“Here we opened the trunk, which we found packed full to bursting, emptied it and buried it so successfully that the police were afterward four weeks in finding it, in spite of accurate indications. That same night we marched, laden with our spoils, to Rheingönnheim, from whence we travelled to K., where in a few hours, thanks to my companion’s admirable business talents, we disposed of all we had to sell at remunerative prices. Drunk with victory, we could not rest satisfied and determined to attempt another _coup de main_. By broad daylight we proceeded to enter the room of a tradesman and rifle it of all its contents. We sold everything we had stolen except one waistcoat. This was the cause of our undoing. My comrade carried the garment in question, being half drunk, to a commissionaire in the open market-place. The police were already on our traces. Two members of the force came round the corner and immediately took us both in charge. We were now imprisoned, previous to being tried, and when subjected to a severe cross-examination, of course took refuge in subterfuge and lies. As we were parted, however, and separately interrogated, we soon made contradictory statements. My companion then decided to make a partial confession, but endeavoured at the same time to incriminate me as the ringleader in the affair. When I realised his infamy, I, on my part, did not hesitate to keep back the truth in regard to him. On December 24, 1873, we were taken, securely hand-cuffed, to the Court of the Assizes in Zweibrücken, where we were condemned to three years’ penal servitude. We entered a petition against this sentence, but it was thrown out. On February 5, 1874, the dark door of the gaol of Kaiserslautern closed upon me with a clanking sound.” CHAPTER VIII SOME REMARKABLE PRISONERS Extracts from the experiences of a Bavarian prison chaplain--Life history of a notorious criminal, Joseph Schenk--Early crimes--Kaiserslautern, “The Crescent Moon” prison--Schenk becomes known as the “Prison King”--Punishment has no effect on him--Frequent escapes--Passes through the prisons of Würzburg, Munich, Bayreuth--Würger, the usurer--Plies his trade when committed to gaol--Anecdotes of his rapacity--The tax collector who becomes his prey--Anna Pfeiffer, a rare example of a female hypocrite--Two recent crimes--The boy murdered in Xanten--A Jewish butcher accused--Trial causes an immense sensation--Gigantic sum stolen from Rothschild’s bank by chief cashier--Eventually arrested in Egypt--The causes of the cashier’s crime.