A MYSTERY WOMAN

Evening Star, Issue 16987, 8 March 1919, Page 12

A MYSTERY WOMAN

STORY OF DIAMONDS, A LEGACY AND A LUNCHEON. A story of a luncheon at Romano's, a legacy of £4,000, and the intended purchase of diamonds worth £3,000 was told at_ Westminster, when William Howard Wilson, otherwise Williams-, 35, electrical engineer, High stret, Bloomabury, and Henry Wilson, 50, costumier, of Claverton street, Plimlico, were charged with being concerned with a woman not in custody in acquiring by fraud 12 brilliants, valued at £795, from Mr Andre Knops, a Belgian diamond merchant. Mr Roome, prosecuting, said that Williams and Mr Knops met in the Pullmencar train from Brighton. In conversation Williams said he was working in the office of the Food Controller in order to be exempt from military duties. He later visited Mr Knops's diamond factory, chose some diamonds "for his wife," and subsequently introduced Henry Wilson. Tt was arranged that some stones selected should be paid for by Wilson through Williams. Mr Knops was invited by Williams to meet his wife at Romano's—" jns, t a table for throe " —and at this meeting " Mrs Williams " said she had a legacy of £4,000 and wanted to invest- £3,000 in diamonds. They were selected, but Mr K'nops asked for a settlement of tho ot!i->r jieeount. After that Williams telegraphed t-luit he hud been eallfl away into the country and the account was not paid. A detective said that Williams made the following stjitemfnt when -arrested : •' Wiison has not had .-my of the stones or the money 1 got for them. The woman who was at the lunch was not my wife. I only met her a short time ago, and J don't know where she lives. I did not ask Knops for the stones. He handed them to me. So how can T be charged with false pretences. lam sorry this has happened. I was doing very well." Williams was remanded in custody, and Wilson wa-s released on £IOO bail.