we reached the door of the house without interruption, each of us taking off our shoes to make no noise as we went up stairs. We reached the landing-place on the third story; they were awaiting us. A door opened softly, and we entered a vast chamber dimly lighted, of which the tenant was a shipwright's man, who had already been before the police. Although he did not know me, my presence seemed to trouble him, and whilst he was helping to conceal the bundles under the bed, I heard him ask a question in a low voice, which I could guess by the reply, which was spoken in a louder tone.
Richelot. "It is Jean-Louis, a good fellow; be quiet, he is staunch."
The Tenant. "That's all right; there are now-adays so many noses and sneaks, that we should be fly to every cove.
Lapierre. "Oh be easy! be easy! I can answer for him as for myself: he is a friend and a Frenchman."
The Tenant. "Since it is all right, I will trust him, and upon the strength of it we will have a shove in the mouth all round."
He got on a sort of stool, and lifting his hand up to the shelf of an old cupboard, he took out a full bladder.
"Here's the stuff, brandy and nothing but some of my own prigging. Come, Jean, you shall begin."
Vidocq. "With all my heart, (pouring forth into a green glass and drinking.) It is capital out and out tipple, which cheers as it goes down—now it is your turn, Lapierre; come, sluice your ivories."
The glass and bladder passed from hand to hand, and when each had drank enough we threw ourselves on the bed until the morning. At daybreak we heard in the streets the cry of the sweep, (in Paris we know that the savoyards are the cocks of the least frequented quarters.)
Richelot. (jogging his neighbour.) "Ah! Lapierre, we must go to the fence."
Lapierre. "Let me sleep, do."
Richelot. "Come, come, stir your stumps.
