Betting on a "Cert."

Manawatu Herald, 30 October 1894, Page 3

Betting on a " Cert."

A Home writer tells the story of a daring and ingenious laid plot by which an English firm located in Boulogne-sur-Mer wore mado the victims. They do a gigantic business, nearly all of which is by bets sent by post overnight for races taking place next day. Two backers of horses put their heads together. Oae stayed in London, the other took lodgings in Boulogne. The London man addressed a letter to his friend, enclosing a number of pound postal orders, left the letter unsealed, but enclosed it in a larger envelope — also addressed to his friend — in the stamp corner of which he cut oat a square, so that the stamp on the inside letter did duty, and received the post mark. The Boulogne man received this in due course next day. The London man wired him the winner of the first race — say, Cloister — the same day. He then filled in the betting form, bearing his friend's London address, " Cloister £10," placed the postal orders inside, sealed it, and popped it in the letter-box of the betting firm. The stamp and postal orders of course bore the London post mark of the previous day, and on the face of it the letter had been posted to them then and there. In due course the London partner received a cheque for his winnings, and the wily confederates received hundreds of pounds, until the fraud was discovered through their being too greedy.