THE GREAT DRUCE CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13625, 19 December 1907, Page 8

THE GREAT DRUCE CASE.

HOW THE DIARY WAS LOST.

J'tfE MAN WITH THE GREEN EYES

'* EXTRAORDINARY JOTTINGS.

[FROM OUR OWN COIIttESrOXPKN'T]

London, November 8. Miss Mart Robinson, of Now Zealand, one of the principal witnesses to bo called to givo evidence in tho change of perjury against Mr. Herbert Druce, on Friday announced that she bad lost a diary, upon the importance of which plaintiff's counsel laid great stress. Upon hearing the claim of Mr. G. If. Druco to the Portland and Do Walden estates, she came- over from New Zealand with a companion, Miss O'Xeil, to give evidence. She had in her possession several letters, documents, and diaries* which, sho said, proved tlw identity of tho fifth Duko of Portland with T. 6. Druce. On the voyage out, according to Mr. G. H. Druce's representative, .she was robbed of seven original letters from Charles Dickens and three from the fifth Duke of Portland, and a small diary, all of which were stated to shed light on tho mystery. A reward of £50 is now offered for their recovery.

She agreed to leave the remaining diaries in tno care of Mr. G. H. Druce's solicitor, placing the most important one, however, m" the hands of her own solicitors. She called at the firm's offices on Monday, stating that she wished to make certain extracts from it, so as to prepare her evidence when tho case comes on again. She was given tho diary, which ho said sho would return.

On Friday she informed her solicitor that she was on the way to take the diary hack to them when it was snatched from her. Miss Robinson gave the following account of the theft:"After leaving my house this morning I and Miss O'Neil wont in a, motor 'bus to Hammersmith. We got out near the Broadway, and walked along for some distance looking at the shops. Miss O'Neil wanted to do some shopping, and I strolled on. One of the places that attracted my attention was a boot ship. I stood looking in at the window for some moments, when I heard a voice behind me: " Madam, there's some mud on your dress.', J didn't take much notice of this remark. My next stop was in front of a jeweller's shop. I was looking into the window when someone- approached me on the left side. I looked up and saw that it was a man with a dark beard and green eyes— eyes! I noticed that lie was carrying a peculiar kind of bag. Instead of being like an ordinary brief-bag, it was as if it had been turned on end, and the handle placed ihi the 'top.' While-I was wondering what it could be the man put up his hand and said, 'There's a spider on your neck.' At mice a thrill of horror and disgust went through mo, and I forgot all about everything else. Unfortunately, I did not even think of my 'Dorothy' bag, in which I was carrying my precious diary. I had slung it off my left arm. When I recovered my composure the man had gone. "Huddenly I missed the bag. I looked on the ground; it was not there. I spoke to the passers-by. They had not seen it. 1 looked along the street, and, in the distance, saw the man with the peculiar bag disappearing round a corner. In addition to'the dairy a sum of £5 in gold belonging to Miss O'Neil was stolen." Both ladies went on to Scotland Yard to report the loss, and were joined by Mr. Coburn, the plaintiff's Australian solicitor, who remained long conferring with the police authorities.

