UP-TO-DATE BRIGANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2436, 26 February 1909, Page 5

UP-TO-DATE BRIGANDS.

A BOHEMIAN SENSATION. A telegram from Prague to an English exchange states that the police have made startling., discoveries throwing light, upon a number of burglaries and highway robberies which have occurred in the district. A man complained to the police headquarters that, a companion had attempted to shoot him, and he admitted, in reply-to questions, that a quarrel had taken place -respecting jewellery. The police tracked this man to a lonely hill, where lie suddenly disappeared. No trace of the suspect could lie found for some time, until smoke was observed issuing from a hole m the ground, and ca'reiul search led. to the discovery of another larger hole, by which a man could enter on his hands and knees. One after the other the detectives crawled into the apertuie, and the first explorer discovered a cave, handsomely furnished .and comfortably lighted and heated. Several men were resting in the strangely-dis-covered cavern, and one well-dressed individual was sitting before a sort of writing desk. . The detectives surprised the men, and after a desperate struggle, they were secured. Li the reave was- found a large quantity -of : stolen goods, and a ie markable feature was: the; up-tp-datC; equipment of . the- place The cavein contained a .library, with books .of reference and directories, wo;ks des cribing burglaries and even , cuttings gwinl dotai of of breaking open safes. Iheie were also filed away for .reference thc.aauresscs -of well known people, notes as to their habits and possess- . ions. ' The loader is apparently a well educated man, and he refused to givo his name.