A CLUB SWINDLER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1116, 3 July 1883, Page 3

A CLUB SWINDLER.

For some time past the London police have been endeavoring to arrest a person who has been going the rounds of all the West End clubs, dining _ in them as if a member, and cashing cheques made out for au amount larger than that of his bill. The other evening, at about 8 o’clock, a well-dressed man drove up in a cab to the Junior Array and Navy Club, St James street, entered and borrowed from the hail porter a shilling to pay the cabman. He then asked for any letters there might be for Mr Spottiswoode, an officer in the Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorkshire) regiment and a member of the club. He was given two, upon which ho ascended the stairs and entering the smoking room proceeded to read them. A page boy, knewing that the individual was not Mr Spottiswoode, spoke to a member of the committee, who at once proceeded toward the smok-ing-room. The suspected pel son possibly having become aware of his danger met him in the upper hall. The member of the committee at once accosted him, and in reply to questions, he said, ‘ Yes, I am Mr Spottliwoode.’ The police at Vine street were sent for and the prisoner was recognised as a man they were in search of . He was then taken into custody. The only things he had upon him were a latch key and two pawn tickets for £2. One of the members of the club said be remembered the prisoner—a small insignificant looking man, about twent-yeigbt years of age—as having been in the army.