Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/143

 an inspector named Spiquette, belonging to the staff of the juge d'instruction, who instantly recognised me.

"Why do you follow me?"

"Oh, for nothing; it is M. Vigny, the juge d'instruction, who desires to see you, and speak to you."

"If that be all, I will put on my breeches and follow you."

"Make haste, let me take your place, and wait for me."

I awaited the inspector, and we went down together. The chamber was filled with gendarmes and spies; M. Vigny was in the midst of them, who instantly read to me a mandate, issued against me as well as against my hosts and their wives; then, to fulfil the instruction of his commission, he ordered the most exact search. It was not difficult to see through the whole affair, particularly when Spiquette, lifting up the mattress, and astonished at finding nothing, cast a peculiar look at Gosnet, who appeared stupified with amazement. His disappointment did not escape me. I saw that he was completely upset, and being myself quite reassured, I said to the magistrate,—

"Sir, I see, with the hope of making himself of importance, some person has overshot his mark. You have been deceived; there is nothing here to suspect; besides, M. Gosnet could not allow it. Would you, M. Gosnet? Answer to the judge."

He could not do otherwise than confirm my assertion, but only muttered out his words, and it required no conjuration to penetrate the bottom of his soul.

The search concluded, we were tied, put into two coaches, and conducted to the Palais, where we were placed in a small room called the Souricière, (rat-trap.) Shut up with Gosnet and Doré, I took care how I expressed my suspicions of them. At noon we were interrogated, and at evening were transferred, my two companions to La Force, and I to Sainte-PelagieSainte-Pélagie [sic]. I know not how it was, but the bunch of keys, which I kept in my hat, was not observed by any of the persons