NOVEL SWINDLING RUSE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 743, 22 March 1877, Page 3

NOVEL SWINDLING RUSE.

In "Vanity Fail" the following capital story is told aid which 'guileless' jewelers would do well to lay to heart:— Some time since a very

gentlemanly-looking man, accompanied by his daughter, a good-look-ing young lady of about eighteen summers j alighted at a chief hotel of a certain town in Italy. They gave themselves out to be English, and had among other luggage, four large boxes containing two complete sets of drawers, like those used by officers in camp. They chose a salon and two bed-rooms, one of which opened into the salon. As soon as they were settled these drawers were unpacked, and one set was placed against the door in the salon; the other on the other side of the door in the gentleman's bedchamber, the door in questiou (like most of those in centinental hotels) was very thin. For some time all went on very satisfactorily. The gentleman was not extravagant, but liberal, and was most particular for his bill every week and paying it to the moment. Before he had been many days in the town he paid a visit to the principal jeweller, and made some small purchases in each case paying cash and showing that he was well provided with banknotes. The jeweller was most anxious to press his new customer, and brought all kinds of beautiful articles to tempt him, but at first his purchases were moderate, though liberally paid for. At the end of a month the gentleman paid a visit alone, and after making another purchase, observed tha*; his daughter was about to be married, and that he thought of sending to Paris for a set of diamonds. The jeweller could not allow such a chance to slip through his fingers. He had the most beautiful set in Europe, the property of a Princess, he was sure that only a Milord Tnglese could buy them. The price was only 400,000f. The The inspection was made, but no decision was come to that day. The next day another inspection was made, and Milord agreed to take them. The jeweller was delighted. He thought it would be best to ask if he should send them round that evening bnt he received a perfectly straightforward answer. 'I do not keep so much money about me. I must draw upon my bankers in London. I will give you 500f to close the business, and the jewels you can deliver against cash in the course of next week.' The deposit .was paid, and the jeweller satisfied beyond a doubt that he was dealing with a most perfect gentleman.: Eight days after, he. was requested to call the same morning at eleven, 1 and bring the diamonds, for which he would be paid. He arrived at the moment, and found his customer in his dressing-gown, sitting alone at the set, of drawers referred to, a front flap of which turned down so as to form a writing, table. The jeweller advanced respectfully and laid the casket open ; on the flap in question. ' Milord.' just examined the jewels, remarked that i of: course he did not wish his daughter to know anything of the,transiction at present, and then proceeded to take out a large handful of; beautiful crisp notes. . At that moment the door opened, and in bounded the young lady in question,' as the jeweller afterwards said,', just like a : golden fawn.' Nothing was more; natural than that Milord should close up the flap, and ask the young lady to go away, as he wished to be alone. But she was. a spoilt child, and would have her own way. She had come to tell 'papa' that the tailor was waiting for him in the next room, and he must go, and that she was quite sure the jeweller would like Her company better than his ; besides, she had- a locket she could not open, and the jeweller must help her. The jeweller was not proof against the playful charms of the young lady; he saw his goods safe—not exactly under his eyes, but next door to it. So he begged her father to go, and he would wait. ' Milord' left the room, and the poor dupe enjoyed half; au hour of delightful flirtation with the young lady. There was some-; thing very winning in her ways,' and then she was a young bride. The time passsed like a dream, and at last the young lady passed off to go and hurry her father. The jeweller sat in-meditation; his thoughts were at once all engrossed with the sweet girl who had just left. Then he began to wonder how long his customer would be. Then he went and tried the flap of the drawer. It was 'all rightj' it was locked. So he sat down and mused again. After some three hours he began to think he must be forgotten. So he rang the bell and requested" the waiter to just remind ' Milord' that he was waiting, but to do it very politely. The waiter replied that Milord and the Signorina had gone out an hour ago. There was nothing to do but wait, and wait he did. Neither returned. Table d'hote passed, and although the poor man began to have a presentiment that something was wrong, the landlord was consulted, but was sure his guest was a real gentleman, whose only fault was forgetfulness. So again he waited until past the small hours of the night. At early morn the landlord again returned, and he also began to think the case suspicious. The jeweller was furious ; he made a dash at the drawers, and, with the aid of a poker, broke open the flap. His next move was to take the casket. He thrust his head into the compartment, and sank back into the armchair. He saw before him nothing but a square ; open void, leading into the set ol • drawers in the next room. The landlord did likewise, and so did the ' waiters. Then they sat and looked

at each other, and at last ordered restoratives for the jeweller, who had fainted.