JOKE ON A DETECTIVE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1914, Page 6

JOKE ON A DETECTIVE.

OVER 1700 OATS TAKEN TO HIS FLAT IN B EEL IN.

One thousand seren hundred and sixty-eight cats of all colours and ages, were delivered separately or in bulk at a flat inhabited by a private detective living m Nnrtlnßerlin, on January 31. Somebody with'a grudge against the detective had inserted an adver, tisement over his name offering to buy any quantity of cats at 5s amece, the delivery to commence at 5 p.m. Several hours before dawn sellers, anxious to arrive before the market opened, took up their position before the door of the house with Persian's - tabbies, black cats, grey cats.and white cats. From 6 a.m. onwards the tele phone continued ringing from wouldbe sellers who were mere cautious than their fellows, inquiring whether the offer wa3 still open. At 5 p.m. 1254 oats were registered; one hour later the number mentioned at the beginning was reached by an energetic wholesale cat dealer," who brought a cart with thirty cats in huge cages. Then the detective, who had early perceived the joke and'quietly established himself in a vest-turant opposite, gave up counting and summoned the police to clear the street. Only one small kitten remained mewing on the door step after the clearance.