With Three Hands.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 70

With Three Hands.

That the alert and up-to-date pickpocket turns every fashion in clothing to account is a fact long well known. The caped coat, in particular, aids him in concealing his arms, and here we see how this enterprising individual works with a light overcoat, the "pockets" of which are merely upright slits. The three central' figures in the group are, of course, the ones actually concerned. The gentleman in the tall hat is the victim ; the one with the long moustache the operator. The left hand and arm of the

latter are false, the real limb being concealed within the loose coat, through the slit in which, in the , manner shown, the light-fin-gered one searches the jacket pocket of his neighbour, "covered" by the confederate on whose head is a "knock-in" hat.' Where possible, it is said to be safer to work with the left hand than with the right. "(Somehow, people standing on your left fide are less suspicious of being tampered with," says a pickpocket of some experience.