Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/190

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residence in the loft, we had procured five sticks, and put spike nails, with a sharp edge and point into the ends, to use as weapons of defence; four of these were taken in the vessel, the fifth we had given to young Derikre, who incautiously left it by the fireside; fortunately, it was not noticed, or it would have been sufficient proof to implicate the whole family. She likewise related, that the lantern, having been known to belong to Winderkins, his house was also searched, and both of them were taken before the police. He confessed that the lantern was his property, but swore he had lent it to Madame Derikre; this, she acknowledged, stating, that she had put it out of the door in lieu of her lamp, sent to be repaired, and that some one had stolen it. The baker, who was also taken before the mayor, proved that the consumption of bread at the "Cat," had been more than doubled, for several weeks; this, however, was evaded by a declaration of an unusual increase of custom, to which she could safely swear, without risk of perjury. This explanation