The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-27
MILLI0NAIRE'S METHODS
how Two Rich NosLEMEN DEAL,
WITH CRANES.

win tnS CrauR MUS
ance-No Extraordinary Precautions.
His Reply to Communi,t = HIS
Charities.
Copyright, 1891. by the United Srsss1
NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-The reeenr at
tempt 60 blow up the millionaire. Ru,seII
Sage. suggests query as to the methods
adopted by noted English milIIonaires for
protection against cranks and blackrnallers
The two wealthiest British subjects are
probably the Duke of Westminster and the
Baron Nathan Meyer Rothschild. head in
England of the great Jewish commercial
house. 1t is certain that no rich man il mora
solicited by the needy or the designing. or
more threatened by would-be extor-
tionists than the Duke OF Westmins-
GER. There are several reasons for this.
Ihe dukes estates lying chiefly in London,
MS rlches are more conspicuous and more
talked about than those OF any other noble.
man. las rich as the Duke OF Westmin,
ster Is common saying, not only in Eng
lands metropolis, but throughout Great
Britain, and while every charity appeals
for his aid he Is likewise a shining mark
for the crank and the criminal.
10 reach the duke, at Grosvenor house. ia
actually more difficult than. to obtain an
audience with the Prince OF Wales. The
latter VIII accord IA interview to stranger
properly accredited. the duke makes II an
invariable rule never to speak with
stranger under any circumstances.
no matter how strongly sustained
by introduction and references. All
his intercourse with the world outside of
his set is carried on through subordinates.
Inc duke has no private mail. All. his let
tiers are opened, of course, by his authority,
ana only those OF personal Importance
eYey- reach his hands.
The duke adopted this rule rover to admit
strangers to a private interview in conse-
sequence of a remarkable incident in the
career OF his father, the late marquis of
Westminster. While the marquis was at
Eaton hall, his magnificent seat in the west
OF England, a stranger called with a letter
OF introduction purporting to be signed by
the Earl of Scarborough, one of the mar
quis' most intimate friends The
visitor called himself, and was
called in the letter, Richard Bulkeley
Greenfell of Taplow court. Buckingham
shire. There is family of the name among
the old gentry of Bucks and the marquis
received the visitor cordially. The latter
said that he had business of Importance
with which he bad been intrusted by the
Earl OF Scarborough and requested private
nearing. The marquis escorted him to the
library. AS soon as the marquis was seated
the caller suddenly drew a pistol and held it
to the temple Of the nobleman.
Don't speak, he Kissed, 10 a tone that
meant e desperate resolve, except as tell
you"
The marquis sat as If paralyzed, staring
at the man, and waiting for the next move.
"Send for your check book. F" said the Wis
1tor, cody. II will lower the pistol here"
ha al 01 q.
weapon was concealed from casual gaze, be-
tween his body and the table near which
they sat. 1T is pointed at you, and the
moment you dsobeY my orders I fire.
Whatever the result TO me, it will be the
end Of your .-.s..
The marquis was a man of qnick thought
and not deficient in presence Of mind or
ability for action. He after ward said that
he determined to comply with the fellows
demands, and rely upon the telegraph to
stop the payment of any check he might
give.
Snow, call the servantr' the man added.
The marquis rang, and a tootman an
swered. The footman was told by the no
bleman to notify his secretary. The latter
came. The marquis calmly directed him to
bring the check book. 1t was an unusual
order, for the secretary was accustomed to
ill out a check already signed with the
amount, and dispose Of it as the marquis
desired Although the marquis tried TO
act and speak in q natural way,
the secretary suspected something wrong,
especially as the visitor was grimly silent.
Begging bis lordships pardon, the secretary
asked him TO repeat the message, thus gain
ing few moments for observation, which
he devoted carefully and cautiously to the
stranger He noted the constrained posi-
tion of the arm that held the pistol, and he
thought he saw a weapon grasped in the
hand. The situation flashed on him, but he
gave no sign. Bowling profoundly he went
to bring the check book.
When the secretary was absent the
stranger said quietly write check for
10000, payable to bearer. Then walk in
front OF me in the hall. and TO where my
carriage is waiting. II you make sign l
will kill you. II the check is stopped 1
will kill you at the first opportunity"
Meantime the secretary had told his sus-
picious to the butler, and the latter, accom-
panied by two stalwart servants, stood
near the library door as the secretary
entered with the check book. The
marquis and the stranger were sitting in
the same position, and both silent. This
convinced the secretary that his tears
were well grounded. Stepping up to
his master, he placed the check book on the
table. and with a quick glance he clearly
discovered the muzzle Of the pistol, which
the visitor still held pointed at the mar
quis. The secretary had agreed with the
butler that the latter and the two servants
were to rush In, if they heard the secretary
say. "Nowl" in loud tone.
As the secretary raised himself from the
bow with which he accompanied the laying
OF the checkbook on the table, instead OF re-
firing toward the door, he suddenly stepped
between the marquis and the visitor, COM
pletely covering the former with his own
body.
Now" he exclaimed "Shoot if you
daren
TIE stranger leaped to his feet with q
fierce exclamation, just as the butler and
servants rushed in. The baffied matchmaker
covered the group with his pistol. He did
not fire, but retreated backward to the hall
The marquis ordered his servants not to
risk their lives by following, and the fellow
made his escape. He was never arrested.
From that time the marquis would never
speak with a stranger, except in presence OF
some one that he kne ", and his son has fol-
lowed his example.
Baron Rothschild, of the great jewish
house, takes no special precautions against
cranks or blackmail, and is as readily
accessible In business hours as Russell sage
was to his dangerous caller.
But 1t is we'll known that Baron Roths-
child has no money, and not even cneck-
book in his private Office All business, te
the smallest payment, is transacted
through clerks, and neither safe nor
securities are kept within reaeh OF the
many millionaire. II the baron wants