Russian Pickpockets.

Manawatu Herald, 14 October 1897, Page 2

Russian Pickpockets.

One day, while dining together, th • French Ambassador and a Grand Duke of Russia were discussing the cleverness of the pickpockets of their respective countries. The Grand Duke claimed that the Bussian pickpocket was the more skilful. Seeing the Ambassador incredulous, he told him he would, without knowing it, ba relieved of his watch before leaving the table. He then telephoned to the head of the police to send at once the cleverest pickpocket he could lay his hands on. The man came, and was put into livery, and was told to wait at the table with the other servants. He was to give the Grand Duke a Bign directly he had done the trick. But this was not given very soon, for the Ambassador was very wary, and always kept on the alert, and held his hand on the fob, even when conversing with the most distinguished guests. At last the Grand Duke received the preconcerted signal. He at once requested the Ambassador to tell him the time. The latter triumphantly put his hand to his pocket and puled out a potato instead of his watch. To conceal his feelings he would t:ik;? a pinch of snuff — his snuff box was g"»ne. Than he missed his ring from h's finger, and his gold toothpick, which he had been holding iv his hind in its little case. Amid the hilarity of the guests the sham lankpy was requested to restore the article*, but the Grand Duke's merri* msnt; was changed into alarm when the thief prodncpd two wafchss, two rings, two snuff boxes, <feo.

Hi-) Imperial Highness then made the discovery that he himself had been robbed at the same time that the French Ambassador had been despoiled so craftily. — Harper's ' Bound Table.'