Mr. G. H. Druce, seen by a press representative, expressed the greatest vexation. tie said his solicitors had done their best to persuade Miss Robinson to put the diary under lock and key, and never to go out with it unaccompanied by one of his representatives. The theft of certain of his own documents and the robbery of some of -*> ~, Miss Robinson's papers on her voyage had, he said, given him a lesson. Directly he heard Miss Robinson had taken the diary uway from her solicitors, he and a relative went to her house in order to escort her when she went to return it. It was, howeve-' too late. Miss Robinson, it appears, was in constant fear of being shadowed, and more than once when accompanied by a representative of Mr. G. H. Druce "bad turned round nervously in the street, exclaiming ** Who is that?" Mr. G. H. Druce,: however, said it did not make any difference .to, his case, as he had a certified copy of each" page of it, and there were at least 30 people who had handled it and could swear, to its authenticity. It is understood that there is safely under lock and key one original diary of Miss Robinson's which is said to spealk in certain terms of Druce and the Duke as one personality. . I The diary which has been stolen from Miss Robinson purports to establish not only the identity of T. C. Druce with the fifth Duke of Portland, but the particulars of Charles Dickens in the secret. It speaks of curious disguises worn by the Duke, and even reproduces a strange confession, said to have been made by him to the diarist. EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY. Here are some extracts: — 1862. April 26.—0n Saturday evening there arrived at the Star and Carter, Richmond, a blind young lady. She was introduced to our party by a gentleman named May. He said she was very clever and a good: musi, elan. Mr. Druce, who came with Mr. May requested, her -to sing and play." "What shall I sing?" she said to Mr. Druce. He said Ivy Green." She sang it well. Mr. Druce also said it was composed by a very old friend of his, Charles Dickens." 1868. October.-{At Welbeck with Charles Dickens.) The next day Mr. Dickens took me with him to Welbeck. ... He introduced me to an old friend of his, Mr. Druce. of Baker-street. I/ondou. I recognised my aunt's mend at once, and thought he must, be the Duke b chamberlain or steward, for I remembered'that .he belonged to the house of Portland- He wore blue spectacles, dressed rather oddly, and looked very careworn. Mr Dickens said, " This is the young lady I recommend to you. She is a good correspondent, and can keep a secret like all Americans.", His answer was, " I wish to see you to-morrow ' evening, at the same time and Mime place. Be sure and carry the blue silk umbrella you have with you, and-if yon see anyone skulking about put it up." He then had a short conversation with Mr.' Dickens and disappeared. When Mr. Druce left us and wo were off the estate Mr. Dickens said. 'So much for that. Weary lies the head that wears a crown. To-morrow I leave Worktop, but be sure and do as you have promised, and take the umbrella. Remember thai; ' a little word is a bonnie word;' so let all secrets in correspondence be yours and yours only.' ... On Friday I appeared at the appointed place, umbrella and all. Mr. Druce was there. Ho looked at me hard, and I looked at him. I laughed up my sleeve when I looked at his blue spectacles," and thought a great many things. ■Mr. Druce said, "You come from America and act as secret correspondent for different people. I expect, like everyone else, you can do with a little money. You will be at. great expense now and again. I have' placed a banknote for you in a small envelope in the other envelope, which was a Jarge one, and which contains correspondence. I wish you to post it at once." The address was Mr. Van Aisch, Amsterdam Holland. Da return I would receive one under cover from him directed to niyeelfthe Amsterdam postmark would be on it, it would arrive in three weeks, and I was to carry it to him to the same place. -He then said Good morning." November 21.— again paid a visit to Welbeck and saw Mr. Druce at the same place He asked me how I liked Worksop. I informed him that I left it after seeing him ;uid had just returned. He smiled. " Come again at same time and place in three days.Don't forget your umbrella." December 10.—Thursday. Received a letter from Paris. Carried it to Mr. Druce. He appeared very nervous. ... He wanted to know if I had made any acquaintances in Worksop yet. How I liked my lodgings? Did I feel lonely? Had I a piano? Did I like reading? , Where was I going to spend Christmas. December 15.—Mr. Druce said he wan going to make me a Christmas present. Would I like a piano? I thanked him. He told me be sometimes took a midnight trip to London and from thence to the continent. Would I like the trip too? If I had never ibeen it would be a nice change from dreamy Worksop. The piano for the Christmas-box was to arrive at ray lodgings either before or shortly after Christmas. December 23.— Druce told me ... I was to come again to Welbeck by January .* He^? 's" a change, and so did I, he said. When I arrived at my lodgings what ii surprise I got. Da my little sittingroom -.was a piano. It. was addressed to me, and 11 -■> S > itf° IB London. ■'-'* felt I knew who had PS :! ' : a^vvJ?^V^^-« d Welbeck again. iSd^M^" 4 -"ran*better. He said he y? * v < s*!&}l* l A , n°t before he panted it -*nt <AS3f^ d w£ im lor the handsome preftWS^lXS?d^iS?^s,»lted! * " No thanks to »» *&&%£s>■* fcftSjF l to ypa. You are ; _ , to a*., aeiwii AU th - " q 8 * double Butch _ v . ™ * ma * • > " Go up to London.

