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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 intro-
duced him to a purchaser. The purchaser violated all rules
of romance by being—not a Jew, but a very orthodox Chris-
tian. 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 suc-
cess, 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 con-
stable 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

0 For the Term of His Natural Life