f his ancient
renown, he conceived the project of stealing a treasure. No
one will imagine that this was in the Central Office, now the
Prefecture of Police!! It was already pretty difficult to
procure impressions of the keys, but he achieved the first
difficulty, and soon had in his possession all the means of
effecting an opening; but to open was nothing; it was necessary
to open without being perceived, to introduce himself without
fear of being disturbed, to work without witnesses, and go out
again freely. Beaumont, who had calculated all the difficulties
that opposed him, was not dismayed. He had remarked that the
private room of the chief officer, M. Henry, was nigh to the
spot where he proposed to effect his entrance; he espied the
propitious moment, and wished sincerely that some circumstance
would call away so dangerous a neighbour for some time, and
chance was subservient to his wishes. One morning, M. Henry was
obliged to go out. Beaumont, sure that he would not return that
day, ran to his house, put on a black coat, and in that
costume, which, in those days, always announced a magistrate,
or public functionary, presents himself at the entrance of the
Central Office. The officer to whom he addressed himself,
supposed of course that he was at least a commissary. On the
invitation of Beaumont, he gave him a soldier, whom he placed
as sentinel at the entrance to the narrow passage which leads
to the depot, and commanded not to allow any person to pass. No
better expedient could be found for preventing surprise. Thus
Beaumont, in the midst of a crowd of valuable objects, could,
at his leisure, and in perfect security, choose what best
pleased him; watches, jewels, diamonds, precious stones, &c. He
chose those which he deemed most valuable, most portable, and
as soon as he had made his selection, he dismissed the sentinel
and disappeared.

"This robbery could not be long concealed, and the following
day was discovered. Had thunder fallen on the police, they
would have been less astonished than at this event. To
penetrate to the very sanctuary! The holy of holies! The fact
appeared so very extraordinary, that it was doubted. Yet it was
evident that a robbery had taken place, and to whom was it to
be attributed? All the suspici