ‘

In German law a man’s financee cannot be made #o give evidence against him. The alleged burglar however, did not, intend that any of his three financees, Eda, Elizabeth, and Louise, .should testify His evasion of searching questions from an experienced counsel deserve quotation in full. . Elisabeth having refused to gve evidence because she was engaged to the accused,: counsel turned to him and the following dialogue ensued:—

Counsel: This is the third woman claiming to be ypuf financee. Whicii, of the three didf'you “really intend to marry?—l had not decided. None of them, perhaps ?—Oh, certainlv. I had honourable intentions in all cases, now with one and now with another. It depended oh my mood, Which of them do you now state to be your financee?—l sould have to discuss that question wjth them before answering. ' r ‘

, THEE RINGS. Did you give every one a ring?—All three; that was only-right. > Did any of . them know about the others ?—I like to spare a girl's feelings as far,as possible. Why didn’t you publish the bann?— Oh, something always cropped up. What special instance?—The police 1 And when you had served your sentence did you always Anake it up again with all three ?—Well, 1 found it difficult to break away—and besides, they are all good girls. What do you think would have hap pence! if one had got to know about the others?—l don’t like to think. Eda was a gentle sort of creature who might have thrown herself into the -canal while Elizabeth woulc# have “gone for” me. \

And what about Louise?—Oh, ir that ease I really cannot imagine what would have happened. One day she “goes for me” with coal shovel and the next minute she kisses mv hand.

Well, she, at any rate, does hot come seriously into question' as your finan--cee ?—Oh, I wouldn’t , sav that. It is just from a nature of that sort that one never knows what to expect. That atracts me.

Well, then you decide for her?—ol but I don’t want Ed a to drown herself. Eda, then?—Possibly—if Elizabeth does not manage to get round me. At this point the judge broke i> angrily: “Come-now! Only one o. them can be your financee.” “Well,” answered the amorous niar imperturbably, “perhaps you will explain that to the girls.” The case is continuing, but the hop ' of getting anything out of Eda, Eliza beth, and Louise seems to have beei. abandoned.