Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/43

Rh stoops a little to take hold of the bottom, gives a jirk, steps upon the heel, or jostles against the person done; then seems to beg pardon, and runs. For the inside skirt coat-pocket, he lifts up the skirt or tail, and out comes the pocket-book. Should a button impede the way out, a little knife, fastened to the hand, soon removes that obstacle.

N.B. Whenever you are jostled against, or your heel is trodden upon, you may suspect that person, and he who is nearest to you on the other side.

Two are much safer to get off than one, as the second keeps a good look-out; and he it is that goes off with the prize, having received it from him who first took it. This one, being next to the victim, if seized, as is most likely, kicks up a row, and uses the most disgusting language; or, in quite other tones, offers to pursue him who has gone off; but in fact, in pursuing, throws obstacles in the way of others; but should he come up with, and overtake him in the hand of justice, they together fight away if possible to effect an escape; sometimes dropping the thing stolen, at other times it gets handed to a confederate, who perhaps has the audacity to claim the property as his own.