JACK IN THE BOX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 664, 9 July 1870, Page 3

JACK IN THE BOX.

(From CasseWs Magazine.') " Jack in the Box " was one of the most enterprising professional thieves.' His chief residence was in the capital, but he had offices for his business in many other towns. His system was this. He had a box so constructed that he could lie down in it with ease, and rely upon always baling fresh a*r; it could also contain provisions, tools, false keys, a lantern, &c, and the real mode of opening was from the inside. Jack, having caused himself to be buried alive in this coffin, would get it booked, say from Chester to Euston square by a goods train, and carefully labelled, " This side up; to be kept till called for." The box was always put in a train that arrived at the station at night, and was accordingly stored till called for the following day. It was in this interval that the robberies were committed. When the; whole station was shut up, the porters dismissed, and the place in , darkness, Jack emerged from his box, lit his lantern, and set to work. He got out his tools, and his keys, and took his time, for he had plenty! of time to take. We all know what an insecure thing the lock of a tidnk is, and how nearly all keys are made on the same! pattern* They did not afford much trouble to the robber; he opened box after box, unpacking them with great care and tidiness — for long practice had made him perfect— and selecting as keepsakes the articles that were 1 most valuable, most portable, and most easily disposed of. With these gleanings he filled the box in which he had himself come up to town, and then lay in concealment till the morning. The stores would then be open, porters would come in to remove goods, and tfack would choose his own time to effect bis escape. Later in the day he would call for a box that had arrived from Chester by the last goods train of the preceding night, and was directed to be called for; be would take it away with him in a conveyance, having first paid all the railway charges upon it. But the day came when this little " coup" was made for the last time, and it was a policeman, and not bis ! box, that Jack found waiting for him on application.