THE HARDENED OFFENDER

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 20

THE HARDENED OFFENDER

A CRIMINOLOGIST'S STUDY As an amateur criminologist, with no intention of playing the part or moralist or rescuer, Mr Arthur L, Gardner made the acquaintance of several criminals who were experts in their particular fields. In order better to observe their habits and manners he gave them the hospitality of his rooms, and when he obtained their confidence he found them ready to discuss professional matters with him with perfect freedom. In the 4 Nineteenth Century ’ Mr Gardner gives an amusing account of some of his guests in an article on 4 The Habits of Hardened Offenders.’ He made a point of studying only those whose many proved offences indicated that they had adopted crime as a means of livelihood. His first portrait is that of a young man who had “ graduated very creditably as a 4 cat-burglar.’” He was the soul of honour and a delightful companion. 44 On one occasion, being a little apprehensive lest my flat might be burgled during my absence abroad for a fortnight, 1 asked him to occupy it for me and safeguard it during that time, and I never felt more sure of the integrity of my caretaker than 1 did m his case.” He bad received a good education, and there had been no pressure of circumstances to determine his choice of artistic expression. His first exploit was the abduction, not of an heiress, but of her handbag on a Continental railway train. He was astounded by the ease with which the feat was performed, and in the moment of success it occurred to him how easy it would bo to earn a living m such an agreeable fashion. When he brought off a lucrative coup lie retired into private life usually in the country, where he indulged in reading and water-colour painting, which was his bobby. Occasionally he would behave us a normal citizen and obtain employment, but only in places where he could ascertain the most convenient method of transferring a substantial part of his employer’s money to himself. . . There was enough of the spirit of adventure alive in this 44 cat-burglar ” to enable him fully to appreciate the “ sporting ” side of his profession. 44 He said that in his opinion there could be few things on earth more wonderful than the first few minutes after cieeping into a room in a house he had decided to explore; the dead silence of the darkened room, punctuated by the ticking of a clock and the corresponding beats of one’s own heart; every sense wide awake, every nerve alert; the yet greater thrill did the room prove to be a bedroom, and the sounds to include the breathing of a sleeping person. Slowly to approach the be a with cat-like tread, slowly to extend the hand to the pillow, slowly—very slowly—to withdraw watch or purse, and slowly to retreat—such a series of movements seemed to my friend to be an earthly anticipation of anything that the Christian’s paradise or the Buddhist’s nirvana could ever hold in store for the believer. Of the ethical aspect of his work he held that if a man chose to defy all the police, the law, and the safeguards against him select a house in London enter it, search it, rille it. and divinely leave it, then —all things considered—like other members of a professedly Christian community, ho deserved his reward.” Mr Gardner’s next guest was a confidence trickster, who abode with him for three weeks. He was a splendid specimen of humanity, with the manner and bearing of a guardsman. The three weeks of his stay were the nost momentous and exciting that Mr Gardner ever underwent. Despite his charm of manner the guest was incorrigible. He was always on duty, no consideration ot hospitality militated against his swindling his host at every opportunity Even though Mr Gardner knew the man’s long record as a criminal ne succeeded in imposing on his benefactor by tales, invented on the spur of the moment, which rang with truth, it was absolutely impossible to tell whether he was speaking truth or falsehood. 'Vhen his swindles were exposed, instead ot expressing shame or contrition he laughed and taunted his victim with being a fool. He took Mr Gardner s clothing from his wardrobe, and pawned any portable article of value on winch he could lay his hands. Finally, before his host’s eyas and with threats of violence, he gathered up as much property as he could carry and took himself off. On one occasion this genius persuaded Mr Gardner to provide ium with means of visiting his childhood s home. He returned in a day or two with a bag bulging with loot, which he had “’acquired ” at a Brighton 1 otei. Aftei iris last exploit he might easdy nav* 1 been captured and but his tolerent host, having given lira refuge with his eyes open to his character. decided to write his losses down to experience.