... Mr. Dickens . . • will be pleased to I see you, I know, and will give you informai tion of things I wish to.know." .. ■ . March 10.-Met Mr. Druce again at \V elbeck. ... It seemed some tr«ublo to him that Mr. Dickens had had bad health. . • • Mr. Druce had known him years. lie know more about his affairs (Mr. Bruce s) than any other man. Mr. Dickens could keep a secret -when paid for it—as well as ho could Keep one himself. , April 4.-Uecoived some important correspondence from London by a gentleman who wished me to deliver it verbally to the Duke of Portland. He could not get an interview with him. Ho was too well guarded, no said. I set off to Wei beck as usual, There I met Mr. Bruce. I pave him his letters. He looked at them, and asked if I had any. other correspondence. I told him the other information I had was for the Duke of Tortland himself. Could I boo him? He flaw, "Oh. yea. It will have to bo through me. I declined to reveal the Duke's secrets to anyone; but perhaps he might try to get an interview by to-morrow if I came again, fco Mr. Draco said, " Yes, you call, D.V. ' April s.—ln the morning the same gentleman called to know whether I had a letter or not. from the- Duke of Portland. 1 re; plied. " He is indisposed and cannot, be seen. " That be hanged lor a yarn," said the man. " 1 will let you into a secret. You take this card and givo it to Mr. Druce, and then the Duko will soon get over his indisposition. On the card was written " Mr. Van Aiscb, Amsterdam, Holland." When I went out for my evening walk towards Welbeck 1 perceived 1 was followed by two gentlemen dressed in heavy fur coats and caps. lo Mr. Drue* I dare not go. for if I did I knew he would never forgive me. April 21 (Thursday).—Arrived at A\olbeck at last, to Mr. Druco'B great surprise. He said, "1 am thankful to see you again, and are von well? 1 know you have been leading a secluded life for a fortnight." Mr. Druco said, '" Some of these days, now that I know 1 can trust you, 1 will tell you something you do not know concerning myself-" May 19.—Returned to Worksop on Wednesday in Whit-sun week. There were three letters for Mr. Druce. Ono in German, two from France. Some I brought back with me from Leeds and Doncaster. Mr. Druce looked better himself; said he had been away on family business. Told me he always travelled at midnight wherever lie went; returned in the same manner. Ho then told mo to prepare to travel to Dover on the 25th; was to come again on the 24th. December 31.—Saw Mr. Druce. Gave my work to him. He was very pleased with it. Asked me where I should spend Christmas. I thought Worksop, unless he wished me to go elsewhere, -Most probably he would go away, so I could do as jl liked. Ho intended making me a present at the New Year, instead of Christmas. I was to have plenty of time to myself for a couple of weeks. Saturday, returned from Leeds to Worksop. 870. January 15.—What a surprise I got— a large parcel from Hamburg. On opening it a set of furs—Russian sable, jacket, cap, muff, and foot-warmer—such a handsome present. Three letters for Welbeck—one i?om Tunbridgo Wells, one from Fulhani, one from Mr. Dickens. January 16.—1n tho evening Mr. Druce called to see me at my rooms; he wore a long gray beard and no spectacles. I was quite surprised at his disguise. He ordered me to leave Worksop early that week and go to Leeds. He said. " There is trouble in the wind, and you are watched. You must keep jour secrets to yourself or you will find other people will sell them for you. • Van Aisch has returned to Worksop." February 9.—At midday, just as I was prepared lor an excursion, Mr. Druco came to see mo. He was carefully dressed, had on blue spectacles; looked in my eyes a perfect gentleman. He greeted me as a friend, and placed himself more on a level with me. I began tofefcl surprised at his freedom., He said now that Welbeck was behind us things would "have to take a natural course. he continued to talk in that fashion. * After a while he said I might get no more letters for him for a time, as they were to be left in London. When there he could manage to get them through his friend. He would be there himself shortly. He would stay in Leeds a while, but did not say where. _ I was to be in my rooms for a certain time every day. so that he could visit me. Mr. Druco told me Mr. Dickens-has started his readings in London. Before leaving he gave me plenty of work to do, also a good sum of money to pay my way and live like a gentlewoman. March 11 (Friday).—l set off up to London. Met Mr. Druoe at Hampstead by appointment; he would see me again at Leeds on jny return. I stopped at the Great Northern, King's Cross; found it a convenient centre for my excursions, besides Mr. Druco approved of it. April 1, (Friday).