COUNTESS'S PLOT TO MURDER A RIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 212, 5 September 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

COUNTESS'S PLOT TO MURDER A RIVAL.

The Countess of Mallespaille has caused a great sensation in Paris oy a strange drama, in which she played the part of villain.

The Countess, whose husband had left her on account of her conduct, had been living for some time in the house of a metal* lurgist in the Boulevard St. Germain. Ho abandoned her, however, and after some time she learned that he was frying attentions to another woman. Fpon hearing: this the Countess resolved to aveuge herself.

She hired three men, to whom she promised £12Q if they would kill her rival, whom she would indicate. as they aecom* panied her in the street. The men promised to do so, but after leaving U.r they felt scruples and repaired to the house of the metallurgist, to whom they told the story.

He thanked them, but asked them to accompany the Countess as though nothing had happened. On the appointed day, one Sunday, the three men met the Countess, who had hidden a large hunting knife in her belt She hired an automobile, and they drove to the house occupied by her rival. The Countess rang the bell, and as soon as her rival appeared,' dashed a quantity of corrosive powder in her eyss. The girl screamed with agony and fell to the ground.

Just at this moment the metallurgist made his appearance, and rushing at the Countess struck her over the aead with the butt end of a revolver. A number of policemen appeared on the scene, A.ad the whole party was taken to the station. Only the Countess wes detained in a cell, the others being allowed to go. ' t "

A few minutes afterwards heavy blow 9 were heard from the direction of her cell. On opening the door a policeman found the Countess lying on the ground with her skull fractured. She had tried to commit suicide by dashing her head against the walls. She was taken to hospital, where she lies in a critical state. " •