The History and Romance of Crime 10

The History and Romance of Crime 10

Vidocq was still bent on escape. An obstacle to his plan existed in his

chain companion, of whose discretion he was afraid. The man was still

young, but already half an idiot from misery and brutal treatment. It

was the rule to blame the remaining half of a couple, when the other

had got away, and Vidocq knew this man, to avoid punishment, would

betray the projected escape. It was necessary to be coupled afresh,

and Vidocq, feigning sickness, was laid by for a few days, and then

given another partner, who had no fears and was full of good-will. He

strongly advised the would-be fugitive to make his move at once, before

the sergeants had come to know his face. He helped Vidocq, who was in

funds, to buy a disguise, a suit of sailor’s clothing, which was put

on the morning of the third attempt, underneath his convict’s frock,

and was undetected as the gang passed out of the gate to labor at

dawn. His fetters, which he had sawn through, only hung by threads, but

these also escaped notice; and on reaching the basin where the works

were in progress, Vidocq slipped aside behind a pile of planks, where

he made a rapid change, and walked off towards the wicket gate, giving

upon the town. Altogether ignorant of the proper way, after threading

many intricate streets and turning continually right and left, he

luckily reached the main gate of the city, where a veteran guard was

posted, who had the credit of being able to tell a convict at a look,

and penetrate any disguise. A telltale hang of one leg, that to which

the chain has been fastened, is an unfailing sign, but Vidocq had not

been coupled long enough to show this. He played his part very coolly.

He was carrying a jug of buttermilk, bought on purpose, and placing

this upon the ground he halted in front of the warder, and carelessly

asked for a light for his pipe. This self-possession served him in good

stead. He passed safely through, and three-quarters of an hour elapsed

before the three guns giving the alarm were fired. He still held on

bravely, and all would have gone well, had not two gensdarmes suddenly

appeared at the turn of the road, and took him into custody, but not as

an escaped convict. With ready wit Vidocq gave himself up as a deserter

from the navy, the _Cocarde_ frigate then in the roadstead of St. Malo,

near at hand,--to which he thought to be returned and to escape from

the escort on the way.

 

After prolonged detention Vidocq was started for the coast, when he

escaped and passed through many exciting adventures. For a part of the

time he wandered about the country disguised as a Sister of Mercy. Then

he joined forces with a party of escaped convicts, who had recognised

him. Then he became a cattle drover, a business in which he earned

good wages, and which took him to Paris. Danger threatened in the

capital, and he worked north to Arras, in his own country, and on to

Brussels and Rotterdam, where he was pressed into the Dutch navy. He

claimed release as a Frenchman born, and was speedily identified as

the deserter from the _Cocarde_. He was carried back into France as a

prisoner, and his fate seemed so uncertain that he thought it best to

proclaim himself Vidocq, an escaped convict from Brest. He was removed

to Bicêtre on a second visit, and to be transferred for a second time

on the chain to one of the _bagnes_. His second journey, which took

him south, for Toulon was now his destination, was a repetition of

that already described,--the most interesting feature in it being

his companionship with a very noted criminal of that period, Jossas,

better known as the Marquis Sainte Armande de Faral, one of the most

celebrated robbers of Paris. There was very little of the convict about

this prosperous thief. Although fettered, he wore a smart travelling

costume, knitted pantaloons of silver gray and a waistcoat and cap

trimmed with Astrakan fur, the whole covered with a large cloak lined

with crimson velvet. He had ample funds, and fared sumptuously every

evening, when he treated several of his comrades at dinner. He spent

much time daily on his toilet, and was provided with a splendid

dressing-case filled with all necessaries. His line of business was

that of thefts by means of false keys, and he showed extraordinary

cleverness in getting impressions to enable him to open the locks of

doors and safes.

