A HEARTLESS VILLAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3258, 16 May 1893, Page 2

A HEARTLESS VILLAIN.

By Tuesday's train, there arrived in Cambridge, a well dressed individual, who attempted ono of the most heartless pieces of roguery wo over hoard of i but wo are thankful to say his nefarious scheme was not successful, and ere this the iron prip of the law has a linn hold nf him. This individual commenced operations by going to the Masonic Hotel ami enraging a bedroom; ho apologised for not having any luggage with him, saying he had just run up from Auckland mi urgent business, and was Ruing back by tho nest morning's lr.iin. Ho then drew host Kerr on one side, and said ho was Mr Edwin Heskcth's conlidciiiiiil cleik, and foreign correspondent - by name of Hitter—and that he had come up to see if poor Chailey Tuck could not be got nut on probation, Ho further stated that Mr Hesketh had medical evidence)*) prove that if Tuck was kept ,in Mount Klen any longer, softening of the brain would supervene and his case would bo hopeless. 'I he kindheaitod Harry Kerr was greatly shocked at this news, and promised to help Rittcr by every measure in his power. On Tuesday afternnon, Kilter went tuCambridge West, and saw Mrs Tuck, In the evening he returned to tho Masnnic Hotel, and told Mr Kerr ho found ho should not be able to get away by the next day's tram, as he had to see Mrs Tuck again about tho business. On Wednesday he spent most of the day at Tuck's house, and from what wo can incidentally loam, he was endeavouring to pnrsiiade Mrs Tuck tn raiso a loan »n her husband's life insurance, but she had suspicion nf tho blackguard, and wisely refused tn do so, On Wednesday evening he told Mr Kerr that when ho loft Auckland he hmriedly thrust a £"> nnte into his pocket, but somehow had lost it, so he should have to give him a cheque. _ Mr Kerr said that would bo allright. Ritter then went on to talk nf Tuck's family, and said his heart bled for the poor girls who played, but had not a piano, He was a bachleor and had a splendid piano that was never touched, and when he got back to Auckland ho should send it as a present to the girls. Mr Kerr said that would be very kind and thoughtful of him; but at the same time lie thought to himself, expensive pianos are not chucked about like that, and I shall look after that cheqne before cashing it, On Thursday morning Ritter wanted a blank cheque so Mr Kerr told him to got nnn at tho Mayor's (Mr Bond's) shop just opposite, and also to tell Mr Band who he was, and his buiiness, This Ritter did, occupying most of the morning in doing so. After dinner—before he had a chanco nf saying anything about tho cheque—tho wary'' Harry" hurried him off to Mr Jas. Hally, saying ho (Mr Hally) would be groatly offended if ho was not allowed to havo a hand in releasing poor Tuck, Ritter accordingly interviewed Mr Hally, and by the time ho had finished that business the bank was closed. Ritter then presented a crossed cheque for £5 to Mr Korr, taking great trouble to explain to him the safety of crossed choquos, and how they could only bo presented through an account. "Harry" listened most attentively and appeared very thankful for tho information, and indeed we believe thu hypocrite vowed he would always use crossed cheques in future; but he had forgotten about Mr Hitter's cheque and had paid all his money into the bank but £2 in silver, which he kept for ohange; however, ho should have sufficient change by evening, and would cash it for him then, Ritter said he had tu go and seo Mrs Tuck again, and would get the change when ho nturned, After his departure Mr Kerr saw Mr Hally, and upon exchanging views on the subject thoy found they had both arrived at the same conclusion, viz., that R'tter was a scoundrel, and they prepared a fitting reception for .him on Ins return. Kite evidently " smelt a rat," for he did not return that night, and next morning ho sent word to Mr Kerr that he had missed the road and had found himself at Rotnrangi, where lie had stayed the night, and ho should come into Cambridge that day. This niessago was brought by a caifar from Rot irangi. On Friday morning Mr Bond went to Auckland, and as soon as ho arrived he interviewed Mr Edwin Hesketh, and found -as ho expected-that tho " confidential clork, etc," was a myth. This information ho promptly wired to Cambridge. As Ritter did nut show up in Cambridge on Friday, the first thing on Saturday mornins Mr Kerr laid an information against him for obtaining board and lodgio,' by false pretences, and a warrant was issued for his apprehension. Constable lirennan was about to start for Rnt»ran«i to anvst Ritter when he learned that individual had gnno on to To Awamutu, and on Saturd iy afternoon Constablo Jones of that place was" shadowing" him pending tho arrival of tho warrant, Now. whoever this blackguard may he, he is thoroughly conversant with poor Tuck's affairs, and in fact appeared to know everything about him. We cannot help thinking Rilt j r has lately come from Mount Eden, and while there had, perhaps by his oily tongue, led poor Charley to unburden his mind to him, and tell him about his doings, family and friends; and then the arch-villain tried to turn the information to account by endeavouring to de-fr-mrJ the man's wife mid family, We havo not the slightest doubt but that the iuiposter, finding his littlo schemo did not work ill Cambridge, intended fleecing Mr Paik, of Ritorangi; but fortunately when he arrived at that place Mr Park had gone to Cambridge to sco " N«t Such A Fool As He Looks" by tho Hamilton Dramatic Society, and fearing that gentleman might hear something nf tho confidential clerk business while in tho town, Ritter accepted a " doss" fur tho night, and next morning wended his way ti To Awamutu. Had thore been tho slightest doubt about Ritter being arrested, wo should have kept silence regarding this matter out of consideration for Mrs Tuck and her family; hut as Constable Jones was " shadowing " Ritter on Saturday, tho holl-lumnil is sure to be brought to justice at an early date, and wo sincerly trust we may have to record a sentence passed upon him such as his cri mo deserves, and that will not bo a slight one for we never heard of a more dastardly act,