This Man Broke Gaol To Pay Lawyer—Went Back

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 3

This Man Broke Gaol To Pay Lawyer—Went Back

‘KING OF ESCAPED CONVICTS’ IS NOW WRITING FILM PLOTS ‘ Iu the prison of Liege (Belgunn), Eugene Laurent, nicknamed “ Boulboule, King of the Escaped ','onv.icty,” spends his time writing film plots which he hopes to sell when ho is released shortly. One of his most amazing escapades, which helped to earn him his titic ana might well feature in iho most sensational ot lit m 3, was to escape from gaol to pay a lawyer his fee, returning after he had done so. When war broke out ho wrote this personal letter to King Albert: “1, Boulboulo, put myself at the disposal of your Majesty to do whatever will pleaso your Majesty. “Kill any enemy your Majesty will command me to kill. “Blow up any tunnel, train or enemy regiment. ” Instead of blowing up battalions ol Germans, “Bouiboule” was captured by them. He was being escorted to prison by two soldiers when suddenly he snatched a rifle from one of them. He killed both and fled. Borne months later he was recaptured and taken by train to Givet to be shot. In the train Bouiboule, although his wrists were manacled, jumped head first through the window, and though the train was doiug 40 miles an hour ho escaped without injury. After the Armistice Laurent was again sentenced, this time by a Belgiau judge, for minor offences. As the gendarmes were leading him out of the tribunal room Bouiboule turned towards his barrister: “I shall come to you this afternoon to pay your fee. * ’ True enough, some hours later, Bouiboule rang the bell of the barrister’s house, paid the fee—and went back to