Scotland Yard would like to ask the public's assistance in catching a brutal murderer, on the loose somewhere within the London city limits. On Monday the 8th of this month, the body of one Arthur Hammond was found early morning on the steps of his house on Fleet Street. The body had been stabbed multiple times, apparently in a fit of rage, according to the coroner who performed the autopsy. Amongst the few pieces of evidence is a knife, which was found left in the body. A representative of Scotland Yard identified the weapon as a: Joseph Rodgers Sheffield Bowie knife. These knives have a six & a quarter inch clip-point blade, stamped: "J RODGERS 7 SONS No. 6 NORFOLK STREET SHEFFIELD" and star and Maltese crosses on verso, nickel silver ball-ended guard and long escutcheon. Hammond, a carpenter by trade and once a minor criminal himself has no known relations with London’s violent side. At the time of the murder, which is estimated to have taken place around 4 in the morning, no witnesses were present. Scotland Yard has only one eye witness, a constable doing his rounds, who saw a man leave the area around 5am. Constable Foreman noticed a medium built rather short man run into an alley a few blocks from the scene of the crime. Foreman proceeded to investigate the area for any signs of burglary and it was during this search that the body of Arthur Hammond was found.

One possible suspect, identified as one 'George Harley', age 34 was seen at a much earlier time at the scene of the crime. He was seen in Morrison’s public house not three streets away the evening before, drinking heavily and swearing that he was going to settle an old score with a former inmate. George has a known criminal record and spent one year at Aylesbury Gaol prison in 1872 and fits the description of the man seen by Constable Foreman. He was at the time incarcerated for uttering counterfeit coin. At his arrest officers realized they had a much more violent criminal on their hands than just a coin operator as they had tremendous trouble controlling the rather smallish but strong man. George, born in Edinburgh works as a day labourer in the Fleet Street area. Collegues interviewed by the Yard testified that he can be a very aggressive man indeed. He is one who rather breaks your bones than mends your ears. His employers added that many consider him to be a very intelligent man, who uses his skills for quick scams and potential threats of blackmail. Many of his schemes failed however due to his short temper. George Harley is wanted in connection with Arthur Hammond because of a shared incarceration in Aylesbury Gaol. Arthur spent five months in the same prison around the same time as the suspect. According to prison records, Arthur was behind bars for stealing a coat and table cover.

Hammond has been a respectable member of society and served his country with dignity and loyalty during his 10 years in the 49th Regt. of Foot. His wife and daughter have expressed confidence in Scotland Yard’s ability to apprehend the one responsible for the brutal taking of their loved one. Please address any correspondence to the Yard directly