But,
I say, Jacky," he interrupted himself to say sagely, "I wouldn't be
seen with 'im too often if I was you. He _does_ have to make some
very sudden escapes sometimes, unexpected like, and I doubt if you can
dodge as well as he can. If that feller was to give up lifting pocket-
books, he could be the grandest lawyer in ten states. Wot he don't
know about the law nobody else does. Experience is a wonderful
teacher. He comes by 'is name rightly, he does,--Artful Dick. I've
larfed myself sick many a time listening to 'ow he lifted things. Once
he actually took a feller's pocket-book out of 'is inside westcut
pocket, removed the bills, signed a little receipt for 'em, and then
returned the leather to the gent's westcut. Later on he 'eard the chap
was going to use the money to pay off a morgidge and that he 'ad a
sick wife. Wot did Dick do but 'unt him up again and put the money
back, removing the receipt and substituting a fifty-dollar bill be'd
filched from a wise guy in a bank, all wrapped up in a little note
telling the chap to give it to 'is wife with the compliments of Old
Nick. I've larfed myself to sleep wondering wot the feller thought
when he found the note!" "I've never seen any one just like him.
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