Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-27
A|RSH|P FIGURES IN
A NEW BUNC0 GAME
Stranger in City, Who Wanted
to See One, Loses Cash
and Ring.

The "arship game is the latest among
crooks with which the Washington police
have to deal
Rivaling in its success the "old shell
game" it netted a trio who worked it in
the National Capital yesterday SCI and
"A diamond ring worth $40. Indicating
that crooks are notuGS if not up-to-date,
the "airship game" has taken the place
of the old darlington unwilling game. -
In the oden days when professional
thieves included Washington in their
calling list the game was to invite a
stranger to a pretended unveiling at
Arlington. In these modern days the
game is to invite the stranger to a gov
eminent exhibition of airships at the
navy yard.
Jerseyman the Victim.
The police learned of the new game
through the complaint of John Marshall.
merchant in WiIliamstown, n J.
Marshall explained that he was strolling
along Pennsylvania avenue when he was
accosted by stranger and asked the
way to the navy yard.
I'm stranger in the city explained
the young man who stopped him.
so am t. said Marshall:
The stranger proposed that the couple
go to an exhibition of airships at the
navy yard, and Marshall. never having
seen an airship. agreed
The men had gone but short distance
together before an older man stopped
and asked the way to the navy yard
Then the three men went together, Mar
shall thinking he was going to witness
an exhibition of airships. Marshall soon
became interested in a cOnversat ton be-
ton Of gambling
It's all luck said one of them. and
the other said the question of luck never
entered into a gambling game.
There's only one way to settle the
question: suggested one of them, pro-
posing a game Of matching pennies for
dollar.
The game seemed such an easy one
that Marshall decided to take a hand
The trio were near 18th street and Penn
sylvania avenue southeast. and the game
was started on the street He was per-
mitted to win at first, but in a few
minutes his money was gone and he was
willing to quit. He did not take kindly
to the suggestion that he might pawn his
diamond ring and win back some of his
money, and when one of the men said
his diamond was not genuine Sparkler
he took the ring from his finger to ex-
hibit it,
If you know anything about dia-
monds.'' said Marshall. you will see
that this is a pure white stone
Its only paste diamond one of the
strangers said.
Called for Policeman.
1t was then that one of the pair called
for policeman. A third stranger ap-
peared on the scene and pretended he
was detective.
I'm Sergt. Kaufman Of the central Of
flee" he said. whats the matter here?"
One of the sWindlers declared he had
been robbed and the detective" took
charge Of Marshall
I'm the one who has been robbed
Marshall told the. supposed detective,
while the other men were disappearing.
IT hen come along" said the pretended
sleuth. and we'll get those fellows
The two men walked to point near the
east end of the Capitol, Marshall telling
the story of his experience with the two
men. and "Serst. Kaufman explaining
how he would land them behind the bars.
Then the sergeant said it was neces-
sary for him TO go to a police station, and
he told Marshall to wait and watch for
the men to come along.
After Marshall had waited and watched
for the men for almost an hour he real
lied he had been f1eeced. He then sought
Inspector BOardman. Detectives Baur
and Cornweli went on tour of inspection
with him, but nothing was seen of the
crooks.