Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 3.djvu/97

 of one thing and another, Vidocq says, as he had just left the Bagne, he wanted to find some friends to prig. The others are caught in the net. He tickled them so well, that he leads them to a spot of work, in the Rue Grand Zurleur. It was thought that he would blow the gaff to the police, and so he did. They were all taken, and in the mean time the rascal escapes with his comrade. This is his plan for catching good fellows. It was he who brought all the chauffeurs to be kissed by the headsman's daughter after having been their leader."

Every time the narrator paused we refreshed ourselves with a glass of wine. Lapierre, profiting by one of these pauses, spoke thus.

"What, is it that cock and bull story? He talks like a magpie. He is chaffing us. Do you think such gammon amuses us? I like to amuse myself."

. "What the deuce will you do, then? If we had any books, (cards,) we might handle them a bit."

. "I'll tell you what we will do, act a play."

. "Go it then, M. Tarma (Talma.)"

. "Do you think I can play by myself?"

. "We will help you, but what shall be the piece?"

. "The play of Cæsar; you know there is one of that name, who says, the first who was king had a happy lot."

. "Oh, none of that blarney; let us play the piece of Vidocq caught, after having sold his brethren like Joseph."

I scarcely knew what to think of this singular business: however, without being at all disconcerted, I cried out suddenly, "I will play Vidocq; they say he is a stout chap, and it will suit me."

"You're stout," said Lenoir, "but he is much stouter."

"That is no matter," observed Lapierre, "Jean Louis is not a bad representation, he weighs his weight."