Unidentified photographer / artist
1888, 16 June
Movements of Mr William Sikes

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Published in "Punch", Vol.XCIV, June 16, 1888, p.286.
 
MOVEMENTS OF MR. WILLIAM SIKES.
From the Cracksman's Circular.
 
Mr. William Sikes arrived in London this morning by the 10 A.m. train from Portland, having murdered a warder or two and left early. There were a number of friends to meet him. After making them a short speech, he adjourned with a select few to the Burglar's Arms Hotel, where a recherche dejeuner was served. He left in a private Hansom for the residence of a friend en route for Paris. During his short stay Mr. William Sikes visited the houses of several wealthy merchants in the suburbs, and removed a considerable amount of superfluous silver, gold, and valuable jewellery. The lot will be sold in a few days' time at Melter Moss's Lost Property Auction, of which due notice will be given in this journal and in the Police Gazette.
 
At the request of his admirers, Mr. William sat for his photograph. One specimen copy he subsequently sent by Special Messenger, as a present, to Sir Charles Warben, and another he left personally on the Chief of the Police Intelligence Department, Whitehall. Mr. W. Sikes conversed pleasantly for several minutes with some of the chief constables on duty, and bidding them farewell, drove back to the house of the friend with whom he was staying.
 
In the evening of next day the first burglary of the season (in this neighbourhood) took place at the house of Mr. Snobbington, whose gold plate was left out on the side-board on the occasion of the reception given by Mrs. Snobbington to the Half-Crown Prince of Saxe-hapense. Mr. William Sikes, who is a great collector of old jewellery and gold and silver plate, was naturally attracted by the display, and was not contented until he had become the happy possessor of some of the most splendid pieces in the set.
 
Friday. A. man said to be uncommonly like Mr. William Sikes has been arrested, and is now in the custody of the police. The proceedings are necessarily secret.
 
Saturday. Another man more like Mr. William Sikes than the other has been arrested. The other one has been cautioned and discharged. He promised not to look so like W. Sikes again, and thanked the police for the care they had taken of him.
 
Sunday. The man arrested yesterday has been discharged. On being confronted with the photograph it was ascertained that he wasn't like Mr. Sikes at alL He was immediately dismissed with a caution. A wire from Paris brings the intelligence that Mr. W. Sikes was present at the Grand Prix, when several distinguished French gentlemen, residing in the neighbourhood, lost considerable sums of money. Unfortunately the news arrived too late for any member of the Intelligence Department to avail himself of it.
 
Due notice will be given of Mr. Sikes's return to town.
 
LL/35034