FRENCH-VERY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8779, 5 April 1907, Page 4

FRENCH-VERY.

LONDON, January 20. M. Claude Barbier is a French bookmaker. He lives in West Kensington and puts money on English horses on behalf of clients living on tho Continent. Some time ago, M. Barbier and his wife decided to let their furnished flat, and a gentleman living at Bailey's [Hotel called several times, and seemed to be attracted by the charms of Mine. Barbier. He wrote to her. She sceribbled a reply and then decided to tear it up. But she forgot to destroy the envelope, addresssd to the gentleman staying at Bailey's Hotel. M. Barbier finds tho envelope, and fears the worst. Curtain on Scene I. of this comedie Fraucaise.

M. Barbier is as impetuous as he is | jealous. He announces to his wife that he must goto Leicester for a day or two, and drives off with his luggage to—Bailey's Hotel! He spends the night there, and puts in (he .whole of the next day in watch- I street in which his wife's flat ■s situated. Nothing happens. M. Barbier spends a second night at the hotel, and watches all next day outside the flat. Nothing happens. M. Barbier is tired out, and goes back to the hotel and (urns into bed. Suddenly (this is his version) tho door of I lis room is pushed open. A hand apparently switches on tho electric light, M. Barbier starts up in bed. He spies tho apparition. "Qui est la?" ho shouts. The apparition switches off the light; and disappears. M. Barbier hastily rises. He puts on a groat coat. Exit M. Barbier in dishabille and pursuit. Scone 3 finds M. Barbier chasing the alleged apparition clown the corridor. He- has the impression that the apparition has entered room No. j It'O, and, exclaiming "That is where 1 the villain has retreated," he pushes the door open. A woman screams in terror—and goes on screaming. [ "Do not be alarmed, madame, it is all right,"hc says,and tries to heat a retreat. But tho lady's husband comes out of tho bedroom, detains him, and arouses tho servants. Alarums, excursions, and a!charge of attempted burglary levelled against M. Barbier, who finds himself being accused of having boon in No. 1(50 for q;:ite a while, in search of jewels on the dressing table. Curtain.

In tho morning M. Barbier finds himself taken in custody by the police,'and locked up on a charge of "being on the premises witli tho purpose of committing a felony. " He protests very excitedly, but without avail, until the case comes before tho Police Magistrate. II: is explained to the Magistrate that M. Barbier bears an unblemished character, and that the 'charge against him is a mistake, caused by a mutual misunderstanding. M. Barbier tells his story, and is discharged. End of Soene -1. By way of epilogue to this little comedy, M. Barbier this week brought a, lawsuit against the gentleman in No. 160, and also against the proprietors of the hotel, claiming damages for false imprisonment. The defendants admittod that the charge was a mistake but pleaded they had acted malice, and had reasonable grounds in the circumstances for taking the course j «hey did. The jury apparently thought so, too, for they returned a j verdict for tho defendants. —N. Z. Times.