THIEVES IN SOCIETY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3139, 16 October 1922, Page 2

THIEVES IN SOCIETY.

1 (Hy Mary Beverley). AVo know' that it is usual to employ detectives to watch the presents at 1 crowded wedding receptions, but it will come as a surprise to many people to learn that they are likewise employed! at big halls and similar functions. During the present season there has scarcely been a big ball or party at which the “loss” of valuable jewels has not been reported. Accidents,’of course, 1 frequently happen with jewels. Caro- . lesslv fastened clasps on necklaces, bracelets or brooches may come undone. or. unnoticed by their wearers, the clasps may have become worn, hut the repeated “losses” at ball after ball and party after party have aroused much suspicion and uneasiness. As a matter of protection to their guests more than one hostess has therefore engaged the services oi detectives. It is the easiest thing in the world for a. well-dressed man to gain admission to a big hall or party in any London house. If such a one goes la to. when the hostess has left the top of the staircase whore she receives ’ her guests, he can pass unannounced into Ibo rooms and mingle unnoticed amongst the crowd. During the London season many such uninvited guests find their way into big functions. The majority are men. It is easier for them to pass unnoticed than women. Unbounded aplomb and impudence. irreproachable clothes and manner aro absolutely essential. Such men arc nearly always expert jewel thieves. At private balls and lug parties they “work” alone. At public balls they work with confederates, both men and women. The adroitness and combination of their methods are startling. A fancy dress ball. say. at . the Albert Hall, is their happiest hunting ground. They may be a band of half a dozen. If yon watched the band yon would notice that one of the women rarely, if over, dances, and that she wears a dress of such a period that it has a Mowing skirt opening over an underskirt. She stands about apparently watching tho dancing. This woman acts as a receiver. Her confederates, covered by the movements of the crowd, deftly slip their phrndhr under the over-skirt into a specially arranged capacious pocket which it conceals. a plunder of brooches, pendants', bracelets and even earrings. Tims, if there is a Ime and cry over a lost jewel and suspicion falls on one of the hand nothing is found if matters go so far that he or she is searched by the police <m duty. ihit it is the thief who “works” alone, who is responsible for the unaccountable “losses” of valuable jewels at great balls and parlies which have happened so frequently this season. No wonder people who give these entertainments employ detectives. Hut what arc detectives to do when one amongst two or three hundred irreproachably dressed men, with perhaps a row of miniature medals on the lapel of his coal or the ribbon and badge of an Order beneath bis collar, may fie the thief? Login's instructions to In’s pupils are mere pot-hooks and hangers to the “society” thief. Miniature medals can be bought : ribbons and badges can be stolen. A man in evening-dress can go nmdialKmgcd into any big ball and party if be enters the bouse with lb*’ assurance of an invited 1 guest, and knows the rule of leaving in’s bat and coat in the cloak room.