— return to London: take lodgings near Hyde Park. There I find Mr. Dickens. Ho looks very ill. much older and run down; says it is nothing but hard work. Mr. Diokens mentioned that he was writing again, and that ho should most likely be in or near London until the end of May. Saw Mr. Dickens several times during the few weeks I stayed in London. _pn one occasion, when in Hyde Park, we "sat down, and he told me the life of Mr. Bruce as he knew it. He said. "I want to have a quiet talk with you. You have mentioned to me more than once that you Knew Mr. Druce before you ever saw him at Welbeck. and also that you knew he was at that time Duke of Portland. You are the Duke's confidant in many things, and therefore you must now be trusted. I will try and explain to you as simply and concisely as possible what I know will interest you concerning Mr. Druce. • Mr. Druce and the Duke of Portland aro ono man. You know the words, ' AH the world's a stage. And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts.' Mr. Bruce has played his part well, so far, for he has had uoth his exit and his entrance. By that name he was known when in Baker-street, London, to be the proprietor of the furnishing bazaar, and also had something to do with a steam bakery. On the Continent he dabbled in many things, and is still known there as Mr. Druce, the Duke. He has been twice married, and both wives had children. During the 6th duke's time Mr. Druoe was known as Lord Bentinek. ' The heir to the title and estates was the Earl of Tichfield, who died before the 4th duke. At the 4th duke's death Mr. Bruce took the title of Duke of Portland, but he still went by the name of Bruce among his old friends. Ho is a man after my own heart, and can play a theatrical part well. I knew him both in France and Switzerland. He was comparatively poor . then, although a duke. When the estates grew rich Mr. Bruce dropped that name and appeared at Welbeck as Duke of Portland. There he has- to live in a very retired manner, because his exit from the world as Mr. Druce placed him in a very unenviable position. When I speak of Mr. Druce's ' resurrection,' I refer to his present position as the representative of two men in one body. In order to carry out this farce he has to live at AVelbeck secluded, unknown, and unheard of. His estates -are large, his wealth immense. Welbeck is his delight. He ia thoroughly handicapped, for the things he dabbled in whilst on the Continent are a loadstone about his i neck. He is blackmailed on all smes by those who personally know him, and, as you know, he lives a hunted life. You have already found him a gentleman in his actions towards you. Have no fear of him. It is only those who dog his footsteps you must fear. He wished me to break the ice to you. You have gained his confidence, and be sure you do not lose it." After listening to all Mr. Dickens had to say, he bid me " Godspeed" on ray journey and safe home with correspondence—to the Duko of Portland. The Duke soon got better. (He had been ill.) He said, " Now that I am quiet and settled in my mind I wish to say something to you which is well known in France, but not in this part of England. Now that Mr. Dickens is dead I do not think any other person can come forward and call me Mr. Dnice except my own people by marriage and those who know me on the Continent. fit is from theae people I receive lottery; they have to be received, and treated as strictly private. Welbeck is not oa it was a few years hack—4,he money spent on it is well spent, for in future years it will make Welbeck a place worth fighting for. I have children of my own. I married below rank. The name of Druce is unknown to the Bentinek family, is therefore below par, and not quartered in thoir arms. Tho Portland family are a proud race. They have reason for it. My ancestors were the dearest frienda of tho Prince of Orange. They sprang from a noble Batavian race who came to England with William 111. . The two families were more like brothers than friends, and helped each other in sickness and in trouble." The Duke said, " I have both seen and read the correspondence that passed between the two families. "Since William in.'s death the family had lived in this country like any other English nobleman. To hold my own position as fifth Duke of Portland I live nearly always at Welbeck Abbey. In that retired place I have to do many things a duke would not do and do many things I oo not care to do. Through different affairs which have taken place in ray family, and for which my back haa to •bear the burden, I am to a very great extent in the power .of other people. Tho name of Druoe I fear, and the name of Bentinek is a source of worry to me. Some of the people who write to me know me well as Thomas Druco. As Duke of Portland I am unknown to them. It is for this purpose that I use my utmost endeavours to keep these people from having any conversation •with me. This is ono of tho secrets of my life. You have my confidence, and you must keep it as long as 1 live." There the record ends. Complete certified copies are alleged to be in the hands of the claimant to the Portland title and estates. In view of these new revelations, and particularly of tho extraordinary steps apparently being employed to get rid of important evidence, there has been a great recrudescence of public interest in the Druce' case, which promises to absorb public attention as entirely as in its day did the somewhat similar Tichborne case. Admission to the proceedings lias had to be limited to holders of tickets, and it is becoming difficult to forecast what may be the ultimate developments of this very strange affair.