Louise Reignier: the Communion of Crime and Criminals. A true story

Preface

' I book is a truthful reproduction of the author's life. The people who figure in the story are personally known to him, and the incidents occurred as they will be found detailed in the various chapters. In short, it is a novel founded upon absolute and reliable facts. Without descending to egotism, the author claims a certain acquaintanceship with all classes of society, good, bad, and indifferent, possessed by very few writers. His days and nights have been spent with them. He has encountered them in strange, ungodly places, foul and blasphemous — the jail, the workhouse, and the scaffold. The distressing scenes he has related came under his immediate observation ; and the plot and characters, together with the dramatic situa tions, are the result of his own industry, and whatever journalistic ability the public feel disposed to associate with his novel. -No one has subscribed an idea or PREFACE, VIII contributed in the slightest degree to it, so that the author stands or falls upon the issue of his own worldly and literary experience.

He desires to publicly thank the Prison Department of the Home Office for the special privileges by which he has been enabled on so many occasions to visit the jail at Wormwood Scrubbs ; also Captain H. B. Price, R.N., the governor, for his courtesy and kindness. Mr. Justus Hill, the artist, has faithfully depicted the characters and suggestions of the author, who submits this book to the public, taking upon himself all blame in the event of failure. If, however, he is successful, no one but himself will be entitled to whatever praise the readers are inclined to favour him with. sanitary 1895. CONTENTS. CHAP PAGE I. VERNON RENTOUR ...... I II. LOUISE REIGNIER 4 III. THE MADELEINE ...... 7 IV. THE ROGUE'S MARCH. EVIL MEN, EVIL LIVES, EVIL EXAMPLES . . . . . .12 V. FROM PARIS TO LONDON . . . .18 VI.

THE MACER AND LUMBERER . . 25 VII. THE jaguar's den; A GAMBLING CLUB IN THE WEST ........ 33 VIII. RAID ON A " CLUB " . . . . 38 IX. THE MUNICH BURGLARY 46 X. DREAMING OF HOME. A KNAVISH SCHEME IN- TERCEPTED . . . . . -52 XI. THE "BIRDS'" RETREAT. A " CLUB " F01J LADIES AT PROHIBITED HOURS 59 XII LOUISE REIGNIER AND RENTOUR IN DEADLY CONFLICT X CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE XIII. THE FLIGHT TO THE NORTH ... 74 XIV. VERNON RENTOUR'S REVENGE . . . 80 XV. LOUISE LEAVES THE NORTH, AND RENTOUR, WITH FRASER, DEPARTS FOR MONTE CARLO 85 XVI. THE MORGUE ...... 88 XVII. A MURDER .....-• 92 XVIII. ON THE TRAIL OF THE MURDERESS. A FEAR- FUL NIGHT, AND ANOTHER MURDER . 99 XIX. ARREST OF FRASER AND LOUISE REIGNIER !°5 THE TRIAL AT THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE, AND THE GUILLOTINE Ill XX. XXI. AT MARLBOROUGH STREET POLICE COURT 117 XXII.

ATTEMPTED MURDER OF LOUISE REIGNIER 1 21 XXIII SECOND DAY OF THE TRIAL. FIFTEEN YEARS' PENAL SERVITUDE . . . . 1 26 XXIV. DOING TIME AT THE " SCRUBBS." WHAT THE PRISON IS LIKE I47 XXV. THE FEMALE SIDE. " UNLOCKED I 66." " ANY COMPLAINTS ?" 162 XXVI " ELEANOR FRASER'S " REMARKABLE PARENT- AGE 169 XXVII. FROM BAD TO WORSE . . . . -171 XXVIII. THE CONVICT, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE END . . . . 173 XXIX. A WIFE'S DEVOTION ... .176 CONTENTS. XI CHAP. PAGE XXX. THE LAST SCENE OF ALL . . . . 180 XXXI. THE BURIAL ...... 186 XXXII. DEATH OF FLASH JIM . . . 1 88 XXXIII. FLASH JIM'S BURIAL . . . 1 93 XXXIV. THE EX-CONVICTS AGAIN AT "WORK." . I98 THE MURDER IN THE CHURCHYARD XXXV, 204 XXXVI RENTOUR AND LEEMING TRIED FOR MUR- DER : A TERRIBLE CLIMAX . . . 209 XXXVII ELEANOR FRASER COURTS DEATH BENEATH THE THAMES ...... 2l6 XXXVIII FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS AND OLD ASSO CIATIONS . . ■ • ■ .2 THE COMMUNION OF CRIME AND CRIMINALS. A TRUE STORY.

