The age-herald., 1901-06-10
RICHARD MANSFIELD GIVES TESTIMONY The Actor Was Caught in His
 Private Car
SUIT AGAINST ROSTAND
He Denies That Author of cyrona Dc Bergrac is Guilty of Plagiarism
 or Got Anything from "The
 Merchant Prince"

Indianapolis, June 9--It has developed that Richard Mansfield. the actor, was held on a subpoena while conferring with Booth Tarkinton in this city until his deposition could be taken regarding his knowledge of "The Merchant Prince of Cornville7 prior to the time he made ar engagements for the production of "Cyrano de Bergerac. The deposition was in the suit brought against M. Rostand. sthe author of "Cyrano," by s. R. Gross of Chicago, whose charge that Rostands s work is a plagiarism on his book has at- tracted international notice. It was taken In MT Mansfeld's private car while he was here a short time ago with his Henry V Company. A Chicago attorney repre- scented MT. Gross and the subpoena on MT. Mansfield was served by Harry C. Petit United States marshal, who was present when the testimony was given.
 It is understood that the anxiey of Mir Gross attorneys to get a statement from MT. Mansfield as to whether or not he knew of the Chhagoan's book led them to follow the actor about for some time before they were able to reach him. They U1lSStu IlIn al IlllbOuTB anu OlncI points in the East. but MT. Mansfield as- sured MT. Petit that he had never made any effort to evade the attorneys
 Tells of Interview.
 MT. Petit, relating to-day's experience with the actor. said: When I presented myself at MT. Mansfields car and inform ed him of my mission he invited me Into his apartments He had just finished his breakfast and evidently he was taking life easy, as he was attired in soft brown suit. with his feet encased in slip pers He was half buried in a chair and was reading Like Another Helen.' He lis- tened intently to what I had to say and when I informed him that 1 had brought the attorney with me, so that he could give his testimony without leaving the car, he said: Oh, bring him in at once. so we can have it over with.
 'Then, before had a chance to bring the attorney in, MT. Mansfield arose and began to pace the floor of the car. He was angry then and he, gave a little trag- edy then that probably equaled anything In Henry " As he walked he talked earnestly and enthusia stically of Rostand and his plays, referring to 'Cyrano' work of genius that no one in Chicago could approach.
 "'Why, there Is no one,in Chicago with genius enough to write anything like 'Cy- rano,'' he declared. MT. Gross was ridi- culed and referred to as a real estate bro- ker. Finally Mir. Mansfield cooled down and the attorney was ushered in"
 Gives a Pointer in Law.
 MT. Mansfield gave his testimony free ly. He admitted, MT. Petit says, that he knew of 'The Merchant Prince of Corn vile" and had seen the work prior to talk ing mp "Cyrano," but he denied positively the charge of plagiarism or that Rost- ands play was on infringement in any way on Gross rights.
 When the testimony was finished. MT. Petit says, MT. Mansfield looked the at torney over carefully and said:
 Your appearance indicates that you know something about law. I also know that profession for a number of years again and ask me if had read The Mer- The testimony doesn't amount to any thing without that"
 The attoney remarked that he thought he had all that that he wanted, and the interview came to an end.