Special constables are put on to detect them, and they know the favourite resorts of the incipient gamblers.
They hunt in couples, too, and they enter the little unclean street at each end.
Now for the supreme excitement; they are observed by the watchful eye of a non-player, who is copperless.

There is a rush for the halfpence, some of which the non-player secures.

There's a scamper, but there is no escape; the police bag them, and innocent boys who join in the scamper are bagged too.

The police search the ground for halfpence, find a few which they carefully pack in paper, that they may retain some signs of dirt upon them, for this will be invaluable legal evidence on the morrow.

There is a procession of police, prisoners and gleeful lads who are not in custody to the nearest police-station.
On Monday they stand in the dock, when the police with the halfpence and the dirt still upon them give evidence against them.
One worthy magistrate will ask them why they were not at home or school.
Another will sternly admonish them upon the evils of street gambling.