Whitechapel is earning for itself a most unlovely reputation for the frequency with which murders and deeds of violence are perpetrated in its neighbourhood. That there is a gang of ruffians going about levying blackmail on unfortunate women there can now be little doubt. The latest victim is a woman who on Monday night was walking with a man, and when they reached a point near to the scene of the murder of the woman Nicholls, the man violently seized his companion by the throat and dragged her down a court. He was immediately joined by a gang of women and bullies, who stripped the unfortunate woman of her necklace, earrings and brooch. Her purse was also taken and she was brutally assaulted. Upon her attempt to shout for aid one of the gang held a large knife across her throat, remarking "We will serve you as we did the others," and no doubt would have carried his threat into effect had the poor woman not ceased to struggle. When Sir Charles Warren has done with Trafalgar-square perhaps he will turn his attention to this dark spot in the metropolis.
But there comes a rumour that will be resolved by Trafalgar-squarites, and indeed by a great many others, with considerable satisfaction, and it is to the effect that Sir Charles will shortly retire from Scotland Yard and he will be appointed to succeed Sir Hercules Robinson as Her Majesty's High Commissioner in South Africa. Let's hope it may prove true.
