VILLA MYSTERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9651, 3 January 1910, Page 2

VILLA MYSTERY.

Dr. Z, Herbert, of York Place. Poet man Square, who was the tim of a Bhooting outrage near Pans some two years ago, was recently awarded £3OO in an action before Mr Justice Darling and a special jury in the Kmg’s Bench Division against the Credit Lyonnais to recovtu d*mngei on the ground that the bank had wrongfully dishonoured a cheque for 8000 francs , t The bank admitted that had in via a mistake, but denied that it had caused any damage. The case was the echo of what was known at the time as the \ e«. - an,«lies Villa mystery. i)r. Herbert was taken into ousted v hv the French authorities and eventually acquitted of complicity With two persons, known as M Mine, Ceebron, m fram-s upon people to whom the two mile* persons introduced pretended heiresses for the purpose of marriage. Mr Marshall Hall, K.O. m op.mmg the eas?, said Dr. Herberi, w*«w practising in York Place, Pci ■ * Square, became acquainted, in o. i... 1905, With M. and Mme. Of.hron. who then had a proposal tor . .y lising the milk of the tava m. < cf Normandy ami Brittany foi export tion. Formalin as a preservative was forbidden by the French Ooyorumeat, and the Oesbrons wished nr, Hebert to had some other and im objectionable agent. , He wont to Alenccn anu otim places in France in connection wuj; this scheme. In 1909 Dr. opened au“eccount with (the branch of the Credit a.id later at the headquarters id __f«i m. directing the London mi* l. '.'■■■ o transfer to Faria a sum ;•••<;-»* *■<■* 39,000 francs, Subsequently ret. •• ferred a farther .19,000 francs and »• number of share certificates. Desiring to know more or the Uesbrons, Dr. Hebart accepted an invitation to stay at their house in Versailles, the Villa Moncourt, which was beantifully appointed, with a motor oar and every convenience at the disposition of the household.

POT SHOTS AT THE DOCTOR. While they were staying at the Villa Moucourt, said counsel, M. Oesbron “took a pot shot” at Dr. Hebert with a revolver, and wounded him severely. He was in Hospital for some time. Ha lodged a complaint against Mme. Oesbron, who was arrested. Dr. Herbert was also arrested on a complaint by Lime. Oesbron. , When questioned whiie under arrest as toibis position, he saici he had 50 000 francs at the Credit Lyonnais The police, meanwhile, had attached his account there, but the examining magistrate ordered that to be released to the extent of 8000 francs. Dr. Herbert gave a cheque for that sum, but an official of the who presented it was told that the doctor had only G4oo francs to his credit, and the cheque was dishonoured. That mistake, counsel understood, was made by the bank having placed the first remittance of 30,000 francs to another account, and given credit to his drawing account only for the second remittance from Loudon of 18.000 francs. The doctor’s complaint was that the dishonouring of that cheque prejudiced him in the eyes cf toe Judge, and prevented his being released from custody, as was the case la tar oo when the bank, having discovered its mistake honoured hia cheque. • ’ Counsel went oa to mention tnau Mme, Oesbron was sentenced for other oft'euc&s to three years’ penal servitude and 15 years’ relegation, which, on appeal by her was increased to five years’ and 30 years relegation, with tbs addition of eight years’ penal servitude for oompi'ieiEj in the attempted murder o>. Dr. Herbert. M. Oesbron was sentenced to death in his absence Dr. Herbert was exonerated of the charge brought against him, married gaol governor.

Dr. Hebert, giving evidence, said the first shot fired at him by M. Cesbron knocked out ejoumber of| hit teeth, and the second also hit him in the head. Gross-examined by Mr Rufus Isaacs, K.G., Dr. Hebert denied that ho knew Mine. Oesbron was carrying on a matrimonial agency. Mme. Oesbron pretended that the ladies she introduced to him were being chaperoned by her. He afterwards learned that a M. Lalere complained that he had been swindled out of a great many thousand francs on pretence of hia becoming engaged to a rich laay. Mme. Oeabron came .to his house and introduced a Miss Tf'crucliffe. She was said to be an heiress. The report of the procuracr de la Republics on the career of Mme. Oeabron, declared that she had been convicted five or six times, and then ahe man lid the governor of the goal. (Laughter.) She was described as a “seductive and fascinating lady who could twist people round her little finger. ” “It’s a very good job she’s shut up, then,” said Mr Justice Darling. The jury returned a verdict for £2OO damages, and judgment was entered accordingly.