Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume III/Chapter 44
Disguised as a dealer in horses, I set out with my agents Clement and Goury, who passed for my ostlers; and such was the diligence used by us, that, spite of the severity of the season and the badness of the roads, (for it was in the midst of winter,) we arrived at La Capelle on the evening of the following day, which happened, fortunately for my purpose, to be the eve of a large fair. Having traversed the country more than once during my military career, I required but a very short time to arrange my plan of action, and to assume the dialect of the place. All the inhabitants to whom I spoke of Pons Gérard described him to me as a robber, who subsisted only by fraud and rapine; his very name was sufficient to excite universal terror, and the authorities of the place, although daily furnished with proofs of his enormities, durst take no steps to repress them. In a word, he was one of those terrible beings who compel obedience from all who summoned them; for my own part, little accustomed to draw back from a perilous enterprise, these particulars only stimulated me the more to enter upon the undertaking. My vanity was piqued to accomplish a task which appeared to vie in difficulty with the labours of Hercules, but did I know that success would attend my arduous attempt? As yet I was ignorant of many essential points, but trusting for the best, I sat down
to breakfast with my agents, and when we had sufficiently
fortified our stomachs, we set out in search of
the hardened accomplice of Court and Raoul. These
latter had pointed out to me a lone auberge as the favourite
haunt of Pons. This house was the rendezvous
of a nest of smugglers, and the woman who kept it, considering
Pons as one of her best customers, felt great
interest in all that concerned him. So well had this
auberge been described to me, that I required no further
directions to find it; I therefore repaired thither
with my two companions, and entering, seated myself
without any ceremony, assuming the tone and manner
of one well used to the ways of the house.
"Good day to you, Mother Bardou, how goes all with you?"
"The same to you, my good friends, and many of them. You are welcome to my poor place; thank God, we are all pretty comfortable, thanks for your inquiry. What would you please to have, gentlemen?"
"Dinner, dinner! my good soul; we are starving with hunger."
"You shall have it directly, sirs;—please to step into the next room, where you will find a good fire."
Whilst she was employed in laying the cloth, I drew her into the following conversation:—
"I begin to fancy, my good hostess, that you have forgotten my features."
"Wait a little till I have time to look well at you."
"Why what a memory you must have to forget how I used to come with Pons to your house last winter, many a time have we paid you a moonshine visit.
"Bless me! now I begin to recollect,"
"To be sure you do, look again."
"Oh! now I remember you perfectly."
"Well, how is our jolly cove Gérard, how is he getting on? quite strong and hearty, eh?"
"I faith is he, he was here only this morning, and took a glass or two on his way to Lamare house, where he had employment."
Of this house, or of its situation, I was utterly ignorant, nevertheless as I had given myself out as a person well acquainted with the neighbourhood, I was careful not to betray myself by risking any inquiry. Still I trusted that, without directly asking the question, I should be enabled to lead my voluble friend, by indirect means, to the point at which I wished to arrive. Accident favoured me, for scarcely had we swallowed a few mouthfuls of our dinner, than Mother Bardou entered the room, "You were talking of Gérard just now," said she, "his daughter has just called in."
"Indeed! which of the daughters?"
"The youngest."
I rose immediately, and running up to the child embraced her before she had time even to look at me; and rapidly naming each member of her family, made many and warm inquiries after their health. When she had replied to them, I cut short the parley by giving her a trifle of money, and recommending her to hasten home whither I would accompany her, as I was extremely anxious to present myself to her excellent mother; beckoning to my companions, we left the house, following the footsteps of our little guide, who, surprised at the novelty of the rencontre, was making with all speed for the dwelling of her mother. No sooner, however, had we got out of sight of the auberge, than I called to the girl, "Hark ye, my little one, do you know the place they call Lamare house?"
"It stands just down there," said she, pointing with her finger to the other side of Hirson.
"Well, then, I'll tell you what you shall do; just run on and let your mother know that you have met three particular friends of your father's, and that we shall return to sup with him. So that she may as well have it all ready for four of us.—That's right—make the best of your way; good evening, my pretty maid."
The daughter of Gérard pursued her way, and we were not slow in following the road she had described to us, which brought us nearly facing the house we sought, but no persons were to be seen about, and upon questioning a countryman whom we met, he informed us that Pons was at work with a number of labourers at a short distance from thence; we proceeded onwards, and having gained an eminence, obtained a view of about thirty men employed in repairing the high road. Gérard, by virtue of his office of overseer, was in the midst of this group. We advanced within fifty steps of the workmen, when I made my agents observe an individual whose countenance and general appearance exactly corresponded with the description we had received of the ferocious Pons; although we entertained no doubt of his being the man, we durst not attempt to seize him, for should his companions undertake his rescue, we, of course, should come off but badly, and even his single arm, when impelled by the fear of being taken prisoner, might be more than a match for my small party. Our situation was embarrassing enough, yet had we displayed the least symptom of it, Gérard would either have made us pay dearly for our temerity in daring to attack him, or he would escape our grasp by a hasty retreat to the frontier. Never had I felt a greater need of prudence and self-possession. I consulted with my agents, two firm and intrepid men. "Act as you think proper," said they, "and rest assured of our seconding you in whatever steps you may take."
