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Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1913, Page 2

acquaintances. He explained that though a native of New Zealand he had only recently arrived from South Africa, and, naturally, enough, the two iphummed up. They went, as is customary in such cases, to the National Gallery, and after lunching together they made an appointment for the following .day. Next morning they walked together in Pall M.all and Hyde Park, and they were* just approaching Buckingham Palace when a third party—the stranger who figures in such cases — dropped an envelope right in front of them. Mr Farmer picked it up and called the stranger, to whom he restored it. The latter was profusely thankful, and wanted to make his thanks tangible to the extent of £50, which, of course, Mr Farmer refused. Eventually, the grateful stranger offered a drink, and told Mr Farmer and his first acquaintance how he had just inherited a sunt of £200,000, which had been amassed by his brother, and of which oru^tenth had to be distributed in charities in New Zealand, where the brother had made much of his money. The trouble was lie did not know to whom he should entrust the distribution of this sum, and on learning that Mr Fanner was a New Zealander he requested him to undertake the duty, and promised a proper remuneration for the trouble. Then arose the question of guarantees, and the first acquaintance produced supposed banknotes to the value of £400, and, as a sign of confidence, allowed the third party to take them for a walk for half an hour. Sure enough the stranger returned with the money and with £50 into the bargain. There could be no doubt as to his bona fides. Then it was Mr Farmer's turn, and the story runs that he went to his bankers m Fleet Street and drew £500 in five bank-notes—&-13- 25253-s—which he confidingly handed to the third party, who very soon disappeared with it. The first acquaintance, of course, disappeared also to keep an appointment. As the banknotes are for large amounts and not too readily negotiable at any time in England, it is possible that the money may be saved by stopping payment of the notes.