MOTOR DESPERADO

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1920, Page 6

MOTOR DESPERADO

' “I am Arsene Lupin,” declared in court the chief of a gang of burglars and motor-car thieves, who is beings tried at Milan. “I know my name is Alberto Luppi, but I am the real Arsene Lupin.” Then the prisoner, before he could be prevented, pressed a revolver to his chest and fired three times. He was removed to hospital. The doctors declare that he will recover.

Luppi certainly answers closely to the " description of Arsene Lupin, familiar to novel readers and cinema-goers. _ Most of his exploits were carried out by the aid of stolen motor-cars and the most perfected scientific instruments. His daring was equalled only by the polish of his manner, especially towards women. On one occasion he was surprised breaking into a jeweller’s shop at Milan. In a moment lie and his comrades had escaped in their waiting car. The police pursued them, but Luppi, having reached San Eemo a good hour before his pursuers could do so, took advantage of his visit to hold up. the main post office. The postmaster was in conversation with a young girl. In a minute he and his staff were holding up their hands before three levelled revolvers. Luppi told the girl not to be frightened, and having swept all the money from the cash tills and carefully counted it, he wrote out a receipt. This he handed to the postmaster with the words: “You won't have any trouble making up your accounts, for you will know exactly what I have taken.” Turning to the girl, he said : “If you will walk with me I will see you home. It is rather late for you to be out alone.” And be did so, though he knew the alarm was given the moment he left the post office. Luppi’s gang dwindled os the less skilful fell into the hands of the police. Is T one would give away the leader. He was captured> because he persisted in going into Milan undisguised to see a girl with whom he was in love.