The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-30 00:00:00

home at a little after ten the same evening, and, to her
surprise, discovered that the street door was open, and
a minute or two's inspection convinced her that a rob-
bery had been committed. On examining the premises
it was ascertained that the thieves had effected an en-
ranee into the back yard by scaling a wall ; they had then
cut a pane of glass out of the door leading to the passage,
and had withdrawn the fastenings, which gave them ac-
cess to the whole of the house. A chopper which had
been left in the shop was found near the door of the
cupboard in the first floor back room, which con-
tained the whole of the property, with which the door
had been forced, and every article of value carried off,
with the exception of the handle of a punch ladle. The
police expressed their opinion that none but those inti•
mately acquainted with the locality of the premises
could have been engaged in the robbery ; and as a ser-
vant girl, named Hamilton, had only left the situation oa
the Thursday preceding, suspicion fell upon her, and she
was apprehended. It seems that she had on quitting
Mrs. Minton's taken up her quarters in the seine
house as that in which the prisoner Smith resided,
and on examination of the nailed shoes which the
latter wore, they were found to correspond with
marks on the wall at the back of Mr. Minton's
premises; and there was also some loose mortar on
the toes. Smith was then apprehended, as was also
Susan Keys, his sister-in-law, she having made some
very marked allusion to the great quantity of fourpenny
pieces which Mr. Minton had in his possession. As re-
garded the two females, it was deemed more prudent to
liberate them, the suspicion being slight, and its being
imagined that keeping a close look-out on their actions,
might give some clue to the property, none of which has
been recovered.

Sarah Tappace, an elderly woman residing at Chelsea,
proved having seen the prisoner near Mr. Minton's pre-
mises about half-past nine on the night of Sunday fort-
night. He was carrying a bundle, and Susan Keys was
in company with him.
Miss Lane, a shopkeeper residing at the corner of
Keppel-street, Chelsea, stated that the prisoner bought
a box of lucifer matches of her on Sunday fortnight.
Inspector Smith produced a quantity of similar matches
found lying on the floor in Mr. Minton's passage.
Mr. GREGORIE inquired if the girls Hamilton and
Keys were in attendance.
Inspector Smith replied in the affirmative.
The girl Hamilton then underwent a rigid examina-
tion by the Magistrate, and stated that she had been

in Mr. Minton's service three years, and had known
that money and plate wag deposited in the cupboard
of the back room on the first floor. About a fortnight
ago, before she quitted, she saw Mrs. Minton engaged
counting the fourpenny pieces at the cupboard. Wit-
ness was pressed as to whether she had ever mentioned
this circumstance to any one, and admitted that she had
to prisoner and his sister-in-law. The conversation was
brought up by the prisoner Smith, saying he had a new
Victoria farthing, when she inadvertently mentioned the
number of fourpenny pieces which her mistress had in
the cupboard. Witness accounted for the whole of her
time on Sunday afternoon and evening of the robbery.
She went with some acquaintances to a beer-shop in
Earls-court, Hammersmith. This latter part, was
satisfactorily proved by Terry, Warburton, and
Richardson, who were her companions on the night in
question. _

Susan Keys was then examined, but her account was
everything but satisfactory.
A sergeant of police, No. 17 F, stated that he was
outside the cells of this office, and heard a conversation
between Smith and Keys. The latter advised her
companion not to open his mouth while before the Ma-
gistrate, and recommended him to bold his tongue to
everybody, and not to speak too loud to any visitor, in
case the police should overhear him.
Smith, in his defence, said that he knew nothing of
the robbery. On the evening of Sunday fortnight he
quarrelled with his sister-in law, as she had stated. He
went out to buy a candle about six in the evening, and
did not leave the house after that time. He was in bed
when his wife came home at nine that night.
Prisoner's landlord was examined, and swore that

prisoner came home about half past nine on the night of
the robbery, and was not in bed at nine, as he had
stated. He remembered the circumstance well, as pri-
soner inquired if he should fasten the street-door.
Mr. GaEGORIE was of opinion that it was a most
cruel and daring robbery, but although the suspicion
against the prisoner was very strong, there was not a
sufficient case to send before a jury. The story told by
Keys was perfectly incredible, and she was very properly
suspected. He hoped the police would still be unremit-
ting in their exertions, more especially as they had lite-
rally stripped the prosecutor's house.
The prisoner was then discharged, and left the office
with the woman Keys, the prisoner's solicitor publicly
assuring him that he was a very lucky fellow.