A SPINSTERS FOLLY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 9

A SPINSTERS FOLLY.

I A tale with a moral for susceptible spinsters land some others) was told to the Reigate magistrates the other da.y, when Mtss Fox, a prepossessing lady, figured very reluctantly as the i prosecutor of George Forsyth and his \ "valet" Thomas, who are alleged to have plundered her mansion at Horley in Surrey, after having drugged Miss Fox into in.-en.-ibility.

It appears that Forsyth, a man of the Bond-street "'exquisite" type, met Miss Fox last December in consequence of the lady desiring to let a portion of her too ample residence. A month later she received a wire from Forsyth saying that he was motoring down to Uorley, and would call upon her. He arrived somewhere about 8 p.m., much later than he was expected, and explained the delay by alleging that the motor had broken down at Redhill, and that he had left his chauffeur and valet in charge. Presently he asked if he could have a little whisky. Miss Fox had none in the house, so Forsyth went out, and presently returned with a bottle. He persuaded her to join him in a glass, and then they had dinner. Meanwhile Thomas arrived, and in the lady's presence behaved as a respectful valet should towards Forsyth, whom he informed that the motor had been left for repairs at Redhill. as there was a breakage which the chauffeur could not make good. Thomas was duly sent to the kitchen to have supper, and Forsyth proceeded to make himself agreeable to his would-be landlady. In less than half an hour he was proposing marriage. The lady was coy at first, but though she expressed a desire to know him a little better before entering into any engagement she admitted she liked him, and on his expressing a -desire to buy her a ring, she lent him one of her own in order that he might be able to get one of the proper size. Then the whisky, or something else, began to disagree with Miss Fox. She felt ill, and had to retire to her room. Forsyth followed her, expressing his sympathy, and suggesting that he should go for a doctor. This, however, Miss Fox would not allow. She asked him to get her some water, but he persuaded her that neat whisky was a sure cure for sickness. She drank some which he handed to her, and remember-_i._BO-»«xib3ffitil'jfe%_saiij} iew» oi the.

morning, when she was aroused by the visit of police officers.

After Miss Fox's lapse into insensibility, Forsyth appears to have ransacked the premises whilst his valet kept the servants occupied downstairs. Then they decamped. On their way towards Brighton, however, they ran into a police patrol, who exhibited considerable curiosity as to the contents of the parcel Thomas was carrying. Their explanation, though plausible, did not satisfy the constable, who cajoled them to the police station, and had the parcel opened. It contained, besides an assortment of plated ware, a couple of gold watches, sundry valuable rings, and £4. Also on Forsyth was found a packet of snuff, which he tried to get rid of surreptitiously. The police baying discovered that Forsyth had been to Miss Fox's, decided to pay that lady a visit. They found her very ill and in a semicomatose condition, her lower limbs being temporarily paralysed, but under treatment she soon recovered sufficiently to identify the articles found in Forsyth's possession as her property. In Court Miss Fox broke down and wept bitterly, and several times asked tbe magistrates to let the matter drop. "He took the things, but I forgive him," was her piteous plea. But the Bench refused to strain the quality of inercv in order to save the lady's feelings, "and committed the prisoners for trial.