The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-02

LONDON, June 1.-[Special]- What
will probably provo the most exciting
trial OF the season, if not of recent
years. was begun to day before Lord
Chief Justice Coleridge and special
jury, being the judicial inquiry into the
notorious baccarat case, in which Sir
VIM. Gordon Cummings is the plaintiff
and tho Prince of Wales the most inter-
esting, if not the chief witness.
Tho courtroom was crowded, and the
audience comprised the flower of Lon
don society, representing all circles and
including as many leaders in profess
sional life as could possibly manage to
get away from their cngrossing occupa-
tions. The Prince of Wales entered the
room shortly after IL o'clock, accom-
panied by that veteran in serial func-
tions, Sir Francis Knollis. The Jury
having been sworn, the lord chief JUS
tice took his seat and brief discussion
followed regarding the examination of
the Prince of Wales, the avowed object
being to come to some understanding
that would curtail the attendance of his
royal highncsS to as brief period as
possible.
Sir Edward Clarke, solicitor general,
who conducted the case for the plaintiff,
in his opening said the question was:
Ibid Sir Gordon Cummings cheat at
cards or not?" The question was n
serious one, involving the honor Of
man with distinguished military
record n a1oi mo- lo
baccarat was played, adding that the
bank at Trandry Croft, where tho games
took place, was limited to EIO0, and
when that was lost the game was at an
end.
1t would be his duty to put the Prince
of Wales and General Owen Williams
in the witness-boX, and they would sat
isfY the jury that they saw nothing
wrong in Sir Gordon's play. 1t was his
system to double his stakes, if he lost,
until he recovered his losses. Ho would
then revert to his original stake. Bac-
carat was played for two evenings at
Trandry Croft, but it was not until the
third day that any suspicious were
breathed.
And then the plaintiff gave Lord Gov
entry nm absolute and unqualified denial
of the charge.
don was allowed to sec the Prince of
Wales in the presence of Lord Coventry
and General Williams, when he again
repeated q positive denial. In reply to
question by Sir Chas. Russell, Sir Ed
ward said that he did not propose to call
Lord harrington, as in his opinion the
testimony of General Williams would be
sufficient.
The solicitor general then read the
famous agreement signed by Sir Cor
don in which he solemnly undertook to
never play cards again as long as he
lived. lie added that it might come out
in thccourse of the trial that the plain
till had made great mistake in afliXing
the signature but that he was over per-
suaded by such old frinds as General
Williams and Lord Coventry. After an
impassioned appeal for his client Sir
Edward called the plaintiff, Sir Gordon
Cummings, who gave his version of
what occurred on the three evenings in
question.
At the end of the game on Wednes-
day evening the Prince of Wales said
laughingly, GLOW come you to win so
much money!" to which Sir Gordon re-
piled, "How could help winning with
such tableaux," calling the Princes at
tentioa to the witness tableaux. The
following evening Lord Coventry and
General Williams came to him and said
that something very disagreeable had
occurred and that some people staying
in the house had objec ted to Sir Gordons
method OF playing baccarat.
Lord Coventry then explained that
he was accused of resorting to foul
play. The witness characterized the
charge as a foul, abominable false
hood" and asked his informers, who
were two of his Oldest friends, for
advice, placing himself entirely in
their hands.
Lord Coventry asked witness to leave
them alone for few moments. On his
re-entcring the room he was told that
there was but one way to avoid the
horrible scandal and that was to sign
the agreement not to play again. Wit
ness pointed out that this was virtual
admission of guilt. His friends admit
ted this. but still advised him to sign,
which he finally did.
RELUCTANTLY, Sir Gordon then in a reply
to question by the solicitor general
formally and emphatically denied the
charge. The cross-examination of the
plaintiff was then commenced by Sir
Chas. Russell, leading council for the
defendants. The court then adjourned
after hearing further testimony for the
plaintiff. The Prince of Wales remain
ed throughout the entire session.