PETERSFIELD.
A CHEAP RIDE.—On Sunday morning, the 14th inst., a man named Thomas King, alias Langford, alias Hubbard, about 22 years of age, and having the appearance of a gentleman’s servant, called at the Rowlands Castle Tavern, kept by Mr. Marshall, stating that he was in the service of Captain O’Reiley, of the 10th Hussars, at Brighton, and required conveyance to Petersfield and bark. Mr. Marshall enquired if he was aware of and prepared to pay the expense, and he said the expense was no object as he was on business for his master, having to deliver a letter to Colonel Payton, of Hayle Villa, Petersfield, to announce the death his master’s wife (the colonel’s sister), which took place suddenly on the previous night. He also required a breakfast, of which having partaken, with ham, &c., and the conveyance being ready, proceeded on his route, driven Mr. Marshall, to Petersfield and into the yard of the Swan Inn, where they arrived a little before eleven o’clock. Upon alighting the “messenger” enquired of the ostler for Colonel Payton’s, Hayle Villa, when he was told there was no such person or place in the neighbourhood, upon which he walked by the back way into the house, through which he passed, and disappeared by the front door. Mr. Marshall’s suspicions being awakened by the reply of the ostler, quickly followed, and found to his astonishment that Captain O’Reiley’s messenger had vanished. He at once proceeded to the police-station, when P.C. Elderfield followed the ‟messenger,” and apprehended him at the Ship, at Harting, where he found him in the act of drinking some beer. On Monday he was taken before J. Waddington, Esq., and remanded till Thursday, when he was brought up before the same gentleman and discharged with caution.