The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-08-07

was a squad OF police. He leaned
over and whispered:
"Hist!"
A captain of police approached.
ut is I-Vidocq," called the detect
i've in subdued voice. 81 will give
the alarm, but I 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
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:
tits 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 know the rooms vacant"
Silently they crept inside, one at a
time, and closed the door behind them.
Constantine slapped Vidocq on the
back.
You're brick, German. I told you
he'd distinguish himself, boys"
What do you call this placer"
asked Joubert, looking around him.
81 call it the mousetrap," said VI
docq, with leer.
The cracksmen 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 mattress. In the midst
of the exultation a loud knocking was
heard at the door. The thieves looked
at one another with pale faces. vi
docq crawled under the bed, unob-
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 handouts
were showed onto the wrists of the
cracksmen and they were being
marched to the nearest police station.
Ill.
1t was New Years day at the pre-.
lecture OF police. M. Henry, follow
ing a long established custom, was
holding his annual reception. The
room was crowded and all of the Of
ficers of the police, high and low,
were there to present their chief with
the compliments of the season. M.
Bertaux, the cross examiner OF GRIM
inals, and M. Parisot, the governor OF
prisons, were in the line receiving
with M. Henry. During lull In the
crowd the three men drifted into
conversation concerning crime.
'By the bye, M. Henry" said M.
Bertaux, what has become of the
fellow Vidocq?"
'T really do not know" said the pre-
feet gravely.
What" exclaimed the other, mot
know!"
mo" was the response. Il have
not seen him since the day I called
him in in your presence and dele
gated him to break up the burglaries
that have disgraced the police system
of the CITY,"
"And the burglaries," continued tho
other tauntingly, they have contin-
ued?"
M. Henry nodded.
"And Vidocq-he has disappeared"
The project nodded again.
M. Bertaux burst into an ironical
laugh.
IN. Henry, you have been deceived;
taken in; hoodwinked.
The project shook his head.
81 am not ready to confess defeat"
At that moment a great commotion
was heard on the outside. An at
tendant was summoned.
What is the confusion?"
"All of the valuables stolen from the
Lanker's house in the Champs Elysees
have been recovered"
Good" retorted M. Henry; but is
that all?"
mo; Vidocq is outside demanding
admittance. He has no card"
admit himl" snapped the project.
A moment later five men handcuffed
entered the room. Bringing up the
rear was vidocq. The first prisoner
was Constantine, the others Joubert
and his companions. Vidocq made a
profound bow and. smiling his per-
petual smile, pointed to the cursing
culprits.
IN. Henry, I wish you the compli
ments of the season, and as a New
Years gift present to you the re-
doubtable Constantine and his fellow
cracksmen
Downright, nv w. G. Chapman)