“The stealthy beggars have got their eyes upon me,” murmured our hero, “and I must act with caution, or I shall be ‘copped’ as safe as houses.”
To “work” at Sheffield, as he termed it, or in other words to commit robberies in that town, was not to be thought of; he, therefore, paid occasional visits to other towns, and on many occasions he went about disguised as a navvy, pretending to be looking for work, but he was really “spotting” the houses he meant to attack.
He broke into a clothes warehouse at Bradford, and was detected in the act, and, to cover his escape, he fired “wide” at a policeman and the watchman.
This adventure put an end to his depredations in that town for some considerable period, for he was, naturally enough, afraid to pursue his favourite calling after the narrow escape he had had.
He therefore changed the scene of action, and betook himself to Leeds, where he remained for three weeks, during which period he forwarded remittances to his wife at Sheffield.
While at Leeds, he met with an adventure, which caused him some anxiety, for it was only by a miracle that he escaped discovery.
He entered a house on the outskirts of the town just as it was getting dusk.
He proceeded at once to the front floor of the establishment, and possessed himself of several articles of value.
As he was engaged in transferring them to his bag, he heard footsteps on the stairs. Quick as lightning he flew out of the room, and managed to reach the next story without attracting the notice of any of the occupants.
The room in which he now found himself was an elegantly furnished sleeping apartment. He stood breathless, listening to the movements of those below.