Chapter I. Vernon Rentour

AN accomplished and gentlemanly thief was Vernon Rentour, who not only " worked " England, but travelled the Continent, and was by no manner of means an insignificant personality in the Royal Academy of Scotland Yard and the Rogues' Gallery of New York city. He was handsome, well connected socially, and had been educated at an English university. In the process of time he also graduated in London, and commenced his knowledge of the world and its marvellous curiosities with marked vigour and surprising effect. As a very young man he was an attractive bird of prey. During the opera tion of being " plucked " he learned all the artifices and cunning of the most expert " gentleman " versed in the mysterious ways of living entirely upon the innocence and folly of those who desire to see life and are obliged to pay dearly for the luxury.

His " plumage " soon lost its close relationship with the artistic design and fashion peculiar to well-dressed society. Money gone, and possessed of a disposition as un scrupulous and dishonest as his associates, what more natural than Vernon Rentour should become one of the fraternity ? He had been " rooked " (robbed), and now devoted him self body and soul to the by no means difficult task of "rooking" in return the "jays" (fools), one of whom, the sage tells us, is born every minute in conjunction with a " sharp " to bear him company. The confederacy welcomed Vernon as a great acquisition, and he soon proved equal to all emergencies. Fashionably attired, and courted by such of the feminine sex as love not too well but wisely, Rentour found life one continuous round of pleasure. Like men of his class, he was passionately addicted to gambling, and, much as he knew of the world, no easier prey for punter, banker, croupier or bookmaker ever entered a " club " or traversed a racecourse.

For the first time he " fell," and though the offence was forgery, mitigating circumstances were urged, and six months' imprisonment considered equal to the demands of justice. When he came home he was a vicious, hardened criminal. True, prison life invariably exercises a wholesome influence over certain people; but there are others of whom it can well be said, once a thief always a thief, and Rentour was of this order of being. Unrelenting, wicked without even one good trait in his character, he stood VERNON RENTOUR. 3 confessed a most abandoned ruffian. In goal, by secret means, he formed acquaintances, and actually planned various robberies ; for at a later stage Rentour was not above adding the fine art of burglary to his many qualifica tions, and, if necessary, murder. Yet withal he was a good prisoner, gave the warders no trouble, and performed his work cheerfully as well as expeditiously.

A skilled musician, he was in request as organist. Every day this rascal, who from early manhood never permitted a single religious thought to get mixed up with his nefarious schemes and abominable pursuits, sat in front of the organ and played the most heavenly music. When he struck the first note of the Te Deum the convicts, were moved to song, and their voices made the building echo ; and yet, like several in that dreadful and melancholy con gregation, during the singing of hymns Rentour's brain was busy relative to business outside the gaol. Finally the day came for his entrance into the world, and outside the prison he was met by some of his boon com panions. That day he was supplied with ample funds, and left England the following morning for Paris. At Auteuil and Longchamps races he was lucky, and fate one day made him acquainted — far too well acquainted — with the heroine of this story.

Chapter II. Louise Reignier

IN the summer time one of the pleasures of Louise Reigner's life was a Sunday at St. Cloud. No other companionship but that of her mother would she seek ; and it was during one of these delightful little excursions that Rentour and Reignier met. Vernon was accompanied by a woman called Eleanor Fraser, a procuress and high toned thief, with whom he worked; and, accustomed as they were to beauty in all its varied forms, they could not resist admiring the pretty little milliner. Louise was conscious of their attention, and coyly returned the stead fast gaze which the two adventurers fixed upon the un suspecting girl. Rentour drew Eleanor on one side, and, referring to Louise's attractiveness, asked Fraser if she thought the girl would be of any use in London. "As a decoy," said Fraser, " she would be invaluable."

