Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/133

 too inquisitive about what I was doing; and as I saw from his conversation that he wished me to join him in his robberies, I thought it best to get rid of him, to talk of the police of Auxerre, whom I represented as very vigilant, and consequently much to be dreaded. I thought I saw that my information made an impression on him, and I coloured the picture still higher, until at length, after having listened with much, but unquiet attention, he suddenly cried, "Devil take it! it appears that there is nothing to be done here; the packet-boat will start in two hours, and if you like we will be off together."—"Agreed," said I; "if you are for starting I am your man." I then quitted him, after having promised to rejoin him immediately that I should have made some preparations which were necessary. How pitiable is the condition of a fugitive galley-slave, who, if he would not be denounced or implicated in some evil deed, must be himself the denouncer. Returned to the public-house, I then wrote the following letter to the lieutenant of the gendarmerie, whom I knew to be on the hunt for the authors of a robbery lately committed at the coach office:—

",

"A person who does not wish to be known, informs you that one of the authors of the robbery committed at the coach-office in your city, will set out by the packet-boat to go to Soigny, where his accomplices most probably are. Lest you should fail, and not arrest him in time, it would be best for two disguised gendarmes to go on board the packet-boat with him, as it is important that he should be taken with prudence, and not be allowed to get out of sight, as he is a very active man."

This missive was accompanied by a description so minute that it was impossible to mistake him. The moment of departure arrived, and I went on the quays,