earch after him; but,
unfortunately, he had only gleaned a few simple particulars of
his usual habits and customary haunts. Every place he was known
to frequent was freely pointed out to me; but it was not very
likely he would be found in those resorts, which prudence would
call upon him carefully to avoid: there remained, therefore,
only a chance of reaching him by some bye-path. When I learnt
that he had left his effects in a furnished house, where he
once lodged, on the boulevard of Mont Parnasse, I took it for
granted, that, sooner or later, he would go there in search of
his property; or, at least, that he would send some person to
fetch it from thence; consequently I directed all my vigilance
to this spot; and after having reconnoitred the house, I lay in
ambush in its vicinity, night and day, in order to keep a
watchful eye upon all comers and goers. This went on for nearly
a week, when, weary of not observing any thing, I determined
upon engaging the master of the house in my interest, and to
hire an apartment of him, where I accordingly established
myself with Annette, certain that my presence could give rise
to no suspicion. I had occupied this post for about fifteen
days, when, one evening, at eleven o'clock, I was informed that
Watrin had just come, accompanied by another person. Owing to a
slight indisposition, I had retired to bed earlier than usual;
however, at this news I rose hastily, and descended the
staircase by four stairs at a time; but whatever diligence I
might use, I was only just in time to catch Watrin's companion;
him I had no right to detain, but I made myself sure that I
might, by intimidation, obtain further particulars from him. I
therefore seized him, threatened him, and soon drew from him a
confession, that he was a shoemaker, and that Watrin lived with
him, No. 4, _Rue des Mauvais Garcons_. This was all I wanted to
know: I had only time to slip an old great coat over my shirt,
and, without stopping to put on more garments, I hurried on to
the place thus pointed out to me. I reached the house the very
instant that some person was quitting it: persuaded that it was
Watrin, I attempted to seize him; he escaped from me, and I
darted after him up a staircase; but at the moment of grasping
him, a violent blow,