The Story of the Diamond Necklace by Henry Vizetelly

ARREST OF THE FORGER VILLETTE-HIS EXAMINATIONS AND CONFRONTATIONS.

It is now that Rétaux de Villette is unearthed with the Abbé Georgel's sleuth-hounds in full cry. Tracked from town to town, and from village to village, he is at length run down at Geneva, having, says one account, since the news of the Necklace affair, crossed the Swiss frontier, assumed various disguises, and turning his musical talents to account, acted the part of a vagrant musician, playing on his mandoline along the streets and highways to amuse the passers-by. One version of his capture represents him as having been trepanned in some low Geneva tavern, whilst overcome by drink, into enlisting in some phantom regiment, by which adroit manœuvre he was enticed from off the "sacred republican soil," and carried away to Paris in triumph.[282] Another version affirms that he had got mixed up in a local brawl at the time the abbé's emissaries pounced upon him, which is likely to be the truer statement of the two, as it is corroborated by his own account of his arrest. "A disturbance," he says, "probably brought about by design, arose in the public streets between two Geneva watchmakers. A Frenchman, witness of the affair, interposed as peace-maker; whereupon he was seized, together with the two disputants. ‘Where do you come from? ' was asked of him. ‘From Lyons. ' ‘Ah! there has been a great robbery recently committed there. What brought you to Geneva? ' ‘Nothing. ' ‘What is your name? ' ‘Rétaux de Villette. ' ‘To prison with him! ' A few days afterwards an inspector of police arrived from Paris, and carried off the prisoner to the Bastille. "[283]