The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-06-05
ON DANGEROUS GROUND.
The Subject of Liquid Refreshment
at Tranby Croft Last September.


LONDON, June AIN the baccarat trial tc-
day, in the cross-examination of Berkerley
Levitt a lieutenant in the regiment of which
Sir William Gordon Cumming was major,
Sir Edward Clarke asked questions in regard
to the liquid refreshments partaken of dur
ing the Baccarat playing at Tranby Croft.
and apparently reached such dangerous
ground that the Lord Chief Justice inter-
rupted the cross examiner by inquiring,
rather severely. whether he desired to con-
vey to the jury the impression that the hos
pitality of Tranby Croft in September last
was OF the nature of "a disturbing hOspitsli-
ty as far as regarded games." Sir Edward
Clarke admitted that he did
Upon the re-assembling of the court, after
lunch, the foreman OF the jury handed the
Lord Chief Justice a threatening and abus-
i've note which he said he had Just received.
Lycett Green, who had just entered the wit
ness box, said he received similar note.
During Mr.. Wilson's cross-examination
the fact was ELECTED that the counters used
at the baccarat games at Tranby Croft were
the property of the Prince of Wales. and
were set carried about by him when visit
ing country houses for the Indispensable bac
carat. This fact has been we'll known all
along (before the trial and during its nro-
gress in COURT but the fact that this owner
ship Of the counters has been dragged out in
court by Sir Edward Clarke, the leading
counsel for the plaintiff, is looked upon as
being direct and positive evidence that Sir
William Gordon Cumming Is Showing his
teeth" and that he Is not inclined to spare
the Prince Of Wales any further, for, as eve
rybody admits, the neir apparent up to the
present has been very tenderly treated BY
both parties to this interesting suit 1t has
been common gossip that on accout of the
Prince of Wales's connection with the affair.
the suit for damages against Mr.. and Mrs.
Arthur Wilson, Mr.. and Mrs. Lycett Green.
and Lieutenant Berkeley Levitt, would new.
or be tried. The testimony taken todav
brought out the first really important dis.
closure In regard to the Prince of Wales. for
1t Is admitted on all sides that the more CON
servative and religious subjects of the Queen
will be far from pleased to hear that the heir
apparent has been in the habit Of carrying a
baccarat set about with him while paving
visits to the country houses of his friends.
Court room rumor also has it that Sir VIM.
Gordon Cumming is determined to be re-
veuged for some reason or other upon the
Prince Of Wales and upon young Mr.. Will
son. Mr.. Wilson for the first time felt un-
easy in the witness box when Sir Edward
Clarke asked; Had you ever before tbe
evening of September used the counters
you played with during the course of that
EVENING"" Upon hearing this question
young Wilson flushed. nervously gancing
tOWdiu bno .inco Va Udloog MHO was close
ly following the testimony, land replied some.
what hesitatingly, mo, never"
"Or with any similar counters ?" asked the
solicitor general.
mo, not to the best of my recollection, -
Mr.. Wilson answered.
Returning to the charge, Sir Edward
Clarke asked: HAD you ever seen these
counters before the evening of the 9Th ?"
NO." was the reply.
do you know whose property they are?"
finally said the solicitor general.
"Yes, they belong to the Prince of Wales"
A movement Of relief, as If q period of
supdued agony was over, passing through