* * * * *
The Evening Times, of August 16, contained the following double-headed paragraph in its middle page—
“FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NORTH SHORE MYSTERY.
THE PLOT THICKENS.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OF MRS. BOOTH, AND
GALLANT RESCUE BY ONE OF THE
POLICE FORCE.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHY OF THE HERO,
POLICE-CONSTABLE HOBBS.
“Never perhaps in the history of the colony has a crime claimed such universal interest, and aroused such general curiosity, as the so-called North Shore mystery. On train, boat, or ’bus, or wherever men are gathered together, it forms the sole and engrossing topic of conversation. Nearly every man one meets considers himself a born detective, and has a solution of the mystery at his fingers’ ends. Unfortunately, however, hardly two of three solutions agree, either as to the personality of the criminal or the method of the crime.
“An unexpected development was added to the already complicated skein by the attempted suicide last night of Mrs. Booth. It appears, from reports received, that Police-Constable Hobbs had been stationed on duty by the authorities to watch the house of Mrs. Delfosse, the scene of the crime, his orders being to note the doings of the inmates. That this precaution was a wise one was shown by the sequel.
“Late in the evening, after a gentleman, a stranger to the constable, had called at the house and again departed, the constable’s attention was aroused by the front door opening, and Mrs. Booth, with her outdoor garments on, leaving the house and walking towards Blue’s Point. Needless to say, the constable followed in her wake. According to his statement, her movements struck him as being, to say the least, very strange. Her walk was unsteady and erratic, and his first impression was that she was intoxicated; but, being a man of more than average intelligence, he soon scouted this idea, and came to the more natural conclusion that the poor lady, as was very natural, was suffering from strong excitement.
“After some hesitation Mrs. Booth took the path leading to the ferry at M‘Mahon’s Point, and Police-Constable Hobbs at once concluded that her intention was to take the incoming boat with the object of going to Sydney or Milson’s Point. What was his astonishment to see her step forward on the wharf, and with what looked like a determined plunge, jump into the water. Without a moment’s hesitation the constable ran forward, and, rapidly divesting himself of his hat and heavy tunic, jumped in after her. So quick was he that Mrs. Booth had barely come to the surface ere her form was grasped, and fortunately the ferry steamer was close at hand to provide a rope. By this time, however, Mr. Hobbs had already landed on the wharf, neither he nor Mrs. Booth being much the worse for their immersion. Mrs. Booth was promptly removed to her house, where she remains under surveillance.