Produced by Chris Curnow and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) THE SHARPER DETECTED AND EXPOSED. BY ROBERT-HOUDIN. "Éclairez les dupes, il n'y aura plus de fripons." MONTESQUIEU. LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY. 1863. LONDON: BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS. PREFACE. Having often been requested by different magistrates, to investigate cases of sharping, I have often been struck, while doing so, with the obstacles and embarrassments which a judge's own honesty must oppose to his elucidation of matters of sharping and cheating at play. How is it possible that he can penetrate the subtile web, with which the sharper surrounds his dupes,--how can he be able to detect the tricks of these rogues,--if he does not understand the manoeuvres of sleight-of-hand? By a singular reversal of the ordinary conditions of justice, the magistrate finds himself most powerless, when the rogue has committed the most daring, and artfully cunning, frauds. A great portion of my life having been devoted to the study of sleight-of-hand, and having, as yet, only made use of my knowledge for the amusement of my fellow-creatures, I felt that the time had arrived, when I ought to give to the public, who had so honoured me with their favour, an unequivocal mark of my gratitude, by consecrating my leisure hours to their service. I have therefore written this work, the moral and end of which may be summed up in this incontestable truth: "Éclairez les dupes, il n'y aura plus de fripons." "Enlighten the dupes, and there will be no more knaves." There is no reason, however, because a fact is incontestable, that it will not be contested; indeed, I am of opinion that it will be, and, as a proof of what I state, I am myself going to offer an objection which might be made on this subject. In disclosing the secrets of sharpers, people will say, Do you not fear to create in the minds of unfortunate gamblers, a wish to try and better their fortunes, by the very means you point out to warn them? I have been guided by an opinion, repeatedly expressed by the editors of newspapers, and the press in general; and, in answer to the objection I have made above, I beg to say, that in the explanations I have given of the tricks of sharpers, though I have said enough to put people on their guard, I have not said enough to teach them how to execute these tricks. If I had not taken this precaution, what would have been the result? It is only one individual, already half perverted, who will avail himself of the knowledge I impart, to learn to cheat, while hundreds of dupes will have been put on their guard. If these revelations serve to awaken vicious ideas in perverted minds, what can be said of the various works on the laws of duelling, in which you can learn how to kill your neighbour according to rule? Is it not to be feared, that the opinions contained in those books may lead to crime? For my part, I have so good an opinion of mankind in general, that I trust the perusal of this work will only tend to their benefit, and prove their safeguard against rogues. Let each person when he sits down to play, strengthened by the hints and instructions I have given him, look with suspicion on all "Greeks" (as these sharpers are sometimes called), and let him recollect to his profit this verse of Virgil: "Timeo _Danaos_ et dona ferentes." CONTENTS. PAGE PREFACE iii AN ANECDOTE BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION. A dangerous professor 1 CHAPTER I. MODERN GREEKS. Origin of the name "Greek"--The first gambling houses--Invention of Roulette--Hunt for dupes--Opening of _tripots_ or low gambling-houses--The Greek described--Different classes of sharpers 15 CHAPTER II. THE GREEK OF FASHIONABLE LIFE. Wonderful acuteness--Refined sleight-of-hand--Delicacy of touch 22 CHAPTER III. THE GREEK OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES. The "_Comtois_" and "_Amazone_"--Tricks and frauds--An heir expectant--Game at Bouillotte--A rich pocket-book--The bill to pay--Dupers duped 26 CHAPTER IV. THE GREEK OF THE TRIPOT. His abject condition--The public-house--Pretended stupidity-- Dupes fleeced--Acting the countryman--Table d'hôte--The pellets--A good farce--Deception--The three cards--The countryman's bet--Clever substitution--English rogues-- Thimble-rig 33 CHAPTER V. A GREEK TAKEN IN THE FACT. The restaurant of the _Veau qui tête_--Subscription ball--The card-room--A lucky player--_Sauter la coupe_--Mystification --The tell-tale hat--We are done 45 CHAPTER VI. THE GAMBLER RAYMOND. His infallible system--His agreeable manners--A Roulette player --Confidences--Revelations--In vein, and out of vein--The maturity of chances--Advice to players--Maxims--Influences --The gambler must be unmoved--Application of the system--A fortunate martingale--Mysterious meeting--Shorn of a beard-- Ruin and misery--The Talisman--Raymond is a Greek--Useful information 54 CHAPTER VII. EDIFYING HISTORY OF A GREEK. Debauchery--Scheme to get money--The usurer Robineau--The bill of exchange--A false friend--Treason--Stay at Clichy-- Initiation of a sharper--Release from prison 71 CHAPTER VIII. SECRET GAMBLING-HOUSES. Greeks both as dupers and duped--Andréas _Tête d'Or_--Secret inquiry--The human ostrich--The Society of Philosophers-- Chaffard the bravo--Exploit of _Tête d'Or_--A Greek thrown out of window--Mystification 80 CHAPTER IX. SECRET GAMBLING-HOUSES--(_continued_). School of cheating--Travelling Greeks--_Le Service_--Formidable manoeuvre--Imperceptible signs--The business of the _Comtois_ --The _coup de retraite_--Abundant harvest--Prodigality and debauch--Fortune takes her reprisal 89 CHAPTER X. THE DOCTOR DUPED. The false capitalist--The rogue is bled--More confederates arrive --A good hand--The fleecing--The doctor bled 99 CHAPTER XI. THE PASTE RING. The amateur of precious stones--What a beautiful diamond!--A sovereign cure--Ah! if I were a rogue--A false paste ring!