City, chance directed my footsteps to an alley
leading from one narrow street to another in the neighbourhood of
Cheapside. Just before I reached the mouth of the alley, a man in a
greatcoat, closely followed by another, passed it; and, at the moment in
which they were passing, I observed the man behind snatch something from
the pocket of the other; whereupon, darting into the street, I seized the
hindermost man by the collar, crying at the same time to the other, 'My
good friend, this person has just picked your pocket.'

The individual whom I addressed, turning round with a start, glanced at
me, and then at the person whom I held. London is the place for strange
rencounters. It appeared to me that I recognised both individuals--the
man whose pocket had been picked and the other; the latter now began to
struggle violently; 'I have picked no one's pocket,' said he. 'Rascal,'
said the other, 'you have got my pocket-book in your bosom.' 'No, I have
not,' said the other; and, struggling more violently than before, the
pocket-book dropped from his bosom upon the ground.

The other was now about to lay hands upon the fellow, who was still
struggling. 'You had better take up your book,' said I; 'I can hold
him.' He followed my advice; and, taking up his pocket-book, surveyed my
prisoner with a ferocious look, occasionally glaring at me. Yes, I had
seen him before--it was the stranger whom I had observed on London
Bridge, by the stall of the old apple-woman, with the cap and cloak; but,
instead of these, he now wore a hat and greatcoat. 'Well,' said I, at
last, 'what am I to do with this gentleman of ours?' nodding to the
prisoner, who had now left off struggling. 'Shall I let him go?'

'Go!' said the other; 'go! The knave--the rascal; let him go, indeed!
Not so, he shall go before the Lord Mayor. Bring him along.'

'Oh, let me go,' said the other: 'let me go; this is the first offence, I
assure ye--the first time I ever thought to do anything wrong.'

'Hold your tongue,' said I, 'or I shall be angry with you. If I am not
very much mistaken, you once attempted to cheat me.'

'I never saw you before in all my life,' said the fellow, though his
countenance seemed to belie his words.

'That is not true,' said I; 'you are the man who attempted to cheat me of
one-and-ninepence in the coach-yard, on the first morning of my arrival
in London.'

'I don't doubt it,' said the other; 'a confirmed thief'; and here his