The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-06-04
NOBLE GAMESTERS.
Young Wilson Testifes in the
Baocarat Scandal,
AND EXPLAINS THE CHEATING.

Sir Charles Russell vigorously
Scores Sir Williams Attitude Un-
der the peculiar circumstances"
Nobility In the Rush for Luncheon
Mrs. Wilson's Horror of Scandal.
LONDON, June 4.-There is no diminu-
tion of interest in the progress of the
famous baccarat scandal. The court
room was again filed toits utmost capac-
ity with throngs Of representatives Of the
highest social ranks. The Prince of
Wales and the principals in the suit were
promptly on hand when court opened.
Sir Charles Russell at once began his
opening speech for the defense. Sir
Charles laid special stress upon the "pe-
culiar circumstances" under which the
action was brought, and referred at
length to an interview which Sir Will
lam Gordon Cumming had with Lieu
tenant Levett, who was a subaltern in
the plaintiffs regiment, and who, being
asked by Sir William to do what he
could with Mrs. Arthur Wilson in re-
gard to the baccarat scandal replied
that he could not disbelieve his own
eyes, though he added that he ewould
gladly do anything for the sake of Sir
William Gordon Cumming and for the
sake of the regiment to which they be-
longed.
1.-THE plaintiffs conduct" Sir Charles
Russell continued, ''at no stage Of this
distressing story has been the conduct of
an innocent and honorable man. No in
nocent and honorable man would have
lain quiet under the charges made
against the plaintiff or signed the con
fession which the plaintiff signed"
Young Wilson's Testimony.
At the conclusion of Sir Charles Rus
sells speech Arthur Stanley Wilson,
son Of the millionaire owner of Tranby
Croft, was called to the stand He tes-
titled that before the Prince Of Wales
dealt the cards on the first night bac-
carat was played at Tranby Croft he
(Wilson) looked around the table to see
what stakes were placed, and saw e5
red counter on sheet of note paper in
front of Sir William; but when the lat
ter won no was paid for three red
counters.
In the next hand, there was only one
e5 counter in front of Sir William, and
when Lord Somerset, who sat at his left,
took up his cards Sir William leaned
forward, with his hands over hiscounter,
and looked into Somerset's hand, which
contained natural and COURT card.
On seeing this Sir William opened one
hand and let three e5 counters drop. He
was paid geo for the coup.
1t was next noticed by Mr.. Wilson
that when Sir William, by virtue Of his
position at the table, could see that any
one drew bad cards Sir William would
draw back his hands and let additional
counters drop on his pile, always keep
ing one red counter in front of him.
Mr.. Wilson that night told Mr.. Berke-
ley Levett, another Of the players, what
he had seen, and, as has been related
heretofore, they determined to lay u trap
for Sir William on the next night.
The Scramble for Luncheon.
The court adjourned for luncheon IN
the midst Of the taking of this testi-
mony, and the Prince of Wales again
honored the lord chief justice. Lady
Coleridge and her party with his pres
ence at luncheon, while such celebrities
as Lords Coventry and Somerset and
Gen. Owen Williams, who had been an
imated by false pride to permit them to
bring luncheon with them or to partake
of the stock of edibles and drinkables
which their better ballasted friends had
provided themselves with, had almost to
fight for refreshments for themselves
and for the ladies of their parties around
the public house bars Of the neighbor-
hood, which were packed almost to snf-
location by the more common herd OF
baccarat enthusiasts.
After luncheon young Wilson contin-
ued his testimony:
On the second night, when Lady Cow
entry took up the cards, the plaintiff
looked over her hand. He had already
staked e5, but when her ladyship turned
up ten, the plaintiff quietly placed ten
counter over a white line, four inches
from the original stake.
On only being paid e5 Sir Gordon said
TO the Prince OF Wales, who was keep
ing the bank, II beg your pardon, sir,
here is another ten you forgot" To
which the prince replied. 81 wish you
would place your stake more conspicu-
ously.n
The stake was paid.
"Don't Have a Scandal"
In response to further questioning.
young Wilson said:
II told my mother of what had
seen, and my mother said; For good. /.
ness sake don't have scandal here r
then told her that would have a proper
table prepared for baccarat playing, so
that repetition of the conduct we had
observed wonld be rendered impossible.
Mr.. Wilson was cross examined at
length. lie repeated his evidence re-
garding the cheating, illustrating his
remarks with his hands, leaning over.
the rail. The solicitor general sought to
prove by photograph of the tables that
the play could not have been as de-.
scribed by the witness. II