“DUKE DE NEVERS.”

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12401, 24 October 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

“DUKE DE NEVERS.”

ROMANCE REVEALED IN A CHARGE

OF FRAUD. A count, a marriage contract, and a alleged appointment with the King at Marienbad all figured in an investigation at Bow-street into the charge against Charles Francois, a. well-dressed Frenchman, of obtaining a motor-car, valued at £180, by means of a worthless cheque, from Charles Selbach, 66, Great Russell-street, Bloomsburv.

Francois, in the negotiations, is said to have represented himself as " the Duke de Nevers," son of " Prince Oscar de Nevers," of Paris, and the cheque he gave was returned marked "no account.''

Sir. Albert Osborne appeared on behalf of Oscar Count de Nevers, Sunnydale, Nightingale Road, S.W., who is connected w'.th the Nevers Motor-car Company, to repudiate any association of his client with Francois.

George Hyde, a driver in Mr. Selbach' s employment, stated that, without his master's consent, he agreed to drive Francois to Margate on the car the latter proposed to purchase. They had a breakdown at Faversbam, and he'had received a summons for furious driving. There was a romantic side to the evidence of Detective-Sergeant Scholes, who found at the young Frenchman's lodgings a contract in which the latter agreed to marry a lady, who is only seventeen years of age, under certain conditions.

In this be was described as "His Grace rthe Duke Charles de Kevers, Prince de Joinvillc," and he agreed to settled £5000 upon his intended wife. It was further stated that Francois sent a telegram to this young lady'asking her to keep an appointment, as he had to go to Marienbad tc meet the King. The officer also found a bank passbook showing that Francois had at once time a credit balance of £600. % The magistrate, in granting a remand, suggested to the prosecution that, in view of the evidence given by the driver, Hyde, thoy should consider whether it was worth while to go ou with the case.