“MADMAN” TRICK

Shannon News, 12 November 1926, Page 2

“MADMAN” TRICK

TWO MEN FOR TRIAL. VISITOR’S STORY. James Barry (25), salesman, and John Mason (43), salesman, were committed for trial at the Central Police Court, Sydney, on a charge of conspiring to defraud Jacob Lack of large sums of money. Jacob-Lack, a fa Oner, of Darling Downs, Queensland, stated that he met Barry at Taronga Parlf. They arranged to ko to one of, the beaches on the following day, but when they met Barry said he would have to go to the “Captain Cook Hotel” to see a man about a sheepdog. Lack said he would go, too. On arrival at the hotel the man was out, and the two men went into Centennial Parte and sat down under a tree. As they were sitting there Mason came oh the scene and ordered them off, saying, “Get. off my property: you are spoiling my little apple tree.’’ Mason was acting in a peculiar manner, and said he was waiting for his doctor to arrive. He then produced what looked like a bundle of notes from his pocket, and said the doctor would play him for all he had —£400. Mason pulled a pack of cards from his pocket and commenced to do the j “three-card trick.” Barry won 10s, and Mason paid him a £1 note, and dfd not ask for the change.

It was at this stagte that Mason suggested that Barry an dwitness return to the city for sufficient money to play for Mason’s £4OO. Barry said to witness. “He’s mad; we may as well get his money as the doctor!” Witness left Barry and Mason at Centennial Park, and with another man who came along, went to Sydney, ostensibly to procure funds. Witness went to Police Headquarters and Detectives Gallagher and Garlick returned with witness to Centennial Park. Defendants were committed for trial on £BO baiL