CLEVER SWINDLER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 26 November 1908, Page 4

CLEVER SWINDLER.

Cecil Broun de Smith, the most famous of begging impostors, and the living counterpart of Sir Conan Doyle’s “ Man with the Twisted Lip,” appeared in public once more at the South Western Police Court the other day after a period of retirement. He is the paralysed beggar who was once so familiar and pathetic a sight in the City. For months he dragged himself painfully through the streets with a trayful of matches, from the sale of which he was supposed to eke out a miserable existence. His head hung on one side, his face was distorted, and his right arm dangled limp and useless. One night after business hours a City detective was amazed to see him mounting the steps of Crystal Palace Railway Station two at a time. He was watched, and it was found that he lived in a substantial villa in Norwood, and had a taste for oysters and similar luxuries. A term ot imprisonment followed. On this occasion he was described as a vocalist, of Wroughtou-road, Clapham Junction and was brought up on a warrant for the non-payment of due to his wife under an alimony order. Some later incidents in his career were narrated. It was stated that he had been preaching religion at Clapham common, and had cheated people right and left by posing as a philanthropist. Numerous complaints have been received about him. The magistrate made an order for the immediate payment of the money, or three months’ imprisonment in default.