Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/96

 would avoid unpleasant consequences we must stop: this our companions did. As they thought they had need of their head for some later period, and as a thick cloud already began to spread over the osseous vault which covers the potent ruler of all our actions, that they might not lose all guidance, they insensibly ceased to make a funnel of their mouths, and only opened them to talk. What was the nature of their conversation? The talk, which they would have been much posed to keep up on any other subject, turned on their comrades who were at the Bagne, or in prison. They also spoke about spies.

"Talking of spies," said the shipwright, "you must have heard of the celebrated rogue who has turned nose, that Vidocq; do any of you fellows know him?"

. (myself in chorus.) "Yes, yes, but only by name."

. "I know they talk a good deal about him. They say he comes from the Bagne, where he was sentenced for twenty-four years."

. "You are wrong, you flat. This Vidocq is a prig, who was sentenced for life for his many escapes. He was allowed to be set at liberty because he promised to blow the gaff, and that is the reason that he stops at Paris. He is a deep file; when he wants to trap a covey he tries to make friends with him, and, as soon as he has done that, he slips some swag into his cly and then all is done; or else he leads him on to some job that he may be caught at work. He it was who floored Bailli, Jacquet, and Martinet. Oh G—, yes it was he! let me tell you how he did them."

(myself in chorus.) "Did them, well said, my lad."

. "Whilst drinking together with another like himself, you know him, the rip Riboulet, Manon's fancy man."

. "Manon la Blonde's?"

. "Yes, she. They were speaking