A Daring Forgery

A neat forgery was recently committed by a Parisian criminal, one Altmayer, which in its adroitness and audacity was worthy of "Jim the Penman" himself. The accused had lately had several hearings at the Palais de Justice before M. Villiers, jnge d'instrnction. Several times during these hearings M. Villiers was summoued f rom the room for a few minutes at a time. During one of these absences the culprit contrived to get possession of a sheet of paper and an envelope with official printed heading, and also to affix the official seal. Then he drew up at his leisure a document ordering his own immediate release, counterfeiting with rare skill the judge's signature. On quitting the court one day he handed the letter thus prepared to the sentinel stationed in the corridor and remarked in an offhand marnier, "The judge wants you to carry this letter immediately to the director of the Mazas prison. ' ' The soldier, suspecting noth ing, took the letter and accompanie the prisoner to Mazas. A few minuten later Altmayer was summoued to the director 's office and was informed that he was a free man. With an outburst of simulated joy and surprise he at ouce took his departure, and as the fraud was uot discovered uutil the following day he had plenty of Mme to get beyond the reach of the clutches of French justice.