NEW BOX TRICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14133, 7 August 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

NEW BOX TRICK.

LUMPS OF SUGAR REPLACE EARRINGS OF GREAT VALUE.

A fair of diamond and emerald earrings, which are said to have belonged to the Duke of Cumberland, were mentioned in a case at -street, when Jacques Deville was taken before the magistrate on an extradition warrant charging him with fraud as an agent in Brussels. Deville was arrested at the Craven Hotel, Craven-street, Strand, and when he appeared later that day before the magistrate it was stated the warrant referred to a pair of earrings, which a Brussels engineer, named Mr. Stercky, had asked the prisoner to sell for him. When arrested Deville said he had given the earrings to Count Fistitecess to dispose of. Count Fistitecess, in the witness box, said he had bought the earrings from the prisoner for £1000, it being understood 'that he was not to pay for them for three months. 1 * Evidence was ■ also given by Mr. Samuel Henson, mineralogist, Regent-street, to the effect that Count Fistitecess called upon him and said that he wished to dispose of the earrings for £900. Mr. Henson valued them at £300, and (jdvauced the count £200 on them.

•Mr, Stercky, the prosecutor, said that the earrings belonged to his father and mother, who valued them at 45,000 francs (£1800). The earrings were given by him (witness) to the prisoner, who said that he wished to show them to Count Fistitecess, but prisoner never told him that he had sold them to the count. On June 16 the prisoner handed witness a sealed box, apparently bearing the arms of the count, saying, " Here are your jewels. They will be paid for on the 18th of this month." The box was opened by his father in the presence of a police commissioner. .

The Magistrate What did it contain? Nothing but sugar! lam not quite certain whether there were four or six lumps. No, jewellery?—No, none. I have never received any money from the prisoner* for the earrings.