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for first, she herself, with another of her scholars, were apprehended, and committed to Newgate, for stealing two pieces of cambric from a linen-draper in Cheapside; both of them were condemned to die, but only our scholar was executed; for the other came off with what they call a circuit pardon from the judge.
I cannot but reflect upon one crime I did, in taking from the hands of a gentlewoman a bundle of plate when her house was on fire, and conveying it to my own house, and so very fortunate was I in escaping, that I became exceeding remarkable among the thieves; for none was so great as Moll Flanders; but at length being threatened to be impeached by some in Newgate, I clothed myself in a man’s habit, though a smooth face (otherwise personal and tall enough) might soon have betrayed me. I kept company with another thief; who being discovered as he was stealing some goods, was taken, and I happily escaped, I had some time after this the happiness of seeing him hanged.
