AMAZING STORY OF A WOMAN RECLUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 6

AMAZING STORY OF A WOMAN RECLUSE.

LIVED SAVAGE LIFE IN FASHIONABLE LONDON. . LONDON, March I A story of a woman who lived for ! four years in a house in the West-end . in a state of absolute nudity is related [ by a well-known Harley Street physician, Dr Alfred T. Schofield. In “ Behind the Brass Plate ” Dr Schofield draws a picture of the varied life of a doctor, in practice for over 00 years. For 20 years Dr Schofield was surgeon J to the headquarters of a police division, ! and it was in this capacity that he ' came across one of his most curious experiences. - A 3 a.m. Gall. Called at 3 o’clock in the morning by two police inspectors, he was taken . in a hansom to “ No. 4 in one of our , most fashionable ’squares.” The house was full of police, and a woman was lying dead at the bottom of the kitchen [ stairs. Dr Schofield says : She the daughter of a Dublin ' innkeeper, and had become the mis- > tress of an Austrian prince, a friend of our Royal Family, who had given ; her the beautiful house in the square, i Finding that she had an incurable r disease, she dismissed all the servants, after they had packed up all.<

the bedding and covered up all the furniture. She then took off ail her clotljes, and lived for four years in an absolute state of nudity—and this in the midst of the West-end. Iler provisions were left regularly every morning, and if she had to open the door she threw a thick shawl over her head and shoulders. No one ever entered the house, and the Prince had given her up. . That such a savage life could be carried on in London in one of our fashionable squares for *years seems impossible, but is true. Outwardly the house had a very smart appearance, as a florist kept it decked with lovely flowers. After the woman’s death bank notes of every kind were found packed away behind a bookcase.