Hey, That's Mine

"A terrible crime wave is now raging in Siam," cabled TIME'S Bangkok correspondent last week. "It is no wonder that King Ananda is taking a special interest."

The reason for the young monarch's concern was evident. While he sat solemnly listening to a lecture in the palace, somebody had pinched his favorite green 1942 Nash, parked out front.

"There are only five 1942 Nashes in Siam," continued the cable, so the search should have been easy. Yet a hunt led by Siam's Supreme Police Chief himself and a proffered reward of 1,000 ticals (approx. $67) failed to turn up a trace of the missing car, or the recently discharged royal chauffeur who disappeared at the same time.

At the end of three days, Siam's police were "very ashamed that no arrests had been made" but "most confident the robbers will be caught." Siam's King was not so sure. While the search went on, somebody had crept into the royal bedchamber and copped his favorite 7.65-mm. Mauser pistol.

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