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Mrs. Agatha Christie. Mr. SruART BEVAN, K.C. (with whom was Mr. ST. JoaN FIELD), asked the indulgence of the Lord Chief Justice yesterday to make a short statement with regard to something which had transpired during the recent action in which Mr. Mitchell Hedges, the explorer, had claimed damages for alleged libel from the Daily Express. A suggestion, which had been widely reported in the Press, was made by Mr. Jowitt [who appeared for the Daily Express] during his cross-examination of Mr. Mitchell Hedges. It had reference to Mrs. Agatha Christie, who was said to have played a foolish hoax on the police. The LoRD C(3S JusTco.-I am prepared to give you every indulgence, but I do not think that I can hear you further. Mr. BnvAN said that ho was not going to ask his Lordship to hear any argument or comment. He asked for permission to hand in and to readc a certificate signed by two well- known. medical men regarding the state of mind and health of Mrs. Agatha Christie at thc material time. His LonDsmr.-I really cannot go into the matter. If once we began to hear applications about persons who happen to be referred to in the course of cases the arrears of business in this Court would be even more serious than they are. Mr. BEvAN.-I agree ; but at the same time your Lordship will appreciate that when reference is made to a woman who is not here, is not represented here, and is unable to protect herself grave injustice is done unless the full facts are made known. A11 I desire to' do is to show the state of Mrs. Christie's health and mind at the time at which she was described as having been engaged in a foolish hoax. His LoR:snP.-I think that, having said so much, Mr. Bevan, you have probably accomplished your purpose. Solicitors.-Messrs. Field, Roscoe, and Co. V5Mrs. Agatha Christie, a novelst, of Siunningdale, Berkshire,.left home on the even- .ng of December 3,1926, and her whereabouts were unknown until December 14, when she was found staying at an hotel at Harrogate. Colonel Christie, her husband, then told a representative of. The Times that she was suffering from complete loss of memory and did not know who she was. r During 'his ctross;examination in his action against the Daily Exprews Mr. Hedges said that he remembered Mrs. Christie's case, and agreed that it "involved some kind of foolish hoax on the police." ' MRS. AGATHA CHRISTIE. PROTEST AT STATEMENT DURING RECENT LIBEL ACTION.