" Exactly my opinion," added Rentour. " What a charming girl ! An example of refined elegance with a simplicity of manner that would be sure to send the silly noodles of English swelldom, not forgetting even Captain Frost, into the seventh heaven of delight. We must not miss this opportunity, Eleanor," continued Rentour; "it's a prize that does not often fall to our lot." Eleanor acquiesced, and from that moment Louise was marked out for appropriation. She was followed hither and thither, but not offensively, by Rentour, who had of course separated from Eleanor. Louise, bewildered by the courtesy of Rentour, and flattered by his condescension, found great difficulty in restraining herself from his blandishments. Finally Vernon became too intrusive, and Louise's mother warned him off, telling Louise, as she hurried the girl away, to beware of men who prey upon the innocence and virtue of the simple and unworldly.

Still, Rentour had fascinated Louise. At night he was on the platform of the railway station, and travelled to Paris by the same train. He followed Louise and her mother home, and waited the coming of Eleanor Fraser at a cafe in the Rue St. Honore. Eleanor invariably united business with pleasure. When she parted from Rentour, an elderly gentleman (Eleanor Fraser was partial to the company of men advanced in life, and could trifle with their vanity to a wonderful extent), looped on to the bewitching Fraser, who at first pretended to resent his advancements. A little coaxing, however, soon soothed her outraged feelings, and she consented to dine with him. When he became muddled with wine, Fraser was obliged, for the sake of her honour (?) and respectability (?) (so she explained to the waiter, who winked slyly), to leave her companion, and, prevailing upon the garfon to accept a couple of francs, which he did most unwillingly (?), was obsequiously bowed out of the establishment, and hastily took her departure.

Later the elderly gentleman informed the establishment that he had lost his purse and sundry valuables. The waiters, after looking under the tables and raising the curtains, told him that he must be mistaken. No one had been near him but his friend, who was so terrified by his condition that, searing a family exposure, she was com pelled to leave. He explained that she was no friend, but a casual acquaintance. The waiters, with a significant shrug of the shoulders which indicates so very much on the Continent, emitted a particularly long-drawn sigh, and implied by gesture, — " Then you ought to know better at your time of life." Before midnight Eleanor had joined Rentour, and during an explanation of the adventure at St. Cloud, the door on the far side of the cafe opened. Two men walked to a seat, and Rentour recognised them as English detectives.

Vernon was sitting by the side of the door nearest the Madeleine, and rising unconcernedly slipped out accompanied by Eleanor. They immediately separated, and the detectives missed by the merest possible chance a capture that would have been effected in a manner altogether unexpected by the emissaries from Scotland Yard. Eleanor Fraser was " wanted " in England for a robbery that furnished the daily papers with sensational matter. Her temporary home was known to be Paris, but the vixen, with her customary good luck, managed to again escape from the grip of the police.

Chapter III. The Madeleine

RENTOUR'S thoughts were centred round Louise, and he decided to bring himself face to face with her at the earliest possible opportunity. One evening as she was returning from business he met her, as if by chance, on the Boulevard des Capucines. Louise returned his glance with some degree of pleasure, mingled with surprise, and Vernon invited her to the Cafe de la Paix. After a brief stay, they parted, but not before a meeting was arranged for the following evening. Louise unfortunately kept the appointment, and to corrupt the morals of the girl Rentour gave her an insight into life and character as portrayed at the Moulin Rouge. This was naturally a revelation to Louise, who appeared somewhat distracted, but in a sense amused, by the gaiety of the scene and general surroundings. All this time, Rentour was laying the seed for future development, and in turn Louise was entertained at La Scala, the El Dorado, Bouiller, and other halls of " dazzling light and enchantment."

Ultimately Rentour's conduct gave rise to suspicion, and Louise determined to forsake his companionship. She was still a good girl, and oblivious of anything that might turn her pure and virtuous mind into an improper channel. Her religious associations and the knowledge that unless she maintained an inflexible will, as regards the machinations of Rentour, and shunned him as a serpent, she must inevitably fall a prey to him (Louise had commenced to love Rentour), induced her to have recourse to the Fathers of the Church, whose advice was to seek comfort and consolation in prayer. This advice Louise adopted, and oft would she in the busy part of the day spend an hour in the Church of St. Roch, holding solemn communion with her thoughts. Still, by some evil influence the man Rentour would loom up, figuratively speaking, to embarrass her.

