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 suspicions fell on the clerks; sometimes on
one, sometimes on another; when Beaumont, betrayed by a friend, was
apprehended, and sentenced a second time."

"The robbery he had committed might be estimated at some hundred thousand
francs, the greater part of which were found on him."

"'There was wherewithal,' he said, 'to become an honest man; I should have
become so; it is so easy when rich! yet how many rich men are only
scoundrels!'"

"These words were the only ones he uttered, when he was apprehended. This
surprising thief was conducted to Brest; where, after half a dozen escapes,
which only served to make his subsequent confinement more rigorous, he died
in a frightful state of exhaustion."

"Beaumont enjoyed amongst his confraternity a colossal reputation; and even
now, when a rogue boasts of his lofty exploits--'Hold your tongue,' they
say, 'you are not worthy to untie the shoe-strings of Beaumont!'"