"Well then," cried I, "follow me, and do nothing till a fit opportunity arrives; perhaps we may turn out the more cunning party of the two, although the enemy nay have the advantage of superior strength."
I walked directly up to the individual whom I supposed to be Gérard, my two companions keeping at a little distance. The nearer I approached the more assured did I feel that I had not mistaken my man; thus convinced, and without further hesitation, I hurried up to Pons, and embracing him with every demonstration of regard, exclaimed, "Pons, my good fellow, how are you? how is your excellent wife, and all your family? quite well, I trust?"
Astonished at this unexpected salutation. Pons remained in silent examination of my face for some minutes; "Devil take me," said he at last, "if I know who or what you are; where the deuce did you spring from?"
"What!" said I, "not recollect me? am I then indeed so much altered?"
"Not I, I do not remember ever seeing you in all my life; can't you just tell me your name? Stay, now I look again, I feel certain that I have met that face of yours somewhere or other, although where I have seen you is more than I can tell."
"I am a friend of Raoul and Court," said I, whispering in his ear, "and am sent to you by them."
"Ah!" cried he, pressing my hands warmly in both of his, and turning to the workmen who were gazing in wonder at this unexpected change of his reception of me, "I must have lost my senses, I think, not to remember one of my best friends! Not to recognise my dear friend! the devil must have flown away with my memory. My dear fellow! let me embrace you;" and, suiting the action to the word, he gave me such an emphatic hug as well nigh stifled me.
During this scene my agents had insensibly advanced nearer to the spot where we stood. Pons perceiving them, inquired if they belonged to me? "They are two of my ostlers," said I.
"I thought so, but you must stand greatly in need of refreshment, and those gentlemen yonder would, I dare say, have no objection to a glass of something good;—what say you?"
"With all my heart. A bottle of your best wine will do us no harm."
"Well, then, let us go; but in this cursed place, which produces nothing but wolves, there is nothing to be had; however, if you don't mind walking over to Hirson, (which, to be sure, is a good league from hence,) we shall get as good a bottle of wine as ever was uncorked."
"Come along then, let us go to Hirson."
Pons bade adieu to his comrades, and we set out together. As we walked along I could not help confessing that the immense strength of this man did not appear to have been at all exaggerated by Raoul or Court; he was but of middling height, probably not more than five feet four inches at the utmost, but square built, and exhibiting every indication of muscular power. His swarthy face, embrowned still more by a constant exposure to the sun and wind, was distinguished by deeply-marked features, expressive of energy and determination; he had enormous limbs, and a strong, sinewy throat, in strict accordance with the whole of his robust frame; in addition to this he wore immense whiskers, and a more than usual quantity of beard; his hands were short, thick, and covered with hair, even to the fingers' ends; his harsh and pitiless air seemed to belong to a countenance which might exhibit a mechanical relaxation of the risible muscles, but had never once smiled from an internal feeling of benevolence or good-will.
Whilst I was intently occupied in making these observations, I could perceive that Pons was regarding me with equal attention; at last stopping suddenly, as if to take a closer view, he exclaimed, "Why you really are a very fine fellow, and fill out your clothes as well as I have ever seen a man! I think you and I should make an excellent pair, for I am none of the slightest figures any more than yourself; not like that little hop-o'-my-thumb," added he, pointing to Clement, (who was the smallest man amongst my agents;) "why I could swallow a dozen such as he at my breakfast."
"Don't flatter yourself," said I; "you might not find it so easy a task as you may fancy."
"Very possibly," replied he; "these undersized chaps are frequently all nerve and muscle."
After these trifling remarks, Pons inquired after his friends. I told him that they were quite well; but thus not having seen him since the affair of Avesnes, I had left them very uneasy as to what had become of him. (The affair of Avesnes was a murder. When I alluded to it, his countenance exhibited not the slightest emotion.)
"Well, and what brings you to this part of the country?" asked he; "are you after a bit of moonshine, eh?"
"You have just hit it, my friend," said I. "My business here is to endeavour to dispose of a string of broken-down horses, which are famously doctored up for taking-in the knowing ones. Our friends told me that you could lend me a helping hand."
"Ah, to be sure, you may depend on me," protested Pons.
With this sort of conversation we reached Hirson, where we halted at the house of a clock-maker who sold wine. We were soon placed round a table; our wine was brought, and, whilst we were drinking it, I led the conversation back to Court and Raoul. "Poor fellows," said I, "I fear that at this present moment they are very queerly situated."
"How so?" asked he.
