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successful life。
But drink and cards failed with the Deacon； and at the Vintner's of his
frequentation he encountered accomplices proper for his schemes。 Never
was so outrageous a protest offered against domesticity。 Yet Brodie's
resolution was romantic after its fashion； and was far more respectable
than the blackguardism of the French Revolution； which distracted
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housewifely discontent a year after the Deacon swung。 Moreover； it gave
occasion for his dandyism and his love of display。 If in one incarnation
he was the complete gentleman； in another he dressed the part of the
perfect scoundrel； and the list of his costumes would have filled one of his
own ledgers。
But； when once the possibility of housebreaking was taken from him；
he returned to his familiar dignity。 Being questioned by the Procurator
Fiscal； he shrugged his shoulders； regretting that other affairs demanded
his attention。 As who should say： it is unpardonable to disturb the
meditations of a gentleman。 He made a will bequeathing his knowledge
of law to the magistrates of Edinburgh； his dexterity in cards and dice to
Hamilton the chimney…sweeper； and all his bad qualities to his good
friends and old companions； Brown and Ainslie； not doubting； however；
that their own will secure them ‘a rope at last。' In prison it was his worst
complaint that； though the nails of his toes and fingers were not quite so
long as Nebuchadnezzar's； they were long enough for a mandarin； and
much longer than he found convenient。 Thus he preserved an untroubled
demeanour until the day of his death。 Always polite； and even joyous； he
met the smallest indulgence with enthusiasm。 When Smith complained
that a respite of six weeks was of small account； Brodie exclaimed；
‘George； what would you and I give for six weeks longer？ Six weeks
would be an age to us。'
The day of execution was the day of his supreme triumph。 As some
men are artists in their lives； so the Deacon was an artist in his death。
Nothing became him so well as his manner of leaving the world。 There
is never a blot upon this exquisite performance。 It is superb； impeccable！
Again his dandyism supported him； and he played the part of a dying man
in a full suit of black； his hair； as always； dressed and powdered。 The day
before he had been jovial and sparkling。 He had chanted all his flash
songs； and cracked the jokes of a man of fashion。 But he set out for the
gallows with a firm step and a rigorous demeanour。 He offered a prayer
of his own composing； and ‘O Lord；' he said； ‘I lament that I know so little
of Thee。' The patronage and the confession are alike characteristic。 As
he drew near the scaffold； the model of which he had given to his native
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city a few years since； he stepped with an agile briskness； he examined the
halter； destined for his neck； with an impartial curiosity。
His last pleasantry was uttered as he ascended the table。 ‘George；' he
muttered； ‘you are first in hand；' and thereafter he took farewell of his
friends。 Only one word of petulance escaped his lips： when the halters
were found too short； his contempt for slovenly workmanship urged him
to protest； and to demand a punishment for the executioner。 Again
ascending the table； he assured himself against further mishap by
arranging the rope with his own hands。 Thus he was turned off in a
brilliant assembly。 The Provost and Magistrates； in respect for his
dandyism； were resplendent in their robes of office； and though the crowd
of spectators rivalled that which paid a tardy honour to Jonathan Wild； no
one was hurt save the customary policeman。 Such was the dignified end
of a ‘double life。' And the duplicity is the stranger； because the real
Deacon was not Brodie the Cracksman； but Brodie the Gentleman。 So
lightly did he esteem life that he tossed it from him in a careless impulse。
So little did he fear death that； ‘What is hanging？' he asked。 ‘A leap in
the dark。'
II CHARLES PEACE
CHARLES PEACE； after the habit of his kind； was born of
scrupulously honest parents。 The son of a religious file…maker； he owed
to his father not only his singular piety but his love of edged tools。 As he
never encountered an iron bar whose scission baffled him； so there never
was a fire…eating Methodist to whose ministrations he would not turn a
repentant ear。 After a handy portico and a rich booty he loved nothing so
well as a soul… stirring discourse。 Not even his precious fiddle occupied a
larger space in his heart than that devotion which the ignorant have termed
hypocrisy。 Wherefore his career was no less suitable to his ambition than
his inglorious end。 For he lived the king of housebreakers； and he died a
warning to all evildoers； with a prayer of intercession trembling upon his
lips。
The hero's boyhood is wrapped in obscurity。 It is certain that no
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glittering precocity brought disappointment to his maturer years； and he
was already nineteen when he achieved his first imprisonment。 Even
then 'twas a sorry offence； which merited no more than a month； so that he
returned to freedom and his fiddle with his character unbesmirched。
Serious as ever in pious exercises； he gained a scanty living as strolling
musician。 There was never a tavern in Sheffield where the twang of his
violin was unheard； and the skill wherewith he extorted music from a
single string earned him the style and title of the modern Paganini。 But
such an employ was too mean for his pride； and he soon got to work
againthis time with a better success。 The mansions of Sheffield were
his early prey； and a rich plunder rewarded his intrepidity。 The design
was as masterly as its accomplishment。 The grand style is already
discernible。 The houses were broken in quietude and good order。 None
saw the opened window； none heard the step upon the stair； in truth； the
victim's loss was his first intelligence。
But when the booty was in the robber's own safe keeping； the
empiricism of his method was revealed。 As yet he knew no secret and
efficient fence to shield him from detection； as yet he had not learnt that
the complete burglar works alone。 This time he knew two accomplices
women both； and one his own sister！ A paltry pair of boots was the clue
of discovery； and a goodly stretch was the proper reward of a clumsy
indiscretion。 So for twenty years he wavered between the crowbar and
the prison house； now perfecting a brilliant scheme； now captured through
recklessness or drink。 Once when a mi