Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 10 — page 35: what you’re looking at

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Vido SSH point at which I wished to arrive, ‘ Agreed,” said I; a we Sent our steps tcward the neighboring guard- ouse, We entered, and I »equested he would show me tus papers: he had none about him. I then insisted upon nis being searched, and on his person were found three watches and twenty-five double Napoleons, which I caused to be laid aside till he should be exumined before a magis- trate. ‘I‘hese things had been wrapped in a handkerchief, which I contrived to secure; and after having disguised pyper as a messenger, I hastened to the house of this re- ceiver of stolen goods, and demanded to speak with his wife. She, cf course, had no idva of my business, or knowledge of my person; and seéing several persors be- sides herself present, I ~ignified to her that my business being of a priyate nature, it was important that I shonid apeak to hy alone; and in token of my claims to her con- fidence, };coduced the handkerchief, and inquired whether she rec). uized it. Although still ignorant of the cause of my visit, her countenance became troubled, and her whole rson was much agitated as she begged me to let her ear my business. ‘I am concerned,”’ replicd I, “‘10 be the bearer of unpleasant news; but the fact is, your hus- band has jnst been arrested, everything found on his per- son has been seized, and from some words which he hap- ened to overhear, he suspects he has been betrayed; he herefore wishes you to remoye out of the house certain things you are aware would be danverous to his safety if found on the premises; if you please I will lend you a helping hand, but I must forewarn you that you have not one moment to lose.” ‘The information was of the first importance; the sight of the handkerchief, and the description of the objects it had served to envelope, removed from ler mind every doubt as to the truth of the message I had brought ber, and she easily fell into the snare I had laid to entrap her. She thanked me for the trouble I had taken, and begged I would go and engage three hackney-coaches, and return to her with as little delay as possible. I left the house to execute my commission; but on the road I etopped to give one of my people instructions to keep the coaches in sight, and to seize them, with their contents, directly I should give the signal. The vehicles drew up to the door, and upon re-entering the house, I found things fn a high state of preparation for removing. The floor was str-wed with articles of every description; time-pieces, candelabra, Etruscan vases, cloths, cachemeres; linen, muslins, &e. All these things had been taken from a closet, the en- tran'e to which was cieverly concealed by a large press so eitillfully contrived that the most practiced eye could Lot have discovered the deception. I assisted in the removal, and when it was completed, the press having been carefully replaced, the woman begged of me to accompany her, which I did, and no sooner was she in one of the coaches, ready to starr, than I aeesse on pulled up the window, and at this previously concerted signal, we were immediately surrounded by the police. The husband and wife were tried at the assizes, and, as may be easily conceived, were overwhelmed beneath the weight of an accusation, in support of which there existed: a formidable mass of convicting testimony. Some a geen may perhaps blame the expedient to which I had recourse, in order tc free Paris from a re- ceiver of stolen property, who had been for a long timea positive nuisance to the capital. Whether it be approved of or not, I have at Jeast the consciousness of having done my, duty; besides, when we wish to overreach scoundrels who are at open war with society, every stratngem is allowable by which to effect their convic- Bon, except endeayoring to provoke the commission of er e. CHAPTER XXVv. WEARLY about the same time in which the event men- tioned in the last chapter ocenrred, a gang had formed {itself in the Faubourg St. Germain, which was, more par- ticularly, the scene of its exploits. It was composed of individuals who acted under the guidance of a captain named Gueuvive, alias Constantin, shoriened by abbrevia- tion into Antiu; for the same custom exists amongst thieves as pone bullies, spies, and informers, of betng called on'y by the Jast ayllable of the Christian name. Gueuvive, or Antin, was a fencing master, who after hav- ing served as bully to the lowest prostitutes, and for the bumblest wages, was re n his present character the many vicissitudes of his ill-spent life. It was well known that he was capable of any action, however bid, and although murder had never been proved again-t him, et few doubted his willingness to shed blood, if by so doing he could reap the most trifling advantage. His mistress had been murdered in the Champs Elysées, and suspicions were strongly directed against him as the author of the crime. However