A DETECTIVE’S DODGE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1169, 28 June 1880, Page 4

A DETECTIVE’S DODGE.

In an article on the trial of Butler for the murder of the Dewars the Dunedin correspondent of the Cromwell Argus writes ■“ To conclude, let me add a story about Butler that has not yet, I imagine; appeared in print. When the police in Dunedin were after him for the robberies at Bishop Moran’s and elsewhere, they did not even know the appearance of the individual they sought, although they;knew his name well enough and character. Eventually, with the help of someone who had known him up-country, the detectives arrested him on Saturday night in the stall of the Queen’s Theatre; but he had none of the stolen property on him. This was surmised to be at his lodgings, but these were not known, and he was not so soft as to tell. Of course, having got him, the detectives were not inclined to let him go, so he was lodged in the cell, and they trusted to a ruse to discover what they wanted. About an hour after he went in there came in a very drunken man in custody, who was bundled into the cell along with Butler. He mbs stupidly drunk for a time, but after a couple of hours had passed he began to get sober. As he did so, his tongue became loosened, and a long With execrations upon all policemen, he betrayed a natural curiosity as to what had brought his cell-companion there. Butler was communicative enough as regarded this portion of the subject, although perhaps he did not stick to the truth. But the sobering drunkard wished to know more, and amongst his other questions was the one,’ And where do you live, mate ?’ But Butler was ’ too fly, and after encouraging his questioner with false hopes for a time, he at last blurted out, ‘ You’re only wasting your time, my friend : you’d better knock and j T he P re tended drunkard did so, and Detective B—— left the cell a sadder if not a wiser man. It was a very nice trap, but Butler would not take the bait. They found out afterwards of course where he lived, but not fromjthe accused.