It was still summer time — when summer is about on the wane. Louise had been enjoying a promenade in the Champs Elysees, which at this period of the season is seen in all its verdant beauty and earthly grandeur. Crossing the Place de la Concorde, she made her way to the Madeleine and entered the sacred building. It had been a day of rejoicing and grief at the Madeleine. A marriage had been solemnised, and mass for the dead. Whilst the bride and bridegroom with their parents and friends were in front of the altar, and the good priest joined the happy pair in the holy state of matrimony, a coffin, hidden by a splendid pall, and with huge lighted candles round it, stood on a lofty bier in the nave of the church. Both functions took place at precisely the same time— the marriage at a side altar.

Twilight had com menced to envelop the edifice in a beauteous gloaming. The splendour of the stained glass windows was enhanced by the darkening shadows of the dying day, and the marble THE MADELEINE. 9 altar, with its brilliant and magnificent variations of colour, recalled the vivid pictures drawn by divines when they sermonise upon ethereal subjects. The Angelus rang out with startling effect upon the very few present, who might have been on their way through the City of the Dead, so tranquil and peaceful were the surroundings. Later the building was bathed in a blaze of light, and Benediction celebrated ; the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, the O Salutaris Hostia, and Tantum Ergo, were rendered with exquisite effect ; and as the priest, with the acolytes, disappeared, Louise prepared to leave.

On the Boulevard a hand touched her shoulder, and turning round she encountered Rentour. Louise would have fled, but he held her arm, transfixing, so to speak, the girl with a smile and pressing assurance, behind which was hidden the venom and deceit of an unmitigated scoundrel. Louise still loved him. Like many of her sex unacquainted with the wickedness of life, and the miscreants who people the world, Louise proved somewhat weak in her hour of trial, and now Rentour determined, by force if necessary, to abduct her. Flash Jim, an Anglo-Parisian prig of the very first order, was lying in wait to assist if need there be, and as an excuse, Rentour informed Louise that he was about to leave Paris that night and cross to England. She, he felt sure, would not decline to be present at his departure, and with a reply in the affirmative they drove then and there to the Gare du Nord.

Louise was a stylish girl, and lived in the Avenue des Gobelins. Her father was concierge in connection with an establishment near the Faubourg St. Honore, and her mother superintended the cleaning of an ecclesiastical edifice hard by, where Louise worshipped as a most devout Catholic. Early in life Louise was educated at a convent, and her parents hoped that she would, in the process of time, take the veil. With child like simplicity she was, though passionately attached to her religion, very much averse to the desire of her parents, and when at home would laughingly declare in song, to an ac companiment on the piano, that she would never be a nun. The Sisters lovingly dried her eyes when Louise said she hoped she was not a naughty girl, and declared she felt sure she was not good enough to be one of them.

Louise was a great favourite with one of the Sisters, a young English girl educated at Stone in Staffordshire Convent and sub sequently transferred to Belgium, finally completing her training in Paris, where she took the veil, and renounced the world. This holy woman, at the express desire of Louise, spent hours in teaching her the English language, until Louise became quite proficient, and would with a smile remark to Sister Agnes that English mixed with a little French was an improvement upon both. In her less effusive and thoughtful mood, however, she would again and again appeal to Sister Agnes to turn her mind from the veil, an idea which, for reasons perfectly obvious to the Catholic community, was not entertained by her sanctified teachers. In her innocence, Louise believed that her parents could govern her religious destiny, without any appeal to a holier influence.

And so time passed on, until at last _ Louise started the battle of life in real earnest. Her occupation and beauty subjected her to many tempta THE MADELEINE. 11 tions, but they were easily overcome until, in an evil moment, she met Vernon Rentour; and that meeting not only sealed the girl's unhappy fate, but for a very long period blighted her prospects, and cast a gloomy shadow over the family circle.

Chapter IV The Rogues' March

EVIL MEN, EVIL LIVES, EVIL EXAMPLES. THREE tickets were taken for England, and on the platform Rentour made Louise acquainted with a handsome woman, young in years but old in crime. She was dressed in deep mourning, closely veiled, and passed as Rentour's sister. It was Eleanor Fraser. With supreme indifference Vernon informed Louise that his sister was born and lived in Paris, but had paid periodical visits with him to London. She would accompany Rentour to the next station, which was but a few miles distant, and then return to Paris by the first convenient train. Leaving his loving sister to Louise, the first-named, with her roguish allurements, accomplished the rest, and Louise consented to travel as far as the next depot. Love, we are told, is blind, and Louise's affection for Rentour was beginning to lead her wheresoever Vernon directed.

