The Virginia enterprise., 1908-08-07

d
Vidocq Immediately agreed, and was
placed in the unique position of going
out with party of thieves to waylay
himself. They actually went to the
home of the detective, but as NAV be
imagined he did not appear, and after
three hours of waiting they gave up
the vigil in disgust.
Many days had passed and still
Vldocq was without the specific evi-
dence which would enable him to put
his hand on the shoulder of Constan-
tine and say Thou art the man." OF
one thing he was morally certain: It
was that the erstwhile fencing master
was at the head of a band of resource
full and unscrupulous thieves. One
night after jollification at the dance
hall the crisis came.
Friend" said Constantine with a
leer, "do you feel like an adventure
tonight"
with whom?" asked Vidocq.
with my lady love-the locksmiths S
daughter"
I'll join you with all my heart!"
exclaimed the detective in undisguised
sincerity.
The plot was revealed with great
attention to details. The cracksmen
had been "spotting" the mansion of a
wealthy banker on one of the boule.
wards of Paris. Through the treachery
of housemaid, who had been smitten
with the charms of Constantine. the
gang had been provided with the key
which would admit them into the gar
den of the house. Vidocq listened very
attentively and occasionally answered
in monosyllables. He was careful not
to say anything which would expose
him to the reproach Of having caused
them to commit crime
Midnight is the hour" said Con-
stantine, and l want every man to do
his duty
There were six in the party-in-
cluding Vidocq. Each of the cracks
men was assigned to his part in the
enterprise. Constantine. was intcom-
mand and Joubert was chief of staff.
Vidocq was to be lifted into a ground
floor window, but the detective de-
INJURED to this particular assignment
on the plea that he was as yet only a
| novice.
He has weak stomach" sneered
Joubert; he will never make a good
craftsman"
Constantine hotly repealed the in
sinuation. He put his hand on Vidocq's
shoulder affectionately and said:
When this boy has had a little
more experience he will beat you all
in the business"
EidocQ smiled in sickly way at
this unexpected if dubious compliment.
1t seemed shame to deceive such a
big-hearted scoundrel. But then busi-
ness was business, and it was too late
to turn back now. 1t was finally ar
ranged that Vidocq should remain on
the outside Of the garden wall and give
the alarm if the police should come in
sight. 1t was now within an hour of
the time when they should sally forth
on their unlawful mission.
Come, boys" cried Constantine, "a
drink all around and then we'll get
down to business"
On the plea of searching for his hat
and coat Vidocq contrived to separate
himself from the others for a few
minutes. He wrote hurried message
on the back of an old envelope. and
finding a gendarme in the vicinity of
the restaurant dispatched him with
the note to the nearest prefecture. 1t
was to the point. It told of the place
of rendezvous and added:
"Have half dozen men on the
spot. Brighten the cracksmen, but
make no arrests until they have been
driven to place Of refuge"
When VidocQ returned to the table
his unsuspecting confederates were
preparing to leave. In 20 minutes they
reached their destination.
After that the chief advanced to the
gate with his brass key-the famous
locksmith's daughter. To his sur
prise it would not work. He fum-
bled with it for nearly a minute and
then gave it up as a bad job.
''Blast the girl!" he muttered.
"She's permitted them to bolt the door
from the inside"
"Perhaps she's peached," whispered
Vidocq insinuatingly.
"She wouldn't dare" cried Constan-
tine, showing his teeth. ,"She knows
me and she knows that l would kill an
informer."
Once again that cold shiver ran up
and down Vidocq's spinal column. But
it was merely feeting emotion. He
had nerve in plenty and to spare,
Boys" called the chief, we've got
to jump the wall and get down to busi-
ness. We can't fool around all night.
Here you'-to the detective-"give US
a hand"
Vidocq planted himself against the
wall of the garden and, holding out his
two hands, boosted the cracksmen
over the wall one at time. Constan-
tine was the last one up. He held his
hand down to Vidocq and assisted him
to the top of the stone coping.
Nov, Germain," said Constantine
to the detective. you get in the shad-
ow near the end of the wall and keen
a sharp lookout. If you see the DO
lice. give a low whistle. Be on the
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