THE CRIMES CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21053, 16 June 1930, Page 12

THE CRIMES CLUB.

Four times .a year 60 “ criminologists/’ many of them: famous in-the world of literature, law, and medicine, foregather in a London restaurant to ‘discuss a paper read by one of. their number on some notable crime. . Their somewhat ominous name of , “ The Crimes Club’.’ (founded by.Mr Arthur Lambton and ,Mr Ingleby' Oddis, the Westminster coroner, since the war) has sometimes misled the- uninitiated as to their objects. .In “Thou Shalt Do No Murder,” Mr Lambton himself quotes an amusing instance: — ’ , A certain train set out for Buckinghamshire from either Marylebone ; or Baker street. One compartment was full, but there were only two men. in-it (Incidentally both very distinguished in their respective professions.) \ . Just as the train was entering one of the many tunnels one man- bent forward and remarked - to the other in a more or less sepulchral voice:— “ I think I’ve met you at ‘ The Crimes Club.’ ” ’Shortly afterwards the train stopped at a station, and, like lightning, every woman got out the compartment. Mr Lambtdn’s hook is full of familiar villains. In 1871 ■ the personality of a waiter in a Paris restaurant so impressed wealthy Mr Cotton that the Englishman .promptly engaged; him -as travelling companion, says Mr Lampton. Two years later Cotton had disappeared and “ Count Henri de Tourvllle was pracrising as a barrister ; in the Temple, equipped with funds the source of which can hardly be in doubt. Then came upon the scene a widow, Mrs Ramsden, as eager to net a Count for - her son-in-law as de Tourville was for the £30,000 , which would, revert on her death to her daughter. The wedding followed with almost indecent haste de Tonrville borrowing the'funds for the honeymoon from’Mrs Ramsden. Later he called, on his mother-in-law for another 1 loan. A shot rang out, and de Tourville emerged, proclaiming that Mrs Ramsden had killed herself! Although the bullet had entered the back of her neck, and although Scotland Yard a detective to investigate, no criminal charge was preferred. Mr Lambton suggests that both surgeon and. detective (who was afterwards implicated ,in the Great Turf Frauds were bribed). When, as the next item on the programme, his wife “passed away in her skep,”" the Count had learned to his disgust: that she had left everything to their infant son. Undaunted, however, he set fire to the room in which the child was sleeping. Happily his plans miscarried; yet, although the insurance company refused payment no criminal proceedings resulted. De Tourville next married a widow worth £70,000. Having made a will in his • favour, she “ accidentally ” fell down a chasm near the Stelvio Pass in Austria. But this time suspicions were aroused, and de Tourville fled to London, whence he was extradited to be sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in a fortress. There he died in 1884, having no opportunity to enjoy the fortune which his murdered wife had left him.