Rentour knew full well the influence Eleanor could exercise over any human being if the bent of her mind lay in that particu lar channel. She was subtle, and when circumstances needed could be refined and amiable ; this, added to other EVIL MEN, EVIL LIVES, EVIL EXAMPLES. 13 accomplishments, exercised an irresistible charm over the most suspicious even of her own sex. Louise was in safe keeping, and Rentour went in search of Flash Jim, who, for reasons explained below, anxiously awaited the arrival of his confederate. The train de luxe was not due out for quite an hour, and on seeing Rentour, Jim hurried to him with good news. He had been shadowing an oldish man rather the worse for drink, who apparently had plenty of "stuff" (money). Rentour was asked if he considered it safe to " to hang him up " (rob him).

" Certainly," replied Rentour. " I'll handle him, and you ' tell the tale. ' " The old man was in the buffet, and Rentour, never being known to waste much time, walked straight up to the bar, ordered a bottle of champagne, and two of the best cigars. Turning to the old gentleman, Vernon asked if he intended crossing the Channel that night, and was smilingly answered in the negative. An invitation to join in a bottle from Rentour was accepted, and the old gentle man returned the compliment. Out of a wallet he paid for the wine with paper money, and in due course was " lumbered " out of the station much affected, and very kindly placed in a cab, with ample instructions to the driver as to the old gentleman's destination, miles from the locality in which he lived. In course of transit to the cab, the old man's " red lot and slang " (gold watch and chain) were taken from him, also the leathern-case, the latter being appropriated by Flash Jim.

Back to the station, Rentour asked Jim to let him see the pocket-case, which, as anticipated, was found to be well stocked. It was at this juncture Jim suggested his "whack" (share), and was struck dumb when Rentour answered with, — " What do you mean ? " Jim laughed, and Rentour held out his hand, saying, " Good-bye." " Surely," said Jim, " you are not going to ' buzz ' me ? Honour among thieves." Rentour told him he did not believe in the sentiment, and intended sticking to the lot. Jim, with an oath, struck at Rentour. The latter retaliated, and then, calling a gendarme, declared that Jim had attempted to rob him. Unfortunately Flash Jim was too well known to the police, and his story that he and Rentour had robbed an old man was ridiculed, more es pecially after scrutinising the gentlemanly appearance and polished mannerisms of Vernon Rentour.

The gendarme pointed at the following notice on the wall : " Prenez garde aux Es-cros et aux Voleurs," and accordingly Jim, vowing vengeance, was rushed out of the terminus. Rentour joined Louise and Fraser. Jim was conveyed to the police station, and the following morning arraigned for trial. He denied the accusation made the previous evening as to the robbery, adding that Rentour owed him money, which he asked for. Failing its recovery he struck Rentour, and a fight ensued. _ He was very sorry for what had occurred, and, in the absence of the prosecutor, re gained his liberty. Flash Jim's services dispensed with, the siren and her devoted brother were last seen seated in a coupe each side of Louise Reignier. A light refreshment (potent EVIL MEN, EVIL LIVES, EVIL EXAMPLES. 15 drug) silenced Louise, and at Amiens she was still under the influence of a powerful sleeping draught.

Soon after passing the famous cathedral city she became conscious, and, peering round, for the moment believed herself in a trance. Rentour and Eleanor pretended to be fast asleep, and after a deal of trouble Louise brought them to their senses. They professed anger at having been foolish enough to sleep, and Rentour, tiding over the apparent difficulty, invited his sister to spend a few days with him in London, where Louise would find Eleanor a true and affectionate protector. Arriving in London, she could immediately acquaint her parents with the unfortunate mishap. All this time Louise was taking in the situation, and at last, with tears in her eyes, boldly accused the precious pair of treachery. They were indignant, and told Louise not to be so childish, and listen to reason. Though very young (bordering upon seventeen) and unacquainted with life beyond the domestic circle, Louise was a bold-spirited girl, and when fraud or trickery ran rampant could be wise and keep her own counsel.

