Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/157

 efforts, to take her flagrante delicto, I owed to a circumstance entirely fortuitous.

Having left my home at daybreak, I was crossing the Place du ChateletChâtelet [sic], when I met Sophie face to face. She accosted me with much ease. "Good day, Jules, whither are you bound so early? I will wager that you are going to catch some poor rook."

"Perhaps so; but certainly you are not the person; but where are you going?"

"I am going to Corbeil to see my sister, who is about to establish me in a house. I am weary of the stone jug. I am getting reformed; will you have a drop of short?"

"Willingly; I will stand treat, and we will have it at Leprétre'sLeprêtre's [sic]."

"Well, do as you like, but make haste, lest I lose the diligence; you will go with me, wo'n'twon't [sic] you? it is only in the Rue Dauphine."

"Impossible, I have business at La Chapelle, and am already late. All I can do, is to take a small glass standing."

We went to Leprétre, and after a word or two, and a glass, I took my leave.

"Adieu, Jules, good luck!"

Whilst Sophie trudged away from me, I turned down the Rue de la Haumerie, and ran to hide myself in the corner of the Rue planche Mibray; there I saw her file off towards the Pont-au-Change, walking very fast, and looking behind her at every instant. I felt assured that she feared being followed, and thereupon determined to pursue her. I stained the bridge of Notre Dame, and, crossing it rapidly, reached the quai in time not to lose sight of her. On reaching the Rue Dauphine, she actually entered the office of the Corbeil coaches; but, persuaded that her departure was but a ruse to deceive me as to the intention of her early appearance, I ensconced myself in a corner, whence I could observe her motions. Whilst thus on the watch, a coach passed, in which I installed myself, and promised an