A DEAL IN DIAMONDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 215, 16 October 1909, Page 4

A DEAL IN DIAMONDS.

AN r ACTUAL STORY OF A MOST IM.I.>iOUS SWINDLE. Count Saclia Roubletsky was on his Hi-am ends. To the world he was still a dashing young Russian nobleman, sou »i' an immensely-wealthy prince, but m point of fact lie was financially at Ins last gasp. -Monte Carlo, the gaieties of Paris, 1 and now a succession of disastrous evenings at a Loudon West Kud club, wheic high play was winked at. had cleaned him mil. i

further, the most serious . ;rt of all, his father, find of his continual extravagance, had put his foot tlo.vn, and given him the ihoiee between ret..:■■;■..< to Russia and rusticating uu the family estates, and shifting for himself. Count Sacha had n-.i mind to return to Russia. On the otnir hand, he mu.it have monev.

Apart from his pi-r-mial extravagances, he had designs on an American heiress, temporarily resident in London whom he had met on til.- liiviera, and it was necessary thai \, ■ shuui.l be able to support his character ot a rich vonmr man. ' °

Count Sacha was a bit of a 'wruii' 'un," but he was a courteous roirue. Me wanted money badly, ami was inn verv particular as'to how h.- gut it, so long as the means did not bring iiim within reach of the law's arm.

He wanted a thousand or so for nothing. That was the problem he debuted as he sat in his Jermyn-street lodging smoking cigarette after cigarette. At last he rose, with a satisfied smile on his Tartar face.

Next morning Count Sacha RoubletsKi called on Messrs. Sparkle and Shine, the well-known Bond-street jewellers.' He explained who he was, ami that he hail conic to select some jewellery for his sweetheart.

He added that the lady was a collector of gems, and that he proposed to present her with a fine unmounted diamond, and desirod to be shown sonic specimens.

From the glittering tray he selected a beautiful stone, price £.500. He then explained that, owing to certain remittances being delayed, he was not in a position to complete the purchase at the moment, and, in any case, he wished first to submit the stone for his sweetheart's approval. He added suavely that, of course, as he was unknown to Messrs. Sparkle and Shine, he could not expect them to part with the gem without making enquiries but they were quite at liberty to apply' to the Russian Embassy for any reformation they desired concerning him. He"proposed to return the following day. and, everything being satisfactory, to take away the diamond. To this course the jewellers agreed, ami, enquiring at the Russian Embassy! were informed that Count Sacha was unquestionably what he himself claimed to be—the son of a wealthy prince, and that Messrs. Sparkle and Shine would probably be safe in giving him credit for even more than the amount mentioned. j They did not know at the Embassy thiit Sacha had practically been disowned by his father—and' they .were agreeable lo the Count's own sumption that a member of the Embassy should attend at the jewellers' next dav formally to identify him. This was done, and Count Sacha received the diamond.' The same day he called at a big pawnbroker's, and. mentioning airily that iie was in temporary difficulties, pledged the diamond fo r the small sum of £SO. The next day found Count Saeha once more at Messrs. Sparkle and Shine's. Hi* sweetheart, he said, was enchanted with the diamond, but—oh, the extravagance of these women—nothing would satisfy her now but that she should have another diamond absolutely matchi;]" the first. ' The jewellers explained that to match such a stone would be a matter of great difficulty, and the price of the second gem would lie enormously increased; in short, for such a pair of twin diamonds they would have to charge £3OOO, a fancy price, but it was a fancy order. Count Saeha shrugged his shoulders—- ; the price was still', but he could deny his | sweetheart nothing wouUl Messrs. Sparkle and Shine, please, at once set about procuring the second diamond, I which, he insisted, must be an absolute ;match in weight, color, shape, cutting,' :land every particular. The jewellers, being unable to match the diamond themselves, wrote round to the leading dealers and pawnbrokers, describing the stone they wanted, and intimating that thev were prepared ta go as far as £2000"foy a perfect specimen. Among those they wrote to was the pawnbroker with whom Count Sacha had pledged the original diamond, which was just what that ingenious rascal had intended should happen. A few days later Count Saeha called at the pawnbroker's, and said he had . come to redeem his diamond. Summoned by an assistant, the proprietor himself appeared.

He had had Messrs. Sparkle and Rhine's letter, and, remembering the beautiful diamond pledged with him a (lay or two before, he had examined U, ami, naturally, found that it met all oi .Sparkle and .Shine's requirements. The Count redeemed the stone, nml then the pawnbroker enquired whether by any ehance he would caro to sell it if Oil, no, it was a family heirloom; his customer would not dream of parting with- it.

I That was a pity, said the pawnbroker; he had chanced to show the diamond to [bis wife, and she had taken a violent fancy to it, so much so that, to gratify her, lie was prepared to give a fancy price—he offered £BOO. Count Sacha laughed and shook his bead. £1000? Oh, no, he really did not want to sell it, and he must bo going. An offer of £I3OO, however, made him hesitate. At last, after prolonged chaffering, Count Sacha pass.'d back the diamond'to the pawnbroker, and received .€ISOO in exchange. Onee outside, lie jumped into a call, and drove as fast as he could to Messrs. Sparkle and Shine's. Arrived there, he explained, with many regrets, that his sweetheart had changed her mind; she no longer wanted the second diamond. Had the jewellers yet found it? No; ah, that was well. Still, he feared lie had put them to much trouble. He was desolated. However, he ivas glad to say bis remittances had arrived, and lie hail now much pleasure in handing over £SOO in payment for the original diamond which his sweetheart had decided to keep. One thousand pounds to the good, 'Count Sacha left the shop, having "brought olf" a most ingenious swindle. Yet can anvone say where he came within reach'of the law?—Tit-Bits.