TREBLE LIFE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1936, Page 6

TREBLE LIFE

REMARKABLE FRENCH CASE. “RAFFLES” CRIMES ALLEGED. PARIS, June 2. Raffles, the debonair gentleman cracksman of fiction, has come to light here in the person of a handsome young “man about town,” knoivn as the Comte Henri I)..four de Moutfort. The amazing story of bis career as described by the police following las arrest to-day 'alleges that he was known in three different circles as: A luxury loving count. A £4 10s a week business man, happily married. The leader of a clever gang ot forgers. , Elis wealthy friends, liis wife, am his gang were all unaware of his treble existence. Here are tlie differing phases in which lie arranged his life': 1. In Passv, the West End of Paris! many people knew the “Comte de Montfort” as a man of polished manners, perfectly dres.-ed, and tlie occupant of a luxurious Lit. Often lie would tape a “holiday nr the country.” During Che few days of each week lie spent in Passy he was always seen with a< blonde woman, whom he called “Regina.”

Together they spent money lavish-, l y in the best night clubs and cabarets of Paris. The Comte was regarded as a connoisseur of wines and an epicure. The distinguished-looking couple tipped generously and led a glamorous life of luxury. 2. In Poissy, a town to the north west of Paris, he was known as 3V : Henri Dufour, employed as an accountant at a large commercial establishment in Paris and obviously happily married. To his wife and little daughter he was extremely kind. Sometimes he would explain carefully to his wife that business might keep him „away for several day*. His wife knew that his salary was £4 10s a week, and .-sometimes,: she wondered why, from time to -time, he bought the most expensive suits. Always he would explain that “a business man must look his best”— then he would kiss her and, his daughter, and hurry for tho-ffcrain. : 3. In Fontainebleau,Aa.tpwn to. the south of Paris, he led \ one of the cleverest gangs of forgers -and thieves in France, , " Casting off the elegance of the /f Comte de Montfort” and the quiet .businesslike manner of, ‘,‘M. Dufour,” the conscientious business man, ..lip bee?me a ruthless swindler. f-rtwi When arrested with his three assisWn+s, it was found that he had manufactured thousands.of forge! postage-, stamps. More than £SOOO worth of bonds, which he is alleged to have stolen, were found in his possession.