-- The game is played--The tell-tale stamp investigation--The wanderer by night--The mysterious _tripot_--The sharper caught in a trap--Recriminations--The message--The false commissary of police--The Rue de Jerusalem--Unexpected _dénoûement_ 106 CHAPTER XII. AN INFAMOUS SNARE. A young fool--Envy and covetousness--Aphorisms--Insinuations --Confidences--Influencing the game--Honest men are sometimes rogues--Mushrooms and cheating--The Greek moralist--Example of cheating--Initiation--Maxims and manipulations--Temptation --The Belgian capitalist--The _cartes biseautées_--Easily won --An insolvent gambler--Comedy--The Greek in despair--An infamous snare--Dishonour--Ruin--The faithless trustee-- Separation of the philosophers--A virtuous Greek--Golden hopes --A beard again--A demi-millionaire 124 * * * * * TECHNICAL PART. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. CHAPTER I. THE FALSE CUT. The _saut de coupe_--The _passe-coupe_--The cut above--The large card--The bridge--The bent card 158 CHAPTER II. FILER LA CARTE. To change a card 169 CHAPTER III. The _enlevage_, or abstraction of a card 172 CHAPTER IV. The card replaced 175 CHAPTER V. The glance 176 CHAPTER VI. The substituted pack--The box in the sleeve 177 CHAPTER VII. False shuffles--The arranged shuffle--The partial shuffle--The fan--The dove-tail 183 CHAPTER VIII. DOCTORED CARDS. _Cartes biseautées_--Tinted cards--Sticky or slippery cards-- Slanting cards--Pricked cards--Cards with indented edges-- Wavy cards--Chequered cards--Marked cards 189 CHAPTER IX. The chaplet, or rosary 205 CHAPTER X. The ring for marking 209 CHAPTER XI. The reflecting snuff-box 211 CHAPTER XII. APPLICATION OF THE PRECEDING PRINCIPLES. Arrangement of the pack--_Coups de piquet_--How to repique and capot an adversary--How to repique and capot an adversary, although he has shuffled the cards--Abstraction and substitution of cards--_Coup d'écarté_--_Jeu de règle_--Lansquenet-- Baccarat--Vingt-et-un, &c. &c. 213 CHAPTER XIII. ENTERTAINING TRICKS. In Piquet--Écarté--Baccarat--Impériale--Whist--Bouillotte --Bézigue--&c., &c. 232 CHAPTER XIV. MINOR CHEATS OF MEN OF THE WORLD. Ruses and frauds allowable by custom in society 259 THE SHARPER DETECTED AND EXPOSED. AN ANECDOTE BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION. A DANGEROUS PROFESSOR. Whatever, dear reader, may be the value you attach to the knowledge of the knaveries I am about to reveal to you, you will assuredly never pay so dearly for them as I have. You will easily understand, that the tricks and impostures exposed in this work, are not the inventions of my own brain. I have collected them, one by one, from sharpers, or have been obliged to find them out as best I could. My researches have been both difficult and dangerous. Sharpers do not willingly part with the arts on which they depend for their livelihood; and, moreover, you are driven, by your investigations, into a society which may often expose you to serious personal risk. When I was but a novice in the art of legerdemain, I often went, as I have mentioned in my "Confessions," to the house of a manufacturer of articles used for jugglery, named Père Roujol, hoping to meet there some lover of magic, or professor of the art of legerdemain. The kind Père Roujol had taken a great fancy to me; he knew my passion for what he termed "natural philosophy rendered amusing," and took pleasure in giving me these opportunities of obtaining useful hints on the subject. He spoke to me one day, of a man named Elias Hausheer, whom he had met at a "café." "This man," said he to me, "appears very clever, but from a few words he let fall, it strikes me that he makes more use of his dexterity in winning at play, than for the harmless amusement of the public." Hausheer's character was of little consequence to me; he might be the greatest blackleg in Paris; I only cared to know that he was clever, and I hoped to learn from him a good deal that would be useful. I thanked my old friend for his information, and decided to call on M. Hausheer the following morning about ten o'clock. I was at this time only known as a mechanician, and I feared that my being so, would hardly procure me an introduction to the great man. An idea just then crossed my brain; I had recently invented a little mechanical bird, which sang and hopped about on the top of a snuff-box. I thought that perhaps this work of art, a very valuable one, by-the-bye, would serve my purpose, and I took it with me. Feeling more confidence in the result of my visit, I directed my steps towards the Rue de l'Écu d'Or, where the great man in question resided. I say great man, not in a spirit of irony, but because, in my monomania, my imagination pictured M. Hausheer as having a large fortune, and all other advantages in keeping with his wonderful talents. I did not know the Rue de l'Écu d'Or at all. I was much surprised, on arriving there, at its miserable and poverty-stricken appearance, but without stopping to reflect on this first disenchantment, I walked on until I came to No. 8, which was the address mentioned on the card I held in my hand. A long, straight alley, damp and dirty, served as an entrance to the house. I entered it resolutely. "Does M. Hausheer live here?" I asked, rapping on one of the dingy-looking panes of a sort of glass-box, over which the word "Porter," was written. A man with a grey beard, cut to a peak, like a well-pointed pencil, with a bootjack in one hand, and a boot in the other, opened one of the panes, and with a strong German accent, asked me what I wanted. "M. Hausheer," I replied. "I don't know such a person: there are none but Germans in this house." "Well," replied I, "if I may judge from the name I've just mentioned, the person I want ought to be a German." I presented the card which I held in my hand. The polisher of boots put on his spectacles, and after having read the name of his lodger, said: "Ah! M. Hhhaoushheer," aspirating, with great force, the letter H, as if to give me a lesson in pronouncing the German