Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-12-08
"YOU CAN'T PASS"

Persons rob one another every day put
he must have been clever fellow who rob-
bed the Pretectue de Police, (the head po.
lice officer in Paris.) And this a man did
whose name has become historical-Beau-
mont. He was the Jack Sheppard among
thieves.
When Beaumont accomplished the immor-
talizing feat (amongst his brethern) he had
just returned from the Bagne, (the gallery
at Brest 1t took place in the days Of the
celebrated Vidocq. He actually robbed the
strong box at the head police Office, and this
box contained not only bank notes, but all
the jewelry which is found, or in any way
comes into the hands of the police. After
his return from the galleys, he frequently
called upon Monsieur Henry, the principal
officer of the second division of police, and
these visits were made under pretence of
making certain revelations, or giving useful
information, in the hope of becoming attach
ed to the police himself.
Monsieur Henry's Office was next to the
cashiers Office. In going and coming,
Beaumont had keys made to fit them. This
was, doubtless, great point gained, but it
was not all =; it was necessary to watch mo-
meut when the cashier would be out, not
at home, or having left his Office, and when
Monsieur Henry, who never scarcely was ab-
sent, should be away. Everything turns
we'll for those who choose to wait patiently
Beaumont found the ong-watched-for oppor-
tunity, and as he never did anything hastily,
he did all at his ease this time, and as clev-
erly as quietly. He put on black coat be-
longing to Monsieur Henry, dress then
little worn, except by those in high Office !:
he walked down stairs and went to the near
est guard house, asked for the officer, who
took him for some high official, and two SOL
diers were sent with him, without the least
difficulty.
Beaumont gravely placed them, one at
each end of the corridor, with strict orders
to let no one pass until further directions
1t was very daring but equally sure. When
he had made his selection amongst heaps of
precious things, and filed his pockets with
gold and jewels, he passed one of the senti-
Dels and said:
That's right, my friend. am going to
the head directors. Everything must re-
main as have left it until my return; I
shall soon be back; let no one pass"
But the Office hours arrived, and all the
clerks, too, high and low.
you can't pass = they were told.
So they all went out and walked up and
down the yard. Some, however, went round
at last, tired of waiting, to the other en-
trance.
sYou can't pass ! saluted their ears again.
Then came the heads of the police, and
lastly Monsieur Henry himself, who did not
take matters quite so quietly. He ran to
to the guard house. The officer knew moth
ing of the rank or name of the functionary
who had asked for guard. To release the
soldiers from their duty, the minister of po-
lice had to be sent for, and they got in. If
thunderbolt had fallen amongst them all,
they could not have been more dumbfoun-
ded. The strong box was rifed, and the
ground strewn with rejected valuables.-
Who could have done it? To whom attri-
butte the audacious act? All the persons
employed were under examination and sus-
picion, when Beaumont was betrayed by a
comrade, and condemned second time
He had stolen several hundred thousand
francs, the greater part of which was found
upon him.