Sacramento daily record-union., 1889-09-08
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

Such was the order given by the cele-
. brated Vidocq, Commander-in-Chief OF the
Paris Police Brigade, under the Restora-
tion, to the dingy-looking Cerberas who
guarded the entrance to his private Office.
When the countryman found himself in
the presence of the dread official he made
an awkward obeisance, bending his body
with well-feigned humility, and at the
same time casting towards Vidocq the
silly yet subtitle glance peculiar to the
cunning peasantry.
With one covert look Vidocq had taken
the measurement of his man.
keep your fawning for those who are
stupid enough to be taken in by it." said
ne, brus9uely. "You cannot gull me, you
know. What is it you want?"
Monsieur Vidocq l would like to enter
| your service"
"Bah What can you do ?"
"Why, | can work-at night, chiefly.
You see you are making such clean
sweep of suspicious characters that I find
business too risky, and think it would be
better to get on the safe side OF the broom.
As the vagabonds with whom | work
(sharp rascals they are, too, / assure you)
would never mistrust me on account of
my stupid looks, and as | know all their
haunts could be of great assistance to you
in running them down."
Vidocq fixed a scrutinizing eve upon the
| the candidate for detective glory, who,
meanwhile, awaited a reply, twisting his
old cap round and round as if unwinding
ball of yarn.
81 may, perhaps, find something for
you," answered Vidocq after moments
reflection. "But, in order that l may not
be deceived in you, wish, in the first
! place, to make sure that you are at least
as cunning as the rogues in question. You
must give me proof of your skill"
81 could give you ten, meaning no dis
respect to your Honor" replied the peas
ant with knowing leer.
"That remains to be seen," said Vidocq,
feeling in his vest pocket. Here is five
franc piece. You are to go at once to the
market of La Vallee, short distance from
here, and bring me a pullet or capon,
whichever you please. | will give you
half an hour"
"I fly Monsieur. You will be satisfied
with my purchase"
| The peasant took the money, Put it in
his pocket, and bowling very respectfully,
backed out of the ROOM
Nidocq then ordered three of his best
agents to follow the man, and watch all
his movements, but not to arrest him un-
less he failed to present himself at the
place designated.
| The amateur detective followed ex-
I hn L.
superior, without the slightest crookedness
being perceptible to the agents stationed a
| short distance away. Half an hour after
ward he again stood in the presence of his
chief
'sHere is the capon and your change,
Master. By considerable haggling | man
aged to get them for two francs and a
half"
Vidocq gave him look of mingled rage
and contempt, and exclaimed:
SIS that all you can do, you stupid
fool ?"
The peasant stood with down-cast eyes,
apparently confused and humiliated
"Do not get angry SO quickly, Sire"
said he deprecatingly. Give me chance
to unload my marketing"
Thereupon, opening his voluminous
blouse, in which triple row of pockets of
Incredible capacity was skillfully con-
cealed, he drew forth two other fowls,
which he placed triumphantly on the
table.
THAT" said he, pointing to the first, ''is
very nice pullet, and l cannot imagine
anything finer than a stew made of it.
The other is a grain-fed young chicken,
very plump and tender, think Have it
| brolled to turn and you will acknowledge
l am right"
Nidocq was speechless with surprise.
The cunning thief now looked him
boldly in the face with a self-satlsfied
grin, as he fumbled in his pocket.
"Ahp said he carelessly, 81 came near
forgetting. Here are your FIVE francs r'
And he placed the piece of money on the
table by the side of the fowl.
Vidocq was dumbfounded. At the
same moment the three officers returned
and announced that they had seen nothing
unusual
Vidocq frowned ominously. 'You saw
nothing unusual !" he calculated, angrily.
How does 1t happen that this fellow has
stolen two chickens without your having
seen anything? He also pilfered five
franc piece, after having received his
change, and still you saw nothing unusual !
Well, then, you blockheads, salute this
man as the superior of you all, and next
time try to look more sharply, if you wish
to remain in my service"
The detectives went out smarting with
humiliation. Upon word from Vidoca
one of them halted.
Go carry the stolen articles to the shop
woman" said he gruffly.
The man bowed and rejoined his COM
rades.
Now that we are alone, master thief,
explain to me the way in which you man
aged such a bold game !"
Ma toi, nothing could be simpler, Mon
sieur Vidocql Let us suppose that you
are the market-woman, surrounded by your
fowls. | come up just as you are endeav-
oring to suit very particular customer,
and pretend to wait patiently. Mean
while, without going to the trouble of bar
gaining, slip two pullets under my blouse,
which is specially arranged for the pur.
pose, as you see. Then | buy the third
honestly and give you my fve-franc piece
to change. Now, as those honest souls are
in the habit of emptying their bags of
money into their aprons. in order to pick
out the correct change, | take advantage
of that moment to help myself to trife.
And | do it in this way chuckle the
market woman gayly under the chin-this
way, you see-she resists, and | seize the
opportunity to adroitly nip with the other
hand coin from the heap, taking care to
sneeze as precautionary measure. She
naturally turns her head (precisely as you
do to avoid the results of the sneeze, and
the trick is played. Simple, is it not ?"
Bravo bravo! | see you are cunning
knave, and | will most gladly avail my
self of your services. But warn you not
to try any ofyour tricks on me, for you
know could make you smart for III
'Oh, Monsieur Vidocq, how could you
think of such thing OF course, I like
to amuse myself little, but at your ex-
pense-never! would not dare to do it,
mon Dieur'
"The bargain is settled, and enroll you
in my brigade at the rate of three francs
day, not counting perquisites; but, above
all, let me not catch you trying to play
double, for that would be a dear game for