What a Uniform Will Do

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Two burglars are seen entering a house where they are fortunate enough to steal a policeman's uniform and outfit, and escape through a skylight to the roof, after which they slide down a drain pipe to terra firma and make good their escape. Going to an old shanty, one of the pair dons the uniform and they both start out to see what can be realized by such a good disguise. Their first victim is an old fellow who has just arrived from the country, and who stops to ask the supposed policeman a direction. While he is being directed, one of the fellows runs away with his handbag, while the policeman gently lifts the poor old fellow's wallet, and starts in hot pursuit of his companion. Next they hit on a scheme whereby they can make a little loose change, and one of the rogues stops in front of a factory, where the crowd of employees are just coming out. He starts to give a performance, using a sword as the main attraction, but just as he is about to swallow the keen edged piece of steel, his companion comes up and orders him away. The latter then goes along the street and steals a bicycle on which he makes his escape, and at the moment his pal comes along and the crowd, thinking that he is a policeman, appeal to him to follow the fleeing thief. Jumping on another wheel he starts in pursuit, and when they have gone some distance the pair join one another and have the laugh on their innocent victims. Finally they meet their Waterloo, and when they try one of their old tricks, they are recognized by some of the crowd, who summon the police and the pair of vagabonds are locked up.