Strange Story of a Fraud.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 November 1904, Page 3

Strange Story of a Fraud.

Beatrice de Lysle, aged 33, a dark, good-looking woman, described as a teacher of languages, was charged, at West London police-court recently, with obtaining credit to the extent of £ls, by false pretences from Mr. Josoph E. Williams, an engineer, residing at 21, Talgarth-road, West Kensington. Mr. Pierron, who prosecuted, said the case was a somewhat remarkable one. In December last the prisoner was introduced to the prosecutor as the Countess de Lysle, and she also termed herself the Marquise de Saumarel. Afterwards, she told him ahe was the wife of the Right Hon. George Wyndham, Chief Secretary for Ireland, whom she married in May, 1897, at Sorrento, in Italy, and afterwards at a civil ceremony in Rome. She further ssserted that she had given cheques amounting in all to over £3,000 to Mr. Wvndham to pay his gambling debts. Believing her statements, Mr. Williams advanced her different small sums of money, amounting to £l6, and even invited her to his house as his and his wife’s guest. At his suggestion she drafted a letter to Mr. Wyndham, in which she threatened to place the matter in the hands of her legal advisers if he did not pay back the money she gave him. In cross-examination the witness said he honestly believed that the accused was the wife of Mr. Wyndham, and that he had committed bigamy by marrying the Countess Groeienor, ’’ though,” he added, amid laughter, “ I did not think Mr. Wyndham was the sort of man to commit bigamy.” The accused was committed for trial.