The Chest Thief of Liechtenstein

This is a history story you were never meant to hear. In the late 1700s, travelers across

Europe began noticing something strange. A woman named Barbara Erni moved from town to town with

a massive wooden chest. Every night, she demanded it be locked away—

guarded… untouched. She claimed it held priceless treasure. But after midnight, the chest would

creak open. A small man slipped out. Silent. Barefoot.

He crept through dark hallways, lifting coins, jewelry—anything valuable—

then vanished back into the chest before sunrise. For years, no one noticed.

Until May 27, 1784. Authorities in northern Liechtenstein finally discovered the truth.