BROTHERS IN GRIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10014, 28 December 1895, Page 2 (Supplement)

BROTHERS IN GRIME.

SENSATIONAL STORY of two adventurers.

A startling story of adventure—perhaps oneshould say of adventurers—lies behind a case which was tried at the London Central Criminal Court tho other day, when Charlos Michael Gordon, thirty, secretary, and Richard Gordon, twenty-three, were convicted of obtaining goods by false pretences. Prisoners, who were ticket-of-leave mon, appeared to have got into respectable lodgings in Sloano-stroet. .Che elder prisoner passed as Captain Biddulph, of tho Royal Artillery, and the other prisoner represented himself to be a student). They called upon various tradesmen, and from them obtained goods of the most varied description. They also defrauded their landlady. Detective-sergeants Edwards and Miicguire described prisoners as a couple of adventurers, and said that they wore no sooner released from one sentence than they recommenced their systematic swindling. They committed frauds whereever they went. Tlio Common Serjeant said that prisoners were evidently habitual criminals, an sentenced them to terms of penal servitude amounting to eight years in the case of each prisoner.

A SENSATIONAL DARKER. Prolific as tho Old Bailey is in all sorts and conditions of criminal?, it is seldom that such ti pair of wnsumnwlo swiiullm ni-o found in the dock th.ire as Clhuloi Michael Gordon and Kiolwrd Gordon. Tho " Riotheis Gordon"—to use the description by which they are best known to the police in town and country—aro regarded by tho police as two of the clevorosfc scoundrels that have over passed through their hands, and tho facts concerning them, gleaned, as they have been, from authoritative source*, fully justify that expression of opinion. To begin with, they aro not brothers, and tho only relation they boar to each other is the close fellowship in a career of crime. Thoy aro liue-iooking men, well educate l. glib of tongue, and not wanting in the polish which distinguishes tho man about town, Charles, especially, is Iho possessor of a good presence, and

AN EASY MILITARY SWAOGIiK, which lie has assiduously cultivated for yours past (ho has never served in tho Army), in order that ho might mora successfully poso as "Captain Biddulph, U.A.," "C.iptain Forbes, H.E.," "Captain Gordon, Aihetianini Club," "Captain Edward Herbert Colin C.unpboll, Army and Navy Club," or as any other ollicer whoso name and status ho a>sumod lor the time being. HicliarJ Gordon win always the oaptJiin's "brother," and frequently lie " Honourable W. A. Cordon, and the " Honourable A. W. Biddulph.'' To como to particulars, tho brace of worthies came out, of prison only a few weeks ago on ticket-of-loavc. Tho ollicials, knowing their men, allowed some days to elapse between their respective releases, but this, of course, did not prevent the pair coming quickly together, and bringing to fruition the scheme which it is believed they managed in concoct while in Dartmoor Convict establishment. Heboid them, therefore, driving up one morning in September to a fashionable lodging in Sloaoe-street, and presenting the cards of Captain Bidiulph, R.A., Portsmouth and Atliena'um Club, and the Hon. A. W. lit 1.1 nlph. The captain was "not on active service," and required a suite of rooms for about five months,

Tt:r.MS (IF .NO IMI'OIITANCIt, as long as comfort and a good tablo wero ensured. The prop,dolors fell an oasy victim to the plausible, smartly-groomed visitors, and they wore soon etwonred in the most luxurious apartment* which the house could boast of. Then tho real business began. Orders, sometimes by carriage, sometimes by special mt-sengor, but always preceded by Captain Biddulph's card and fictitious references, camo among tho unsuspecting tradesmen, "thick as leaves in Valiumbrosa," and surely enough the goods poured in. Wino merchant;, florists, tailors, hosiers, fishmongers were all laid under tribute, and seemed only too (Inhered by tho custom. I'ommery and Cretin, for instance, Was tlio favourite brand of chainpagno, and Captain iiiddulph's weakness was for the '84 vintage. In le 3 s than a week their bill for " ton-holes" alone was £| 1 (js. and, when ordering the cosily brocaded dressing-gown referred to in the repot ts of the, case, the captain was careful to havo it embellished with HIS RKOIMKNTAI, COI.OCIW. At the week's end I hoy disappeared, and their noxt nppoaranco was at Eastbourne, where "Captain'' Cordon became a familiar figure on tho espl.uiado. Of course, ho and Ills brother stayed in ono of the principal houses in the town, and duped many others besides the two ladies who had received thorn as boarders. Then back to London, and, as it. tunic 1 out, to gaol. As soon as .Scotland Yard discovered that Charles Cordon had not left England —he had reported that ho was going to Paris-two exceptionally cute officers, Sergeants Edward* and Miii/uira, wero told off to track them down, and before long tho quarry were run down in another superior lodginghouse near Buckingham Palace Koad. Tr.o men wore regaling themselves at one of their ciegant repasts when tho ollicers entered the room. " What do you mean by this tinwarra itable intrusion," exclaimed too captain, with well-feigned indignation. "I will instruct my solicitors to proceed against you." Finding that tho game was up Cordon invited tho detective to dine with them, or at least to "tiko a glass of I'onimery." As they wero being removed in a cab Cliarlos preserved his oasy demeanour, and with pcrfcct nonchalance remarked to tho astounded landlady that tho presenco of himself and brother was roquirod at a certain oflico over a little matter of business.

A NOT It lilt CHAI'TKII in Charlos Gordon's life is worth narrating. Some years ago lie married a lady of considerable moans, but sho obtained a divorce from him. lie had robbed the woman with whom lionliscondiiclod himself of a diamond ring, and i'ho met him ono day in the Wost End, accused him of the theft, and threatened "a scene." ft was a dosporato situation, for Gordon was "wanted." But his characteristic resource did not forsake him. Ho called a constable, to whom lie presented the card of Captain Forbes, R.E., and actually gave the woman into custody for "stealing his watch." The poor creature protested at tho station, but all in vain. Tho watch was not found. Rut what of that ? Tho card worked wonders, and tho captain was bowed out of the door, while tho femnlo was removed to tho colls. She was duly brought, up next morning at the polinocourt, but "Captain Forbes" had pruuontly vanished in l.lio inomtiino. Richard Gordon's real name is Williams, and his father is a respectable tradesman in North-west London. Richard's first conviction was in IBSS{), when he was still in his teens. lie was tit that time handed ovor to Mr. Wheat ley for reformation, but he decamped from the St. Giles' Mission, and soon blossomed into a swell mobsman, frequonting the Sjutli Coast, wateringplaces. It was a noticeable circumstnnco that before being sontencod each tried resolutely to screen the othor, which shows that there is, after all, a kind of "rough honour" among thioves.