1949-01-08 — Page 9

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1949.

A WOMAN WHO FELL

and

IN LOVE IN

BIARRITZ

-EAN PIERRE VAQUIER was the only man I have prosecuted for murder, disliked tho case intensely.

I had no sympathy with the strange little man in the dock, but the trial worried mo great deal, partly because I was quite unable to satisfy myself as to the motive for the mur dor, and partly because the ex- perience of cross-examining a man to his death was one which Inover desire to repeat.

A

Vaquler was a very odd per- Conniity

· and possessed · of very peculiar appearance. He had thick curly hair, a black beard, and flamboyant moustache, Although small in stature, he was inordinately vain of his personal appearance, and spent

lime inunenso

on his fociat adornments.

And the man

who died on the scaffold in London

because of it

The next diny Vaquier arrived En London and went to the Russell Hotel.

During the next few days Mrs Jones visited him twice in London.

On

the 14th of February Mrs Jones was alone at the Blue Anchor Hotel, as her husband wus away

by

Sir

Fabriely

Hasting

Undoubtedly his vanity was 10 pronounced thot

controlled all his actions, and may very possibly for a few days, and according to "arrived unexpectedly have been the cause of his ultimatu her Vaquler

and unlavited. downfall,

They met in

an hotel

at

At the time when his career first became the subject of inquiry bo WIS engaged as a wireless

Hotel expert in the Victoria Biarritz, and it was there that he met Mabel Theresa Jones

friendship with embarked up her which resultert in the ultimate tragedy.

ณ

and

and

ap-

He had no fumage, parently no money, because he obtained from Mrs Jones a cheque with which to pay his London hotel bill.

that date

a

As "Room 60, Hotel Russell," room which Vuquier had never occupied.

obtained his Vaquier

them returned and with Blue Anchor Hotel,

polsons to the

For a month life at the Blue Anchor continued as before and the

the between

three relationship principala remained the same.

From

he lived con- tuously at the Blue Anchor unit lite tragedy occurred.

His position in the household was Night party in somewhat peculiar. He lived and took his meals apparently in com- plete amity with both Mr and Mrs Jonca,

He never paid anything for his

Mrs Jones was herself a woman Di distinct personality. Although she had been married 3 good she years many

good looks and was to do so by an alleged delay in considerable

receiving payment for some inven- -evidently a person of character,

tion which he said he had per-

the bar

that any

There was no ladication Vaquier had designs against person nor that he had a deadly weapon ready to his hand.

Indeed, sul retained lodging, and explained his inability

Upon one occasion during this stay ho visited London with Mrs Jones, which was the only occasion upon which their old relationship

She was the wife of the licensee fected. of a small hotel at Byfleet. { Surrey, known as the Blue Anchor. Her husband took no part in the drama except as the victim, and very little was known about him.

He drank a good deal too much and was possessed of very little, if any, money.

Mrs Jones was A wonan

Gl energy and had been engaged on her own

accouni in a business which had resulted in disaster.

At the beginning of the year 1924 her Anancial position was such that she was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Being

somewhat affected

was resumed.

At the Blue Anchor itself no impropriety occurred, al according to Mrs Jones she held out no hope that it might be resumed.

No Оло BOW him touch the bottic,

but the fact remains that- when at a Inter stage the doctor required to see it, it was found in the drawer to be emply, and show- Ing evident signs of having been recently washed.

The post-mortem examination of Mr Jones disclosed that his death had been caused by strychnine poisoning.

of

imme-

Semo fow grain which had fallen from the bottle were ident- fiert as strychnine, the medicine itself -although recently bottic washed bore evident traces strychnine, and the police diately started their inquiries.

During the next few days the condition of affairs at the. Blue Anchor WOO somewhat chaotic. Everyone in the hotel must have considered themselves to some ex- tent under suspicion.

up to the last moment Mrs Jones must have regarded concerned in an with the greatest anxiety the "pos- he was mainly

both Mr sibility, indeed the probability, of endeavour to persuade and Mrs Jones to abandon the her relationship with Vaquler be- Blue Anchor Hotel and start a res- ing the subject of Inquiry. fourant, with him in France.

