DANCER'S DEATH.

COCAINE UKDKIi MATTRESS.

A pathetic letter was read at the inquest at Coulsden, Surrey, on Alfred Victor Blenkiron, formerly an Observer in the Royal Air Force, who was found dead in bed at the Ashdown Park Hotel, Coulsdon. Near him were a bottle and a ( silver box containing, cocaine.

Mr Harold Arthur Blenkirony of 72. Oakley-square, N.W., a brother of the dead man, said that his brother was 23. His last occupation was that of*a professional dancer. .■ „;.:=v^; •,:■

Mr F. J. Nightingale (the cofbner) : Did he tell you of any trouble he had ?_Yes, he wanted his "•wife to come back to him. She left him.

Mr Blenkiron handed in a document which he said his brother gave him when he last saw him, together with two stories him brother had written and asked him to read.

The Coroner 5: Was he a writer ? —

The document," which the coroner read, was as folloAVS: " This letter was written in the early hours of the morning before my last, best, and dearest pal left England, my mum • mie, and hoping for the return of little girl wife. A prayer I dedicate to. my angel baby wife.

" Let me dream once again you are by me; let me hold you once moro again ,to my breast, and 1 shall be satisfied. Let me see the love-light shine in those dear eyes for me just once again. Let me put those lip's close to mine again, feel your heart against mine, and then let me say, 'Thy Will be done,' and let me die- - To my wonderful wee wife, whom God gave to me." MONETARY TROUBLES. > The Coroner: Did you know lie was in monetary troubles?-—Ye 3. The only thing lie spoke about was that the piily way he could keep his wife was to have lots of money, aii'l that , when he was " broke " she left him, and when he had money -she went back.

Police-constable Fred Scott said that under the mattress of Mr Blenkiron's bed he found a glass bottle containing some white powder and also a white metal box apparently containing the same powder.

Dr. Kellett said that the death was consistent with the effects of cyanide of potassium. The powder contained in the bottle and box was cocaine.

Summing up, the coroner said, that the man was apparently a good deal distressed about bis wife.

Mrs Blenkiron, a siylishly-dressed woman, interposed: "That is not true."

The Coroner : At any rate he appeared to have allowed it to affect his mind, but his state of mind was more probably affected by his flnan-, cia worries. Mrs Blenkiron : Yes, certainly.

The coroner said he thought al; these things affected his mind, and he found the cause of death to be prus*i) acid poisoning and that Bletikivon was .temporarily insane.