their return to evil courses, particularly the two last, yet by dint of solicitations and representations founded on the utility they could be to me, I obtained their freedom. Coco-Lacour, against whom the greatest prejudice existed, because when a secret agent, he had been accused (rightly or wrongfully is a question) of stealing the plate of the inspector-general Veyrat, is the only one who has given me no cause to repent of having in some degree become answerable for his conduct. The two others soon compelled me to expel them, and they have since been condemned at Bourdeaux. As for Coco, I thought he would keep his word, and I was not deceived. As he was very intelligent, and had some knowledge of his business, I made him my secretary. Subsequently, in consequence of some remonstrances I made him, he gave me in his resignation, as did two of his comrades, Decostard, called Procureur, and another named Chrétien. Coco-Lacour is now the chief police agent; and until he publishes his Memoirs, it may not be uninteresting to show the vicissitudes through which he has passed in attaining the post which I so long filled. There are many palliatives for his course of life; and in his radical reformation from capital crimes, are shewn potent reasons why we should never despair of the return of a man of perverted courses of life to the paths of rectitude. The documents from which I shall extract the principal features of the history of my successor, are most correctly authentic. Here we have the first traces of his existence left at the prefecture of police. I open the "Registres de sureté," and thus transcribe:—
"Lacour, Marie-Barthelemy, aged eleven years, residing Rue du Lycée; sent to the Force 9th Ventose, year 9, charged with an attempt at robbery: eleven days afterwards sentenced to a month's imprisonment by the Correctional Tribunal.
"The same, apprehended 2nd Prairial following, and again sent to the Force accused of stealing lace in a
