Year: 1862

fConcudsd.1


Here, then, was one of new class of
dodgers, who, finding many red dupes, man.
aged TO carry on profitable business, osten-
sible dangerous, but in reality without incur
ring any rise of punishment Ii one
knave, the other was dupe with criminal
intent, who had no claim to justice. He was
only the bitter bitten.


The scheme of operation was as follows:
The fellow goes about in like quarters, repre-
senting that he has a lot of counterfeit money
for sale, OF first rate quality, which nobody
can detect, and which he offers at a tempting
price. He generally operates upon beer-shop
keepers, and certain class of small trades
men. He does not GO to work blindly or at
hap-hazard. He first reconnoitres, surveys
the ground, scrutinizes his intended dupe,
drinks his beer, and, if he finds his intended
victim soft, he breaches the subject of coun-
terfeit money. He is always provided with
genuine halt-crown, of greasy feel. which he
submits to inspection as fair sample OF queer
soft.


You don't mean to say that this is a bad
one?" asks the dupc.


Yes il is; pretty good sort, isn't it?'


Feels greasy, though"


Yes, that one does, because i have been
carrying it in my pocket with some coppers."


The dupe, seeing plainly that the coin is a
good one, thinks there will be little risk, and
no harm in buying lot of it; but continuing
to profess his doubts the knave proposes that
he shall send the coin to a neighboring gro
eer's or cheesemonger's, for half pound of
sugbr or butter. OF course, the coin being
good one, is readily taken, and the knave
wins deeper confidence at the cost of few
pence. There is no longer any difficulty in
striking bargain. He will take five or ten
pounds worth at the price agreed upon.


The knave then proceeds to urge the great
risk he would run by carrying such quantity
of counterfeit money about his person. The
police might get scent of it, and if sent to the
Old Bailey for trial, it might 20 hard with
him; and, moreover, to prevent being betrayed,
he never carries more than one piece about
him. He must be careful. Therefore he ap-
points a meeting with the dupe in the suburbs,
where he can see if he is watched The
place of appointment is generally some un-
finished villa or mansion, about Hampstead
Highgate, Clapham. &c. When the dupe ar
rives at the appointed place, the knave pre-
tends his "friend" is concealed in the empty
house with the stuff" He coaxes the dupe
out of his money, and pretends to 90 into the
house, leaving his victim waiting outside.


The knave then cautiously proceeds round
TO the back of the house, but is no sooner out
of his victims sight, than he Jumps over the
fence and disappears, leaving the dupe to
relish the trick he best may


had no doubt that Jacobs bad customer
and the tall fellow in the coffee house were
one and the same person-a fellow who had
been carrying on this game successfully for
two or three years.


Next day, early in the evening, proceed
ed, in company with brother officer, to
Battersea Fields, where the countryman had
made an appointment with the money-dealer.
We fortunately succeeded in concealing our
selves unobserved in the very empty house
where the knave had appointed to meet his
dupe. AS we knew very well that he had no
intention of entering the house, we planted
ourselves in some outhouses, one on each side
of the house. so as to make sure of intercept
ing him.


In due time we saw both knave and dupe
approach the house. Cautiously surveying
the ground, and then proceeded to the gate
entering upon the lawn, where parley ensued.
The countryman showed reluctance to part
with his money, but finally seemed prevailed
upon, and counted out his FIVE sovereigns.


The knave was over the gate and into the
grounds as quickly as greyhound. He was
so active in his movements that although he
came past close by where was standing, he
got the start of me- and was over the fence in
the twinkling of an eye. / signaled by
brother officer, who quickly rejoined me, and
off We started in pursuit. A pretty long