language. "Yes, yes, he lives on the second floor, at the end of the corridor, to the left." Thus instructed, I mounted the staircase until I reached the second story, proceeding along a dark corridor, at the end of which I discovered a door, at which I rapped. Loud sounds and laughter were heard from within. A woman, whose exact age it would be difficult to guess, so dirty and worn with age were both herself and her dress, opened the door a very little way. Remembering the lesson of my friend with the bootjack below, I asked, "Is M. Hhhaoushheer at home?" "Come in, and go to that door," replied the woman, pointing to a glass-door at the end of the apartment. Notwithstanding a nauseating odour which assailed my nostrils, and the wretched appearance of the whole place, I resolved on following up an adventure which promised some amusement. The noise I had heard, proceeded from half-a-dozen children, more than half naked, and extremely dirty, who were playing and shouting. The room was large, and they had it all to themselves, for there was no furniture in it. Striding over one, and pushing aside another, I opened a glass-door, and found myself in a bedroom. I will not attempt to depict this apartment, but will leave it to the imagination of my readers, who, after the description given of the preceding room, may easily imagine it was far from clean or comfortable. No one was there to receive me. I ventured, however, to utter once more the name of the magician I had come to see. Two curtains, which had once been white, were suddenly drawn aside, and in the centre appeared a gaunt-looking head, covered with a cotton nightcap, yellow from age and long usage. "What do you want, young man?" asked this odd-looking individual, addressing me. "To see M. Hausheer," I replied. "I am M. Hausheer"--and my interlocutor eyed me in a way which seemed to say--"And what next?" My illusions, so poetical a quarter of an hour before, were, you may well believe, entirely dissipated. M. Hausheer only inspired me with feelings of disgust. I should have liked to have departed at once; but how could I do so? I must, at all events, say something before retiring. "Sir," said I, "Père Roujol has been speaking to me about you, and of your skill in legerdemain. From what he said, I have been induced to come and talk to you, about an art in which I passionately delight; but do not disturb yourself, I will come again another time." "No, no! Wait an instant--I understand, from what you say, you are come with the intention of taking some lessons from me." I made no reply, fearing to bind myself to an engagement, of which I did not clearly see the end. Hausheer, however, construed my silence into a consent, and thinking, doubtless, of the money he should gain, jumped straight out of bed. He was partly dressed, but, without troubling himself to put on any more clothes, he approached me. "Let us see what you know, young man; what progress have you made in the science?" said he, offering me a pack of cards. Far from accepting his invitation to give him a proof of my abilities, I repeated my desire to shorten my visit. But the wary professor did not intend thus to lose his prey. That I had come to take a lesson was evident, and he was determined that a lesson I should have, whether I now wished for it or not. Still I persisted in my determination to retire. Judging it would be wiser to persuade, than to force me, to stay, Hausheer began to exhibit, as a specimen of his skill, some tricks with cards, which he performed with marvellous dexterity. From this moment, all the apprehension and disgust which I had previously felt, if I may so express it, completely vanished; admiration had replaced every other feeling. I was now as eager to remain, as I had before been to depart. It was now my turn to astonish the professor; so I took out my celebrated snuff-box, and presenting it to him, I touched a spring, when out flew my little automaton, hopping, singing, and flapping his wings; and, when all these operations were finished, vanishing as if by enchantment. As long as my bird was singing, my attention was riveted on it, but when it had finished, I glanced at Hausheer, to judge what effect it had produced on him. I was struck by the covetous expression that flashed from his eyes. It seemed to me that he glanced furtively from side to side in a singular manner, as if debating with himself how he could, by any possibility, gain possession of my snuff-box; his face was pale, and his hands, which he stretched towards me, were tremulous with agitation. "How do you like it?" I asked him. Instead of answering me, Hausheer walked across the room to a cabinet, opened it hurriedly, and took out something which he concealed under his clothes. "It is very pretty," said he, at length, turning towards me; "but, I say, young man, you must leave it with me to show to one of my friends, who is rich, and will buy it." "This box is not for sale," replied I; "it is an order, and, indeed, I ought to take it home to-day." "Oh! that's of no consequence. I will show it to my friend, and you can take it home afterwards." To this observation I made no reply, but wrapping the box up in paper, I was just going to put it back into my pocket, when Hausheer rushed up to me, rage sparkling in his eyes. I confess I felt alarmed; and my alarm was not lessened, when my aggressor, backing me up into a corner of the room, exclaimed, in a voice I shall never forget, "I will have it; do you hear?" At the same time he put his hand inside his flannel waistcoat, the poor and flimsy texture of which, permitted me to see the bony fingers of Hausheer clutch the handle of what I supposed to be a dagger. The feeling of self-preservation restored all my energies. The danger was imminent. I prepared for a desperate struggle. I put my snuff-box quickly into my pocket, to leave my hands at liberty, and looked stedfastly at Hausheer, to read in his eyes, if possible, what was to be his next move. He hesitated for a