ROYAL JEWELS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 9

ROYAL JEWELS.

RUSSIAN VICTIMISED,

CLAIM FOR £IO,OOO. 'BY TABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPyBIQHTj (AUSTRALIAN AND X.t. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, April 17. The Grand Duchess Xenia Alexanirovna, sister of the late Czar of Rus--i.i, and cousin of Queen Alexandra, 'ins commenced an action against. Sir Vlbert Frederick Calvert, the author, ■'laiming £IO,OOO. She alleges a conspiracy between the defendant and Maurice Sternbach by which she was defrauded of royal jewels of the value stated. The Grand Duchess arrived in England in 1921. According to her counsel, Sternbach introduced her to Sir Albert Calvert, as an eminent financier, and a scheme was arranged to invest the proceeds of her jowols hi a concern known as the Exploration Finance Syndicate to purchase the rights of a patent photographic process, from which tho return of fabulous riches was promised. The Duchess handed over her pearls, which wore pawned for £4OOO, and later second and third strings, which realised £IO,OOO. Sternbach then wroto to tho Duchess stating that Calvert had gone to Hamburg to consult experts, and expected that the deal would be closed beforo the end of tho week, from which £50,000 would be received. Counsel described the business as a cruel fraud. He maintained that the Duchess was entitled to receive some money back. The Duchess gave evidence that Sternbach presented a letter of introduction to her. He undertook to dispose of any jewellery entrusted to him. She had not received a penny back.

Prince Sergo Dolgoroski stated in his evidence that Sternbach told him that the pearls would Bell at higher prices in America, and he offered to get thein there without paying duty. When asked why no receipts had been given'to the Duchess, Sternbach said that they had faith enough to believe each other. No receipts were necessary. The Prince testified to seeing Sternbach pay Oalvert £SOOO. The jury, without retiring, returned a verdict for plaintiff for £IO,OOO. Judgment was entered accordingly, with costs. . Mr Justice Darline directed that the papers should be sent to the Publio Prosecutor.