this may be, Gueuvive wasaman of ap a Pann character, extreme boldness, and possessed of the most unblushing effrontery; at least, this was the estimate formed of him by his com- BAOOR amongst whom he enjoyed a more than common celebrity. For ae time the attention of the police had been directed to this man and his associate~, but wi! hout bein enabled to secure any of them, althongh each da teemed wilh fresh accounte of their continued attacks upon the property of the citizens of Paris. At length it was seriously resolved te put an end to the mi-deeds of these plunderers, and I received, in consequence, orders to go in search of them, and to endeavour to take them in the ve fact. I accordingly provided myself wth a suitable disguise, and that very evening opened the campaign in the Faubourg St. Germain, fre- quenting every place of ill-fame in it. About midnight, I went to the house of a person named Boncher, in the Rue Neuve Guillemain, where I took a glass of brand with some common girle; and whilst sitting with them, beard the name of Constantin pronounced at the table adjoining mine, I at first imagined he was present; but “pon cautiously questioning one of the girls, she assured me he was not; although, added she, “he seldom fails being here every day to meet his numerous friends.” From the tone in which she spoke I fancied I could _per- ceive that she was perfectly conversant with the habits of these gentry, and in the hope of drawing farther particu- iare from her, l invited her to sup with me. The offer was accepted, and by the time 7 had well plied her with diquor, she gave me the information I required, and with the nore readiness, as from my dress. actions, and ex- pressions, she had set me down in her own mind as one of the light-fingered brethren. We passed a part of the night together, and I did not quit her until she had fully explained to me the different haunts of Gueuvive. he next day, at twelve o'clock, I repaired to the house of Boucher, where I again met my companion of the preceding night. I had scarcely entered when she auw me, and immediately addressing me, cried: “Now is your time if you wish to epeak with Gueuvive—he ts en ewe ee <2 - - here!”’ and she pointed to an individual of from twenty- eight to thirty years of age, neatly dressed, although but in his waistcoat; he was about five feet six inches high, extremely good looking, fine black hair and whiskers regular teeth, in fact precisely as he had been described to me; without hesitation I addressed him, rec uesting he would oblige me with a litle tobacco from his box, He examined me from head to foot, and inquired “if I had served in the army?*’ I replied that I had been in an hussar regiment, and soon over a glass of good drink we fell into a deep conversation upon military affairs. Time passed whilst we were thus engaged, and dinner was talked of; Gueuvive declared that I should make one in a party he had been arranging, and that my company would aford him much pleasure. It was not very proba- ble I shou!d refuse; I accepted his invitation without far- ther ceremony; and we went away together to the Barriére du Maine, where four of his friends were awaiting his arrival. We immediately sat down to the dinner- table, and as I was a stranger to all, the conversation was very guarded. However, afew cant words which occa- sionally escaped them, soon served to convince me that aul — members of this churming society were cracksmen (thieves). They were all very curious to hear what I did for my living, and I soon fudged a tale which satisfied them, and induced them not only to ayes I came from the coun- by, but likewisc that 1 wasa thief on the look out for a job. I did not explicitly state these particulars, but se 8 certain peculiarities which betray the profession,I al- lowed them to perceive that I had great reasons fer wish- ng. to conceal my person, he wine was not spared, and so well did it loosen every tongue, that before the close of the repast, I had learned the abode of Gueuvive, as well as that of his worthy coadjutor, Joubert, and the names of many of their comrades. At the moment of our separating | hinted that I did not exactly know where I should pro- cure a bed, and Joubert immediately offered to give mea night's lodging with him, and conducted me to the Rue St. Juques, where be occupied a back room on the second floor; there I shared with him the bed of his female com- panion, the girl Cornevin. We conversed together for some time, and before we fell asleep, Joubert overwhelmed me with questions; his object was to sift out my present mode of existence, what papers I had about me, &c. His curiosity appeared in- satiable, and in order to satisfy it, 1 contrived either bya positive falsehood, or an equivocation, to lead him to suppose me a brother thief, At last, as if he had guessed my meaning, he exclaimed: ‘* Come, do not beat about the bush ot longer; I see how it is, you know you are a prig.”’ feigned not to understand these words; he re- peated