It is possible that Vaquier was divert suspicion endeavouring lo from himself. or perhaps he was merely awaiting a sultable, oppor- lunity.

She suspected Vaquier. Indeed, according to her, Voquier confessed his gulit as when she taxed him with the crime, he replied: "Yes, Mabs, for you."

from

But it must have been obvious from the outset that the ovidence On the 28th of March, almost of Mrs Jones, uncorroborated, exactly a month after Vaquier ob- would have been open to severe fained his poisons, there was rome criticism.

of a

the liar Statements kind

were taken purly in During this somewhat prolonged partour of the Blue Anchor,

who at everybody

could possibly stay the arrogant Bttle Frenchman which

and there was

throw light upon the affair, a good deal of was in all probability an object heavy drinking.

Vaquier himself made a number of of dislike and dérision to the stat

voluntary statements to the police, some of which were. to say the and the visitors at the Blue Anchio: Hotel

least of, it, remarkable.

On the 31st of March he made a statement containing

on indefinite suggestion against some unidenti- fed person. "The second act

health by her financial misfortunes His 'wireless'

she decided to take a holiday, and early in January she left England

at Biarritz,

There The

experiments

with remarkable rupidity. It was strange because Vaquier could speak nu English, and as she could sprak

no French all conversation hal take place by means of a dictionary.

On the 1st of March Vaquler paid It was rapid because

hia Inst visit to London. It was were living that visit which brought him to the period of days they together as man and wife.

scaffold.

withlo

After any night of indulgence Mt Jones made a habit of drinking the bromo salts Ju the morning, bottle of salts being kept regularly in the bar partour where it was at the disposal of Sir Jones or any of his guests who might require its sistance.

34-

will be

and proceeded to the Victoria Hotel He could still speak no English and was undoubtedly restartled as friendships between # nuisance: but there wis not "19" was fairly evident upon the Vaquier and Mrs Jones developed the faintest Indication that his night

of the party that both Alr continued presence would ultimately Jones and possibly come of his On April 5 he made another result in the commission of a de- guests might visit the bottle of statement cantalying some vague testable crime.

bromo salts the next morning.r suggestion against the patman. This was the opportunity for George, In which this remarkable which Vaquter had been waking, passage occurred:- The next morning he was up very "I have already said that Me early, and for nearly two hours he Jones

that had Informed me sal by himself in the bar parlour. George the potman would never At the beginning of February

It was bitterly cold as the room leave the Blue Anchor, even could Mr Jones telegraphed for his wife

was tireless, and he sat huddled up he make £5 a day elsewhere, to return home

"I think that the second set of ho had made sundry purchases tions or suggestions of the servant, the

in a great-coat, resisting all invita On hearing

10 the news Vaquier wille staying

drama WEI

the dis- at the Russell that he should remove himself to appearance of the wife of George burst into tears and begged

her Hotel. not to leave him, which would tend

another

there was room where to suggest that as far as he was

the Halson concerned

However,

based was

He called upon a chemist by the name

whom of Bland, from

required

of

On this occasion his requirements fire.

No one saw him move from his were romarkable, le produced upon some degree of affection. a list of chemicals which he said chair, but there he sat, quite alone, eyes Mrs Jones determined he

in all probability with his for the purpose to return and they travelled to wireless experiments.

glued to the bottle of bromo salls which remained in its accustomed gether as far as Paris, where she left Vaquler and returnert to Eng- Among other things on bis list place on the mantelpiece. land alone.

wore 100 grammes of chloroform,

perchloride of

of Went straight to and 12 of a grumine of

the bottle Ultimately his

Vaquier followed

the next day

Before she left she gave

the address of the Russell

in London, so it would seem

expected him to follow her.

