Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/21

 back to prison, and return and surrender myself as your prisoner?"—"No," he replied. "Well, then, you shall soon see me again, provided that you consent not to give my guards any additional orders for my security." He agreed, and I went away; but on arriving at the corner of the Rue de la Lanterne, I knocked down the two tipstaffs, who had each an arm of mine, and regained the Hotel de Ville with all possible speed, where I found M. Dubois, who was greatly surprised at my prompt re-appearance; but certain from that that he might rely on me, I was allowed to go at liberty.

The next day I saw the Jew, whose name was Vidal, who directed me to a house in the Rue Croix Rousse, where, he said, my friends had gone to live, and thither I went. They knew of my escape; but as they had no idea of my understanding with the commissary-general of police, and did not think that I knew who had directed the blow which struck me, they gave me a very cordial reception. During the conversation, I gathered details from the brothers Quinet, which I transmitted to M. Dubois the same evening, and who, convinced of my sincerity, reported my conduct to M. Ganier, secretary-general of the police, and now commissary at Paris. I gave this gentleman all necessary information, and must say that he acted on his part with much tact and activity.

Two days before they commenced operations, as I had advised on Vidal's house, I thought it expedient that I should be again arrested. I was again conducted to the prison of Roanne, where the next day Vidal, Coffin, Neveu, Cadet Paul, Deschamps, and many others, whom they had caught in the same snare, were brought in. I was at first kept from communicating with them, because I had thought it best that I should be put 'au secret.' When I was released from it, at the end of several days, to join the other prisoners, I pretended much surprise at finding all the party here; none appeared to have the least idea of the part which I had played. Neveu