STOLEN VIOLIN

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 108, 29 December 1931, Page 6

STOLEN VIOLIN

RING FROM MYSTERY MAN RESULTS* IN ITS RECOVERY SYDNEY, Saturday. Mr. Peter Henry Cassimatis, of Camden, * owes the return of his £1,000 Amati violin, stolen last week, co a mystery man who arranged a secret rendezvous over the 'phone. "What would you pay to get back your Amati violin?" a mysterious voice asked over the telephone on Thursday. Mr. Cassimatis was prepared to pay everything he had, but he replied: "Oh, I reckon £10 would be a fair price. "You'll have to go better than £10," interrupted the voice, "or you may never see your violin again." Further haggling followed, and at last an agreement was reached for a reward of £15. Advice Against Trap " A rendezvous was arranged, and a time appointed for Mr. Cassimatis to meet the mystery man on Friday afternoon. He was counselled against setting a trap, and was instructed to say nothing to the police. Hatless, wearing a brown suit, and carrying a leather case for identification, Mr. Cassimatis went to the rendezvous. Money' Pahi Over Although realising that he might be walking into trouble, Mr. Cassimatis carried out instructions, walked from Crown and William Streets, and past a lane, where a well-dressed young man stepped out of a taxi and invited him to join him. A little further on, the mgm left the cab, returning a few minutes later with a yiolin under his arm. Mr. Cassimatis paid over the £15, and the stranger handed him the violin. "I, know nothing about the theft of the violin. I am only interested in seeing that it is restored to you," he declared, and walked quickly away. Mr. Cassimatis* was overjoyed to find that the Amati was undamaged.