 

On reaching Chalons by road the gangs were transferred to large

boats, on which they dropped down the Rhône to Lyons, then on as far

as Avignon, where they landed and recommenced the march. Vidocq and

others, who had been guilty of escape, were condemned to the “double

chain” as it was called. This meant unbroken confinement in one part

of the prison, where they were chained to the guard bed, which they

never left except for a short period of exercise. The worst characters

in custody were collected here. Vidocq found himself side by side with

several celebrities, notably revolutionaries who had robbed the royal

wardrobe, a gigantic theft of Crown jewels and priceless treasures

valued in all at half a million pound sterling, among which was the

famous Regent diamond, sometimes called the “Pitt,” which had been

brought from India by Mr. Pitt, Governor of Madras. There was also a

member of the Cornu family, the head of which had long terrorised the

people of Lombardy. Disguised as a horse-dealer he frequented country

fairs and attacked merchants who were carrying large sums of money.

He was greatly assisted by his third wife, who ingratiated herself

with travellers and led them to their death. This family consisted of

three sons and two daughters, all of them habituated to crime from

their earliest childhood. The youngest girl, Florentine, showed some

repugnance to adopt the criminal profession. She was cured by being

compelled to carry in her apron, for two leagues, the decapitated head

of a murdered farmer. So rapid is the degeneration of those who once

go astray that this same Florentine, when her relatives joined a band

of _chauffeurs_, for her part was to apply the lighted candle to the

feet of their victims, when they refused to confess the hiding-place of

their valuables. The brother, who was confined at Toulon with Vidocq,

carried on the assumed business of a journeyman, and was sentenced to

the double chain when caught in the act of committing a burglary.

 

Vidocq gained the good-will of his guardians by inducing his companions

to pursue prison industries, and the prison of the double chain

became a busy workshop, where children’s toys and other articles

were manufactured in large quantities. The trade was profitable, and

supplied the funds needed for undertaking a fresh escape. Vidocq

collected materials for disguise--a wig and black whiskers and an

old pair of boots. For the rest he trusted to the overcoat, hat, cane

and gloves of the prison surgeon, who was in the habit of leaving

these unguarded within Vidocq’s reach. The first attempt made in this

disguise was a failure, the second was more successful. It had been

arranged with the convict, Jossas, already mentioned, who had provided

him with the plain clothes which he put on beneath his crimson frock.

The rivet in his irons had been removed, and had been replaced by a

movable screw, and one morning, when issuing forth to labor, Vidocq

slipped behind the pile of wood, quickly threw off his red shirt and,

extracting the screw, freed himself from his fetters. He ran at top

speed to the basin, where a frigate was in repair, and jumped into

a boat on the point of starting from the town. Vidocq seized an oar

and pulled manfully towards Toulon, where he landed and made for the

Italian gate. Here he was refused admittance. The production of a pass,

or green card issued by the Magistrate, was demanded, and while he was

still parleying, the three reports of the guns announcing his escape

were heard. He forthwith left the gate and, avoiding the crowd, betook

himself to the ramparts, where he was accosted by a friendly girl,

who had penetrated his disguise, but who sympathised with the convict

fugitive. She promised him a green ticket, which she would borrow from

her lover; but the lover was absent from home, and recapture seemed

imminent, when a funeral procession came past. The girl advised him

to mix amongst the mourners. This he did, and thus passed the gate.

Presently he gained the high-road which led into the open country. It

would be tedious to follow the fugitive in his wanderings, or to detail

the narrow chances he constantly ran of being captured. His story as

a refugee was that of a hundred others of his class, who had broken

prison and infested all parts of France. As a convict turned thief

catcher his story is vastly different and of vastly greater interest;

as will be seen in the following pages.

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER IV

 

THE FIRST GREAT DETECTIVE

 

France overrun with fugitive galley-slaves--Life and property

constantly in danger--Vidocq offers his services to the

cause of law and order--M. Henri refuses to accept his

cooperation--Vidocq taken again, and again offers M. Henri his

services--A compact finally made with him--Becomes a “mouton”

and renders very useful service--Brings about the capture of

the notorious receiver--Routs out a robbers’ home kept by

Mother Noel--Does good work in the discovery and arrest of

Fossard and others who robbed the Royal Library of a great

collection of old coins and medals--Vidocq, the father of the

French Detective Police--His portrait--A man of unexampled

courage, fertility of resource and great physical strength--The

“police provocative,” an invention of the day--The so-called

conspiracy of Colmar--Saumur and the betrayal of La Bédoyère.

