"KNIGHTS OF THEMIS"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 85, 7 October 1929, Page 9

"KNIGHTS OF THEMIS"

QUEST' OF, BURIED BOOTY

CONFESSION UNDER TORTURE

Australian Tress Association—United Service,

(Received 7th October,' 9 a.m.)

I PAKIS, sth October. In a letter to the."Matin," the selfstyled "Knights of Themis" state that a woman,, assuming the name of Madame Dorgeval, formed the society professedly of members of the French aristocracy. She wrote to Clement in prison regarding, the publication of his memoirs. She' met him af Trouville on his release and drove him to the estate appropriately named Bois do Justice where he was buried. Bhe also wrote to Clement's mother bidding her farewell on his behalf.

In Clement's pockets the Knights found a plan which they, believed referred to the hiding place for the money which Olomont had obtained by swindling. The Knighta decided to use the form of torture employed by the Inquisition called the "water test.". They bound the victim, inserted a funnel in his mouth, and poured in water a litre at a timo, questioning him regarding the plan, till at the seventh litre .Clement confessed that he had hidden in the forest a bos containing fifteen million francs' worth of securities. The Knights searched and found the box. The contents included first-class British securities.

They decided to carry out the final punishment. The letter adds: "The Knights are only beginning their work. They will deal similarly with other swindlers."

It is generally believed, however, that the incident was intended only to boost Clement's memoirs and the tragedy was unexpected. It was due to the fact that only one airpipe was used, preventing a through draught clearing the carbonic acid gas from the coffin. It is jiot clear .why the accomplices, it they were such, failed to liberate the man in time.