moment, seeming at a loss to know what it would be best to do. It may be, that the dogged expression of my countenance, or perhaps the impossibility of committing a murder without detection, made him pause; or he may have wished to try once more, by persuasion, to gain his ends, before proceeding to extreme measures. The whole expression of his physiognomy underwent an instantaneous alteration; he was evidently trying to calm himself, and his full purple lips essayed to form themselves into a smile. "Do tell me," said he, "why you won't lend me your snuff-box?" tapping me familiarly on the shoulder at the same time. "Devil take it, man," I replied, as calmly as my agitated feelings would allow me, "you are so quick, you don't give one time to explain oneself." To this observation he uttered some gibberish, to which I paid no attention, so much was I preoccupied with my own thoughts. Dreading a recurrence of his former violence, I was pondering on some plan to escape, and was lucky enough to hit on the following:-- "Look here," I exclaimed, forcing myself to speak in as natural a tone of voice as possible, "you are sure that you can sell this piece of mechanism for me?" "Certainly," replied Hausheer; "I am quite sure of it, for my friend is very rich." "Oh! then, if your friend is so rich, you can do me a great service, my dear sir." "What is it?" "I possess a snuff-box similar to this, as regards the mechanical part of it; but as the box itself is of chased gold, it is too expensive an article for me to dispose of easily. I should, therefore, be very glad if your friend would buy it." It is well said, that, to believe oneself more clever than others, is the way to be deceived. The cunning rascal never perceived the snare I had laid for him. "That would suit him better still," said he. "Come, let us go, and get this treasure." "Willingly," I replied. "Finish dressing yourself, and I'll wait for you; without," I added, "you would like to accompany me in the state you now are?" This little _plaisanterie_ did not provoke a smile from Hausheer; he contented himself with offering me a chair, and proceeded to finish his toilette. During this time I was contriving the plot for my revenge. At length we started. The Rue de l'Écu d'Or was at the back of the Hôtel de Ville. The Rue de Vendôme au Marais, where I lived, was not far off; besides, each of us had reasons of his own for hastening his steps; so we were soon there. I rapped at my door, and, as soon as it was opened, I entered in advance of my companion, and, turning round and standing so as to prevent his entrance, I said to him, in a calm voice, mingled with irony-- "M. Hausheer, I have some business to transact in this house, which will detain me some time. I hope, therefore, you will not trouble yourself to wait for me." "And the snuff-box with the bird?" said the German, reddening with vexation. "Oh! you shall have that another time," I replied, in a mischievously significant tone of voice, and shut the door hastily in his face. As Hausheer departed, I heard him utter a perfect volley of oaths and imprecations, amidst which, the words, "I have been a great blockhead," were distinctly audible. These volleys of abuse mattered little to me; I was in my own house, and had nothing to fear. I left the rascally juggler to his anger and his regrets. Some months afterwards, I was one day reading the "Gazette des Tribunaux," when my eye was arrested by the name of Elias Hausheer, figuring amongst a gang of sharpers of the worst kind. The phrase, "I have been a great blockhead," recurred to my mind. I could now understand its true meaning. Hausheer was not a man to stick at trifles: he was a blockhead for not having possessed himself of my snuff-box at _any price_. The recollection of it made me shudder. The knowledge of the danger I had incurred made me more prudent for the future, but did not prevent me from following my researches, only, instead of going myself on such occasions, I now always sent a third party. I employed, as my agent, a young man whom I knew to be respectable enough, though much of his time was passed in "estaminets" and gaming-houses, and I paid handsomely for each new trick that he brought me. At such a statement I fancy I hear my reader exclaim: "Why pay so much for learning a thing which is wrong? Is it not the act of a fool or a monomaniac?" I acknowledge my weakness; but, dear reader, had it not been for this monomania, I should never have had the success I have enjoyed. I always intended turning my knowledge to a good account; many circumstances have retarded the fulfilment of my intentions; but at length I have the honour of presenting the result of my labours to you, under the title of,-- "THE SHARPER DETECTED AND EXPOSED." THE TRICKS OF SHARPERS EXPOSED. CHAPTER I. MODERN GREEKS. Origin of the name "Greek"--The first gambling-houses--Invention of roulette--Hunt for dupes--Opening of "_tripots_," or low gambling-houses--The Greek described--Different classes of sharpers. Let me in the first place explain to my readers, why the compatriots of Homer and Plato have been thus honoured, or rather dishonoured, and how it comes that the word "Greek" has, in our day, become synonymous with rascal or knave. The following are the facts:-- Towards the end of the reign of Louis XIV., a certain Chevalier of Greek origin, named Apoulos, was admitted into the Court circle, where he played with such success, and won so largely, that suspicions were aroused as to the fairness of his play. His dexterity was astonishing; but one day he was taken "_flagrante delicto_," and condemned to the galleys for a period of twenty years. The circumstance made a great noise at the time, and, ever since, similar rogues have been termed "Greeks." Shakspeare asks, "What's in a name?" There is, however, a French proverb which tells us that, "_Souvent ce sont les noms qui décident des choses_." Many who did not object to be called "Greeks," would have loathed the name of "swindler." The number of these light-fingered gentry was greatly increased, by the establishment in Paris of two public gambling houses, known as the Hôtel de Gèvres, and Hôtel de Soissons. Until then, the Greeks exercised their vocation separately; most of them had no arranged method of proceeding, and their tricks were nearly all badly executed. In fact, the art of cheating was still in its infancy. The opening of the two hotels above mentioned, caused a complete revolution amongst the Greeks. The cleverest amongst them met, invented new manoeuvres, and clubbed together to cheat their neighbours; they imagined, calculated, and invented, all sorts of tricks until then unknown. Lansquenet, Pharo, Piquet, and Quadrille were the favourite games of that period, and being much in vogue, were golden mines of wealth to these rascals. The game of roulette, even, which had just been introduced into the fashionable hells, and which the public believed they could play without fear, was tampered with by this fraternity. One of them, who was a geometrician, had a roulette board made, in which the black divisions were larger than the white ones, so that the chance of the ball entering the latter was diminished.[A] To arrange all this, it was necessary to have an understanding with the attendants at these hells; but this was not difficult, as most of them were scamps. The number of Greeks in Paris increased at length to such an extent, that they were at a loss for dupes. This state of things, however, did not last long. Reckoning on the weakness of human nature, these men knew, that the number of dupes in the world is without limit, and that they will never fail you, if you only know how to profit by the weakness of the human heart. They organised a band of emissaries or agents, whom they despatched in all directions, to discover and attract--1st, All strangers newly arrived in the capital; 2nd, Barristers coming out of court after having gained a suit; 3rd, Successful gamblers who had won to a large amount; 4th, Heirs to large estates; 5th, Imprudent clerks and foolish youths, who would stake their last farthing. With such auxiliaries, the Greeks again realised immense profits; but their doings created so much scandal, that upon a representation made by the police, Louis XV. ordered both the Hôtels de Gèvres and de Soissons to be closed, and renewed the former stringent regulations against all games of chance. Even this measure did not disconcert the Greeks; they opened low gambling-houses, and played in secret. The police were again put on their track, and waged fearful war against them. Constant trials, imprisonment of proprietors, and the conviction of a host of swindlers, alarmed the dupes, whose fears began to be awakened, so that they dared no longer frequent these establishments. Thus followed and routed, the Greeks dispersed in all directions, rushed into the provinces and foreign countries, to return, after a time, to their former home in the capital; when the Government, in urgent want of money, established Frascati, and the rival houses in the Palais Royal. Over the doors of these institutions ought to have been inscribed "_ici on trompe de bonne foi_," or in other words, "Here they _take in_ all comers." The enormous sums lost by the public, all the chances of which had beforehand been cleverly calculated, produced an immense revenue to the State, and considerable profits to the owners of the tables. The Government shut its eyes to these knavish proceedings, until forced to take notice of them by the clamours of the public, who would not submit to be thus openly robbed. Roulette and other gambling games were again prohibited, and, with them, the whole gang of sharpers for whom these games had always been a centre of attraction, appeared also to vanish. I say the gang _seemed_ to vanish, for, if roulette has been banished from France, the Greeks have unfortunately by no means ceased to reside there. But where are they to be found? Their numerous dupes know too well. They have learnt to their cost, that these insatiable birds of prey are always to be found wherever there is money to be got. But you will ask, "How are they to be recognised?" There is the difficulty; for these heroes of the criminal courts are now become more clever than ever. Forced to mix in society, they know the necessity of being perfect in their unlawful occupation, in order to escape the punishment which the law has in store for them. However difficult it is to recognise them, we will endeavour to point them out to all honest men; so that they may know them, if not by their faces, at least by some characteristic signs, but especially by a revelation of the tricks to which these men usually have recourse. Taken collectively, the "Greeks" present no peculiarity of type. It would be difficult to sketch their features, so numerous and varied are they. I think it best, therefore, to characterise them by dividing them into three categories. 1st. The aristocratic Greek, or sharper of the fashionable world. 2nd. The Greek of the middle classes. 3rd. The Greek of the low gambling houses. "Honour to whom honour is due;" so let us begin with the first on our list. CHAPTER II. THE GREEK OF FASHIONABLE LIFE. Wonderful acuteness--Refined sleight-of-hand--Delicacy of touch. The sharper of fashionable life is, without doubt, the most adroit and clever in his villany; he is, one may say, grand master of the art of cheating. He is generally a man of the world, whose dress and manners leave nothing to be desired. If he does not dazzle by the brilliancy of his conversation, it is that he does not wish to eclipse others, but perhaps reserves his forces for the "_mise en scène_" of his villanies. This "citizen of Athens" cares little to please in general society, but emulates only those qualities which may be of use to him in his profession; and whether he is thus gifted by nature, or has acquired the science by study, certain it is, that he has that delicacy of