KNOWN TO THE POLICE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 311, 12 November 1910, Page 2

KNOWN TO THE POLICE.

"Downy" was a thorough rogue and vagabond, a printer by trade and a clever workman, but he never worked —not he ! He would rather steal. Several times he had called on clergj'men, arid, while conversing with them in their hall, had appropriated their best silk umbrellas. On one occasion he had gone away without booty, but he returned five minutes afterwards, and rang the bell, which being answered by a servant, he said : '"I am very sorry to trouble, but I forgot my umbrella. Ah ! here it is." And he went away with the parson's best. One winter night I was told he was at my front door, where he had been many times for I never asked him in ; I am sure he would have robbed me if I had. "Well, old man,, how are you ?" he said, for he always patronised me in a delightful manner. "Oh, it is you, Downy, is it ?" "Ah, it is me. I say, Holmes, I'm starving !" "There is some comfort, in that," I said.

"Bah ! you don't mean it ; you are too good-hearted. Give us a cup of tea," I declined his invitation, and told him that I had no umbrellas to spare. "Well, that's a bit thick, I'm off." Then, as an afterthought, he said, "What's the time ?" "Five past six," I said. "Why, I have been on this doorstep quite five minutes." '•'Quite five minutes," I said. Away he went to the parish clergyman, who did not know him, and delivered some imaginary message from myself. He got two shillings and a meal from the clergyman. To my surprise, I saw him in the dock next day charged with stealing a valuable fur-lined overcc at. He had called at a gentleman's house to ask for employment. The servant had admitted him, and left him standing in tlie hall while she summoned her master. It was dark, but he discovered the valuable coat and put it on. There was no work for him, and the gentleman, who knew Downy well, showed him out promptly. He afterwards missed the coat, and quickly gave information to the police. Downy was as lighthearted as usual, denied his guilt, and closely examined the prosecutor as to the exact time he (Downy) called on him. The magistrate, having had depositions taken, was about to commit him for trial, when the prisoner said : "I have a witness to call."

'"You can call him at your trial," the magistrate said. "Who is your witness ?" "Mr. Holmes." "What can he prove?"

"That I was at his house exactly the same time that it is said I was at the prosecutor's." I declined to give evidence, for I believed the fellow had the overcoat., though he was without a coat when I saw him.

He was duly committed for trial, but before leaving the dock lie turned to the magistrate and said : "You have made up your mind that I am to get five years, but you're mistaken this time ; no jury will convict on the evidence."

The grand jury threw out the bill, so I was saved the pleasure of giving evidence for him. In a few days he appeared at the court desiring to speak to the magistrate. When given permission he said : "Well, I'm here again. I thought you might be pleased to know that no true bill was found against me ; my case did not go to the jury. You haven't done with me yet." "I am sorry," replied the magistrate, "but you will not be disappointed many more times. You will get your five years." "'Probably, but not at your suggestion. Good morning !" He was on my doorstep again the same evening. "Come to see you, Holmes, my boy. Lend me lialf-a-crown !" I declined. "Ha !" he said, "you would lend it me sharp enough if you knew what a lark I've had. I can't help laughing. Why, I've been to old and offered to give him back his fur coat for a quid. And the rascal roared at the thought of it." "What did he say to you ?" "'Well, he rather hurt my feelings, for his language was not polite." "I suppose you have not restored it?" I said.

"What do you think ?" was the ironical reply as he departed. But Downy got five years within a few weeks. He removed a big marble clock from the bar of a public house, and got away with it, too, in broad daylight ; but fate tripped him at last, and he got his well-earned five years.—From "Known t& the Police" by Thos. Holmes.