The Misanthropic Swindler.

At page 71, Vidocq tells us a strange story of a fellow named Capdeville, who affecting misanthropy and disgust of the world, hired an apartment at a lone house near Paris, and employed his solitude in obtaining false keys of all the other rooms.  Not quite settled here, “Capdeville published his intention of going out to discover an hermitage where he could pass his latter days in peace.  He inquired of all the country proprietors who had places for sale within a circuit of six leagues, and it was soon known through the country that he was on the look-out for a place of the kind.  Every body knew, of course, something that would suit him, but he would have only a patrimonial estate.  ‘Well, well,’ said they, ’since he is so scrupulous, let him look out for himself.’  This, in fact, he did.”

“Determined to make a tour, to examine what was most likely to suit him, he employed himself ostensibly in preparations for his departure; he was only to be absent three or four days, but before he departed, he was anxious to know if there was no danger in leaving a secretary, in which were ten thousand francs, which he did not wish to take with him.  Being assured on this point, and full of security, he did not hesitate to set out on his proposed journey.”

“Capdeville did not go to a very great distance.  During his sojourn in the house he had just left, he had had time to take impressions of all the keys which were requisite for his entrance into the dwelling of the landlord, who he knew was in the habit of dining in Paris, and did not return very early in the evening.  By being there at dusk, Capdeville was certain of having before him all the time necessary for carrying on his operations.  The sun had set, and, favoured by the darkness, he passed unperceived through Belleville, and having entered the house by the help of false keys, he entered the abode of the landlord, which he cleared out even to the linen.”

“Towards the end of the fifth day they began to be uneasy at the non-appearance of the misanthrope; the next day a suspicion arose.  Twenty-four hours later, and there was but one opinion respecting him; he was the thief.  After such a trick mistrust all misanthropes.  To whom then shall we trust, in whom place confidence?  In philanthropists?  By no means.”

The misanthropy in this case must have been infectious, and the disgust of the lodger transferred to the landlord.

Other novelties oblige us to break off here for the present, so that another spice or two of the frauds of Paris stand over for our next.

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THE ANECDOTE GALLERY

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RECOLLECTIONS OF PALEY.

From Best’s Personal Memorials.