d not only make use of his own talents to rob
mankind, but utilize those of others also? Crime runs through infinite
grades. He proposed to himself to be at the top; but why should he
despise those good fellows beneath him? His speciality was swindling,
billiard-playing, card-playing, borrowing money, obtaining goods, never
risking more than two or three coups in a year. But others plundered
houses, stole bracelets, watches, diamonds--made as much in a night as
he did in six months--only their occupation was more dangerous. Now came
the question--why more dangerous? Because these men were mere clods,
bold enough and clever enough in their own rude way, but no match
for the law, with its Argus eyes and its Briarean hands. They did the
rougher business well enough; they broke locks, and burst doors, and
"neddied" constables, but in the finer arts of plan, attack, and escape,
they were sadly deficient. Good. These men should be the hands; he would
be the head. He would plan the robberies; they should execute them.

Working through many channels, and never omitting to assist a
fellow-worker when in distress, John Rex, in a few years, and in a most
prosaic business way, became the head of a society of ruffians. Mixing
with fast clerks and unsuspecting middle-class profligates, he found out
particulars of houses ill guarded, and shops insecurely fastened, and
"put up" Blicks's ready ruffians to the more dangerous work. In his
various disguises, and under his many names, he found his way into those
upper circles of "fast" society, where animals turn into birds, where a
wolf becomes a rook, and a lamb a pigeon. Rich spendthrifts who affected
male society asked him to their houses, and Mr. Anthony Croftonbury,
Captain James Craven, and Mr. Lionel Crofton were names remembered,
sometimes with pleasure, oftener with regret, by many a broken man
of fortune. He had one quality which, to a man of his profession,
was invaluable--he was cautious, and master of himself. Having made
a success, wrung commission from Blicks, rooked a gambling ninny like
Lemoine, or secured an assortment of jewellery sent down to his "wife"
in Gloucestershire, he would disappear for a time. He liked comfort, and
revelled in the sense of security and respectability. Thus he had lived
for three years when he met Sarah Purfoy, and thus he proposed to live
for many more. With this woman as a coadjutor, he thought he could defy
the law. She was the net spread to