The following advertisement appeared in several of the London journals
in the year 1832:--'If Owen Lloyd, a native of Wales, and who, it
is believed, resided for many years in London as clerk in a large
mercantile establishment, will forward his present address to X. Y. Z.,
Post-Office, St Martin's-le-Grand, to be left till called for, he will
hear of something greatly to his advantage.'
My attention had been attracted to this notice by its very frequent
appearance in the journal which I was chiefly in the habit of reading,
and, from professional habits of thinking, I had set it down in my own
mind as a _trap_ for some offender against the principles of _meum_
and _tuum_, whose presence in a criminal court was very earnestly
desired. I was confirmed in this conjecture by observing that, in
despair of Owen Lloyd's voluntary disclosure of his retreat, a reward
of fifty guineas, payable by a respectable solicitor of Lothbury, was
ultimately offered to any person who would furnish X. Y. Z. with the
missing man's address. 'An old bird,' I mentally exclaimed on perusing
this paragraph, 'and not to be caught with chaff; that is evident.'
Still more to excite my curiosity, and at the same time bring the
matter within the scope of my own particular functions, I found, on
taking up the 'Police Gazette,' a reward of thirty guineas offered
for the _apprehension_ of Owen Lloyd, whose person and manners were
minutely described. 'The pursuit grows hot,' thought I, throwing down
the paper, and hastening to attend a summons just brought me from the
superintendent; 'and if Owen Lloyd is still within the four seas, his
chance of escape seems but a poor one.'
On waiting on the superintendent, I was directed to put myself in
immediate personal communication with a Mr Smith, the head of an
eminent wholesale house in the City.
'In the City!'
'Yes; but your business with Mr Smith is relative to the extensive
robbery at his West-end residence a week or two ago. The necessary
warrants for the apprehension of the suspected parties have been, I
understand, obtained, and on your return will, together with some
necessary memoranda, be placed in your hands.'
I at once proceeded to my destination, and on my arrival, was
immediately ushered into a dingy backroom, where I was desired to wait
till Mr Smith, who was just then busily engaged, could speak to me.
Casting my eyes over a table, near which the clerk had placed me a
chair, I perceived a newspaper and the 'Police Gazette,' in both of
which the advertisements for the discovery of Owen Lloyd were strongly
underlined. 'Oh, ho,' thought I; 'Mr Smith, then, is the X. Y. Z. who
is so extremely anxious to renew his acquaintance with Mr Owen Lloyd;
and I am the honoured individual selected to bring about the desired
interview. Well, it is in my new vocation--one which can scarcely be
dispensed with, it seems, in this busy, scheming life of ours.'
Mr Smith did not keep me waiting long. He seemed a hard, shrewd,
business man, whose still wiry frame, brisk, active gait and manner,
and clear, decisive eye, indicated--though the snows of more than sixty
winters had passed over his head--a yet vigorous life, of which the
morning and the noon had been spent in the successful pursuit of wealth
and its accompaniment--social consideration and influence.
'You have, I suppose, read the advertisements marked on these papers?'
'I have, and of course conclude that you, sir, are X. Y. Z.'
'Of course conclusions,' rejoined Mr Smith with a quite perceptible
sneer, 'are usually very silly ones: in this instance especially so.
My name, you ought to be aware, is Smith: X. Y. Z., whoever he may
be, I expect in a few minutes. In just seventeen minutes,' added the
exact man of business; 'for I, by letter, appointed him to meet me
here at one o'clock precisely. My motive in seeking an interview with
him, it is proper I should tell you, is the probability that he, like
myself, is a sufferer by Owen Lloyd, and may not therefore object to
defray a fair share of the cost likely to be incurred in unkennelling
the delinquent, and prosecuting him to conviction; or, which would be
far better, he may be in possession of information that will enable us
to obtain completely the clue I already almost grasp. But we must be
cautious: X. Y. Z. _may_ be a relative or friend of Lloyd's, and in
that case, to possess him of our plans would answer no purpose but to
afford him an opportunity of baffling them. Thus much premised, I had
better at once proceed to read over to you a few particulars I have
jotted down, which, you will perceive, throw light and colour over the
suspicions I have been within these few days compelled to entertain.
You are doubtless acquainted with the full particulars of the robbery
at my residence, Brook Street, last Thursday fortnight?'
'Yes; especially the report of the officers, that the crime must have
been committed by persons familiar with the premises and the general
habits of the family.'
'Precisely. Now, have you your memorandum-book ready?'
'Quite so.'
'You had better write with ink,' said Mr Smith, pushing an inkstand and
pens towards me. 'Important memoranda should never, where there is a
possibility of avoiding it, be written in pencil. Friction, thumbing,
use of any kind, often partially obliterates them, creating endless
confusion and mistakes. Are you ready?'
'Perfectly.'
'Owen Lloyd, a native of Wales, and, it was understood, descended
from a highly-respectable family there. About five feet eight; but I
need not describe his person over again. Many years with us, first as
junior, then as head clerk; during which his conduct, as regards the
firm, was exemplary. A man of yielding, irresolute mind--if indeed
a person can be said to really possess a mind at all who is always
changing it for some other person's--incapable of saying "No" to
embarrassing, impoverishing requests--one, in short, Mr Waters, of that
numerous class of individuals whom fools say are nobody's enemies but
their own, as if that were possible'----
'I understand; but I really do not see how this bears upon'----
'The mission you are directed to undertake? I think it does, as you
will presently see. Three years ago, Owen Lloyd having involved
himself, in consequence of the serious defect of character I have
indicated, in large liabilities for pretended friends, left our
employment; and to avoid a jail, fled, no one could discover whither.
Edward Jones, also a native of the principality, whose description, as
well as that of his wife, you will receive from the superintendent, was
discharged about seven years since from our service for misconduct,
and went, we understood, to America. He always appeared to possess
great influence over the mind of his considerably younger countryman
Lloyd. Jones and his wife were seen three evenings since by one of
our clerks near Temple Bar. I am of opinion, Mr Waters,' continued Mr
Smith, removing his spectacles, and closing the note-book, from which
he had been reading, 'that it is only the first step in crime, or
criminal imprudence, which feeble-minded men especially long hesitate
or boggle at; and I now more than suspect that, pressed by poverty, and
very possibly yielding to the persuasions and example of Jones--who, by
the way, was as well acquainted with the premises in Brook Street as
his fellow-clerk--the once honest, ductile Owen Lloyd, is now a common
thief and burglar.'
'Indeed!'
'Yes. A more minute search led to the discovery, the day before
yesterday, of a pocket-book behind some book-shelves in the library.
As no property had been taken from that room--though the lock of a
large iron chest, containing coins and medals, had been evidently
tampered with--the search there was not at first very rigorous. That
pocket-book--here it is--belonged, I know, to Owen Lloyd when in our
service. See, here are his initials stamped on the cover.'
'Might he not have inadvertently left it there when with you?'
'You will scarcely think so after reading the date of the five-pound
note of the Hampshire County Bank, which you will find within the inner
lining.'
'The date is 1831.'
'Exactly. I have also strong reason for believing that Owen Lloyd is
now, or has been lately, residing in some part of Hampshire.'
'That is important.'
'This letter,' continued Mr Smith; and then pausing for a brief space
in some embarrassment, he added--'The commissioner informed me, Mr
Waters, that you were a person upon whose good sense and _discretion_,
as well as sagacity and courage, every confidence might be placed. I
therefore feel less difficulty than I otherwise should in admitting you
a little behind the family screen, and entering with you upon matters
one would not willingly have bruited in the public ear.'