Beadle's Dime Library No. 157 — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

—2 $$ eee ‘‘ Bring over your companions and obey my crders for to-night.” eee Vidoeg struck his hand into the creole’s palm, and said erate ** Pll do it. fact is, you are the only man I bave met for ten years who has a head. [ll obey you. Give your orders.” There was something in his tone that gave assurance of his sincerity, and St. George did not hesitate to trust him. As for his friends, they were willing to follow him anywhere. They went along toward the Rue de la France, and as they went Vidocq rapidly sketched out a plan of action. “You want to arrest Barras and Gobier and serve them as they want to serve Bonaparte, I Suppose?’ : ‘That is precisel ‘And you say dine at Gohier’s?’ “No. He has sent an excuse at the last, the very last moment.” ‘Then Barras has not heard of it yet?” “No, but he will before ten o’clock.” ‘‘ Then we have no time to lose.” “Certainly not.” “Can’t»we arrange for a false general to be arrested, so that we can get the reward out of Barras?’ ‘* What do you mean?” St. George seemed surprised, and Vidocq looked much elated. ‘Come, I am not altogether a fool, after all. ‘That never occurred to you. Yet it is the very first thing came into my mind. Casse Tete shall do it.” They burried on, Vidocq looking very eager and excited, till they saw the house in the Rue de la France, all lit up, with a line of carriages in front, and people staring from the sidewalks at the figures entering the house under the awning. ‘*There’s Bottot,” whispered Vidocq, point ing to a carriage on the opposite side of the way drawn up and waiting with a single man on the box. ‘* And yonder are Casse Tete and Gros Pierre in the crowd, The otbers must be near by. We must get them out. Has the generail’s message reached Gohier yet?” ‘No, Asa matter of fact Iam to take it my- self at eight o’clock, in the character of his staff officer.” ‘* And it is now, what?” “Very near that time.” ‘‘Then you will be late.” ss No. ” “Why not?’ ‘“*L have my uniform under these clothes and the general’s carriage is at the end of this line. ‘The dinner is supposed to begin at eight o’clock, but they are always late.” Vidocq ruminated a moment and then struck his forehead. “T have it. Just the thing. We have ten minutes to doitin. Wall you trust me for ten minutes and do just what I say?” : Lafangere and Mourad shook their heads in silent warning, but St. George said: “Yes, if yourscheme is.good. Whatare you going to do?” | Vidoeq drew him to one side and said ina whisper of great giee: our object, citizen.” eneral Bonaparte will not “Tm going to the Rue de la Victoire, car- riage and all to arrest the general. How is that for a scheme, my friend?” | “Tt depends. oe **On what?” “*On whether Bottot will follow.” ‘* Leave him to me, I'll show you,” The carriages kept moving on to the door of the illuminated mansion, depositing their loads of guests and at the very end of the line was a handsome coach with a pair of grays, a Mame- luke riding on the footman’s perch behind the body of utp carriage. idocq darted over to the carriage waiting on the opposite side of the street and said in a low tone; me sieur Bottot, I want to speak to you,” The blonde secretary of Barras was not yet easy in his role of conspirator and it was a very oa m ugsy night, His voice trembled as he whispered back: ‘*What’sthe matter? Don’t call out my name like that. Come up on the box.” This was just what Vidocq wanted, and he was up in a moment. ‘*Bonaparte is. not in his e,” he. whis- ‘‘Tt’s at the head of the line empty. He sending an excuse by his servant.” Bottot trembled from head to foot. “What shall we do? Weare lost!’ * Not a bit of it, if you have courage,” replied the robber rather es - ‘* But what can we do “Why, go to the man’s house and arrest him of course. He has no guards. He is nothing rivate citizen now.” Bottot hesi‘ated, | “But you’ll have to do it all by yourselves. I only promised to drive the carriage to the Bicetre.” — Fr “Oh!” said Vidocq. ‘‘Then the prisoner is to to the Bicetre. Is that it? Are they fotly for his reception?” ‘Of course the Governor, sign are. I have the order for the by Barras.” ‘* Does it mention the prisoner’s name?” ‘*Of course not; we are not fools enough for that. In case there is a row to-morrow and he is found, it will be all a mistake, but it is my opinion he will not be found.” And Bottot chuckled. Then he seemed to realize the new difficulty for he asked nervously: ‘“Well. What shall we do?” ‘* Come to Bonaparte’s house. We will goin and do the business. When we come out you'll have your prisoner.” Bottot nodded, ‘‘All right. [ll drive there.” ‘¢ And I will bring on the others.” Vidocq jumped down and went over to the crowd, where he whispered to Gros Pierre: ‘* Come along to the Rue de la Victoire. Our man is there. He has sent an excuse and will not dine here to-night. Tell the rest.” In the mean time St. George sauntered down to the last carri on the line. ** Hola!” he sai the box. “Is that you, Captain Perrin? [ve news.” The coachman, who had retired into the depths of his tall collar, looked suspiciously out: ** Who the devil’s that?” “St. George.” ‘‘Oh, indeed. Well?” ‘‘There’s no need of going u You will be wanted at the to the door. ouse, you and Junot.” “All right. Shall we turn round?’ “Not yet. When you see the carriage on the opposite side of the street drive off, follow it at the distance of a street. It is going to the gen- eral’s house. Have you arms? Perrin laughed. ‘‘We are regular arsenals, But it is a most infernal nigbt for plots and a man fresh from Egypt feels the climate more than you fellows who have been home all the time.” At that moment Vidocq strolled past arm in arm with Gros Pierre, and St. George Jeft the carriage and sauntered away with the group of robbers and convicts whom Barras had hired so cleverly to kidnap the hero of Egyet. They passed along the streets in the drizzling rain an oy Lak ge turned into the Rue de la Vic- toire. As they walked on in groups of twos and threes, one man kept shifting from group to group, exchanging earnest words with one and the other. That man was Vidocq, and St. George let him work. ye they came near the general’s house, Lafan- gere whispered to the creole: ‘*‘ Are you sure he will not play us false?” ‘‘ Quite sure,” was the answer. ‘‘ You don’t know what I have in réserve at the house, but you will see, my friend.” As he spoke they came to the house. CHAPTER XXII. MONSIEUR BARRAS,. As they came to the house in the Rue de la Victoire, the rattle of a carriage was heard, and Bottot drove up and halted near by. At the same time the distant rumble of. another car- riage warned St. George that the general’s ve- hicle with two disguised officers, was coming up. He hurried to Vidocq, © ‘“‘ Are they ready?” he asked. ‘‘ All but Gros Pierre and Crocasse. I have not sounded them, for I know it is no use. But Casse Tete is furious, since he knows who it is ores is to be arrested. He is ready for any- thing.’ “Very well. Come into the house.” He went up and knocked at the door, which was opened by old Jacques, who shrunk back at the sight of so many men muffled in cloaks, and was about to slam the door, when St. George “ Have no fear, Jacques; we are here as “Ah, it is you, Monsieur St. Georges,” cried the old man, relieved. ‘‘On my word, I thought it was some plot of the sans-culottes to kidnap the general and ame. St. George smiled as he anes in, ‘‘Tt was, but we have turned the tables. Where is the general?” ‘‘ In the salon, monsieur. Areyall these—gen- tlemen—to go in?” | The old man was scandalized at the faces of some of the ag he saw, but St. George an- swered tranquilly: | “Yes, all are to enter. Who goes out, is q another matter.” he door ¢ , and they entered the hall, where the seven expert Vidocq, stood, looking as if they hardly knew what to do. St. ge the way to the door of the salon, threw it open and was confronted in a moment by an officer in brilliant uniform, sit- ting on an ottoman by the door. is officer ag besiehe vhaaee his hand on his sword and asked fiercely: ‘* What means all this? Who are you?” Gros Pierre uttered a cry of amazement, for el nigh that hy cootR ere trig » a sel? mote: down roun wa mus- ute beatae them, while Cetera! Bonaparte sat ata table, writing by the light of a lamp, with aousad.the Mametnke. a sword and a brace of pistols lying on the table | in a low tone to the driver on | to re SS ———— LLL TT TT LL before him. St. George threw back his cloak and answered the officer gayly: ‘‘ We are friends, my dear Rapp.” Then the general looked up. ‘Tt is thou, St. George? ell, what is it?” The soldiers never stirred, but looked on in the apathetic way of men who wait for orders. St. George advanced to the ‘table, and whis- pered to his beloved chief: ‘*T have fathomed the plot, and, if you, gen- eral, will give me the authority, I will have Barras and Gohier prisoners before the generals come to breakfast.’ Bonaparte looked at him sharply. “What authority do you need?’ ‘‘An order from yourself, directing the com- manders of all guards and prisons to obey me, in the service of France for the safety of the Republic.” ‘*You are modest, monsieur. You wish me implicit confidence in you.” ‘‘ Have I deserved it so far, general?” The creole’s tone was cold and injured. The general allowed one of his rare smiles to light up his pale face. ‘You have. But to arrest these men isa measure that requires military law and a guard. How can you penetrate the Luxembourg, for instance, to take Barras?” ‘With a goer I cannot. With the men I have, I can do it.” The general nodded. ‘*Aha! Isee. You have bought them, Well, I will ratify your bargain to-morrow, if you can do what you say. Is that enough?” ‘* T shall be more than satisfied, eral.” The general wrote rapidly a few moments, and then handed St. me two slips of paper. ‘*See if those are enough.” S;. George scanned them eagerly. The first ran thus: “For the safety of the Republic, imperiled by traitors, I order all officers and soldiers within the limits of Paris to obey the wishes of Citizen Georges, who has power to make all necessary arrests. ** BONAPARTE, ** General commanding,” The second was as follows: “T promise to ratify any engagements made in my name by the Chevalier St. George. . . ‘ BONAPARTE.’ St. George bowed low and his voice trembled as he said in a low tone: . ‘“-You repose this confidence in me, genere]; You shall see I do not abuse it.” The general cast a acc at the dark group by the door and asked: “Who are your friends, St. George? Have you been scouring the galleys for allies?” ~ The creole bowed again. * The galleys were scoured, general, but not by me oreover, I have found there a jewel hidden away.” ‘* And who is your jewel?” The tall man in front there, with the large nose, His name is Vidocq.” ‘‘Vidoeq, Vidocq! He is a robber. I heard of him three years ago in cathe (neat “The same man, general, but for all that he is a jewel, for he knows every thief in France and is willing and anxious to join the secret police.” . The flashing eyes of Bonaparte rested on the harsh features of Vidocq nt , ‘‘He looks like a man of parts,” he said. “Well, St. Ge I trust your discretion. When your work is done report here.” The creole bowed and retired, motioning his aie to follow op 5 Beni Eee ey were going ou _e led: “Stop. I want my Mameluke back. I am lost without Mourad. ‘gti St. George stopped at the door, ‘‘T am sorry, - ar but I need him to-night worse than you do.” Bonaparte shrugged his shoulders, ‘‘ Well, I suppose I must submit. You ple are all the same. You seem to think Ton .| of no importance to any one.” St. 9 ped made no answer save to sweep out Mourad who hesitated whether to follow or not, and then to close the door. “I want you all,” he said pointedly. “Come on.” | They followed him into the street, when Gros Pierre, who had been perfectly quiet in the house, broke out with a furious oath, “What is all this? There is some hocus- going on, and Iam not in it. Where is be man we are to arrest?” ‘* You shall find hitn if you will follow us,” answered Vidocq instantly. ‘‘ You're a fool, Gros Pierre. What do you care who is arrested or not arrested, so long as you get your wis ‘‘There is some accursed aristocrat’s plot ing on here,” retorted Gros Pierre, *‘and Iam lett out with Crocasse. Well, 1 am going to etry Ae sport for you.” . ‘How?’ asked a voice suddenly, and the of Mourad the Mameluke stepped up near ros Pierre. ~ They could hardly see him in the darkness but they heard the clink of steel as he spoke. Gorm JOOKS- GoM