CHAP. II.
How Richard Hainam Robbed the Earl of Pembroke.
HAving by his wyles screw'd himself into the acquaintance of Mr. Herbert, one of the Lords Servants: for his several courtesies (which as a Prologue to his Villanies) he bestowed on the said Herbert, he was in requital invited to meet him at his Lords; at which time Hainam so insinuated himself into his favour, that a while after, no∣thing could be done without the others advice: in∣somuch, that coming to be sensible each of the others minde, it was suddenly resolved of, That Hainam should appear the next day at the Lords outward Hall, where he assuredly should finde Herbert, to the end he might receive instructions for the conveying away of the Plate after Dinner. Now was the Sop fallen into the Honey-pot; it fell out as pat, as a Pudding for a Friars mouth. Hainam had his desire, and Herbert his. The prefixt time, Page 5 when come, Hainam very gallantly attires him, not varying half an hour from the time agreed upon, but repairs to the Earl's house; where he had not long continued, but it was notified unto him, that the Earl had dined, and was walk∣ing from one end of the Dining-room to the o∣ther, till the Servants had dispatched, who were then taking off the wrinkles from their bellies; and moreover, that the Cloth whereon the Earl dined, was taken away, and the Voider wherein the Plate was usually put, was set upon the Cup-boards-head. Hainam having received this In∣telligence, ascends the stairs, which conducted him to the room where the Plate stood, and where the Earl was walking; who seeing a Gentleman in such goodly Equipage, and supposing him to be a Friend to some Gentleman belonging to the house, he courteously salutes him with a Conjee; in which silent complement, Hainam returns the like, and continued walking in the Room. The Servants seeing a Gentleman walking there, sup∣posed him to be some Nobleman that came to give the Earl a visit. In this manner both parties were mistaken, and Hainam watching for the Lords return to the other end of the Room (which was somewhat long) he nimbly whips the Voider full of Plate under his Cloak, to the value of four∣score pounds and upwards, and went away, ta∣king his journey to the side of the Bank, where he presently melted it into one great masse. The Butler, according to his custome, comes to fetch the Plate, which he found missing. Then every Page 6 one was questioned, but in vain, no tidings could be had, neither of the Plate nor Thief: Then the Steward gets some Bills presently printed, where∣in he discovered the Lords Arms, with other Marks which was thereon, and caused them to be carried to most Goldsmiths in London, and elswhere, but to no purpose; insomuch that (to verifie the Pro∣verb, He that hath once stollen, will steal again) the former Thief was induced to a further progresse, relying much upon his former fortune; so that not long after, more goods were wanting: and whether Heaven pointed out the author, I leave to you to judge; but the Servants having some suspition of Mr. Herbert, caused him to be se∣verely questioned, who was so ingenious as to frame no other answer, but a just Confession; which he thus enlarged, telling them, That he had a sum of Money of Hainam, for informing him of the customes of the house: whereupon, Hainam was apprehended, but in a short time following, by leaping over a wall, made his escape, taking his Leap from London to Rotterdam.
