GERMAN MYSTERY WOMAN

Thames Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 18384, 4 July 1917, Page 4

GERMAN MYSTERY WOMAN

AVORK IN GENERALS' HOMES,

Some particulars are available about Alwine Boldt^ the handsome German womail who was sentenced at Westminster Police Court on Wednesday, March 21, to six months' hard labour for infringing the, Aliens Registration Order.

In the earliest days of the war all enemy subjects vere required to register with the police and not move more than five miles from their place of residence without permission ; but ALwine Boldt has moved freely about the country, posing as the widow of a, JJut-.-h merchant To gain admission to important persons' houses she took situations as a parlourmaid—a household duty which gave her access to the dining-room atmeal times, when people are wont to speak freely. ,

The houses to which she gained admission in this way include those of two< famous generals. She was in a number of West End houses where people high in society and politics were visitors. She never remained in one situation more, than a few weeks, and probably no suspicion would have attached to her bub for the fact that while serving in the house of one general she persistently inquired the English address and the whereabouts of the wife of a British soldier who has made history on the western front.

These inquiries—coupled with the fact that on one occasion, when she had prud too much attention 'to the general's liqueurs ? she bpasted in the servants' ball th;it she was German-born—led to her fellow-servants informing their mistress.

Before action could be taken she *eit but was traced to a house in Lennoxgardens, M rhere she was' again acting in v domestic capacity. Learning that inquiries were being made about her, she disappeared onca more. She was found at a house in Westbourue-street, FiniHcOj where, whether in work or not, she had for a considerable period. rented a room. Inquiries by a Daily Mail representative show, that Boldt was born in Hoi- ! stein and came to England 21 years ago,, Tvhen she was about 15 years old. Twelve or fourteen years ago she became acquainted with a Dutchman\named H . They lived together and 11 years ago a child, a girl, was boim.\ The Dutchman subsequently left the woman, who declares that for the sake of the child she continued to call herself Mrs

H and took up* domestic work to provide money for the child's maintenance in a home in North London.

Jivcry week Mrs H ■ has paid 10s for its keep, practically as much as her pay as a parlourmaid, living in. Yet she always hud money, and those who know sitato tfiat her wardrobe was both exten-

sive and expensive.