And yet the doings of this remarkable criminal form the subject-matter of the most dramatic narratives of the newspapers and criminal records of the past twenty years.

It had been reported that he was dead, and thus had eluded the police as he had eluded them throughout the whole of his career.
Ballmeyer was the best specimen of the high-class "gentleman swindler." He was adept at sleight of hand tricks, and no bolder or more ruthless crook ever lived.

He was received in the best society, and was a member of some of the most exclusive clubs.

On many of his depredatory expeditions he had not hesitated to use the knife and the mutton-bone.
No difficulty stopped him and no "operation" was too dangerous.

He had been caught, but escaped on the very morning of his trial, by throwing pepper into the eyes of the guards who were conducting him to Court.