"THE FLYING SCOTSMAN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 2 (Supplement)

"THE FLYING SCOTSMAN."

A CHASE AND A CAPTURE.

DETECTIVE " STEALS" BICYCLE.

When the telephone bell rang in Winchester police office recently a voice reported that a man had just rushed into one of the college houses, stolen a bicycle and ridden away. The man who " stole " the bicycle was Detective Archie Collier, of the Winchester City Police Force. Instead, of being prosecuted he has been complimented by the Chief Constable and by Scotland Yard. A few weeks ago a stranger arrived in the city. He was a dapper little Scotsman, _ who ingratiated himself into the; best circles and commenced to organise what he called " The Winchester Flying Club," the membership subscription of which was £3 3s. He persuaded a local printer to produce a few hundred membership forms on expensive notepaper, which he circulated freely, and he told prospective members that distinguished fliers would give exhibition flights at the opening of the club. Winchester will never have the pleasure of that exhibition, for the promoter answered the description of a man wanted by Scotland; Yard for larceny and issuing bogus cheques. Detective Collier went to the man's ■ lodgings, and as he tapped on the front door ; the man " flew " out of the back door, and made a dash for liberty. Detective Collier gave him 200 yards start in what proved to be a two-mile chase, and beat him. Up hill and down dale they dashed. They traversed about eleven different streets, but the detective was losing ground, and on nearing Winchester College he ran into a college house, grabbed a bicycle and resumed the pursuit. ■ ; The flying Scotsman realised the game was up, and tried one more " stunt.'' He " nose-dived " into some gooseberry bushes in. a garden at St. Cross, and lay panting there until the detective came up. Ha proved, to be the wanted man.