perception, exquisite tact, and above all, that marvellous talent of appreciation of character, of which I have already spoken in my work, "Confessions of a Wizard." When he is victimising his dupes, his eyes, seemingly fixed on his own cards, are casting furtive glances to see all that is passing around him. He knows, by the effect produced on his adversary's countenance, when the cards are turned up, as well as by the classification of the cards themselves, the nature of his play. As a physiognomist, the Greek of fashionable life rivals the cleverest disciple of Lavater. It would be in vain to try and baffle him, by putting on a dull and stolid expression of countenance; the slightest movement of the nerves of the face, or an almost imperceptible contraction of the features, discovers to him your most hidden thoughts. This quickness of perception is equally useful to him, in discovering if he is looked on with doubt or suspicion. The aristocratic "Greek" is also an adept in every sort of gambling. The theories and probabilities of all games of chance, so cleverly described by Van Tenac, are the principles on which he bases his system, and which he makes use of with wonderful intelligence. To this rare talent, the aristocratic Greek unites a profound knowledge of the most refined sleight of hand; thus, no one knows better than he, how to change one card for another, make a false cut, to abstract or add a trick, &c., &c.; and he has carried these three important principles of cheating to a marvellous perfection. Blessed with excellent eyesight, he can, after a few deals, and attentively watching the cards, recognise many of them. One is perhaps the slightest shade more highly coloured than the rest. Another has on some particular part a spot or blemish, an imperfection of some kind, that the best manufacturers cannot always avoid, of which he takes advantage. In the absence of any mark, by his extreme delicacy of touch, he will be enabled to distinguish different cards as they pass through his hands, aided by a slight indentation which he makes on them with his nail. Once able to distinguish them, he can either give them to his adversary, or appropriate them to himself, whichever he deems most favourable to his interests. The aristocratic Greek always quits the capital during the summer months, and frequents the various watering-places. He invariably directs his steps towards that celebrated and brilliant oasis, which will surely some day bear the appellation of Villa-Benazet,[B] but which at present is called Baden-Baden. It is there, thanks to the blindness and wealth of his adversaries, that he realises enormous profits, by means of which he lives like a nabob. The greatest number, however, of these fashionable sharpers, end their days in misery. Some few retire into private life; there to live an existence of fear and remorse, so well depicted by a witty moralist and member of the Academy,[C] in his book entitled "Une Fortune mystérieuse." CHAPTER III. THE GREEK OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES. The "_Comtois_" and "_Amazones_"--Tricks and frauds--An heir expectant--Game at bouillotte--A rich pocket-book--The bill to pay--Dupers duped. The Greek of the middle classes, otherwise termed the nomad Greek, on account of his ubiquity, is a sort of chain or link between the aristocratic sharper, and him of the low gambling houses. This chain is of great length, and unites, by almost imperceptible gradations, the two extremes in this world of filibusters. The nomad Greek seldom works alone, he is in league with accomplices called "comtois." These are for the most part other Greeks, whose reputation is higher than that of their associates. But, according to circumstances, these respectable individuals take it by turns to play the role of "comtois." These gentlemen, besides their accomplices, have female assistants called "Amazones." These women are, for the most part, very pretty and attractive, and are equally, if not more, vicious than their lords and masters. In those attractive snares to the unwary and to foreigners, known under the name of clubs, these "Amazones" perform the office of decoys. The wiles and tricks of these women will not bear analysis, and could not be described here. Suffice it to say, that, like the simple larks which a fowler attracts and blinds by means of a revolving mirror, the imprudent and unwary visitors, fascinated by the seductions of these sirens, become an easy prey, and stupidly allow themselves to be plucked by the hunters of these prairies. The nomad Greek cannot boast of the wit and good manners of his colleague of the fashionable world, neither has he that finesse in executing his tricks, which renders detection difficult. But he is not the less clever in the manipulation of the different means of cheating. Cards, dice, and dominoes, are all, in his hands, most formidable instruments of his profession. He is able to exercise his adroitness at all games, simple or complicated, be it whist or battle, tric-trac, or even "heads or tails." He knows tricks, with which he can turn each and all of these to his advantage. His dupes are as numerous as they are varied; he finds them anywhere and everywhere. He spares none; his nearest relatives, his most intimate friends, are often his first victims. The following anecdote proves the perfidy of this class of sharper:-- Three Greeks, united, not by the bonds of friendship, but of rascality, went each on his way to seek for dupes. One of them, a young Italian, nicknamed Candour, perhaps on account of his craft and cunning, informed his companions, that he had become acquainted with a young man of position, just arrived from the country. This young provincial was rich, a gambler, and prodigal to excess,--qualities much appreciated by the three rascals. Finding out from the Italian, that his new friend was to be at the opera that same night, they immediately arranged their plan of attack. So good an opportunity was not to