A VALUABLE FIND.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume VI, Issue 72, 14 October 1897, Page 2

A VALUABLE FIND.

In the month of June last an old man of eccentric habits died, leaving, as was rvell known by his few friends and relatives, a small fortune of £3,600 in slocks, but when an in-

ventory of his belongings came to be made only iqOf. iu gold were found. For a time nothing fuitker was heard of the missing bonds, when they suddenly came to light iu a curious manner. A youth of the, name of Pouget bought several copies of a magazine, the

“ Voleur 1 llnstre,” for a few sous at a market where only old books and scraps of it on ar e sold. In turning over the leaves of his purchase he came across several papers, which he handed to his mother. File in turn, not knowing what they were, gave them to her husband, who has a small business in the coal and coke line. The man at once recognised the value of the papers befoie him, but, being at a loss as to what Le should do with them, he consulted an intimate friend, Cassagne, who is also a coal merchant. The latter speedily solved the problem, aud at his recommendation Pouget decided to dispose secretly of the securitii s. The pair then started off, ostensibly for Charleroi on business, but in reality for Brussels, where they hof/Sd to be able to effect the exchange without arousing the suspicions of the police ; but they counted without the honesty of the broker they applied to. This pi ison, after he had had the matter explained to him, told the dishonest couple that he would put them in contact with someone the next day who would settle everything. On the morrow the broker introduced Pouget aud Cassange to a police-officer, who immediately arrested them. But on the same day that her husband and his accomplice were endeavouring to rid themselves of tbevaluable papers to their advantage in the Belgian capital Madame Pouget took some other bonds to the commissary of police of her district The official, not satisfied with the story retailed by the woman, opened an inquiry, which led to the truth coming out. Pouget and Cassange have just been tried before a Paris Court for theft. During the case a question arose as to whether the prisoners could be legally prosecuted for robbery. After eight days’ reflection an affirmative answer lias been given, and Pouget anti bis accomplice were sentenced yesterday to four months’ imprisonment and a fine of bOf.