|
|
Article: School for scoundrels.
- Article from:
- Daily Mail (London)
- Article date:
- April 24, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Byline: DAVID LEAFE
BY THE light of a flickering candle, in a room caked black with dirt, a group of little urchin boys waited fearfully in line. Dirty and emaciated, these ragged creatures edged towards a shabby brown coat which hung from a rope strung across the room. Brightly coloured handkerchiefs were stuffed into its pockets and tiny bells sewn on to its lapels.
As each grubby child neared the coat, they were scrutinised by Ikey Solomons, a greasy and sinister old man who was the most notorious trainer of young pickpockets in 19thcentury London. If they sneaked a hanky out of the coat pockets without tinkling the bells, they could join the boys in ...