The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-06


Green. the Yorkshire 'maver of the hounds"
was again called to the witness box and the
cross-examinatiOn of the lady was resumed
by Sir Edward Clarke. but nothing startling
was elected. ,
The defense then called Mrs. Arthur Will
son, Of Tranby Croft, and party defendant
to the suit She testified that she distinctly
recollected having seen her son Mr.. Arthur
Stanley Wilson, looking at her with puzzled
expression from time 10 time during the pro-
gress of the game OF baccarat when was
played at her Tranby Croft residence on the
night of September 3, 1890.
you MUST NOT MENTION IT."
Later her son informed her that he had
seen the plaintiff, Sir William Gordon-Cum-
ming, cheat at play. She said TO him: You
must not mention it. We must not have
scandal in our house"
Witness recollected hearing plaintiff asking
the banker (the Prince of Walesl to pay him
(plaintifl GlO for a counter which he had
claimed had been overlooked. Witness also
remembered hearing the Prince Of Wales say
on that occasion that he wished people would
place their stakes where they could be seen.
The Prince bad spoken in the tone of man
who was seriously annoyed. Once subse
quently witness had seen the plaintiff push
ten-DOund counter over the chalk line so
openly that she wondered that none Of the
other persons present appeared to have OBJ
served the action. Witness was then turned
over to the prosecution for cross-examina-
ton.
THE CRoSs-QU QUESTIONS.
Replying to the first question witness de-
clared that she did not sign paper pledglng
secrecy of the baccarat dicov verles at Tranby
Croft. She, however, admitted that the
Prince of Wales had appealed TO her to say
nothing Of tho matter. On the night OF the
sth of September the first night of the play
the Prince of Wales asked her TO have
proper baccarat table prepared for him on the
following evening.
This had occurred before the witness knew
anything of the alleged cheating by the plain
TIFF. Being pressed. witness said that the
table had been rearranged particularly on
account of Sir William GordOn-Cumming, be
cause it was hoped that its rearrangement
might prevent recurrence OF dlsaGreeable
things.
WHY SHE DIsOBEYED HER HUSBAND.
h At this point counsel for the plaintiff began
pushing tho examination sharply and vigor-
ously In reply to question by Sir Edward
Clarke witness said that her husband had OBJ
iected to baccarat being played in bis house
only because he feared that the play might
become too high among hot-headed youths,
who were sometimes of their company. When
asked why she had not told the Prince OF
Tranby Croft, that her husband objected to
baccarat being played there, she replied: Il
did not do so because we We're such a staid,
non-gambling party that / did not think much
harm could como from the little play in-
dulged in"
Witness kept her self-possession fairly well
through this part of the examination, but was
yisiby annoyed at the loud litter that greeted
her reason for disobeying her husbands in
Junction
A SENSATIONAL CONFESSION.
In response to other questions by the plain
tiffs counsel witness was forced to admit that
she had sat at play on the second night (Sep-
tember 9Th with a guest whom she had heard
sOlemnly denounced AS q cheat Here counsel
piled her rapidly with questions, a course that
somewhat confused her. AT last she was
asked point blank: why did you IN your
own house. and where it was primarily your
duty to protect your guests. sit at play with
man whom you had heard called common
eheatIp
TO the utter amazement of every one pres
ent witness replied: II bad put it out OF
mind had lot of other matters to think
about TO say that this episode created
sensation is to put it mildly indeed. When
asked whether she hads Sir William cheat
witness replied: Yes: unfortunately with
out doubt This concluded the cross-exami-
nation of Mrs. Arthur Wilson.
Lord Coventry was the next witness for the
defense. He stated that when Lycett Green
| told him and General Williams and young
Wilson Of Sir Williams cheating they felt that
| il was their dnty 10 the Prince Of Wales 20
| inform him of the conduct of his friend.
When witness told Sir william Of the accusa-
| ton against him Sir William denounced 1t as
falsehood and said it was merely the state
| ment Of a parcel Of inexperienced boys who
| were unenttled to belief"
subsequently the plaintiff repeated this
| statement in the Princes presence, and the
| Prince simply responded, There are hve
| against YOU Witness told Sir William that
| Green wished to confront him, but plaintiff
| did not express desire to meet his aceusers.
| When General Williams and Lord Coventry
| submitted the paper for Sir Williams sigma
| ture the latter said. That is tantamount 70
| an admission Of guilt. | won't sign" Wit
ness and General Williams replied, That's
| son
HE SIGNS THE CONTRACT.
There was nothing in SIR Williams manner
| TO show that he had lost his head. The wit
ness and General Williams advised him as
| friends TO sign. Plaintiff thereupon signed,
and promised TO leave Tranby Croft early the
next morning.
The document was later forwarded TO the
Prince Witness diary. made at the time
was produced and found TO agree with his
present testimony. The diary said the writer
was animated by desire TO avoid scandal and
keep the Prince out Of the disagreeaole aiialr
Cross-examined. the witness said that when
he parted with Cumming he did so in Che be-
lief that the latter would be allowed to remain
in the army and clubs.
ARGUMENT BEGUN.
The defense here rested, and Sir Charles
Russell addressed the court IN behalf Of the
defense He referred satirically TO the altered
tone of the prosecution since il had become
familiar with the damning evidence pre-
| sented. He had hoped that the defendants
would prove 10 have been uncertain in their
| charges That was, however. impossible
Continuing, Sir Charles Russell asked
how the plaintiffs conduct could possibly
be consistent with innocence. Could any
| thing be imputed 10 the witnesses 70
| Justify the assumption that they were not
| credifableY He had never known in his expe-
| rianca five vtneeaes giving concurrent testi-