Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/240

. "To Vidocq! a thief! a scamp! a beggarly scoundrel! If I only fancied I had ever breathed the same air with him, I should hang myself the moment I discovered it. Me apply to Vidocq!"

. "And why not, if he could procure the restitution of your lost property?"

(with a tone of assumed consequence.) "That is exactly like your advice. You!—but really, friend Picard, you have a monstrously odd way of beating about the bush."

. "General, I am at a loss to comprehend your meaning."

. "Why, I mean that you have such a roundabout way of going to work, 'tis like your telling a story. There is no getting you to proceed in a straight line. Now in that account you have begun at least fifty times of your father having arrested the famous Poulailler."

. "The famous Poulailler! Oh! M. Picard, tell us all about it; do, there is a dear entertaining man. The famous Poulailler! pray begin; I am all curiosity to hear your amusing account of it."

. "At your desire, madam, certainly; although 'tis an old story, and I fear you will find it somewhat too lengthy for a lady's patience."

. "Nay, M. Picard, I entreat the favour, of your relating it."

. "Well then, madam, you must first understand that this Poulailler was the most adroit robber that had appeared since the time of Cartouche. I should never have finished were I to relate only the fourth part of what I have heard my mother repeat concerning him; for though my parent is nearly four-score years of age, she has a famous memory."

. "Come, come, captain, don't lose the thread of your discourse already."

. "Now pray, general, do not interrupt us. Go on, M. Picard—I am all attention."

. "To make the story as brief as possible,