A FOOL AND HER MONET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 302, 14 May 1913, Page 8

A FOOL AND HER MONET.

A Russian lady, Countess Skossireffs, has fallen a victim to three accomplished Berlin swindlers, losing in their company jewellery valued at nearly £7000.' The Countess, who appears to be of a very unsophisticated nature, had been spending some time on the Riviera. Returning home via Berlin, she had some hours to wait for a train •to St. Petersburg, and she employed the interval by visiting a well-known Berlin cafe. She sat down at a table occupied by a pretty girl, who told the countess that she was an actress waiting for, her husband.. This gentleman soon arrived, introducing himself with a high-sounding aristocratic name. Another man presently joined tfeeswrt&jttHtJie wa« #lso. iotrdduced.as of -noble :auA. ancient lineage. All were veij Wceablii 'tpgetlier, ami: one of the men proposedrvjßits cafes, and finally to a cinematograph' theatre. At this last place of entertainment the lady, it was suggested, should put in the cloak room not only her wraps, but a handbag to which she appeared very much attached. She parted with the tag, she said, with great unwillingness, as it, contained her jewel- 1 lery, but the Berlin iiobles told her that* it would be all right, and that they ( ! would guarantee its safety. ' During the performance the lady nd J ticed that the young actress and her hus-1 band lSd She asked for an explanation from heir other companion, #jid was told that they were, telephoning, but as they were so long about it, he would just step out and see. He did not return either. The countess, growing alarmed, as one of the noblemen had her eloak room ticket, left the theatre and was informed by the cloak room woman that the bag had been given up on the presentation of the ticket by one ; of the men. The lady rushed off to the 1 police, but so far there has been no trace of the thieves.—Daily Chronicle's Berlm , correspondent.