watch! pray restore me my watch,
it belonged to my grandfather, and is a family piece.'

"Whilst uttering these lamentations, he endeavoured to go in the
direction whence the sound had proceeded, to get his watch as he
expected and hoped to do. He came close up to Molin, who, under cover
of the dense fog, put his hand with the watch in it close to the old
gentleman's ear, and pushing the spring again, said, whilst the watch
was striking--'Listen then to its sounds for the last time;' and with
this cruel advice the two thieves then went away, leaving the worthy
undone elderly to bewail his loss.

"The ancient _voleurs a la tire_ cite still, as amongst the
celebrated personages of their profession, two Italians, the brothers
Verdure, the eldest of whom, convicted of forming one of a band of
chauffeurs, was sentenced to death. On the day of execution, the
younger, who was at liberty, wished to see his brother as he left the
prison, and with several of his comrades took his station on the road.
When thieves go out in the evening into a crowd they generally have a
preconcerted word of alarm or summons, by which to call or distinguish
their accomplices. Young Verdure, on seeing the fatal car, uttered
his, which was _lorge_, to which the criminal, looking about him,
replied _lorge_. This singular salute given and returned, it may be
imagined that young Verdure retired. On his road he had already stolen
two watches; he saw his brother's head fall from the block, and either
before or afterwards he was determined to carry matters to their utmost.

"The crowd having dispersed he returned to the cabaret with his
comrades. 'Well, well,' said he, laying down on the table four watches
and a purse, 'I think I have not played my cards amiss. I never thought
to have made such a haul at my _frater's_ death; I am only sorry
he's not here to have his share of the _swag_.'"

Ring-droppers, and _Emporteurs_ ("gentlemen who lose themselves") are
next shown up: to the latter class belong the fellows who, under
pretence of inquiring their road, fall into conversation with you,
invite you to billiards, and cheat you.[2] Ring-droppers are very
troublesome in Paris, especially in the _Champs Elysees_, where
you may be teazed to buy a copper-framed eye-glass which they have
just "found."

_Riffaudeurs, or Chauffeurs_,

Were thieves assuming the garb of country dealers, or travelling
hawkers; and they sought to wring from their victims a con