A STRANGE STORY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 6 November 1852, Page 10

A STRANGE STORY.

The following extraordinary story appears in a late number of the New York Tribune : —

A great deal of excitement has recently been created in the higher classes of the Austrian capital, by the remarkable and romantic developments of numerous heavy robberies, which for years past have been committed in and near the metropolis, by one or more malefactors, whose whereabouts it was impossible to trace out. In order to give a thorough insight into the matter, we must begin at a period when the existence of this gang was proved by their actions. Towards the close of October, IS4B, during a fine and clear autumnal night, the travelling carriage of Mr. Edward C. Brooks, a wealthy merchant of London, who then was on his way back to Vienna, from a long tour in Upper Italy and the Lombardic provinces, was stopped within three miles of Vienna, in the most populous part of the country. One man only presented himself at the coach window, and "courteously, but firmly, demanded the surrender of whatever valuables the inmates of the conveyance possessed. With Mr. Brooks there were two ladies, his wife and her younger sister, the latter of whom had already drawn her purse and was in the act of handing it to the highwayman, when her extended aim was fractured by a pistol shot from Mr. Brooks, who, haviuoperceived the movement of his sister-in-law had from the hack of the carriage quietly taken aim at tho robber, with a view of auswerin<>the impudent demand. A scene of temffic confusion then ensued. The report of the pistol brought, besides the two men who guarded the coachman and horses, three more individuals to the support of the highwayman ; the traces were cut in an instant, the coachman was lashed to his seat, and the highwaymen prepared to avenge the death of their leader, who lay apparently inanimate on the ground.

The doors of the caliche were torn open, but the spectacle which there presented itself was such as to make the robbers pause before they launched out upon the mission of revenge. Miss Perry, the wounded lady, lay in the arms of her sister, whose speechless agony proved the horror which she felt at the occurrence. Mr. Brooks still ignorant that it was he who inflicted the injury, had nevertheless abandoned all ideas of resistance, and was vainly endeavouring to stanch the blood, which flowed in torrents from the ghastly wound. For some minutes the highwaymen looked upon this mournful scene, until a low moan lrom their leader reminded them of the necessity of giving him that attention which his condition peremptorily called for. A few minutes sufficed, to prove that he was not dangerously wounded; the bullet, after fracturing the slender arm of Miss Perry, had spent itself against his chest, causing what the Germans call a Prellschuss, and though it did not penetrate the flesh had still force enough to break a bone or two, without any other outward sign than a small black spot on the place where the leaden messenger had struck.

The chief soon recovered and was able to ride off, while he had left his followers in charge of the carriage, giving strict orders, however, not to plunder the Englishman and his family, but to give them every assistance to enable them to reach Vienna as early as possible, that the young lady might obtain medical aid. The orders were executed to the letter ; Mr. Brooks saw his horses put to the carriage by his late assailants, who exhibited the most respectful bearing towards him, and seemed rather to wish him good than evil. So much, indeed, was he taken by the conduct of the men, that on parting he gave a diamond ring of great value to him who had been left in command by the chief, with orders to hand it over to his master, as a token of his gratitude for the consideration which had been extended to the sufferingl lady. &

The occurrence caused an extraordinary sensation at Vienna. Apart from the boldness of the act, the standing of Mr. Brooks and his energetic action, the result of the encounter, so far as Miss Perry was concerned, gave sufficient interest to the matter of it to remain the standing topic for many weeks. As to the injured lady, she suffered greatly from the severe wound, but recovered without the loss of her arm, which at first it seemed impossible to save. Though Mr. Brooks discountenanced all efforts to trace out the individual who stopped his carriage, the police nevertheless caused the most minute inquiries to he made, but without the slightest success.

A month or two passed quietly away, when the news of another attnck on the highway, this time accompanied with a robbery to a heavy amount, startled the police from their apathy, to which they had abandoned themselves since they saw their efforts to point out the perpetrators of the previous robbery fruitless. Attack followed attack at four or six weeks' interval, and they were directed only against the most wealthy with a sagacity and prudence which defied every precaution on the part of the authorities. Years thus passed without the least success against these depredators; and, late in the fall of ISSI, three robberies were committed during one night, not one of which led to a discovery, though the booty consisted of such articles as could hot have been disposed of in the Austrian Empire without establishing suspicion against the seller.

In the month of January Miss Perry, who, since receiving the wound from the pistol-shot of her brother-in-law, had been married to a Welsh gentleman named Trewyth, arrived at Vienna with her husband, where her former adventure was by no means forgotten, and was frequently spoken about in company. Among those who seemed to take the deepest interest in the matter was a Baron Pregli, a Lombard nobleman, who for the last 10 years had stayed at Vienna, and apparently enjoyed unbounded wealth. He became an admirer of Mrs. Trewyth and her constant attendant. Humour was soon started, and the question was asked, why the husband allowed so close an intimacy as was exhibited in their frequent rides and walks. None, however, pretended to prognosticate the result of this intimacy. At an early hour on the 2nd of March, Baron Pregli's mansion was surrounded by a body of officers, the leader of whom thereupon demanded access to the building. After a while the doors were thrown open, and the commis-

sary, with two of his men, entered, while others were left to guard the various outlets. Nearly half an hour thus passed over until the officers returned, bringing with them and carefully guarding Baron Pregli, whom they took to the--prison usually assigned to political offenders. From the action of the police no one can tell what is the offence which he is charged with. He had no hearing, aud probably may have none. His friends may see him again, or they may not, just as its suits the despotic will of him who rules over Austria.

In spite of the precautions which are always taken in Austria to keep secret the offences oD the nobility, the story in regard to Baron Pregli's career has leaked out. It appears, that it is he who, in connection with several devoted servants, has for years past rendered the highway to Vienna insecure, as he could carry on these depredations from his country residence without in the slightest measure incur-, ring the suspicion of the authorities. It is a remarkable fact that the baton had actually stood in the pay of the police—a situation which he probably coveted only for the purpose, of leading any suspicions that" might arise into another channel.

Becoming deeply enamoured of the beautiful Mrs. Trewyth, he sought vainly to gain her affections, and at last, in a silly fit of despair,, showed her the ring which Mr. Brooks had, sent him, as the leader of the highwaymen, three years previously, and appealed to her tobecome his, since she had once been chosen to he the instrument to save his life. So far from this confession having the effect of softening her feelings, she became all the more prejudiced against him, hut promised faithfully, to keep the secret if he would not repeat the offensive proposals. Pregli did not come near her for a week, hut at last attempted to carry her off by the aid of his satellites, and being foiled in this, information was given which led to the arrest, as before stated. Three of the Baron's men have since been arrested, and at his country residence a large quantity of artir.les were found, all of which were identified as having been stolen.