that the fruit-woman would not fail to communicate the particulars, as I had desired my man to beg her to observe secresy.
The event proved that I was not deceived;—no sooner had my agent fulfilled his mission, than the fruit-woman hastened to madame Noel with an account of what had passed; who, in her turn, lost no time in telling me. On the look-out at the steps of the door of her officious neighbour, as soon as she saw me, she came to me, and, without further preface, desired me to follow her, which I did; and, on reaching the Place des Victoires, she stopped, and looking about her to be assured that no one was in hearing, she told me what had passed:—"So," said she, in conclusion, "you see, my poor Germain, that it would not be prudent for you to sleep at my house; you must even be cautious how you approach it by day." Mother Noel had no idea that this circumstance, which she bewailed so greatly, was of my own planning; and, that I might remove all suspicion from her mind, I pretended to be more vexed at it than she was, and cursed and swore bitterly at that blackguard Vidocq, who would not leave us at peace. I deprecated the necessity to which I was reduced, of finding a shelter out of Paris, and took leave of madame Noel, who, wishing me good luck and a speedy return, put a thirty-sous-piece into my hand.
I knew that Desbois and Mongenet were expected; and I was also aware that there were comers and goers who visited the house, whether madame Noel was there or not; and she was often absent, giving music lessons in the city. It was important that I should know these gentry; and to achieve this, I disguised several of my auxiliaries, and stationed them at the corners of the street, where, mixing with the errand boys and messengers, their presence excited no suspicion.
These precautions taken, that I might testify all due appearance of fear, I allowed two days to pass before
