Evening star., 1908-01-12
| y I |.

that Law he fore him and read 1t carefully
for the third time. 1t was an oncial re-
port of a desperate robbery that mad oc-
CURED in the heart of the French eapl'al
the night before. Moreover, it was one
of many similar reports. There had been
an epidemic or robberies, and the ponce
seemed powerless to stop them. ".
Henry summoned NJ. Bertaux. famed as
cross-examiner Of criminals, and NJ
Parisot. the governor of prisons, and the
three men talked long and earnestly, but
without coming to any conclusion. Pres
entity a look of qualification overspread
the countenance of NJ Henry. He turned
to his colleagues.
Gentlemen. I have it,
What is it?.' they called in chorus.
BE seated he responded. and wait. ;.
They did as they were bid. and the pre-
feet touched button. A,meSsenSer re-
sponded.
Tell Vidocq to come here at once"
said NJ. Henry.
In few minutes the door opened and a
strong. well-built man with square shoul-
ders shambled into the room. He had
gray hair. a thick nose, blue eyes, a
smooth face and perpetual smile. He
glanced about him in furtive way and
realized that he was in the presence of
the triumvirate of talent that ruled the
underworld 81 Paris. He squared himself
as a man would who was preparing to be
on the defensive. But the first words Of
the prefect reassured him. .'Vidoca, we
need your assistance"
The man bowed low.
M. Henry, / am at your service abso-
lutely.''
The prefect handed him the report.
Take that and read 1t carefully. 1t is
one of many. The criminals are having
carnival. I want you to capture this
gang. My regular police have failed.
They bring me only excuses; / wish you
TO bring me the prisoners
Vidocq smiled that everlasting smile
and bowed again.
1T shall be as you wish. M Henry
He left the room with three batteries
of sharp eyes levaled at him.
NJ Bertaux shrugged his shoulders.
"A quack doctor sent to capture bur-
glars
NJ. Parisot spread out his hands in
disgust.
"A showman.s clown, a petty thief
on the detective force
NJ. Henry, smiled blandly.
Gentlemen, you are not alone in your
disapproval. Do you see these papers"
pointing to high pile on the side of
his desk. these are all protests and
complaints against the employment of
Vfdoc9. Some are from honest men,
some from thieves. But he shall have
his chance. His past is behind him: his
future in his own hands. / shall judge
him solely by results"
4 #J
Fidocq spent all morning in going
over the reports that had been placed
in his hands. After that he returned
to his lodgings. and throwing himself
the bed lay awake all night de-
yising plan of campaign. When day.
Hight arrived it was completely blocked
out in his mind-not a detail was over
1o0ned.
The first step. was to discard his own
personality and take up that of another.
1t would have to be thief The honor
of being inpersonated fell to one Ger
main. alias "the captain" He was Al
fugitive galley slave. Vidocq had known
him in the days-well. in the days be-
fore he became a detective. Germain
had dark brown hair. that of Vidocq
was light: he was thin. Vidocq was
stout: his complexion was sallow, that Of
Vidoca was clear. But the resourceful
detective overcame all of these obstacles
Days were employed in perfecting the
likeness First he attained seven days
growth of beard. Then he dyed his hair
and beard black. BY the generous use Of
white walnut liquor he attained a most
unhealthy complexion. The original was
a snuff fiend. Vidocq garnished his up
per lip with mixture of coffee grounds
and gum arabic. He made blsters on
his feet by rubbing in a composition