20 grammes

mercury, strychnine.

patience was re-

as mysteriously and also as fragi-

as Mr Jones. cally us

"George has an incontestable and considerable ascendancy over unhappy

and defenceless Mrs Jones."

that

woman,

On April 10 he made yet another statement even more remarkable.

In the course of it he gave rea- ons to prove his innocence, al- had desired to leging that if he kill Jones, he could easily have done so without causing, suspicion.

The latter articles being deadly warded. Jones left his bedroom Inasmuch as upon occasions ho him poisons, Vaquier had great difficulty and came into the parlour. Hotel in persunding the chemist to supply.

carried the deceased to bed dend drunk and it would have been easy

to bo them, but in the end Bland was He was obviously suffering from for him to take a bottle of whisky

a reasonable supposition that she over-persuaded, Insisting, however, the effects of his previous night's and

that Vaquler should give his name debauch, and his first visit was to death. Mrs Jones returned to England and address and sign the poison the bottle bromo salts. on the 8th of February and was book which a chemist is required met at the station by her husband. by the law to keep, with whom she returned to the The chemist took the name Blue Anchar...

Mr "Wanker," and tho

EDITORE FARE

ዓረ

"Well, what are you waiting for-autumn?”

Under Vaquier's eyo he poured a as dose into glass, added water, and address drank I. "My God!" he said, "It is

bilter."

Mrs Jones, who was in the room, tested the contents of the bottle with her anger, and noticed the same result.

get him to drink himself to Vaquier was not content to make statements to the police. His vanity was such that he talked freely to newspaper reporters and even per- mitted photographs of himsel! appear in the

where his papers, somewhat remarkable appearance.

known throughout the became length and breadth of the country.

His vanity was his undoing.

stin Identified in a

She put the bottle, which contained

the somo salts, into'

drawer of the dresser.

an

a

She then gave her husband emetic of salt and warm water, and he was violently sick, but with very short time it became apparent that he was desperately ill..

newspaper

LAMMERT BROTHERS.

AUCTIONEERS, SURVEYORS AND APPRAISERS

Telephone No. 20224 Pedder Building.

On Instructions received from the owners. The Orient Tobacco Manufactory C. Ingonobl

Ltd., 168, Des Vooux Road, Mezzanine Floor, Gloucestor Building, Hongkong, the undersigned have much pleasure in announcing the

SALE BY AUCTION

.

on Monday, 24th January, 1949

(unless previously sold)

At 3.00 o'clock in the Afternoon

AT

THE FACTORY BUILDING OF THE ORIENT TOBACCO MANUFACTORY C. INGENOHL LTD.

ΞΕΝΟΙ At 582, Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon of

Parts of Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1203 Situate at Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon.

PARTICULARS.

LOT NO. I

Situate on the corner of Nathan Road and Soy Street, Area 9636.25 square feet-Frontages, West side on Nathan Road, 24 Feet 14 Inches, North side on Boy Street 130 Feel. East side on proposed extension of Sal Yeung Choi Street 74 Feet 11⁄2 Inches, South side on other portions of Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1203 130 Feet. This Lot la Vacant Land with the exception of 3 temporary shops fronting on Nathan Road now let on monthly tenancies.

This Lot with the next mentioned Lot represents one of the most valuable sites in the Mongkok area of Nathan Road still available for development, and is ideally situated for the erection of a modern Cinema Theatre, Hotel, Department Store or the like,

LOT NO. 2.

Situate on the corner of Nathan Road and Dundas Street. Area: 51640 square feet, Frontages: West. alde on Nathan Road 101 Feet 4 Inches, South side on Dundas Street 320 Feet, North side on other por tions of Kowloon Inland Lol, No. 1203 320 Feet, East Side on other portions of Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1203 161 Feet 41⁄2 Inches.

On This Lot, Are Ereated:

(1) Ten temporary shops fronting on Nathan Rond now let on monthly tenancies.

:

......

