A CLEVER CONTRIVANCE.

Evening Post, Volume XII, Issue 132, 2 December 1875, Page 2

A CLEVER CONTRIVANCE.

The suspicions of two detectives were aroused at Victoria station, London, on Saturday, 13th August, by the movements of two well-dressed persons, who carried portmanteaux of the same size and shape. They were followed to Norwood Junction, where they took tickets for Brighton by the 3. 35 train. A good deal of luggage was on the departure platform, and the persons in question placed their portmanteaux close to a hand truck containing other luggago. As the train drew up to the platform an alarm was raised by a young lady that a travelling bag and a small box had been stolen. Nothing could be seen of them, but just as the two men were entering a first-class carriage, the detectives requested them to alight and accompany them to the station-master's office. They at first indignantly refused, but, the police insisting, they proceeded to the office, where their portmanteaux were examined, and found to be made with false bottoms. The inter ore were fitted with an ingenious contrivance of springs for clutching, without exciting observation, anything over which they might be placed. The missing articles were found within them and the two men were at once handed over to the police.

It was stated in theatrical circles in London, when the mail left, that Julia Mathews would visit Australia after her tour through the United States, and that Sims Reeves spoke of paying Melbourne and the colonies a visit.