 

 

The state of France during the period which has just been described

was deplorable. There was little security for property, and life

was constantly in danger. Whole bands of fugitive galley-slaves

were at large, pursuing their evil courses with the utmost daring

and effrontery. They were apprehended from time to time, but were

acquitted, when arraigned, for want of evidence; witnesses as to

identity were not forthcoming, and unless caught red-handed there

were no proofs of guilt. To surprise them and take them into custody

knowledge of their domicile was essential; and they were so cunning

and evasive that it was not easy to ascertain this fact. It was under

these circumstances that justice in France, in its eagerness to

check these depredations and to protect the deserving, industrious

population, secretly sought the aid of spies and informers willing

to work against the criminal fraternity. Vidocq was one of the first

to go over. He was weary of the life he led, the unceasing anxiety,

the constant fear of recognition by old associates, the incessant

blackmail to which he was subjected; and to escape re-arrest he was

driven in self-defence to retaliate and offer his services to the

cause of order. Matters were brought to a crisis when he was called

upon to participate in a series of robberies to be perpetrated by old

convicts, whose hands were already bloodstained. Vidocq, realising

that whether he refused this proposal or not he must be compromised

sooner or later in other infamous deeds, resolved to go in person to

the Chief of Police, at that time a M. Henri, an excellent officer,

who rendered eminent service in his day. Vidocq confided in the Chief,

and explained his situation, saying, if his presence in Paris was

tolerated and he was assured immunity from arrest, he could promise

much valuable information. He could lay his hands upon great numbers

of convicts at large, knowing precisely their places of residence

and many of their plans. M. Henri at once declined to enter into any

compact of the kind. All he would say was: “I have no objection to

receiving any information. We will test it and use it for what it is

worth; perhaps we may accept your services in the long run, but we can

make no promises and agree to no antecedent conditions. You must take

your chance.” “Under these circumstances I may consider myself already

a dead man,” replied Vidocq; “for it might come out that I had given

information, and my life would be forfeited.” M. Henri would not alter

his decision, and dismissed Vidocq without even asking his name.

 

His overtures thus rejected, and himself still closely pressed by

his evil associates, Vidocq passed several anxious months. His fears

were verified by the certainty that the suspicions of the police were

aroused, and that his house was watched. His arrest seemed imminent,

and he was resolved to leave Paris without delay. But he was too late.

One morning, in the small hours, a light knock came at the street door.

Vidocq felt sure that he was immediately to be arrested. He dressed,

and ran quickly up-stairs, got out upon the roof and hid himself

behind a stack of chimneys. His surmises were correct, for the house

was speedily invested by police agents, who hunted for him high and

low, and found him where escape was hopeless except at the risk of

breaking his neck. He was carried at once to the Prefecture and into

the presence of M. Henri, who remembered him perfectly. The chief,

in the interval, had changed his mind. The increase in crime had led

him to believe that Vidocq might be usefully employed in laying his

hands upon the worst offenders at large. Nothing was said, however, and

Vidocq was removed for a third time to Bicêtre, to take his departure

with the next chain gang. At Bicêtre, Vidocq wrote privately to the

Chief of Police, offering his services afresh. He made no condition

but that he should not be sent back to a _bagne_, and expressed his

willingness to complete his sentence in any prison in France. M. Henri

still hesitated. One argument militated against accepting Vidocq’s

proposal. This was the barrenness of the results achieved by others

who had promised largely and performed little. Vidocq in his own

defence appealed to his good conduct when at large, his continuous

efforts to earn an honest livelihood, the production of his books and

correspondence and many letters, bearing witness to his probity and good character.