CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1907, Page 13

CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.

The Marquis of M , many yeara ago, was at a large dinner party, which was composed of 25 to 30 men. Tbe conversation happened to turn upon coins, modern and antique, when one of tile guests, a well-known gentleman, took a coin of groat rarity and value out of his pocket, and, holding it. up for. observation, said — "This i? one of the most remarkable specimens in the ) world. There is only one other liko it." The coin was passed, round the table, and it mysteriously disappeared. Search was made under tho table, but it resulted in nothing. The anxiety of the host was very great, and Jie appealed to his* guests, saying, "Of course it is only a form, but suppose we all submit, to bo searched." The guests laughingly assented, except ono. He objected. "It is impossible. I cannot be searched," he asserted. Up to that moment everything had been dono in joke. The host and his friends then become very serious, the host demanding the reason. The guest replied, "There- is a reason, of course, but I cannot divulge it. You must take my word of honour as a soldier and a gentleman that I "have not got the coin, although I declined to be searched even in jest." The matter was dropped, the gentlemen got up from the dinner table and went into the drawing-room, everybody feeling terribly uncorofcrtable. Soon afterwards the butler made his appearance with the coin, which ' had been dropped under the table, and, together with a piece of bread, had 'adhered to one of the guest's shoes. It had been found in tho dining-room, close- to the door. After the coin had been restored to its owner, the soldier, Major Z.,*.iid"," "Now I can tell you why I couldn't be searched. I have the only other coin in the world like -that in my pocket." Thereat he took out a. facsimile of tho first coin, which was Egyptian, carved in the time of the Ptolemys, and laid it on the table. Certainly never has tho long arm of coincidence been more curiously demonstrated than by theso two unique pieces of ancient money.

. Mine. Strakoasch sometimes entertains a youthful friend. Recently at a meeting over the table, plum gelatine with, whipped cream was served as a sweet. Usually Ethel evidenced a decided penchant for desserts, but this day she shuddered as the gelatine was placed before her. When Mme. Strakosch turned her attention to the jelly she noticed that it shook' from side to 6ide of the .plate with, a, vibratory movement. "Ethel," she said to her guest, "why don't you eat your dessert?" "I can't," said tho youngster gazing wistfully at the shakhig dishful. "And why can't you?" "Because," said the little lady, pushing away the plate, "because it's too. peocou^'i