Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-04
LONDON's GREAT SCANDAL.
Sir Gordon Cumming, the Nobleman VIII
Cheated at Cards.

Cheated at Cards.
The hero of the great card scandal which has
created so great a sensation in society circles in
London and which has been already described
in special cable dispatch to The STAR, ia Sir
Gordon Cumming. Cumming is a baronet, q
lieutenant colonel of the Scots Guard and up to
the present time an intimate friend OF his royal
h:ghness, the Prince Of Wales. The scandal
promises to convulse the whole of the English
society, and to furnish the courts with case OF
great social importance. The facts of the case
are rs follows:
being entertained in Leicestershire by Mrs.
Arthur Wilson, the wife of the member of the
hrm OF wilson Il Sons, the large ship-owners OF
Iiuil. Among the guests were the Prince OF
wales End large number of distinguished peo-
pie There being no private theatricals. or
other side shows which are usually put forward
to amuse his royal highness, the gentlemen re-
tired to the smoking room. where spirited
game OF baccarat was soon started. In due
course 1t came to the prince turn to keep the
bank. He then noticed Sir Gordon Cumming,
who was opposite him. Whenever that gentle
man won he won heavily, but whenever he lost,
he lost lightly. He suspected some queer play.
watching accordingly, and as alleged, detected
the peculiar proceeding.
THE BARoSEr's swINpLINa GAME.
The baronet held in his hands a number of
pieces OF gold which he added surreptitiously to
the stakes in front of him whenever he won,
but whenever he lost he removed in the same
manner some money from his stakes on the
table Suddenly he was caught in the act and
denounced, when the friendly game was turned
into row. Sir Gordon protested his inno-
cence, but his accusers were equally firm in de-
nouncing him. The prince eventually inter-
fered and finally persuaded Sir Gordon to con-
% -, u. :. o
Two gentlemen who were present, and whom
he. the prince, would himself name. This was
consented to, and the result was that the arbi-
traitors decided that any further reference to
the matter would be dropped and never be al
luded to again if Sir Gordon would then and
there sign an agreement never to play baccarat
again. This was agreed to and a document
was drawn up which Sir Gordon. in the pres
ence OF the prince and the other gentlemen,
then signed.
A WOMAN TOLD.
Unfortunately there was staying in the house
lady who was most unfriendly toward him
and whose husband was present at the row. He
told his wife the circumstance in conf lence
and she spread the story. Now Sir Gordon.
who still stOutly denies his guilt and is deter
mined to clear his character saws that although
he signed the paper not to play again he did so
only because he had previously given his word
to the prince TO abide by the decision of the
arbitrators. He has placed the matter in the
hands of his solicitors and has commenced pro-
ceedings for libel against the lady and her hus-
band. who are responsible for the spreading of
the story. But their names have been up to
now withheld from publication. He has also
served subpoena on the Prince of Wales to
appear as q witness in his behalf. If the case
Is ever brought into the light Of the cour. it
VIII undoubtedly create a tremendous sensa-
ton and will afford great deal of gossip for
many club, fircside and tea table. But
although it has not reached that stage yet it
has already set many tongues wag3ing.