River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-08-06
alert because everything depends on

you"
Vidocq nodded his head.
"Yes," he repeated significantly,
everything depends on me-"
Vidocq on the wall watched the op-
Grafton intently. What unique po-
sition! He felt like an umpire for
society at that moment. The thieves
on one side of the wall, the officers of
the law on the other And himself in
the middle. Truly everything de-
pended on him.
Tick, tick, tick" came the low,
sharp sound of the metallic instru-
ment.
Finally the shutter was forced.
After that a pane of glass was cut,
and then nothing stood between the
burglars and their booty. Five min
utes, ten minutes they worked there
industriously. Everything was done
with business-like precision. Four
stout bags stood with yawning mouths
ready to receive the swag.
Vidocq looked on the outside Of the
wall. The streets were deserted. Not
soul was in sight. Had his note
miscarried? Would the police fail
him? 1t looked that way. What a
predicament for sleuth! To be the
confederate of thieves! If one of his
many enemies should catch him in
such a position he might have hard
time explaining to M. Henry. Present
ly measured tread was heard on the
hard sidewalk. His heart bounded. 1t
was a squad of police. He leaned
over and whispered
Hist"
A captain of police approached.
1T is I-Vidocq," called the detect
i've in a subdued voice. 81 will give
the alarm, but l wish you to let them
go their way. Two of them are
armed. Presently come to my old
lodgings"
The captain saluted and with his
men sought shelter. At the same mo-
ment Vidocq gave low, prolonged
whistle. Instantly there was COM
motion within. Bags were grabbed
up and all scampered toward the wall.
tits the police" whispered VidocQ;
come quickly and you may escape"
They unbolted the gate and hur-
ried out. Vidocq joined them.
where are the police?" whispered
Constantine.
They've gone the other way" said
Vidocq. eff we're careful we can
elude them"
They hurried along for few blocks.
The detective turned to the chief
craftsman:
Its dangerous to go through the
streets with these bags. Here's my
old lodgings. Let's creep in here for
shelter?"
Can you get in?" asked Constan-
tine.
Sure" replied Vidocq. II have my
key and l know the rooms vacant"
Silently they crept inside, one at
time, and closed the door behind them.
Constantine slapped Vidocq on the
back.
you're brick, German. / told you
he'd distinguish himself, boys"
What do you call this placer"
dShSu JOuUSIC, lOchlH5 oil Ouhu hAAh'
81 call it the mousetrap," said vi
docq, with leer.
The craftsmen laughed loudly at
this sally.
The swag was poured out on the
table and the enterprising gentlemen
were soon engaged in dividing their
rich haul Constantine and Joubert,
the only ones who possessed weapons,
laid their pistols on a chair. Silly
Vidocq picked them UP and secreted
them under a mattress. In the midst
of the exultation loud knocking was
heard at the door. The thieves looked
at one another with pale faces. Vi
docq crawled under the bed, unoD-
served. No sooner was he out OF
sight than the door was burst open
and a swarm Of inspectors and police
men entered the room. In the twin
king of an eye five pairs of handcutfs
were showed onto the wrists OF the
craftsmen and they were being
marched to the nearest police station.