Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/134

 taking a circuitous route, and from the window of a public-house where I stationed myself, I perceived Paquay enter the packet-boat, and soon afterwards the two gendarmes embarked, whom I recognized by a certain air, which may be seen, but cannot be described. At intervals they handed a paper to each other, which they perused, and then cast their eyes on the man, whose dress, contrary to the usual garb of the robbers, was in a bad condition. The boat moved on, and I saw it depart with the more pleasure, as it carried with it Paquay, his propositions, and even his discoveries, if, as I did not doubt, he had the intention of making any.

The day after this adventure, whilst I was taking an inventory of my merchandizes, I heard an extraordinary noise, and, looking from the windows, I saw Thierry and his satellites guarding a chain of galley-slaves! At this sight, so terrible and inauspicious for me, I drew back quickly, but in my haste I broke a pane of glass, and suddenly attracted all looks towards me. I wished myself in the bowels of the earth. But this was not all; for to increase my disquietude, somebody opened my door; it was the landlady of the Pheasant, madame Gelat. "Here, M. Jacquelin, come and see the chain passing," she cried. "Oh, it is long since I saw such a fine one, there are at least one hundred and fifty, and some of them famous fellows! Do you hear how they are singing?" I thanked my hostess for her attention, and pretending to be much busied, told her that I would go down in an instant. "Oh, do not hurry yourself," she answered, "there is plenty of time, they are going to sleep here in our stables. And then if you wish to have any conversation with the commandant, they will put him in the chamber next to you." Lieutenant Thierry my neighbour! At this intelligence I know not what passed in my mind; but I think that if madame Gelat had observed me she would have seen my countenance grow pale, and my whole frame