thief may be caught in thirteen moves. This won't do. We
want him to be caught before he moves at all.

* * * * *

[Illustration: NEW EDITION OF "ROBA DI 'ROMER.'"

_With Mr. Punch's sincere congratulations to his Old Friend the New
Judge._]

* * * * *

VOCES POPULI.

AT A SALE OF HIGH-CLASS SCULPTURE.

SCENE--An upper floor in a City Warehouse; a low, whitewashed
room, dimly lighted by dusty windows and two gas-burners in
wire cages. Around the walls are ranged several statues of
meek aspect, but securely confined in wooden cases, like a
sort of marble menagerie. In the centre, a labyrinthine grove
of pedestals, surmounted by busts, groups, and statuettes
by modern Italian masters. About these pedestals a small
crowd--consisting of Elderly Merchants on the look out for a
"neat thing in statuary" for the conservatory at Croydon or
Muswell Hill, Young City Men who have dropped in after lunch,
Disinterested Dealers, Upholsterers' Buyers, Obliging Brokers,
and Grubby and Mysterious men--is cautiously circulating.

_Obliging Broker_ (_to Amiable Spectator, who has come in out
of curiosity, and without the remotest intention of purchasing
sculpture_). _No_ Catlog, Sir? 'Ere, allow me to orfer you
mine--that's _my_ name in pencil on the top of it, Sir; and, if you
_should_ 'appen to see any lot that takes your fancy, you jest ketch
my eye. (_Reassuringly._) I shan't be fur off. Or look 'ere, gimme a
nudge--_I_ shall know what it means.

[_The A.S. thanks him profusely, and edges away with an
inward vow to avoid his and the Auctioneer's eyes, as he
would those of a basilisk._

_Auctioneer_ (_from desk, with the usual perfunctory fervour_). Lot
13, Gentlemen, very charming pair of subjects from child life--"_The
Pricked Finger_" and "_The Scratched Toe_"--by BIMBI.

_A Stolid Assistant_ (_in shirtsleeves_). Figgers _'ere_, Gen'lm'n!

[_Languid surge of crowd towards them._

_A Facetious Bidder_. Which of 'em's the finger, and which the toe?

_Auct._ (_coldly_). I should have thought it was easy to identify
by the attitude. Now, Gentlemen, give me a bidding for these very
finely-executed works by BIMBI. Make any offer. What will you give me
for 'em? Both very sweet things, Gentlemen. Shall we say ten guineas?

_A Grubby Man_. Give yer five.

_Auct._ (_with grieved resignation_). Very