Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/497

 both parties; and it was not handled so as to favour the unlucky Herr Hasse.

In the current year, a bold German blackmailer named Otto Schlanger made attempts against no lower grade of victims than Prince Heinrich of Prussia (the son of the late Prince Albrecht); and by means of letters demanded five-hundred Marks, under threats to inform the Emperor of sexual facts in the life of Prince Heinrich that would gravely compromise him in the ramified and interminable Eulenburg, Hohenau and Lynar scandals. This blackmailer,also threatened Prince Joachim-Albrecht of Prussia with, exposure as an habitual homosexual. The affair was brought to trial, and Schlanger was given a sentence of two years penal servitude.

The notable "W— and Jirgl Case", occurring in Munich, in the latter years of the nineties just past, presented on its surface an outcome that was perhaps too severe for the blackmailer; not a common aspect. The plaintiff had recourse, most unwillingly, to the law; dreading a scandal. He was of the aristocracy, and a member of the royal household. The defendant was a young man named Jirgl, who was trying to extort money. The facts were that Herr von W— had met the young man in the Pinakothek; had fallen in love with him; and presently Jirgl (who was exceptionally good-looking) though he was a pious youth and a theological student, had become the "mistress" of the rich admirer. They lived together, travelled together, and so on. But Jirgl's health and beauty declined. He grew ill. His protector tired of him, and cast him aside. Jirgl for revenge, and in full appreciation of his hold, blackmailed the deserter. The aristocrat won his case. The ruined Jirgl was sentenced to eighteen months of imprisonment. The high-born complainant was not incriminated legally (the latter adjective is important) in the case, being considered guiltless of technically