"THE SIREN OF REUILLY."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7678, 11 April 1903, Page 4

"THE SIREN OF REUILLY."

BAND OF PARIS CRIMINALS LED BY A WOMAN. A discovery recalling the most sensational stories of the great French detective writers has just been made by the Paris police. They have unearthed a dangerous band of criminals, who acknowledge as their chief a young and pretty woman known as the " Siren of Reuilly." The police were put on the track of this strange band by a recent daylight robbery of bonds and jewels to the value of £3000 at the residence of a Mrae Plaisance. Learning that one of the bonds had been sold by a Mdlle de Gordone, they made a descent upon her house in the Court Saint Eloi, Rue de Reuilly. Breaking in suddenly, the police found two men and eight woman supping gaily in a large room.' They had seized Mdlle de Gordone, who sat at the head of the table, when another man rushed in, brandishing a revolver and shouting, " Keep your hands off the Siren of Reuilly, or take the consequences !" When the whole band had been handcuffed, the police proceeded to search the place, which was most sumptuously furnished. One of the rooms formed a perfect museum of stolen property, ranging from old boots and new hats to gold chalices stolen from churches or jewellers. Another apartment was fitted up as a surgery, and contained even an operating table. In an adjoining room, lay one of the female members of the band, her face covered with bandages, as the result of her nose being broken by .a revolver shot. Some curious documents in the writing of the " Siren " were found in a desk. They were notes made to assist the band in their expeditions. One road: — "Avenue Kle-ber, Baron de — — . Very old ; lives in bachelor's chambers on the ground floor, the windows opeai-ing on a quiet street. He takes opium to induce sleep. An easy job. Valuable jewels and works of art will be found." Another referred . to tbe robbery which led to tlie raid : — " Mme Plaisance. A fine job. Old lady, very timid. A big baul7-£54060 at least. Put her to death if she resists, but avoid this dangerous extremity if possible." •Near the desk was a humaS" skull used as a money-box, and containing some gold coins. On the 'forehead the "Siren" had engraved the words, '" T*o my lovers!" Questioned by the police, Mdlle de Gordone said that she was formerly a lady's maid. Some months ago she made the ac-r quaintance of a clever burglar, who has recently been sentenced to twenty years' hard labour. She is only nineteen, but admitted that she was the chief of a band of criminals to whom she furmsbed, information. • The man who threatened the police with e revolver said, he had. won the favours of the "Siren" as the result of a terrible fight in the Place d'Aligre. \ '