more than the worth of this petty theft, and was compelled to steal
again. This time he was detected. One of his fellow-shopmen caught
him in the very act of concealing a roll of silk, ready for future
abstraction, and, to his astonishment, cried "Halves!" Rex pretended to
be virtuously indignant, but soon saw that such pretence was useless;
his companion was too wily to be fooled with such affectation of
innocence. "I saw you take it," said he, "and if you won't share I'll
tell old Baffaty." This argument was irresistible, and they shared.
Having become good friends, the self-made partner lent Rex a helping
hand in the disposal of the booty, and introduced him to a purchaser.
The purchaser violated all rules of romance by being--not a Jew, but a
very orthodox Christian. He kept a second-hand clothes warehouse in
the City Road, and was supposed to have branch establishments all over
London.

Mr. Blicks purchased the stolen goods for about a third of their value,
and seemed struck by Mr. Rex's appearance. "I thort you was a swell
mobsman," said he. This, from one so experienced, was a high compliment.
Encouraged by success, Rex and his companion took more articles of
value. John Rex paid off his debts, and began to feel himself quite a
"gentleman" again. Just as Rex had arrived at this pleasing state of
mind, Baffaty discovered the robbery. Not having heard about the bank
business, he did not suspect Rex--he was such a gentlemanly young
man--but having had his eye for some time upon Rex's partner, who was
vulgar, and squinted, he sent for him. Rex's partner stoutly denied the
accusation, and old Baffaty, who was a man of merciful tendencies, and
could well afford to lose fifty pounds, gave him until the next
morning to confess, and state where the goods had gone, hinting at the
persuasive powers of a constable at the end of that time. The shopman,
with tears in his eyes, came in a hurry to Rex, and informed him that
all was lost. He did not want to confess, because he must implicate
his friend Rex, but if he did not confess he would be given in charge.
Flight was impossible, for neither had money. In this dilemma John Rex
remembered Blicks's compliment, and burned to deserve it. If he must
retreat, he would lay waste the enemy's country. His exodus should
be like that of the Israelites--he would spoil the Egyptians. The
shop-walker was allowed half an hour in the middle of the day for lunch.
John Rex took advantage of t