WORLD-WIDE SEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1926, Page 11

WORLD-WIDE SEARCH

DIAMOXD DIFFICULT TO SELL. LONDON, 13 th October. World-wide search is being made for the famous diamond and other treasures from the Chateau Chantilly. As soon as the theft was discovered a score of detectives left Paris headquarters, while Marshal Petain and M. Paul Bourgot, who are conservators of the collection, hastened to Chantilly in motor-cars. The only clues at present are the ladders and a few finger-prints. A description of the jewels has been circulated throughout the Continent, and the frontiers and ports are closely watched. Diamond experts are of opinion that it will be impossible for the thieves, whom the police suspect to be members of an international gang, to sell the rose diamond, which is known to all dealers as the most beautiful pink diamond in the world. Moreover, it is almost impossible to have it reeut •without discovery, while if broken up into small pieces its value will be destroyed. M.-Leon Boson thai, one of the leading Paris dealers, is of opinu-i that there is a gang carrying out sensational thefts, not so much with the idea of selling the booty as obtaining big sums for restitution. They have accomplices in England, through whom merchants and insurance companies recover stolen ' property. The diamond is pear-shaped, about half an inch wide, and an inch and a quarter long, set as a tie-pin, surrounded by other precious stones. It' was one of the treasures left by the Prince of Conde. It is impossible tij estimate its value. The thieves secured other articles, which in themselves i would have been a sensational haul, including tho Cross o*f the Legion of Honour which I*ftipoleon gave to Baron Aymard, diamonds, gold bracelets, rings, and watches. i

Paris detectives believe the thieves have reached London.