The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-03
NEVER SUSPECTED HIM.
The Heir Apparent Thought That His
Fellow Gamblers Would
Not Cheat.
He Saw No Unfair Play II
That Famous Gamo of
Baccarat.
A Pretty Muss in Which tho Prince Finds
Himself Unpleasantly Involved
His Testimony.

HiuselI ODplOABunlIy involved
His Testimony.
LONDON, June 2.-The second dav of the
bnccarat trial begun this morning with a
repetition of the scene OF Yesterday. The
plaintiff, Sir William Gordon Cumming.
continued his testimony. He declared that
he had never ceased to deny the accusation
made against him. The prince of Wales
was called to the witness box. He gave his
testimony in clear voice and with unruf-
He'd brow. In substance the prince said:
II have known the plaintiff twentp years
and have been his friend for the past ten
years. He visited my house several times.
Our Intimacy continued unimpaired until
last September. l observed nothing sus-
pici Gus in the plaintiffs play at Tranby
Croft. was first informed of the reports
current in regard to Sir William by Lord
Coventry" Continuing tho prince said:
'The charges brought against Sir William
broke up the party at Tranby Croft.
He (the plaiDtiff) sealed the docu-
ment up, put it in packet
. and sent it to his secretary.
who WAS not aware of the nature of its CON
tents" The letter, said the prince, emained
IN safe place, until Gent for in the present
proceedings. The document inside the
packet, the prince explained, was the state
ment OF three gentlemen and two ladies,
MIR. and Mrs. Lycett Green, Mr.. and Mrs.
Arthur Wilson and Mr.. Berkley Levett.
The prince then said; "I did not see any
of the five persons in question until after
Sir William had his interview with me and
denied the charge brought against him.
When heard the gentleman's story several
days afterwards Lord Coventry and Gen.
Williams prepared statement of what had
taken place and handed it to me-"
Cross examined by Sir Charles Russell,
the prince was asked:
DO you recollect whether. in addition to
the three gentlemen referred to, you also
saw Lord Edward Somerset and Capt. Som
ersst at Tranby Croft?"
II believe l did"
ITO whom certain statements were made
by the other three gentlemen?" asked Sir
Charles.
Yes" responded the prince.
HAD you also been informed that two
had alleged they also Witnessed cheating?''
II had not"
''ln reference to this statement" contin-
ued Sir Charles, could you charge your
memory as to whether any of the three
gentlemen said anything about Withdraw
ing portion of the stake, and that Sir
William systematically played a larger
stake OH the table when he won than ordi-
narily placed there?"
II do not rccollect that any such state
ment was made"
"Was there memorandum suggestion of
yours, or of another's in which you ac-
quiesed, in the suggestion made by Lord
Coventry?'
81 was greatly distressed at the occur
renee. ] was present at the interview with
Jams anG Lord Coventry. l think he. Sir
William, asked me whether l believed the
statement made about him, but l do not
recollect what l replied"
DO you recollect any reference to the
duke of Cambridge?'
"Decidedy," replied the prince.
did you desire under the circumstances
to act as leniently as possible, out of re- |
gard for Sir William Gordon Cumming?"
"Most certainly"
WAS the date of the document omitted
by Lord Coventry, and affixed to it after 1T
had been signed?"
II remember nothing of that
"Have you met Sir William since the oc-
currence at Tranby Croft?"
"No.''
And have you intimated that you cannot
meet himy'
''It would be more agreeable not to do |
500 |
At this stage jurymun caused sensa-
tlon by rising Ill his place and asking in
loud voice:
Are the jury to understand yo7 we're
banking on these two occasions and knew
nothing of the alleged malpractices?''
The prince hrsitated for moment as if
undecided whether he ought or ought not !
to rep,y. Finally he said with half smile:
ut is very easy for banker when deal
ing cards not to SEQ anything, especially
when in the company of friends and in a |
country house. You do not for moment
suppose that anyone will play unfairly"
The juror asked: "What was YOUR opin-
len at the time the charge was made against
the plaintff?'
To this the prince savarely replied: 1.-The
charges made against him were SO unani-
nous that had not any other course open
to me than to believe them"
The princes last answer caused another
flutter of excitement followed by whispered
comments.
The juror apparently had succeeded in
bringing out squarely and beyond any pos
sibie doubt the fact that the prince of
Wales, in view of the evidence which had
been placed before him ut Tranby Croft by
the ladies and gentlemen who played bac-
carat with Sir William Cumming Sept.
and y, had become convinced of plaintiffs
guilt. Whom the murmurinRs OF astonish-
ment which greeted the jurors questions
and the princes answers subsided, Sir Ed
ward Clarke, seeing he must do everything
possible to regain the ground which seemed
to have been lost by the plaintiff in the
estimation of the jury, said, addressing the
prince of Wales:
II take it your highness' answer to the
first question put to you by the juror was
that you had not seen mall
practice during the games of baccarat
played at 1ranbv Croft last Septembery'
The prince assented to this.
sir Charles cross examined the prince of
Wales with sone show of airyness The
word you" in ii Charles cross- examina.
tion took the place of your royal high
mesa" and sir which Lad plentfully in
terlarded Sir Edward Clarfes questions
But. though Gadstone's attorney general,
Russell showed, TO n certain degree. his
liberal sympathies and was manifestly ten
der i'll his handling of the royal witness.
In fact, the general oninion formed in tho
court room was that there was evidently
tacit agreement between leading
counsel that they were to fish
for and get nothing from the
prince, which nny other witness could SUP
ply. Only once did tho prince of Wales
botray any open sign of impatience, and
that was when Sir Charlea Russell asked.
'What did Mrs. Wilson say to VOC about
Sir William Gordon Cumming chentinR?"
IL.