She had proved this in extremely minor details, and, nerving herself for a great effort, decided to humour Rentour and Eleanor as far as Boulogne, and then denounce them. Feigning sleep, she overheard a conversation between Fraser and Rentour, carried on in little above a whisper ; and the gist of the discourse altered her plans. Said Eleanor, — " She will be very troublesome. I am almost sorry we bothered with her. It strikes me she will create a scene at Boulogne, and I have good reasons for avoiding a demonstration there." Rentour reassured Fraser, saying he felt certain the attachment between himself and Louise was strong enough to prevent any exposure, and if danger threatened he would slip some flash notes into Louise's pocket, and then " round " on her to the police. " Understand me," chimed in Eleanor, " I do not intend to be a party to any design over and above what I first intended.

She is to be merely a decoy. If by her own free will she desires to be something more, that is her business, not mine. I like the girl, and, bad as I am, intend to protect her. You know me, Rentour. I am master and mistress over all your undertakings. No one shall harm her ; and if we succeed in reaching home safely, remember Louise is in my care, not yours. I am re sponsible for her, and even amidst all our profligacy the chastity of her womanhood will and must be preserved." A tremor passed over Louise as she listened to the cool and revengeful method suggested by Rentour, but Eleanor's reply strengthened her, and she felt certain that Fraser was her friend. Then she thought how easy it would be to murder her. This was all the more strikingly substantiated by reason of the papers in the same week detailing the news that one of a party returning from a prize fight between Jake Kilrain of America, and an Englishman by name Smith, was murderously assaulted, and his body thrown into Boulogne Harbour, the terrible incident attracting at the time considerable attention in Paris.

The suggested EVIL MEN, EVIL LIVES, EVIL EXAMPLES. 17 danger warned Louise to be extremely careful and bide her time. She had fallen among thieves of the worst possible description, and it would only be by dint of systematic diplomacy that she could ever hope to successfully thwart their wicked designs. And then Louise remembered that she could count upon Eleanor as her friend, and whatever occurred distasteful to the girl's feelings Fraser would be always on the spot acting as her guide and philosopher. Louise thereupon abandoned the idea of a scene at Boulogne, and waited the course of events in London, a city she was anxious to become familiar with, if only for a day. The day lengthened out into a month, the month into years, and Louise's home was still the Babylon of the earth's surface, and not her beloved Paris.

Chapter V. From Paris To London

THE four cardinal virtues, Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance, were now uppermost in Louise's mind, but with two past masters of the art of chicanery and deception such as Rentour and Eleanor, her strong will was severely put to the test. Against the experienced treachery and wiles of which these two precious scoundrels were capable, Louise had, to all appearance, but a very poor chance. Rentour presented to her, in the near future, a picture of serene happiness and pecuniary prosperity. Had she not heard that the streets of London were paved with gold ? By honest industry and the influence which Rentour and Eleanor could bring to bear, no such word as failure was possible, and as Eleanor was mistress of a fashionable drapery emporium in Regent Street, under her supervision and tuition Louise would be able to achieve success in life.

During the recital of this glowing description of her brilliant future, Eleanor Fraser winked significantly at Louise, and shook her head as a contradiction to the lying statement of Rentour. Rentour's promises were tinctured with well-chosen flattery and a note (stolen from the gentleman at the Gare du Nord) for the " old folks at iS FROM PARIS TO LONDON. 19 home." This Rentour believed would have the desired effect. On boarding the steamer, Louise discovered that the note had been stolen. She informed Rentour of its loss, and he chided her upon being stupid enough not to take better care of it, but neglected to acquaint Louise that in reality he was the thief. Eleanor merely smiled, and when Vernon presented Louise with another note (the same he had stolen from her), she was doubly grateful to him.

Knowing that Rentour would sooner or later obtain re-possession of the note, by stealth, Eleanor Fraser anticipated him, and abstracted the money from the pocket of Louise. When Vernon heard of the loss, he was frantic with rage, but was soon silenced by Eleanor, who told him that people in the same line of business must live as well as themselves. It was gone, and he ought to be the last to scream. The audacious daring of Eleanor Fraser was again manifested in the most marked manner on board the steamer, as they were about to disembark at Folkestone. She managed to " swag " a nice "parcel" (sum of money), which was "bunged" (passed) to Rentour in a manner worthy of the most dexterous " gonoph " (thief), and thus Vernon was recom pensed for the loss of his ,£20 note. Ultimately the trio arrived at Charing Cross, by which time Louise was com pletely scared.