PLOT TO ROB NOTRE DAME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 5

PLOT TO ROB NOTRE DAME.

AN ARMED GUARD DAY AND NIGHT. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON. October 4. The priceless treasures of the historic cathedral of Notre Dame are being watched day and night by an armed guard as the result of a discovery by the police of a plot to steal 'them (states the Paris correspondent of a London paper). Detectives learned that a gang of international thieves, which included two Italians whose names are known to the police, had made plans to steal the gold and silver and diamondstudded altar vessels which are kept in a special chamber of t.he cathedral under the charge of the Dean and Chapter. Abbe Pisani, Dean of the Chapter, stated that no fears were now felt for the safety of the cathedral treasures, because, in addition to the guards provided by the police, the closest watch is being kept by the cathedral staff. The treasures are stored at night in a special strong room, and electric alarm bells are fitted to every door of the cathedral. | Abbe Pisani added that suspiciouslooking persons had been noticed exploring the cathedral with a minuteness which epuid in no way be connected with their devotions. An English tourist, he said, was found wandering aimlessly in a sacrist} r where he had no right to be, and a German visitor, who was admitted with others to inspect the treasures, was seen to slip benhath his jacket a gold chalice, i He said he had picked it up to examine more closely the diamonds with which it was studded. The German was asked to produce his identity papers, but as these were found to be in order the matter was allowed to drop. 1 The last attempt to steal the treasures of Notre Dame was made in 1903, and was frustrated by the electric alarm bells, but the thieves made good their escape.