JEWELS IN AN ASHPAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12663, 17 September 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

JEWELS IN AN ASHPAN.

LOST TREASURE CLAIMED BY MARCONIGRAM. A Savoy Hotel chambermail, who doubtless, like other young women, occasionally indulges in day dreams, must have thought that one of them, had " come true," and that she was after all a princes? and had discovered Aladdin's cave. While engaged in so everyday an occupation as cleaning the firegrate or a bedroom one of a suite of rooms recently occupied by a rich American gentleman, his wife, and daughter— she discovered in the ashpan a silk handkerchief tied up in the form of a bag, and containing articles that jingled pleasantly when moved. With true feminine curiosity the handkerchief was untied, and the floor was instantly strewn with beautiful, sparkling jewels. When the chambermaid had got the better of her consternation she gathered up the treasure, worth some thousands of pounds. It included:—Five valuable diamond rings, one beautiful turquoise ring, one diamond and pearl necklace, one diamond tiara, one gold pencil-case, one gold watch, one purse, containing £50 in Bank of England notes, and 120 dollars (£24) in bills. For some time the treasure was not claimed, and the hotel management did not know whether it belonged to the last occupants of the room, who sailed for New York by the Campania, or whether it had been left by someone else who had used the apartment. However, all doubt was set at rest when the manager or the Savoy received the following telegram: — " Left something in fireplace, Room . Please hold till we return. Advise if found."

In mid-Atlantic tho rich American's ', daughter who had " secreted" her jewels in so strange a I iding-plaoe discovered hei loss, ■ and a wireless message was despatched by : the Marconi system. Within an hour or so : after its receipt the fair American's mind was . doubtless at <iase, for a reassuring reply was despatched without delay. The three visitors came to London in April, , afterwards proceeding to the Continent,, and returned about tvvc weeks previous to their departure for America tc one of the i best suites of rooms that the Savoy could ■, offer them. [ The young lady, who is about eighteen ■ years old, had many jewels, and changed ' them with her dresses. So many tia<* she, in fact, that r few wer- apparently quite ' easily forgotten in the scramble of. getting • off. ;il