A RUN AFTER A HORSE AND CART.—A few nights since a horse, with its harness, was stolen from a stable near Loxwood, the property of Mr John Sopp, the landlord of the neighbouring inn. This preliminary operation being performed, the thief wended his way to the next village of Plaistow, where he discovered a light cart, belonging to Mr Pannett, and suited to the animal, which he attached thereto, and made off with all speed, having stopped incidentally at an adjoining orchard, belonging to a cottager, and taken therefrom a quantity of apples. Thus set up, he marched on his journey in the best way he could. No time was lost by the owners of the property in giving notice to the police. Among others who ‟got wind” of the thief was Superintendent Smith, of the West Sussex Constabulary, and he gave chase with great zeal. The thief was first heard of at Midhurst, but his track could not be successfully followed, as he appears to have chosen the by-lanes. However, when the officer returned to his headquarters at Chichester, he was somewhat chagrined to find that the bold depredator had been in the city, vending the stolen apples under the very noses of the Dogberries. This was audacious! Away went the superintendent after this man. He traced him to Mr Puchase’s, at the Globe Inn ; he learnt that he had crossed the railway, and felt pretty sure of ‟bagging” his game in the Manhood. Proceeding southward the officer could learn nothing of his man. His movements were not to be found out, and he could not have run to earth! After an arduous search in this direction the superintendent returned to Chichester, and was alarmed to find in the meantime that the veritable horse and cart, with the owner, had doubled back over the rail at another part and gone through the city again! He next hears of his man, the horse, and the cart at Finchdean, near Petersfield, and at this place it is supposed that the former had stolen a quantity of apples and potatoes, which he had carried off in the latter. These articles found their way into Havant the next day, and were principally sold to the unsuspecting inhabitants of that place. Here the fugitive cut the tall off the animal, to avoid detection, the debris of which the superintendent secured and placed in his pocket. Tracking the man on, he found the scent lay towards Portsmouth. A robbery was committed at Burhont Green a few hours before, which was ‟made a note of.” The officer was now nearly close upon the track of the fugitive. He guessed pretty clearly the spot to seize his man; and in company with Inspector Street, he placed himself in a hostelry called the Green Post, at Kingston, rather a favourite place of entertainment for fatigued travellers journeying to Portsmouth. This was on Thursday last. Presently up came the lost man, with his horse, his cart, and his apples all complete (with the exception of the tail.) He entered the inn, and when he had done so one officer walked out and took the horse and cart, while another walked in and secured the man. His name is Thomas King, and he is a discharged man from the Land Transport Corps. The horse’s head was now turned in another direction; and the thief, accompanied by the officers, made their way for Petworth jail, where the former is still vegetating for the remainder of the season.— West Sussex Gazette.