The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-28

quaintance but received no answer; and. on
turning around, discovered that he, as well as
the painter, had vanished as if by enchantment;
and what was more serious, that his own watch,
purse, and snuff-box had disappeared with them.
Trifes like these, however, were soon aban-
doned by Poulailler for higher game; and, with
the exception of an occasional visit to Paris, his
operations were henceforth chiefly confined to the
provinces, where, as the acknowledged leader OF
numerous and well armed band, he set at de-
fance the combined resources of the police and
marechaussee' So skillfully were his expedl-
lions planned, completely to battle the keenest
and most experienced of Vidocq's predecessors;
while, owing to the rapidity of his movements,
and the constant reports of his sudden appear
ance, when least expected first in one part of the
country and then in another, the popular belief
in his ubiquity was universal.
Travelling, never very safe in those days. be-
came almost impracticable without strong es-
cort, and even then was rarely undertaken except
IN cases OF absolute necessity. The numbering
diligences Of the period, however, still continued
to ply between the larger towns, but at uncertain
intervals, and scarcely ever with full compile
ment of passengers; and it was in vehicle of
|
sells, that Poulailler, starting on professional
tour through Flanders, and so artistically dis
gused as to defy recognition, took his place one
morning, and listening for want of more profita-
| BILE occupation to the conversation of his two
fellow passengers in the Interior discovered to
| his great amusement that they were discussing
his own enormities and those of his band One
of them portly individual in a clerical dress
was particularly energetic on the subject and
animadverted severely on the conduct of the
authorities, owing to whose culpable negligence
such crimes were allowed to 90 unpublished ;
adding that if he were in the place of NJ Herault
| the then lieutenant of police he would soon
| have the maletact0rs brought to justice. When
! he at length paused for breath, Poulailler quiet
| ly asked him if he had ever been personally at
tackled by the gang, to which the other replied
in the negative; but declared, nevertheless, his
firm intention on his next visit to Paris of seeing
NJ. Herault and impressing on him the necessity
! of more active measures. Having ascertained by
few skillful questions that his implacable enemy
was a canon Of Brussels, named De Potter, and
that he proposed setting out for the French cap
ital in the course of the ensuing month, and tax
| ing up his quarters at a hotel in the Rue Tour
non, the robber laid his plans accordingly; and
in three weeks from that date the lieutenant OF
police received the following letter:
MoNsIEUR,-I confess to my shame that am
OF of P0ulaillers associates, and if | venture to
address YOU it is in the hope of obtaining pardon
for my past offenses in return for the secret am
about to reveal to you. Poulailler, who lately
robbed and assassinated NJ. de Potter, canon OF
| Brussels, is on the point of arriving in Paris
wearing the dress and carrying on his person the
passport of his victim"
After perusing this unsigned epistle N. He
rault instantly commanded strict watch to be
kept at the different entrances to the city and
few days later the exempts posted at the Bar
riere st. Martin arrested an individual answer
ing exactly to the description given, and, in
spite of his cries and indignant remonstrances
conveyed him to the official residence of thei1
chief. Fortunately for the prisoner, the lieuten-
ant was at that moment giving audience to two
| inhabitants of Brussels, who Immediately recog-
nized the new conner, and positively affirmed that
he was 10 other than NJ. de Potter himself
Greatly incensed at the trick that had been
played on him. NJ. Herault, with a very bad
grace ordered the supposed highwayman to be
set at liberty and conducted to his hotel, which
he no sooner reached than he found awaiting his
arrival letter, in precisely the same handwrit.
| ing as the one addressed to the lieutenant. II
ran thus:
This will be lesson to you in future my
dear canon, not to wish i'll to those who have
done you no harm. You can scarcely have for
gotten certain remarks made by you between
Cambria and Brussels few weeks ago. One Of
your w-travelers, POULAILLER."
AS might naturally be expected, NJ. Herault>
indignation at having been SO cruelty mystifed
knew no bounds, and he decided forthwith or
offering a reward of hundred crowns, in addi
ton to post worth two thousand livres, tC
whichever of his agents succeed ID capturing the
audacious highwaymen. Shortly after, while he
was engaged one morning in the duties of biz
office, the visit of Count de Villeneuye was an
nounced; and an individual perfectly unknown
to the lieutenant having been ushered into the
latter sanctum, requested private interview
In reply to M. Heraults inquiry as to the mo-
tive of his coming: "a mere trife, monsieur" hi
said, "but before entering into details, allow me-
to secure myself against any possible interrup
ton" In another moment he had bolted the
door, and drawn from his pocket dagger. "Yor
see this, monsieur" he continued 1T is poison
ed and the slightest scratch produces instant
death; you wish to see Poulailler, and l am here