e string earned him the style and title of the modern
Paganini. But such an employ was too mean for his pride, and he soon
got to work again--this time with a better success. The mansions
of Sheffield were his early prey, and a rich plunder rewarded his
intrepidity. The design was as masterly as its accomplishment. The grand
style is already discernible. The houses were broken in quietude and
good order. None saw the opened window; none heard the step upon the
stair; in truth, the victim's loss was his first intelligence.

But when the booty was in the robber's own safe keeping, the empiricism
of his method was revealed. As yet he knew no secret and efficient fence
to shield him from detection; as yet he had not learnt that the complete
burglar works alone. This time he knew two accomplices--women both, and
one his own sister! A paltry pair of boots was the clue of discovery,
and a goodly stretch was the proper reward of a clumsy indiscretion. So
for twenty years he wavered between the crowbar and the prison house,
now perfecting a brilliant scheme, now captured through recklessness or
drink. Once when a mistake at Manchester sent him to the Hulks, he owned
his failure was the fruit of brandy, and after his wont delivered (from
the dock) a little homily upon the benefit of sobriety.

Meanwhile his art was growing to perfection. He had at last discovered
that a burglary demands as diligent a forethought as a campaign; he had
learnt that no great work is achieved by a multitude of minds. Before
his boat carried off a goodly parcel of silk from Nottingham, he was
known to the neighbourhood as an enthusiastic and skilful angler. One
day he dangled his line, the next he sat peacefully at the same employ;
and none suspected that the mild mannered fisherman had under the
cloud of night despatched a costly parcel to London. Even the years of
imprisonment were not ill-spent. Peace was still preparing the great
achievement of his life, and he framed from solitary reflection as well
as from his colleagues in crime many an ingenious theory afterwards
fearlessly translated into practice. And when at last he escaped the
slavery of the gaol, picture-framing was the pursuit which covered
the sterner business of his life. His depredation involved him in no
suspicion; his changing features rendered recognition impossible. When
the exercise of his trade compelled him to shoot a policeman at Whalley
Range, another was sentenced for the cri