A DETECTIVE STORY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 34

A DETECTIVE STORY.

The appearance of a man in the City Police Court, Wellington, on Friday on a charge of theft from a dwelling brought to light (says the New Zealand Times) the story of a piece of detective work that might hare been taken from a " yellowback " novel. - The man is an old offender i and a "clever one, and a long time a«o .he made a big scoop of jewellery at Dunedin. He was then arrested and tried, but thecase against him was not good, and he was acquitted. As he came from the court he was met. by Detective Rawle, now of Wellington, who congratulated the discharged man on escaping. Rawle was not known to the other man, and in explanations that followed the detective gave himself the character of a thief. The two chummed up, and agreed to go into business together. Then arose the necessity for a " fence " — a receiver of stolen property. ! Did the discharged man know of one? No, he did not. Did Rawle? Rawle knew one who resided in Christchurch. Good; they would each take a " swag " there. That night Rawle brought a collection of jewellery to the place where his friend was living, and that, with the large quantity that had been planted by the other man, was put into a bag. Amongst the missing articles was a peculiar and valuable chain, i and this was made a presentation of to : Rawle on request. They separated then, and Rawle, who had made all his arrange- , ments, dropped out of the story. The man who was wanted walked on to the station to catch the express train with the bag, and there was a party from the detective staff there to meet him. Identification of the articles was proved without Rawle appearing- in the case, and a long sentence was the result. '