Sheppard not warn’d by this Admonition, returns like a Dog to his Vomit, and comes Secretly into his Master Wood’s Neighbourhood in Witch-street, and conceits Measures with one Anthony Lamb, an Apprentice to Mr. Carter a Mathematical Instrument-maker, for Robbing of Mr. Barton a Master Taylor; a Man of Worth and Reputation, who Lodg’d in Mr. Carter’s House. Charles Grace, a graceless Cooper was let into the Secret, and consented, and resolved to Act his Part.  The 16th of June last was appointed, Lamb accordingly lets Grace and Sheppard into the House at Mid-Night; and they all go up to Mr. Bartons Appartment well arm’d with Pistols, and enter’d his Rooms, without being disturb’d. Grace was Posted at Mr. Barton’s Bedside with a loaded Pistol, and positive Orders to shoot him through the Head, if in case he awak’d. Sheppard being engag’d in opening the Trunks and Boxes, the mean while.  It luckily happen’d for Mr. Barton, that he slept Sounder than usual that Night, as having come from a Merry-making with some Friends; tho’ poor Man little Dreaming in what dreadful Circumstances.  They carried off in Notes, and Bonds, Guineas, Cloaths, Made and Unmade, to the value of between two and three Hundred Pounds; besides a Padesuoy Suit of Cloaths, worth about eighteen or twenty Pounds more; which having been made for a Corpulent Gentleman, Sheppard had them reduc’d, and fitted for his own Size and War, as designing to Appear and make a Figure among the Beau Monde. Grace and Sheppard, having disposed of the Goods at an Ale-house in Lewkenors Lane (a Rendezvous of Robbers and Ruffians) took their Flight, and Grace had not been since heard of. Lamb was apprehended, and carried before Justice Newton, and made an ample Confession; and there being nothing but that against him at his Tryal, and withal, a favourable Prosecution, he came off with a Sentence of Transportation only.  He as well as Sheppard has since confirm’d all the above particulars, and with this Addition, viz.  That it was Debated among them to have Murder’d all the People in the House, save one Person.

About the latter End of the same Month, June, Mr. Kneebone, a Woollen-Draper near the New Church in the Strand, receiv’d a Caution from the Father of Anthony Lamb, who intimated to Mr. Kneebone that his House was intended to be broke open and robb’d that very Night.  Mr. Kneebone prepar’d for the Event, ordering his Servants to sit up, and gave Directions to the Watchman in the Street to observe his House:  At about two in the Morning Sheppard and his Gang were about the Door, a Maid-Servant went to listen, and heard one of the Wretches, say, Da—­n him, if they could not enter that Night, they would another, and would have 300l. of his, (meaning)