The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-13
|REAl ESTATE AGENT
GETS BEST OF CROOK.
Confidence Man Leaves Three Hun
drcd Dollars In Prcipitate Exit
!, For Street.
FOR REAL ESTATE
Report Of High-Priccd Property In
Canada For a Song Results In Loss
to Man Who Spread Report.

The shrewdness of prominent real
estate man last week headed off and
frightened away from the city two men
who are believed to have been con-
nected with big gold brick" scheme.
One OF the men having heard of the
real estate men. and learning that he
was good investor, called upon him
Thursday morning, He introduced him.
self and stated that he knew of
splendid land deal by which piece
of property in Canada worth 100000
could, be purchased for $4,000 and i'm
mediately sold for the amount frst
mentioned.
why don't you buy 1t them" asked
the local agent.
Well it's this way" explained the
stranger. This man knows me and
will not sell. fearing that I have an
other sale OF which he is not info an ed.
But you go up to see him at the hotel
tmentioning a leading hoteD and offer
him this 5000 as guarantee. He will
then explain the proposition. But don't
let him know that 1 have put you next
to the deal II you do, that will spoil
1t ALL"
The man left the agents Office. stat
ing he would return the next day.
The Strangers $500.
The real estate man, surprised that
the stranger should hand him $500.
and feeling that The proposition might
be a god one. went to the hotel men
toned by the stranger. In the mean
time he learned that his friend the
stranger also stopped at the same
hotel. This made him suspicious. and
he began to think. II occurred to him
that he would see the man at the
hotel. who had the fine piece OF prop
erty TO sell. and see Just how the
land lay
II will give you an option on the
property" said the second stranger
"if you give Hte si5.ee6 as a. guar-
antee. The property is worth much more
than that. but am In need Of a large
sum Of money and will sacrifice this
particular piece of property for the
sum of 100000. but l must have the
guarantee"
Giving the man To understand that
he could call At his office the next day
and talk the matter over. the agent left
He then called upon his attorney and
explained the matter to him. The law
yer formed the same opinion that the
real estate man had, and they agreed
that if possible they would land the
supposed frauds,
The next day. as per appointment.
the first stranger appeared in the real
estate mans office.
We'll. what do YOU think of the prop
osttton. Pretty slick. amt it, he ven
tured
Pretty slick. indeed"
Then the agent related what had ap-
pened in the hotei--that the man want
ed guarantee Of sl5.o 900 on piece of
property which he himself said was
worth but 100000
Thought He Might Take $500.
l. - -
I'VE cam seii'the property for 100000 In
day aftef~wa- -it-You offer him
a guarantee of $500 on the option, and
he liz likely to accept. He was just feel
ing you out"
Il will cali up my lawyer" replied the
agent. We will leave the matter In
his hands.
He then reached for the phone and
called the name of one of the we'll
known criminal lawyers, a man who
figured in the greatest gold brick case
this section OF the country ever had or
heard of
The stranger arose when the name
had been called over the phone.
He put his hat on his head. walked
rapidly TO the door of the office and
disappeared down the street
Before he closed the door, however.
he said;
Il will see YOU little later"
Besides getting the best of what he
thinks we're two confidence men, the
real estate man is three hundred dol
lars in. He tried to locate the man
at his hotel later in the day. but he
had flown. He says he will gladly re-
turn the three hundred II the man with
the Tip" VIII just come after II.
Because of the fact that he is still
looking for the man, the real estate
agent stated Yesterday that he did not
wish to have his name made public. He
has a good description Of the men, and
several secret service. men also have
the description.