PLUCKERS PLUCKED.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 September 1918, Page 3

PLUCKERS PLUCKED.

DETECTIVE AS A PIGEON. A LITTLE GAME OF BANKER. Ten years ago a Sydney detective, . who is now on the retired list, was i mistaken for a "mug" in Moore St., 1 and told the "Fiji uncle" tale, says a Sydney writer. A couple of weeks ago; one of the new generation of defectives, who is noted for his simple appearance, allowed a couple of spfelers to imagine that he was as simple as he looked, and succeeded in taking them down for half a sovereign. The detective knows that he is a likely-looking customer, and takes the' keenest delight in laying for the fraternity. He was told off to attend a race meeting at Batliurst, and was given instructions to keep a watchful eye .on the susceptible individuals of the district.

At the railway station a couple of spielers, after looking the train over, decided that he was ma'de for ttiem, and entered his compartment. They soon produced the "broads," and the detective, realising that he was the prospective "goose" played cunning. Consequently, when they asked him to have a game he refused. He admitted that he was a farmer, and when asked a third time to play he hesitated. "We'll soon teach j r ou," said one of the spielers eagerly.

"All right." said the detective, coughing to slippress a laugh. "But don't make it anything hard." It was decided to make a start with banker. The game was explaned to the prospective "mug," and he agreed to be fleeced. Of course, he was allowed to win. and he soon had 10s of the spielers' money in his pockets. When nearing Mount Victoria the two crooks commenced to exchange glances, and the detective knew that the time for his holding the winnings on sufferance was fast coming to an end.

At Mount Victoria ho bought himself a drink and a fat cigar with their money and on returning to his compartment declined to play any more.

The spielers left the train at Bathurst, So did the detective, but they did not see him go., The surprise for them camo the following day. The detective was on the main gate at tho racecourse when his two friends of the train hove in sight. "Here's our old friend the cocky," one of them was heard to say. They walked up to him as if they had known him a lifetime, and extended their hands. "Goin in?" one of them asked. "Yes," he answered. "So are we/' the spieler continued. Here a local policeman' butted in on the conversation. "No you're not," he rudely remarked. "Why not?" one of them asked. Because this gentleman says so," the policeman went on, pointing to Paddy. "B'ut he's a friend of ours," one of the crooks said smilingly. "This is Detective . of Sydney," the policeman informed the two crooks. The pair did 'not wait to bear any more. "Strath!" remarked one of *ncn-.. as they disappeared round the comer. "Fancy trying to put it over r-. him. What a pair of mugs we are." All of which goes to show that the rul? of "crookdom" that because n man ]ooks like a farmer he can bo ''farmed" is not infallible.