tity, I wished, at that
moment, to put into execution the order for his apprehension;
but the officer who was with me, said he saw the terrible
pistol. That I might authenticate the fact, I walked quickly
and passed Fossard, and then returning, saw clearly that the
agent was right. To attempt to arrest him would have been
useless, and I resolved to defer it. On the 31st of December,
at eleven o'clock, when all my batteries were charged and my
plans perfect, Fossard returned, and, without distrust,
ascended the staircase shaking with cold; and, twenty minutes
after, the disappearance of the light indicated that he was in
bed. The moment had now arrived. The commissary and gend'armes,
summoned by me, were waiting at the nearest guard-house until I
should call them, and then enter quietly. We deliberated on the
most effectual mode of seizing Fossard, without running the
risk of being killed or wounded; for they were persuaded, that,
unless surprised, this robber would defend himself desperately.
My first thought was, to do nothing till daybreak, as I had
been told that Fossard's companion went down very early to get
the milk; we should then seize her, and, after having taken the
key from her, we should enter the room of her lover; but might
it not happen that, contrary to his usual custom, he might go
out first? This reflection led me to adopt another expedient.
The vintner's wife, in whose favour, as I was told, M. Hazard
was much prepossessed, had one of her nephews at her house, a
lad about ten years of age, intelligent beyond his years, and
the more desirous of getting money, as he was a Norman. I
promised him a reward, on condition that, under pretence of his
aunt's being taken suddenly ill, he should go and beg Madame
Hazard to give him some Eau de Cologne. I desired the little
chap to assume the most piteous tone he could; and was so well
satisfied with the specimen he gave me, that I began to
distribute the parts to my performers. The denouement was near
at hand. I made all my party take off their shoes, doing the
same myself, that we might not be heard whilst going up stairs.
The little snivelling pilot was in his shirt; he rang the
bell;--no one answered: again he rang;--'Who's there,' was
heard.--'It is I Madame Hazard; it is Loui