SYDNEY CONFIDENCE TRICK.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14583, 6 February 1913, Page 4

SYDNEY CONFIDENCE TRICK.

NARROW ESCAPE OF A YOU\G NEW ZEALANDER.

A young New Zealander. -who reI cently passed through Sydney, writes to a friend in Christchurch:~" An amusing incident happened to mo this morning, and a lucky escape occurred before the boat sailed, and it was all so simple that I had a great laugh afterwards. I went down rather early with my luggage, and after fixing up the porters, I was standing on deck, wondering if I should go up town again, as we didn't sail for an honr, whiten someone asked me if I knew what sort of a sea boat the steamer was. I turned round, and found a youth, weakly rather, with absolutely nothing in hi 3 dress or face to arouse suspicion. He confided how lie was going up to Singapore with his sister, how his uncle was 'boss' of a shipping firm there, and a whole host of other little things that sounded absolutely plausible and conversational. His sister was down doing a bit of unpacking, and if I would excuse him lie would see how she was getting on. In a few minutes he was back—very worried— and asked if I'd mind coming for a stroll, as—well, I really forgot what his reason was, and didn't pay much attention, but J gathered it ♦ was something absurdly easy, but quite important, that she'd forgotten to do. I was quite wiling, as 1 wanted to fill in time, and we only went just off the ouay into Loftus street, and I waited for him while he went into a big building, that 1 could see no name on, so I thought it might have been some Government building. In about five minutes ho came down, very flustered, with a £10 and £5 note in his hand, which he took good care I should see, and said that he didn't have quite enougih to do something or other, that the office was just closing, and it would save him tho bother of going back to the ship, as his sister ihad all tho money. Even now he seemed a miserable weakling, with no harm in him, and 1 nearly fell in, but thought he might want a good b't. so I said, 'Well, as a matter of fact. I've only got about a couple of pounds .on mo at present' 1 (a lie,, but 1 was getting suspicious). I was following upstairs by tlrs time, and when he said bhat would just do. I suddenly changed my mind, and started to walk back, and, looking hard at him, I said. 'I think we'll go back to the ship after all. Come on. I'll go back with you. Ho trfed a bit moro crawling, but by this time I felt something was wrong, although I'm 'hanged if I could place what it was. and I still thought the boy honest, and didn't like to hurt the feelings of a fellow-passenger! Still, ho seemed to talk too rapidly and eagerly, and be too anxious to dodge a 'hundred yards' walk. Ho said. 'Right oh. I'll just go up and tell them,' and tha*; was the last I saw of him. I waited about ten minutes, and, thinking I'd see him on board, I went on to tho pest office and sent a telegram. When I got on board. V/.ero was no sign of my 'pal,' nor is there yet. It was funny, though! I can't give yon a decent idea in a letter like this, but it was tho most plausible and amusing thing I've been up against. Mind you, I was sorry for tho poor chap all tho time, and was prepared to look after him and iVelp lr'm a bit! But when I "ot on board, I saw a thumping would have been more in his line, and I had missed my chance!" '