The Republican., 1891-11-06
FORTUNES IN FINGERS.
London Pickpockets Who Gould
Give Old Fagin Lessons.
They Are Said to Be the CIevcrest Thieves
In the WorId-Story of a Ring-Ex-
perienca of q ScotIand-Yard
Detective.

While contemplating trip to Europe
a few years ago, | purchased several
well-advertised guide books, one of
which, dealing chiefly with London
aud its environs, warned Americans
against the light fingered portion of its
population. Therefore when | went
abroad did SO with my eyes open, as
thought, but ! was soon to discover
by actual experience that stranger in
the great metropolis needs very keen
optics to escape the wiles of it's Fagins.
Having but u moderate purse at my
command / took cheap lodgings in
Charter House square, and when out
sightseeing was careful to take along
just enough money to last me through
the jaunt.
In my half-aimlcss sauntcrings one
morning | turned in the Strand, al
ready bristling with it's peculiar life,
and had not proceeded far when some
one tapped me on the shoulder. Having
no particular acquaintance in London
at that time, turned quickly and saw
a well-drcsscd man step back like a
person embarrassed.
''Aw, | beg your pardon, sir" said
he, politely; II thought was tapping
the shoulder of a friend would not
have stopped you for the world" and
before could tell him no harm had
been done he was off and out of sight
in a moment.
| thought no more of the Interrupt
ton until. seeing q book which de-
sired to purchase, l reached for my
purse, but it was gone. In flash the
shoulder tapping incident came back
with strange distinctncss, and had to
laugh at the adroitncss of the theft,
for | knew | had been robbed while
the strange man was apologi2ing for the
apparent blundcr had not lost much
money, owing to the carefulncss re-
ferrcd to, but The purse contained
keepsake in the shape of plain gold
ring suitably inscribed That was
worth more to me than the contents of
the purse, and, upon telling the book
seller of my loss, he advised me to re-
port it at Scotland Yards, the head
quarters of the metropolitan police.
had little hope of ever again seeing
the ring, for could give nothing but a
vague description of the person who
had stopped me, but | resolved to take
my complaint to the authorities, as
much to get into Scotland Yard, which
is world famous, us anything else.
Quitting tn book-Stall, made my way
to the place from which the shrewd de-
tcctivcS of London sally forth to hunt
down the evil doers, and in a short time
was stating my loss To Il little man III
uniform, who listened intcntly but
with lurking smile in his blue eyes.
When he heard me through, he said
that in all probability the keepsake
and had parted company forever; but
calling to his side man whom he in
troduccd as Scrgt. Donny. he went
over the story, and then turned me
over to the sergeant. Sergt. Donny
reminded me of Mr.. Inspector Bucket,
of "Bleak House." He seemed to have
queer way of comforting with his fat
forefinger while he listened, and from
the first he impressed me as good
naturcd man, too much SO, thought, to
be a member of the police force, having
to deal with the roughs and toughs of
London.
Nv oSl NullO hlltl IIu w
nearest little coffee house. where |
found that he improved on acquain-
tance.
1--WE have 100, 900 thieves in London"
said he. "Now, your purse has fallen
into the hands of one of them; but
which one? The man who tapped you
on the shoulder did not do the robbing;
he merely secured your attention while
his confederate relieved you. You felt
nothing in your pocket? No? The fin
gers of our gcntecl Fagins are very
light and shapcly. | was robbed once
myself, and that while conducting the
thief to the station for picking a ladys
pocket. did not know my watch was
gone till we came to search the scamp.
Your ring, ah, yes" and here Sergt.
Donny tore a blank leaf from his men,
orandum.
81 think we had best advertise for
it, he continued.
/ was surprised.
"You wonder, l see,' smiled the ser
geant ''Somc of our thieves are very
sympathetic, and there Is one chance in
thousand that your purse may have
fallen into the hands of fellow of this
description. We will try first with
something like this"
He wrote rapidly for a minute, his
chubby little hand running back and
forth over the sheet, and when he
stopped he read the following adver-.
tisement:
'Lost-Rng-If the person who found plain
gold ring, inscribed From S. p to j. c., '62'
will return it to No. - Charterhouse square, he
will receive one guinea reward and no ques-
tions will be asked. The ring was lost on the
Strand and is valued as u mcmento, being
gift from dear friend who is dead"
''Some of the light-fngercd gentry
are very tender-hearted," said Sergt.
Donny when he had read the advertise
mcnt. which seemed to delight him.
''In case of this kind we have no ac-
curate description of the thief; there.
fore, we have to resort to strataeSem.
Your advertisement will appear in the
Times tomorrow. and then we shall
wait for results. Meantime, we have
nothing to do, and | am prepared to
tell you something about the thieves of
this great city, seeing as how have
been dealing with them these twelve
years"
l was more than pleased that the in