MOHAMMEDAN BARONET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 67, 20 March 1926, Page 23

MOHAMMEDAN BARONET.

BARONESS AND MINIATURE.

pBAMA OF A TREASURE

"NOT A DON JUAN

Baron and Baroness Osten Sacken were , to tea at Sir Archibald Hamilton's , House at Selsey, Susses, by a mutual friend i on Boxing Day. ' They arrested on a midnight boat ' train at Southampton some days later, and J it was related in Court that in the baroness' j possession were found a loaded revolver, ' ivbich she said she had carried with her ' for years, and a missing miniature, which ' she alleged had been given to her by Sir j .Archibald. Outlining the case for the prosecution, < j£ r , j. Dell said that Major Moss, of • Ford Place. Arundel, was introduced to the , Ijaron about three months ago, and the ibaron and bis wife" spent Christmas 'at ■ Ford Place. Admired the Miniatures. Mrs. Moss took them to Sir Archibald's place to have tea on Boxing Day. and they were shown his curios and miniatures, which, it was noticed, the baroness Edmired. On the way back to Arundel the baroness made a remark to the effect that it was foolish of Sir Archibald to leave such valuable things lying about "where all these black people are" —referring, said counsel, to Mohammedan servants Sir Archibald bad in the house, as he and his wife had embraced Islam. Later it was stated that these people were guests, not servants. Sir Archibald explaining that they included the Leader of the Mosque at Woking and the LawGiver of the Mosque. He strongly objected to them being alluded to as "niggers." Counsel referred to the miniature being missed on December 31. The police were Informed on January 2, and the baron and baroness were arrested at Southampton at midnight on January 9. Here the baron said he had never seen the miniature before, but the baroness Insisted that he knew she had it. "For You, Baroness." While having lnne!- in prison she told a detective that -he admired the miniature at Sir Archibald's house, and that he thrust it into her hand, Baying, "For yon, baroness.'' She added that her husband had seen It when she wore It at a dance in London, and had remarked that it was very pretty. ' Mr. Dell here explained that the miniature was an heirloom that would pass to v _ Sir Archibald's brother, so there was, he said, every reason why he should not desire to give it away. Major Moss, who was cross-examined by Mr. J. A. C. Keeves, who defended, said that Sir Archibald Hamilton was rather attracted by the baroness. "I remember," said the major, ln reply to a question, "he said she was a charming lady, and how pretty she was. He said It ■everal times." When Mr. Dell, in re-examination, asked "Major Moss If he agreed with Sir Archibald's description of the lady, he declined to answer. After appealing to the Bench to enforce a reply, 'Mr. Dell remarked: "He does not want to answer. The inference ia 'all right."' "Tou can draw what inference you like," retorted the major, sharply. Baronet's Denial. Mrs. Moss said she could swear that Sir Arch}' il and the baroness were not alone in ti—. room where the miniatures -were. I She never saw Sir Archibald clasping the hand ot the baroness. "Is he always enthusiastic about ladles?" asked Mr. Keeves. "Very often," replied Mrs. Moss, who said that she —.ad sent a card to the baron, in which 6he said that bis wife had "a great success" with Sir Archibald. Sir Archibald emphatically denied that he was ever alone with the baroness, or that be clasped the miniature on her arm, or in any way gave it to her as a present. Replying to Mr. Keeves, he said he did not know the baron belonged to the old Russian nobility, that ha served in the war, ox that since 1924 he had held a very responsible position for a firm of banters ln London. "Do you know," asked Mr. Keeves, "that before she was married to !her present husband the baroness was the Princess Mestcherosky, that she has lived in France the greater part of her life, where she is highly respected?" "No, 1 am glad to hear it," waa Sir ■Archibald's reply. He was not aware, he added, that she had a private Income and jewellery of considerable value. "There was £1000 worth of jewellery on her when she was arrested," said counsel. Sir Archibald denied that he admired the baroness from the moment he met her. Se merely regarded the baron and tiaroness as very pleasant people, and he referred to the baroness as a very pleasant little lady. "Are you a gentleman very easily attracted to tne ladies'"" Mr. Keeves asked. "I may have been a Don Juan in my youth," said Sir Archibald, "but I am older, and, I hope, wiser now." "That is an absolute lie," declared Sir Archibald later, when, counsel suggested that he gave the miniature to the baroness and afterwards realised that it was entailed and not for him to give. "My is full of antiques of value, and this is the last thing I would give away." Lady Lillian Maud Hamilton, who 6aid dhe had been the Mohammedan wife of Sir Archibald for 13 years, said that it would Ibave been impossible for her husband to have held the baroness" hand without it being seen. Mr. Keeves submitted that there was no prima facie case for triaL He suggested that Sir Archibald was admiring the baroness when he was showing ncr the miniatures, and that there was a possibility that, overcome by her beauty, he handed her something which he realised afterwards was not his to give. In committing the baroness for trial, the magistrates allowed bail, herself in £100 and another surety of £100. Counsel intimated that she would plead not guilty and reserved her defence. The police were authorised to retain her Passport and her jewellery, the latter to be kept until inquiries **4re completed. At the conclusion of the case Sir Archibald Hamilton told the chairman that as be is a- Mohammedan, and the baron and baroness were his guests, it would be very painful for him to prosecute at the Assizes. ir"** The Chairman: It is an offence against the King, and it is the police who are the prosecutors. Tou are only a witness called, - and it _j your duty, however painful it "ay be, to further the ends of justice to ¥&* best of your power.