Page:Life of Richard Turpin (1).pdf/13

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of his money was hid. They then proceeded to make a farther search; and Gregory, who acted as chief in this affair, swore to the maid, that if she would tell or show him where the money was hid, he would give her something charming fine to wear; to which she replied, she could not inform him of any. This did not in the least satisfy him, for he forced her up stairs, where he acted in great violence, and, after bolting the door, swore he would shoot her, if she offered to cry out, telling her it would be better for her master’s family, if she did so; or he would go to her master’s son’s house, the next adjoining, and strip it of every thing; for he said he knew the master was from home. Not being able to get any thing out of h er, he tied her fast to the bed-posts, and left her; not forgeting to threaten her with his immediate return, if she made the least disturbance,

He then returned to the boy, and enquired whether his master’s son would return that night; and being informed he would, he said that he also would go there, and see the house. Upon this, two of them took the boy out to the place; but, on further consideration, they did not attempt any thing there that night. Upon their return, thoy rummaged every thing i then house; In a chest which belonged to Mr. Lawrence’s youngest son, they turned out £20l. and packed up the linen, and withdrew, threatening to return again in half an hour, and kill every one they should find loose. So saying, they locked them all in the parlour, took the keys of the back and front door and threw them down the privy, which was in the area.

Some of the goods were lost by the way; for they were in such haste to get off, that they looked back for nothing; and some were afterwards found in Field Lane, and others in Chice Lane and Safforn Hill, where the gang mostly resided, and where