be lost, and when their plans were all settled, they separated, having arranged to meet at the opera-house. At the appointed hour, the three Greeks met in the lobby of the theatre, and were fortunate enough to see the young capitalist soon afterwards. The Italian, having addressed his new friend, introduced him to his two associates, giving them titles borrowed from the nobility. The introduction over, the conversation became general, and so interesting, that their victim did not quit their side the whole evening. The three Greeks were most affable in their manners towards the young man, and he, delighted with his new acquaintances, invited them all to sup with him at the celebrated restaurant of the "Maison Dorée." The invitation, it may easily be divined, was accepted with pleasure. The repast was worthy of the host. No expense was spared to regale such charming companions. To prolong the pleasure of this charming _réunion_, one of them began talking of play, and bouillotte being proposed, was received with acclamation. Whilst they were laying out the card-table, the three Greeks again managed to have a little private conversation, and, by the advice of Candour, they agreed, that, in order to allay all suspicions in the mind of their victim, it would be better to allow him to win at first to the extent of three thousand francs (120_l._), after which they would fleece him without remorse. The game began well for the Greeks: the young man placed on the table a pocket-book which seemed well-filled, and took out of it a note for five hundred francs (20_l._), which he staked. Fortune, by the assistance of the three sharpers, seemed to smile on the provincial, and in a short time, he found himself possessor of the sum it had been agreed he should be allowed to gain. "Indeed, gentlemen," exclaimed he, putting the notes he had just won into his pocket-book, "I am so overcome at such a wonderful run of luck, that I will go on playing, to give you the chance, at least, of winning back your money. I am determined I will not stake less now than a thousand francs (40_l._)." Scarcely had he uttered these words, when, drawing his handkerchief from his pocket, the young man held it up to his nose, which began to bleed violently. "I beg your pardon, gentlemen," said he, "I will be with you again in five minutes, I am very subject to these hemorrhages from the nose;" and he went out, leaving his pocket-book on the table. Candour, filled with compassionate interest, rushed after his friend; but truth compels us to state, not to give him assistance, but to bolt with him as fast as his legs could carry him. The rich provincial was neither more nor less than a Parisian sharper, with whom Candour had concocted a scheme, to rob his accomplices of three thousand francs. The hemorrhage, and the pocket-handkerchief stained with blood, were the dénoûement of the comedy, the first act of which took place in the Opera-House. Let us now return to the restaurant, to see and hear what is taking place there. "Ah!" said Patoche (one of the rascals who remained behind) to his comrade, eyeing at the same time the pocket-book full of bank-notes lying on the table, "all proceeds beyond our hopes. Let us imagine we have gained the bank-notes from the provincial. Let's pay ourselves, and be off." "Yes; but," said the other, "you forget, the bill must be settled before we can go." "_Mon Dieu!_ What a fool you are! We will pay the bill, and the pocket-book will reimburse us for any money we advance." "And if we should meet the owner of it!" "Well, what could he say to us? We were on our way to meet him, to return him the pocket-book, which he left on the table." "True; I understand; he will owe us many thanks for so doing. It's a good idea." The two rogues then asked for the bill, which they settled, gave the waiter a handsome fee, and hastened down-stairs. As soon as they reached the bottom of the staircase, the one who had the pocket-book in his possession stopped short. "I say, Patoche, a thought has just struck me. Go back, and tell the waiters, that we intend going to the Café Riche to continue our game. This will give us time to escape to some place of safety with our prize." No sooner had Patoche departed up the stairs to execute his errand, than his companion vanished with the pocket-book. Which of these two rogues was the most deceived? The pocket-book was full of waste paper: the bank-notes had been cleverly abstracted by the pretended provincial. This sketch will give some idea of the characters of the individuals whom I herein portray. If my readers wish for further information, they must continue the perusal of this work, and the different rogueries herein described, amongst which the nomad Greek plays some of the principal _rôles_; I think they will then have a clear view of the villany of these men. CHAPTER IV. THE GREEK OF THE TRIPOT. His abject condition--The public-house--Pretended stupidity --Dupes fleeced--Acting the countryman--_Table d'hôte_-- The pellets--A good farce--Deception--The three cards-- The countryman's bet--Clever substitution--English rogues-- Thimble-rig. It may with truth be said, that the Greek of low life is a sort of vulgar imitation of the two other types that I have just been describing, and, if I may be allowed to draw the comparison, I should say, that the Greek of the low gambling-house, is, to his more favoured comrade, what a street-ballad singer is to an educated artiste. Heaven forbid that I should fall into an ecstasy about the villanies of any sharper, let him be of whatever class he may; but I may venture to say, that, although under no circumstances should I like to be robbed, yet, if I am to be so, I should much prefer being cheated out of my money by a gentlemanlike scamp, than by a low vulgar sharper. As regards elegance of manners and appearance, there can be no comparison between the aristocratic Greek, and him of the lowest grade. There is every reason to believe, that the former is not even