"Why I did not wish to tell you all at once; but the fact is, they are in considerable trouble; they have been arrested, and I greatly fear that they are now in prison."
"On what account?"
"Of that I am ignorant; all I know is, that I was breakfasting with Court and Raoul, when the police broke in upon us, and, after closely interrogating us all three, they allowed me to go about my business. As for our two poor friends, they were detained in solitary confinement; nor would you have learned their misfortune, had not Raoul, in returning from his examination, managed to whisper a few words to me unobserved, begging of me to warn you to be on your guard, for that they had been closely questioned as to their acquaintance with you. I cannot give you any further particulars."
"And who arrested you?" inquired Pons, who seemed thunderstruck at the intelligence.
"Vidocq."
"Oh! the scoundrel, the scamp! But who is this Vidocq, of whom we hear so much: I have never been able to meet him face to face; once only I perceived him following an individual into the house of Causette. I was told it was him, but I forget all about him; and I would cheerfully give half-a-dozen bottles of wine to any one who would procure me a good stare at him."
"Bless you, it is easy enough to meet with him," replied I; "he is always about in one place or another."
"Well, I would advise him to keep out of my reach," exclaimed Pons. "If he were here, I'll engage he would pass the worst quarter of an hour he ever experienced in his life."
"Oh! you are like all the rest of them, talking of what you would do; and yet if he were before you at this moment, you would sit perfectly still, and be the first to offer him a glass of wine." (At the time I was saying this I held out my glass, which he filled.)
"I'll offer him wine! May a thousand devils seize me first!"
"Yes, you, I say, would invite him to drink with you."
"I tell you I would die sooner."
"Then you may die as soon as you please, for I am Vidocq, and I arrest you!"
"How, how; what is this?
"Yes, I arrest you!" and approaching my face to his, "I tell you, villain, I arrest you, you are done; and if you dare to stir one step, I will tweak off your rascally nose. Clement, handcuff this worthy gentleman."
The astonishment of Pons defies description. Every feature appeared distorted, his eyes starting from their sockets, his cheeks quivering, his teeth chattered, and his hair stood on end; by degrees these symptoms of a general convulsion, which had affected only the upper part of his frame, gave way to a fresh revulsion of nature. After his arms were fastened, he remained for nearly half an hour motionless, and as though petrified. His lips were apart, and his tongue glued to the palate of his mouth; and it was only after repeated efforts that he succeeded in detaching it; in vain his parched and swollen tongue sought a moisture, which the dried up lips were unable to afford, and the countenance of the ruffian exhibited alternately the pale, livid, cadaverous hues of a corpse; at last, recovering from his lethargy. Pons articulated these words:—
"What, are you Vidocq? ah, had I but known it when you first spoke to me, I would have rid the earth of such a sneaking beggar."
"Well," said I, "I thank you all the same for your kind intentions; meanwhile, as you have fallen into the trap, you owe me the six bottles of wine you promised to whoever would show you Vidocq, and you cannot deny my having done so. Another time I advise you not to tempt the devil."
The gendarmes who were called in after the arrest of Pons, could scarcely credit their eyes; during the search we had been directed to make throughout his house, the mayor of the place begged to see us, that he might express his grateful sense of the service we had rendered to the whole province.
"You have," said he, "delivered us from a frightful scourge, from a wretch who was our torment and dread."
All the inhabitants joined in expressing their joy at the capture of their late foe, as well as their astonishment at the ease with which it had been effected.
The search over, we removed to sleep at La Capelle. Pons was closely handcuffed to one of my agents, who had orders not to quit him night or day; at our first halt, I caused him to be undressed, in order to ascertain whether or not he had any concealed arms about him. When he was stripped I really doubted his belonging to the human race; the whole of his body was covered with a thick bushy glossy hair; he might, indeed, have been mistaken for the Hercules Farnèse, enveloped in the skin of a bear.
Pons appeared perfectly tranquil, nor did anything more than common arise till the following day, when I ascertained that, during the night, he had eaten more than a quarter of a pound of tobacco. I had, from previous observation, noticed, that men who are greatly accustomed to the use of either tobacco or snuff, make an immoderate use of it in times of great peril or emergency. I knew well that a pipe is never more quickly consumed than when in the hands of a condemned criminal, whether it be immediately after receiving his sentence, or on the eve of its being put into execution; but I had never yet seen a prisoner, situated as Pons was, introduce into his stomach a substance, which, taken in so large a quantity, might produce the most fatal effects. I very much feared that he would suffer from his excess, and even suspected he had committed it in the hope of its acting as poison. I, therefore, took from him what tobacco he had remaining, and gave orders that it should only be dealt out to him in small doses, and this on condition that he would engage only to chew it. Pons yielded with a tolerably good grace to this regulation; he ceased to devour his tobacco, although I never had any reason to suppose he had experienced the slightest inconvenience from what he had previously taken.