River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-08-06

giving any OIL us IurCnef unSdSlneSS.
Vidocq Immediately agreed, and was
placed in the unique position of going
| out with a party of thieves to waylay
himself. They actually went to the
home of the detective, but as may 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
| Vidocq was without the specific evil
dence which would enable him to put
his hand on the shoulder of Constan-
tine and say Thou art the mani" OF
one thing he was morally certain: 1t
was that the erstwhile fencing master
full and INSCRIPTIONS thieves. One
night after jollification at the dance
hall the crisis came.
Friend" said Constantine with
leer, "do you feel like an adventure
| to-night?"
/ with whom?" asked Vidocq.
with my lady love-the locksmith's
daughter"
''Ill 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 sporting" the mansion of a
wealthy banker on one of the boule
| wards of Paris. Through the treachery
| of a 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 I want every man to do
@his duty"
There were six in the party-in-
| Guiding Vidocq. Each of the cracks
| men was assigned to his part in the
| enterprise. Constantine was in COM
mand and Joubert was chief of staff
| Vidocq was to be lifted into q 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 a weak stomach" sneered
| Joubert; ''he will never make a good
craftsman"
Constantine holly repealed the in
situation. He put his hand on Vidocqs
shoulder affectionately and said
when this boy has had a little
more experience he will beat you all
in the business"
Vidocq smiled in a sickly way at
this unexpected if dubious compliment.
1t seemed a shame to deceive such
big-hearted scoundrel. But then bust
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, ga
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 a 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
f0 fIA INT toll nf hn nj
Of rendezvous and added:
Have half a dozen men on the
spot. Brighten the craftsmen, 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 FUN
bled with it for nearly a minute and
then gave it UP as bad job.
"Blast the grill" 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 SILVER ran up
and down Vidocq's spinal column. But
it was merely fieeting emotion. He
had nerve in plenty and to spare.
Boys" called the chief, we've got
to jump the wall and get down to bust
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 a 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.
Now, Germain," said Constantine
to the detective, you get in the shad-
ow near the end of the wall and keep
a sharp lookout, If you see the po-
lice, give low whistle. Be on the