aware of the existence of the latter. Men of this stamp all resemble each other more or less; most of them are miserable specimens of humanity, whom idleness and debauchery have reduced to the necessity of cheating, hoping thereby to get what honest labour had failed to obtain for them. Their tricks are usually as coarse, as the victims on whom they practise. It is no longer sleight of hand, it is a sort of cheating, for which there is no name. Their victims being ordinarily so easy to dupe, they do not care to become more expert. Besides, it is generally not until after finishing the fifth or sixth bottle, that the play begins. The qualities most essential for these rascals, are to be able to drink and smoke to any extent, without being affected by it. The constant use of spirits produces this insensibility to their influence. The third-rate sharper makes the lower public-houses and tap-rooms, outside the barriers, the scene of his exploits. His victims are drunken labourers, countrymen visiting the capital, soldiers on leave, and sometimes persons of small independent means out for a frolic. This style of Greek has usually a colleague to assist him in his manoeuvres. Their operations require the assistance of a second party, as they are performed American fashion. I cite one out of a thousand similar instances:-- The swindler enters a public-house, which he knows is much frequented, and places himself at a table, near which another man is already seated; this man, whom he pretends not to know, is an accomplice. He calls for a bottle of wine, which he empties at once, and begins talking to his neighbour in a loud voice, so as to attract the attention of the whole company. He puts on an appearance of the greatest stupidity, and makes some foolish remarks arranged for the occasion, to which the "_comtois_" replies by making game of him, to the great amusement and satisfaction of his auditory. Insensibly all draw near, and approach the two antagonists. The Greek ends by getting annoyed with the joking of his neighbour, and proposes to play for the two bottles on the table. The proposition is accepted, but the Greek plays badly, and the game is soon lost. He holds his cards so awkwardly, that it appears as if he had never had one in his hands before. His defeat was evident from the first. His fortunate adversary, delighted with his triumph, wins everything, and quickly walks off. The rogue who remains behind, bitterly bewails his loss, and testifies his anxiety to take his revenge on the first comer. The dupes, led on by the hope of winning easily, are all eager to accept the challenge. They play, and win as they expected, but the rascal, far from being discouraged, takes from his pocket a handful of five-franc pieces, which he announces he is ready to stake, to try and regain what he has lost. This declaration, together with the clink of the silver, is too great a temptation to withstand. Every one present is anxious to have his share of a booty so easy to acquire. They play again, and again win several games, and this additional loss (arranged by the Greek) gives him an opportunity of raising his stakes and offering to play double or quits. Now begins the real game of our hero, who, without forgetting his character of the fool, brings into play the resources of a coarse sort of sleight of hand. He gains with an air of such stupid simplicity and "_gaucherie_," that no one has the slightest suspicion on the subject. Luck has turned in his favour, and, in the parlance of "_cabarets_," there is a Providence over drunkards. The Greek, after having filled his purse at the expense of his adversaries, retires for want of combatants, and goes off to share the spoil of the day with his associate. This scene is, in the vocabulary of Greeks, termed; "acting the countryman." * * * * * Were a case of sharping of this description tried before the tribunals of justice, one, or at most two culprits, would be brought forward; and yet is it not evident to every one, that, in robberies conducted American fashion, and particularly in those of the kind specified above, the duped are as guilty as the dupers? Would they not have taken advantage of the poor foolish countryman to victimise him? The sole reason which prevented them so doing, was the fact of their having met with one, who, with all his apparent stupidity, was more than a match for themselves. If I were writing for the "_habitués_" of Paul Niquet and the frequenters of "_Père la Rangaine_"[D] I should make the Greek of the public-houses the hero of this work; but as I have every reason to believe, that most of my readers will never come in contact with this class of sharper, I shall only mention one or two of his best tricks, and then have done with him. * * * * * We will suppose our hero to be dining at one of the "_tables-d'hôte_" outside the barriers, where you get your dinner at a shilling a head. In the course of the repast, the Greek, who, by-the-bye, seems a jovial sort of fellow, offers to make all sorts of bets with those around him,--bets of that equivocal nature in which the proposer is sure to win. The Greek, however, makes these bets less with a view of gain, than to irritate the men who lose, and from whom he hopes later in the evening to derive some benefit. At dessert he takes three plates and some tumblers, and affects to play a juggling trick with pellets of bread crumbs. But his performances are so ridiculously "_maladroit_," that the spectators only laugh at him. There is no deception, for, as they say, one sees the string which makes the puppet dance. Still the Greek goes on with wonderful assurance:-- "Gentlemen," he observes, "you see I put this little ball under a plate; well, I will make it disappear without your seeing anything;--I mean, that the most clever amongst you will see nothing." But whilst the Greek is placing the pellet under the plate, he
{'title': 'The Sharper Detected and Exposed by Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}