Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/192

 these instructions, I did not allow a single day to pass without seeing St Germain and his friend Boudin. As the blow they meditated was to procure them a considerable quantity of gold, I concluded that I might, without overacting my part, affect a degree of impatience about it. "Well," said I to them, every time we met, "and when is this famous affair to take place?"—"When!" replied St Germain, "the fruit is not yet ripe; when the right time comes," added he, pointing to Boudin, "my friend there will let you know." Already had several meetings taken place, and yet nothing was decidedly arranged; once more I hazarded the usual question. "Ah! ah!" said St Germain, "my good friend, now I can satisfy your natural curiosity; we have fixed upon tomorrow evening, and only waited for you to deliberate upon the best way of going to work." The meeting was fixed a little way out of Paris. I was punctual to the time and place, nor did St Germain keep me waiting. "Hark ye," said he, "we have reflected upon this affair, and find that it cannot be put into execution for the present. We have, however, another to propose to you; and I warn you, you must say at once, without any equivocation, 'yes' or 'no.' Before we enter upon the object of my coming hither, it is but fair I should let you into a little confidential story respecting yourself, which was told to me by one Carré, who knew you at la Force. The tale runs, that you only escaped its walls upon condition of serving the police as its secret agent!"

At the words 'secret agent,' a feeling almost approaching to suffocation stole over me, but I quickly rallied upon perceiving that, however true the report might be, it had obtained but little faith with St Germain, who was evidently waiting for my explanation or denial of it, without once suspecting its reality. My ever ready genius quickly flew to my aid, and without hesitation I replied, "that I was not much surprised