THE essential opportunism which forms part of the make up of `confidence` cheats was evinced during the week by a case reported to the Gamdevi Police. The accused in the case, a Muslim who has since been apprehended by the police, is alleged to have approached the complainant, an ailing old lady, and represented to her that he was acquainted with a priest who could heal sick persons by the administration of `holy water`. Believing the story of the cheat the lady consented to meet the supposed priest and was introduced to an accomplice of the first man.

After discussing the symptoms of the ailment, the `priest` went away saying he would send a supply of his `magical holy water`. Subsequently, the first man again called on the lady and asked her to give him two silver vases in which to bring the water which he said, would be adversely affected if kept in a receptacle of any base metal.

He was given two silver vases in which to bring the water valued at Rs. 60 but the lady waited in vain for the expected supply of `holy water` and eventually realized she had been the victim of a swindle. On receiving information of the incident the police arrested the accused. Dawn Delhi