Possible Clues:

• One may joke about the press being taken in by hoax
• Our informants fool around -- and so does he
• Wag tail in agitation after protest held up by investigators
• Card trick takes in the press etc
• Swindle taking in the press is amusing performer
• He does a stand-up job
• TV and press brought in by head of CID on Cracker?
• Demoniac sort of wit
• That's a funny way for one to summon the girl
• Professional teller of jokes