The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-01 00:00:00

SWINDLING AT WINDSOR.

WINDSOR. SUNDAY EVENING.—A deep-laid scheme em
swindling, by evidently a practised hand, has just been
successfully played off by a well-dressed gentlemanly-
looking man, upon some of the most respectable inn-
keepers and tradesmen of Windsor, Eton, and Slough ;
Itth appears
pppo esatr
s yesterday
that,
on Tuesdaym orni morning.
the facts having been brought to light after the arrival
of
morning last, a person of
highly respectable appearance and gentlemanly manners
arrived at Slough by an early trail), from London, and
took up his abode at Mr. Dotesio's the Royal Hotel, close
to the railway station. He remained there during that
and the following day. On Thursday he told Mr.
Dotesio be was going to town to be present at the close
of the debate on the Corn Bill in the House of Lords,
having got a ticket of admission from his " friend" the
Duke of Beaufort, and that he should not return till the
following morning. It appears, however, that on that
day, previously to proceeding to London, he went to
Messrs. Neville, Reid,
and Co.'s bank, at Windsor, and
paid in a cheque for a large amount, drawn upon a London
banker, stating that he was staying at the Royal Hotel,
and that as he should have some payments to make, when
the bankers received advice of the cheque being honoured,
it would be extremely convenient to him to be furnished
with a blank cheque-book. This was, as it has since
proved, most incautiously given to him, and has been the
means of enabling him to practise his art, with the ap-
pearance, at least, of a respectable man, having a banker's
account open at Windsor. He perfectly well know that
as his cheque was not paid into the Windsor-bauk until
Thursday, Messrs. Reid and Co. would not be advised of
its reception in London before Saturday morning.
On Friday morning, when he returned to the Royal
Hotel by the first train from London, he sent for Mr.
Dotesio into the coffee-room to inform him of the result
of the division, observing that "he was of the same
opinion as bis friend, a Noble Duke, that it was doubtful
whether a scrutiny of the proxies would not still cause
considerable embarrassment to the Government." He
also spoke familiarly of several Noble Lords, his
" friends," as he represented them, and acquaintances.
He then said he had an account at the Windsor Bank,
producing his cheque-book, and asking Mr. Dotesio to
cash a cheque for 101. The appearance of the cheque-
book would have so completely disarmed suspicion, even
if any had been previously entertained, that the amount
was immediately handed over to him, and he went out
after breakfast, as he said, for "a stroll." It should be
mentioned that he signed the cheque "J. H. Wynd-
ham ;" and the inference was, from his gentlemanly man-
ners and address, and other circumstances, that he was
a member of the Egremont family.
From the Royal Hotel, it appears, he proceeded o
Eton, where he called upon Mr. Yarrow, the well-known
tailor at the College, and ordered a suit of clothes ;
stating, that as he was going to a wedding the following
(Saturday) morning, and as his own dress clothes were
upwards of 200 miles off, he must have them made,
and sent to the Royal Hotel at Slough, by seven o'clock
that (Friday) evening. Although it was then nearly
twelve o'clock, the order was taken, and promised to be
executed. He then said to Mr. Yarrow, "As lam a
stranger to you, although I have received high recom-
mendations of your excellent cut and fit, I'll pay you at
once; just make out your bill, and give me a receipt."
MT hr e.
yb ial
rl
rwo
wa
hp ao iwd e by ye r
hcahveaqu upon
ge
some tsheespWieiionndsaobro Bae
t the
matter, paid Mr." Wyndham's" cheque,with other monies,
into the bank that afternoon, calling the particular at-
tention of the clerk to the cheque in question, and ask-
ing him if it was " all right. The clerk having answered
in the affirmative, and given credit for it, the suit of
clothes, consisting of a dress coat, white waistcoat, and
trousers, was completed and sent to the Royal Hotel
punctually at the time agreed upon.
Mr. Wyndham then paid a visit to Windsor, calling
upon Mr. Hanson, watchmaker and jeweller of the High-
street, whom he especially patronised by purchasing a
gold watch and chain, a breast-pin, and other articles
of jewellery, to the amount of between 11/. and 12/.
The production of his cheque-book from the Windsor
Bank, as in the case of Mr. Dotesio, induced Mr.
Hanson to imagine it was "a voucher of respectability,"
and he had no hesitation in parting with his property,
which was paid for by draught on Neville, Reid, and Co.
He intimated to Mr. Dotesio that, as he intended to
make a lengthened stay at theßoyal Hotel after " a cm..
tain event' had taken place (which was construed to
refer to his marriage), he would like to look over the
hotel to select a large and airy bed-room and one of the
best sitting-rooms. On Friday evening he proceeded
with the proprietor over such portions of the hotel as
were then unoccupied, and arranged for the!occupaney of
two apartments, to commence on Monday for a
lengthened period. Shortly after the arrival of his new
suit of clothes from Mr. Yarrow he ordered his bill,
which was brought to him, amounting to 31. 3s. 3d.,
stating that he was going to London by the last train,
and that he should return on Moday to take possession
of his sitting and bed-room. He also stated that a large
quantity of luggage would arrive for him by the train
from town on Saturday, and requested that the c:,rriage
might be paid by the proprietor of the hotel. lie then
drew a cheque for 5/., with which he paid his bill, receiv-
ing from Mr. Dotesio the difference. He left Slough by
the last up-,i'ain for London, and has not been seen or
heard of since.

The next morning (Saturday), soon after the Windsor
of the deception of which they
Bdupesan k hwaedreopmeX,tAetrbeubble burst, and his unfortunate