Middlesex to wit

The Information of Thomas Clark< no role > of Islen or the
in the County of Middlesex Gardiner taken
before me this 27th. day of February 1782

Who being on Oath says that on the First Day of this Instant
February as he was walking along Fleer Street, a Person now
present who calls himself William Phillis< no role > picked up a Purse
from the Pavement before this Informant when this Informant
cried "Halves" whereupon the said Phillis told this Informant
that he should have Half the Contents if he would adjourn
with him to a Public house to examin the Purse. That
the said Phillis and this Informant accordingly went to the
Cliffords Inn Coffee House kept by one John Newton< no role > , where
Phillips opened the Purse and took out the Bill of Parcels now
produced, which he desired this Informant would read, and
after this Informant had so done, said Phillips desired a
third Man who was then reading a Newspaper to read
said Bill of Parcels which said Man did That upon said
third Man mentioning a Diamond Ring in said Bill of Parcels
said Phillips took out of the Purse the Ring now produced
and said "Here is the Ring" when the third Man replied
that "It was a very lucky affair for both" That Phillis
[..] said to this Informant that "He would like to have the
Ring and would in the space of Half an hour give this
Informant £100 for his Share and Went out pretending
to get the said Sum, leaving the Ring in the third Man's
hands. That said Phillis returned shortly after saying that
His Friend would not be at home till two o'Clock when