which they had instantly applied to their use, and they were compelled to confess; Lapierre alone had tried denial of the facts, but, confronted with the shopkeeper of Rue de la Bûcherie, he was decidedly and positively recognised—the stockings and cravat were his accusers. The whole gang, robbers and receivers, were sent to La Force, in the expectation of judgment; there they soon learnt that the comrade who had played the part of "Vidocq caught," was, in fact, "Vidocq the catcher." Great was their surprise; how they must have commended the admirable talents of the comedian! The sentence confirmed, all were ordered to the Bagne. The evening before their departure I was present when they were fettered, and, on seeing me, they could not forbear smiling.
"Behold your work, you villain," said Lapierre, "you are content, no doubt."
"I have, at least, no reproach to make against myself, I did not advise you to steal. Did you not make up to me? Why be so confiding! When a man exercises a profession like yours, he ought to be more on his guard."
"It is all well," said Commery, "you are sure to be at the galleys again yourself."
"In the mean time a good journey to yourself. Keep my place for me" and if ever you return to Pantin (Paris) do not play at such dangerous games again."
After this reply they conversed together, and Richelot said, "Well, well! I owe him a turn."
"As for you," replied the shipwright, "you brought him amongst us. Since you knew him, you ought to have known that he was a nose."
"Ah, yes! it was Richelot who brought it upon us," sighed Pomme Rouge, who was being fettered, and nearly had his head broken by the hammer which was rivetting his collar.
"Do not move," said the smith roughly. "It was he, it was he," replied the fence, "who floored us, and but for him ."
