The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-21 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE OF ROBBERY.—STEALING
BILLS OF EXCHANGE.-Mr. George Piercy, of the firm of
Brodie and Piercy, military tailors, of 10, Princes-street,
Hanover-square, was charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt with
stealing two bills of exchange for £27 18s., the property of
Mr. Alexander Brodie, his partner.
Mr. Evans, of John-street, Bedford-row, prosecuted,
and Mr. Edward Lewis, of Great Marlborough-street, for
the defence.
Mr. Evans, in opening the case, said he appeared to
prosecute the prisoner for stealing two bills of exchange
from his partner, Mr. Alexander Brodie, the prisoner being
junior partner. He should not be able to complete the
case that day, an important witness not being present.
Mr. Brodie said—The prisoner has recently joined me in
partnership. I placed two bills of exchange, for £l6 13s. 4d.
and £ll 55., in my despatch box two months ago. The
bills were my private property. I have a clerk of the name
of Dyer. I gave the despatch box to him, the two bills
being in the box at the time. At the beginning of last
week my clerk told me the bills were gone. I made in-
quiries, and find that they are now in the possession of a
Mr. Harris.
By Mr. Tyrwhitt—They are overdue now.

By Mr. Lewis—Prisoner joined me on the 18th or 19th of
May, and had the management of the cash account. I first
ascertained the prisoner had disposed of the bills by Mr.
Dyer telling me at the beginning of the week. I heard
afterwards they were gone, when I met Mr. Harris. They
were taken to my solicitor's. I mentioned the circum-
stance to the prisoner, telling him that if I did
not get the bills back I would prosecute him.
He did not say he had disposed of the bills to get
money to pay wages. There is no shortness of money. I
had an action at the time at the assizes. There was no
money at the bank. I paid no more money into my banker,
being afraid of the prisoner drawing it out. My banker
had not refused to discount bills for me ; because there was
no cash there. On seeing Mr. Harris he refused to tell me
how much the prisoner owed him, but afterwards at my
lawyer's I found he owed him £6O, and that he had taken
my private bills to pay him. I never applied to Mr. Harris
to make a fresh advance on the bills—never. My despatch
box was locked, and my clerk had the key. I did not pilule
the bills in the prisoner's hands to get discounted.
Re-examined—l am a man of property, and cau draw a
cheque for £4,000 at once if I like. I did not like my part-
ner, and therefore refused to pay any more money into my
banker's. I had no idea the bills were taken away till in,
formed by my clerk.

Mr. Montague Dyer, clerk to Mr. Brodie—l received the
despatch-box for Mr. Brodie, and in it were two bills of
exchange. Mr. Brodie gave me the key. Mr. Piercy said
he wanted some note paper, and asked for the key several

times. After he had had it the last time I missed the two
bills, and on asking him for them he said "Oh it's all right,
I've got them." I told him that I wished them in the
despatch-box, as they were Mr. Brodie's private property,
and he replied, " I know that, they are all right." I have
not seen them since that day. I communicated the cirDum-

stance to Mr. Brodie on Thursday or Friday last.
By Mr. Lewis—Prisoner did not say he had placed them
in the hands of Mr. Harris. I never heard the firm was
short of money at all, but there was not plenty at the
banker's. I never went to the banker's to discount bills—
never. I never heard from Mr. Brodie that the bankers
had refused to discount his bills.

Mr. Evans—That is all the evidence I can lay before you
,o-day. 1 must therefore ask for a remand for the attend-
._ _ .

ance of Mr. Harris.

Mr. Lewis asked that bail might be taken. He could
find bail to any amount.

Mr. Tyrwhitt peremptorily refused, and remanded the

prisoner.