AN INGENIOUS ROBBERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10575, 16 October 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN INGENIOUS ROBBERY.

The Paris correspondent) of the London Daily Telegraph says:—Some titoe.ago a tragi-comic scene was, enacted in a house situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the Boulevards. A Wealthy South American was seated in his salon in company with a young woman when a ring was heard.'at the door of the apartment. Yvonne ran, out and returned with a letter, at which her friend had soarcely glanced, when an individual of tall stature, wearing a mask, burst into the room, and pointing a revolver at the millionaire, to whom the damsel clung as though in abject 'terror, abstracted a portfolio .containing nearly £800, as well as other valuables, The South .American had no suspicion that the young woman 1 who was so solicitous about'bis safety was a party to the robbery, but the fciolice took another view of the case, and'.when it Was ascertained that Yvonnei.sjw v on intimate terms with the thief, who had disappeared, she was brought to trial and sentenced to- a period of imprisonment. The man, who had also been condemned, but by default,' was discovered and arrested 'a few .weeks ago. Michel had formerly 'kopt 'a 'cafe at Bordeaux, but his affairs did not, prosper, and at the fresh trial, which- has just' come off, he declared that he tyas in such: 'state of destitution that, 1 having to .take his choice - between committing 0 suicide !or robbing ' the' 1 South American, ■'■ he I ,hid : naturally-! preferred 'latter 1 coarse. Yvonne, who has ! now been released from gaol, figured r as ; a" witness, in a' black costume, and wearing a bat abundantly set off with flowers. "J She gave her evidence in a j timid 'manner,'' and in almost inaudible tones, but she could not save the man in the mask, who has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment. ' •' --- 1 ■•"<»'» \ ' '