them; and I, affecting to take offense, assured him that he was greatly mistaken, and that if he indulged in similar jokes, I should be compelled to withdraw from his yh eng Joubert was silenced, and nothing farther was said till the next day at ten o'clock, when Gueuvive came to awaken us, It was agreed that we should goand dine at La Glaciére. On the road Gueuvive took me uside and said: * Hark’ye, I see you are a good fellow, and I am Asha | to do you a service if I can; do not be 80 reserved then, but tell me who and what you are.” Some hint I had rey thrown out having induced him to believe that I had es- caped from the. Bagne at Toulon, he recommended me to observe a cautious prudence with my companions, ‘ for though they are the best creatures | ving,” said he, “* yet they are rather fond of chattering.’’ ‘“‘Oh,’’ replied I, “I shall keep a vans p look out, romise you; besides, Paris will never do for me, I must be off: there are too many sneaking informers about for me to be safe in it.”.—** That's true,” added he, “but if you keep Vidocq from guessing at your business, you are safe enough with me, who can smell these beggars as easily as a crow scents powder.”’—** Well,” said I, ** lcannot buast of so much penetration, yet 1 think, too, that from the frequent peg aitipe I have heard of this Vidocq, his fea- tures are so well engraved in % recollection, that I should pretty soon ema him, if I came unexpectedly in his way.’’—*' God bless you!"" cried he, “it is easy to see you are a stranger to the vagabond; just imagine now, that he is never !o be seen twice in the same dress; that he is in the morning perhaps just such another looking person as you; well, the next hour go altered, that his own brother could not recounise him, and by the evening, I defy any man to remember ever having seen him before. Only yes- terday, I met him disguised in a manner that would have deceived any eye but mine, but he must be a deep hand if he gets over me; I know these sneaks at the first glance, and if my friends wire as knowing as myself, his business would have been done long 4 cetey Non-ense,”’ cried I; “everybody 8 ys the same thing of him, ani yet you see there is no getting rid of him.”’—** You are right,”’ replied he, “* but to prove that I can ct as well as talk, if you will lend mea helping hand, this very evening we will waylay him at his door, and I warrant we'll settle the job, so as to keep him from giving any of us farther un- easiness.” I felt curions to learn whether he really was acquainted with my residence, and promised readily to join his scheme, and acco: dingly, about the dusk of the evening, we each tied up in handkerchiefs a number of heavy ten- sous pieces, in order to administér to this scamp of a Vi- docq a few effectual blows the moment he should issue from his house, Having fastened the money in a hard knot at the corner of our handkerchiefs, we set out; and Constantin, who seemed just in the humor for the task he had undertaken, led the way to the Rue Neuve St. Francois, and stopped before a house, No. 14—my exact abode. I could not conceive how he had procured my ad- dress, and must confess the circumstance gave me great uneasiness, whilst it redoubled my wonder, that being-so well acquainted with my dwelling, he should appear to have so little knowledge of my person. We kept watch for several hours, but Vidoeq, as may be well +7 ge did not make his appearance, Constantin was highly en- raged at this disappointment. ‘“We must give it up for to-night,” said he, at length, “‘but the first time I meet the rascal, by heavens he shall pay doubly for keeping me waiting now.”’ At midnight we retired, fobong off the execution of our project tillthe ensuing night. It was amusing enough to see me thus assisting in laying an ambuscade for my- self to be caught in, The readiness with which I em- barked in the scheme quite won the good-will of Constan- tin, who from this moment treated me with the greatest confidence; he even invited me to make one in a projected lan for robbing a house in the Rue Cassette. agreed o join the p rty, but declared that I neither could nor would venture out in the oleh, without first going home for the necessary papers which would serve me in case of our scheme failing, and our getting into the hands of the ‘In that case,” replicd he, ‘ yon may ae well inst | cq, the French Police Spy. 35 ash ~~ —_—_ S aaiiaiindeio i a a et te keep watch for us, whilst we do the job.’ At length the robbery took place, and asthe night was excessively dark, Constantin and his companions wishing to hurry faster than the absence of all light permitted them, had the bold- ness to take down a lamp from before a ¢cor, aud to carry it before them. Upon their return ome, this watchlight was placed in the middle of the rocm, whilst they seated themselves around it to examine and divide their booty; in the midst of their exultation at the rich results of their expedition, a sudden knocking was heard at the doct: the robbers, surprised and alarmed, locked at each other in silent dread. This was a surprise for which they were in- debted to me. _Again the knocking was heard. Constam tin then by a fign commanding silence, said in a whisper, S Tis the Olice; I am sure of it.” Amidst the confipion occasioned by these words, and the increased knockin at the vate, I contrived, unobserved, to crawl] under a b where 1 had scarcely concealed myself when the dour was burst open, and a swarm of inspeciors and other afficers of the police entered the room, A general search took place, even the bed where the mistress of Joubert slept did not ree ys they struck their sticks both over and under the bed which served as my hiding place without discovering me, but that, of course, I was prepared for. The commissioner of police drew up a procés-verbal, an inventory of the stolen property, and it was packed off with the five thieves to the prefecture, This operation completed, 1 quitted my hiding-place, and found myself alone with the girl Cornevin, who was all astonishment at my good fortune, the reason of which she was far from tuspecting. She urged me to remain where I was. “What are you thinking of” said I. ‘Suppose the police return! No, no! let me get away now, the coustis clear, and I promise to join you at |'Estra- pade,”” I sought my own house to procure the re- pose I so greatly needed, and at the hour agreed on, went 10 fulfill my appointment with Cornevin, who was expect ing me, It was on her I depended to procure a complete list of all the friends and associates of Joubert and Con- stantin; and as I stood rather high in her good graces, she soon furnished me with the desired information; so that in less than a fortnight, thanks to an auxiliary I con- trived to introduce amongst the gang, I succeeded in cattsing them to be arrested in the very commission of their crimes, There were eighteen in all, who, with Constantin, were condemned to the gallevs. At the moment when the chain to which they belonged was about to set out, Constantin having perceived me, became perfectly furious, and broke out into the most violent imprecations and invectives; but without feeling any offense at his gross and vulgar appellations, I con- tented myself with approaching him and saying coolly, ‘that it was very surprising how a man like im, who knew Vidocq, a: d could boast of the precious faculty of ‘smelling out an informer as far off as acrow scents powder,’ should have allowed himself to be done in thas manner.’’ This was a knock-down blow Lo Constantin; he could make no reply, but with an air of sullen confu- sion, turned away from me, and was silent. CHAPTER XXXVI. I was not the ony secret agent of the police of safety adew, named Gafiré, was my coadjutor; he had been employed before me by the police, but ax ovr principles ae agree, we did not long go on with harmony to- gether. Gaffré was the only secret agent with a salary. I was no sooner united with him than he tried to get rid of me; I pretended not fo see through his intention, but if he contemplated my destruction, I resolved, on my side, to defeat his plans. I had a dangerous game to play: Gailfré was as wily asa snake. When I knew him he was called the high-priest of thieves. He had begun at eight years of age, at eighteen he was whipped and marked on the Place du Vieux-Marche, at Rouen. His mother, who was mistress of the funfous Flambard, chief of the police in that city, had endeavored to save him; but although one of the handsomest Jewesses of her time, the magistrates would Geant nothing to her charms; Guffré was_ too cul- able; Venus in person could not have prevailed upon 1is judges. He was banished. However, he did not quit France, and when the revolution burst forih, he was not slow in assuming the old course of his exploits in a band of oN eal amongst whom he figured under the name of Caille, Like the majority of his confederates, Gaffré had com- pleted his education in the prisons, and then he had be- come a universal genius; that is to say, there was no spe- cies of prigging in which he was not by | expert. Con- trary to custom, he adopted no special or particnlar line of conduct; he was. essentially the man of the moment; gem: : came amiss to him, from cutting a weasand to di awing a wipe (assaes.t.ation to pock: t-pick- ing). This general aptitude, this variety of contrivance, had enabled him to amass a small sum. He had, as they say, shot in the locker, and could live without working; but people of Gaffré’s profession are industrious, and a'though he was liberally paid by the police, he kept on adding to his accumulations the produce of some unlawful exactions, which did not prevent him from being much considered in his quarter, when, with his acolyte Franc- fort, another Jew, he had been named captain of the na- tional guards, Gaffré wa: afraid that I should sapprt him, but the old fux was not cunning enough to hide his apprehen- sions; I watched him, and was not slow in discovering that he was mancuvering to get meintoas