REVOLVER DRAMA IN PARIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 17

REVOLVER DRAMA IN PARIS.

CHAMPAGNE GROWER IN STRANGE I 1 ENCOUNTER. A startling affair lias just occurred ln i'aris. in which a lady aud gentleman—tbe latter bearing a name known throughout the world -were the principals in what practically amounted to a dramatic revolver affray. The gentleman concerned is M. Walter tie Mumm. a director of the firm which makes the renowned brand ot champagne bearing his name. The lady is Mrs Barnes, an American of great beauty, about twentyfive years ot age. She was, it is said, only recently divorced from her husband, and she is understood to be possessed of a con siderable fortune. Mrs Homes lived In a beautifully aud luxuriously furnished apartment In the Uue dcs Belles-I-'eullles. nnd there M. de Mumm became her closest friend following the divorce proceedings. The two were frequently together at the chief events in the social life of i'aris. and they appeared to be on the luippies; of terms. They visited the theatre, attended the fashionable race meetings, and look pan In all sorts of festivities. Together they made frequent trips to Rhelu.s, where M. de Mumm has a charming villa. Nobody would have suspected thai these two would have figured as antagonists iv the startling aud dramatic scene which took place in Mrs Barnes' delightful flat. Be nent'i their apparent gaiety, however, there lurked a cause of grave disuuion which has now culminated in pistol shots and more or less serious wounds, it is feared, to both of them. 11 appears thnt M. de Mumm had formed a desire to break off his intimate acquaintance with Mrs Barues. For what reason he wished to take this course Is unknown, but it Is said thnt his relatives knew of the affair, aud it may be that their objections had some weight. At any rale, things came to a crisis. M. de Mumm decided completely and finally to break his relations with Mrs Barnes. He called at tho flat and told her of his intention. There is no doubt that Mrs Barnes had become extremely fond of her friend and frequent companion, and this news came to her as a severe shock. From what followed it Is obvious that she felt that almost any measures would not he too heroic to prevent a separation, and it is even declared that a 'marriage with M. de Mumm was tbe goal on which she had set ber heart. REVOLVERS BROUGHT INTO PLAY. No drastic step, however, followed this first announcement of his intentions by M. de Mumm, though Mrs Barues made it quite clear to bim that she would never calmly acquiesce in the separation. But M. de Mumm was determined, and his determination led him to a second visit to reiterate his decision. Then followed the dramatic final scene, at which only the two principals were present, aud about which the full details are not yet known, though sufficient has transpired to show thnt the encounter was angry—even fierce. Mrs Barnes, actuated partly, doubtless, by jealousy, hearing her friend for the second time say "Good-bye," drew a revolver and pointed It at M. de Mumm. Events moved swiftly, and a second or two later two shots echoed through the flat in the midst of a torrent of angry recriminations. M. de Mumm was struck, at any rate, by one of the bullets, while his assailant, white with rage, and now wildly hysterical, fell on to a cushioned chair. The quarrel, however, was soon continued with unabated violence, and shots were fired, it is alleged, on both sides. Mrs Barnes sustaining wounds that are declared to be serious. As for M. de Mumm, though wounded (It is said both in the stomach and In one lung), he was able to get to the door and found his way unaided off the premises. He at once called a taxi-cab, and gave orders to be driven at once to a private hospital, where he received immediate attention, and from which place he had an urgent message sent to his brother. To his brother he told all that was necessary of the tragic affair, but he was firm in his decision not to put the matter into the hands of the police. Following this, his brother went to the police headquarters and made a formal request that Mrs Barnes should be expelled from France. This request set the authorities to work, and a judicial inquiry was decided upon.

One of the first steps taken by the authorities was to issue a warrant for the arrest of Mrs Barnes. On visiting the scene of the shootiug. however, it was found that Mrs Barnes had disappeared, and could not be found in Paris. The most strenuous Inquiries were made, and It was found that when left alone Mrs Barnes had made h.isty plans for leaving the capital, and had f;one to a place not far away, where she is receiving nil enre anil is being nn-bvjs'.y nursed. It was at first stated that she had tied to London.

M. Walter tie Mumm. whose age is about twenty-eight, is well known in London. He is unmarried, and has taken a great interest in aviation, being among the first amateur aviators In France. He competed at the great International meeting at Rhelms.

He was one of the first amateur Dying men to obtain a pilot's certificate, and during his aerial experience he bus met with several accidents. On one occasion he broke his arm and leg. He has been a partner for seven years in the champagne firm.