(2) The valuable, factory building of the Orient Tobacco Manufactory C. Ingenohl Lid, as now damaged. Part of the Lot at the rear of the factory building of an area of approximately 0150 square feet is now let on a monthly tenancy as open storage. The tenant has undertaken in writing to vocate on the 28th February, 1949, This Lot with its large frontages on Nathan Road and Dundas Street is one of the largest and most valuable sites in the Mongkok area of Nathan Road now available for development. The factory building could at comparatively little expense easily be converted for use as a Hotel, School. Office Block, Department Store or the like.

LOT NO. 3.

Situate on the corner of Soy Street and the proposed extension of Sal Yeung Chol Street. Area: 1105 square feet. Vacant, possession will be given on completion.

LOTS NO. 4 TO ↑ INCLUSIVE,

Vacant possession will be given on com- Situate on Soy Street. Ares: 1040 square feet for each Lot piction of Lots 4 to 7. Lots 8 and 9 are let as open storage on a monthly tenancy, which has been determined by notice to quit.

.

by

LOT NO. 10.

Situste on the corner of Soy Street and other portions of Kowloon Inland Lot No. 1203, Area: 110S square feet. This Lot is also let as open storage on a monthly tenancy, which has been determined notice to quit.

LOT NO. 11

Situate on the proposed extension of Sai Yeung Choi Street, Area: 1458,435 square feet. possession will be given on completion.

LOTS NOS. 12 TO 18 INCLUSIVE. Situate on proposed extension of Sai Yeung Chol Street. Area: Vacant possession will be given on completion.

LOT NO. 20. Situate on proposed extension of Sai Young Choi Street. Area: 1458.435 square feet, Vacant posses- sion will be given on completion.

Vacant

1040 square feet for

each

Lat

All the Lots are held under a Crown Lease for Seventy-five years (renewable for a further term of Seventy-Ave years) from the 20th day of January, 1007. No building covenant is attached to the Lots sold.

The

of each Lot will be required to puy a proportion of the Crown Rent calcuinted at the

rate of Purchfely $8.00 per 1,000 Square feet of the area purchased.

Copies of the Conditions of Sale can be obtained and the plan showing the situation and areas of the Lots to be sold can be seen at the office of the Vendors, 16B Des Voeux Road, Central, Mezzanine Floor, Gloucester Building, or at the office of Messrs. Deacons, Solicitors for the Vendors, 1 Des Voeux Road, Central, (First Floor) or at the office of the undersigned during business hours or at the Factory Building of the Orient Tobacco Manufactory C. Ingenohl Ltd. 582 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon.

DUND Ś

.57 £ £ £

NATHAN

He 2

SITE PLAN

L

LOAD

No 1

PRAYOSiR RETENEAN OF CAI Young Clay St

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF TUNG

CHO1

345678s

NO

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so y

SAI YEUNG CHAT ST

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PROPOCE EXTENSION OF TA JUEN

57

FA YUEN

On Apell 16 Mr Bland -The

a daily paper chemist saw in picture of Me Wanker who had bought strychnine from him for the purpose of making wireless experi- miento.

He realised that Mr. Wanker was

with communicated

the police, and Vaquier was arrested.

Upon arrest Vaquier made his last and most important statement. In it he said: "I will make known. the doctor was engaged tomorrow who

administered, the ministration, Vaquier's poison." aellons Weld pecullar. He ran Needless to state he did not do into the kitchen shouting, in his so, and from him the police learn- broken English, "Medicine. Doctor. ed nothing more,

A doctor was sent for, who at onee perceived that Jones displayed Vanner. overy symptom of strychnine poison- Ing, and, although he did everything possible to effect a cure, Jones died in arony in a very short time:

While

upon

his

Quick," and Indicating that ho

wantod to find the bottle of calls.

The servant pointed to the drawer In which Mrs Jones had placed the

bottle, and Vaquier at once wont to the drawer.

NEXT WEEK

The bottle in the wall-

a strange discovery after a death sentence.

LAMMERT BROS., Auctioneers.

HILL'IN PROCESS OF REMOVAL

RESERVED FOR

PHÊNIC MARKAJ

SAI YEE 57.

HAK PO