DUBLIN CASTLE JEWELS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 17

DUBLIN CASTLE JEWELS.

A STARTLING VERSION. It is time for the Dublin Castle jewels scandal to be placed In the grave for all time (says the London Mail"). Mr Birrell's statements notwithstanding, they are back, and have been In safe keeping in the castle for the past three years. This is not a wild guess by the man in the street; it is the statement of one who absolutely knows. One circumstance accounts for the nonprosecution of the thieves, and it is an Important one. An accessory after the fact would he placed iv the dock—not a Dublin Castle official, but one whose name would bring the crime dangerously near to the foot of the throne itself. To this is dne the official determination to cloak the whole thing at all hazards; to this is due Mr Birrell's denials, which are Ingeniously given. Standing iv the House of Commons, he says: "I don't know where the jewels are." That is to say, he does not know whether they are in Lord Aberdeen's coat pocket or kitbag, or writing-desk, or in the office of Ulster Klng-of-Arms, THE REAL FACTS. Here Is the story, and let it stand "for good and all": A person in Sir Arthur Vicars' hocse who had abundant oppov tnnltlcs made a cast of the safe key. From this a key was manufactured. It wa« handed to one of the gang of four, who gained access to the office of Arms and took the goods. They were pawned by a friend of the thieves, who, as I have said, could not be punished without bringing disgrace on those in high places. The dayafter the loss was discovered their resting place was known. As stolen goods, the pawnbroker •was -bound to give them up; but he threatened to disclose the name of his customer, and- this was not to be thought of. Wherefore Lord Aberdeen was told that as the real custodian of the jewels he would have to release them. He could nol do so out of his own pocket, and a tout of rich men was made without success, until a newiy rich and immensely wealthy Irish peer was approached, who supplied the money on three conditions, two of whlct were immediately fulfilled. The jewels ther came home, and have been home ever since THE HAND OF FATE. Nemesis has overtaken everybody men tloned as participants In the scandal. on< has become bankrupt and is in the hand! of the police on a grave charge; a seconc has passed through the bankruptcy court the third is at present in gaol, working i term for stealing a bag at a railway station The fourth is "in the gutters," and som< time ago endeavoured to raise the wine by offering to sell correspondence from hii friends, which was certainly Interesting, bm did not touch the actual robbery.