Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/111

 its feet that we know this sort of animal: do you understand me now?"

"What does he say?"

"I say it is roasted."

"Oh! it should be baked with venison fat."

"Venison fat! here look at it."

I handed the bird to him, and whilst he examined and turned it over and over, Gaffré stooped down, picked up his shoes, and put them in his hat.

"Well, and what did you give for this bit of hollow?"

"Seven bob, a hick, and eight mag."

"The d! Seven shillings and tenpence. That is the price of a pair of shoes."

"Exactly so, my boy," said the pilferer, rubbing his hands.

"Here is plenty to bite at; and how well it smells, quite deliciously, it 1s perfectly tempting! We will soon settle his business."

"Who carves? I cannot."

"Well, then, we will help you; is there & knife in the box?"

"Yes, look in the drawer."

I found a knife, and then sought an excuse to send Gaffré out. "Oh, by the way," said I, whist I laid the cloth, "you can oblige me by going to my house, and saying, that they need not wait diner for me."

"Very well, and then you will be off without me; that is no go; I shall not cut my stick until I have had some grubbery."

"But we cannot cut without drinking."

"Well, then, I will have the liquor produced."

He opened the window, and called to a vintner, "And now," he added, "you cannot play me any trick."

Gaffré was like the majority of police agents, and, except being treacherous, a good enough fellow; but a perfect gourmand. With him the belly superseded all other business; and thus, although he had obtained