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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 36, 21 May 1881, Page 384

Every thing points to the burglary having lieen coinniittcd by someone thoroughly "well acquainted, not only with the ins and outs of of the office, but with the habits of the editor. This worthy usually goes to dinner at half-past five and returns at a quarter to seven, remaining in the olh'co till about Sor 5.30 j>.m. He then travels as far as Shorlt's to get shaved and, before going home, looks in at the Thistle to see if there is any betting going on or any sporting gossip to be picked up. On this even ing-, as it happened, lie reversed the usual order of things, going to Shortt's directly after dinner and then to the Thistle. At the latter place he stayed talking to Mick till about S. 30, < and our opinion is that the burglar, seeing him there presumed he had left the office for the night, and went to Shortland-street, expecting to have a fair Held and plenty of time. In this the poor fellow was disappointed, for our literary friend turned up at half-past eight, just as he had forced the cash box. This obliged Mr. Burglar to decamp hurriedly the back way, leaving the petty cash untouched, and missing some gold in the centre partition of the big box. We need scarcely point out that supposing the front door to have been left unlatched, and the cash drawer unlocked, so that a casual tramp coiild have entered and helped himself, he ■would never have dared to wait and inspect the boxes on the spot, nor would he known which to rille first. Such a thief would, too, have returned as he came instead of braving the unknown dangers of the back way with the steep descent into Fort-street. No; it is clear the burglar was quite familar "with the premises. He knew, or thought he knew, there was no chance of being disturbed that night, he knew where to lay his hand on the chisel, he knew how to slip out the back way, and he knew it was possible to get over the paling and slide down into Fort-street.