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boon overtaken and captured。 They brought him back a prisoner to the
town hall； where Flessiere's dead body already lay。
Meanwhile Jean…Louis had had better luck。 While the two struggles as
related above were going on； he slipped unnoticed to an open window
and got out into the street。 He ran round the corner of the house；
and disappeared like a shadow in the darkness before the eyes of the
guards。 For a long time he wandered from street to street； running
down one and up another； till chance brought him near
La Poissonniere。 Here he perceived a beggar propped against a post
and fast asleep； he awoke him； and proposed that they should exchange
clothes。 As Jean…Louis' suit was new and the beggar's in rags； the
latter thought at first it was a joke。 Soon perceiving； however；
that the offer was made in all seriousness； he agreed to the
exchange； and the two separated； each delighted with his bargain。
Jean…Louis approached one of the gates of the town； in order to be
able to get out as soon as it was opened； and the begger hastened off
in another direction； in order to get away from the man who had let
him have so good a bargain； before he had time to regret the exchange
he had made。
But the night's adventures were far from being over。 The beggar was
taken a prisoner； Jean…Louis' coat being recognised； and brought to
the town hall； where the mistake was discovered。 The Genevois
meantime got into a dark street； and lost his way。 Seeing three men
approach； one of whom carried a lantern； he went towards the light；
in order to find out where he was； and saw； to his surprise； that one
of the men was the servant whom Flessiere had wounded； and who was
now going to have his wound dressed。 The Genevois tried to draw back
into the shade； but it was too late： the servant had recognised him。
He then tried to fly； but the wounded man soon overtook him； and
although one of his hands was disabled； he held him fast with the
other； so that the two men who were with him ran up and easily
secured him。 He also was brought to the town hall； where he found
the Duke of Berwick and M。 de Baville； who were awaiting the result
of the affray。
Hardly had the prisoner caught sight of them than； seeing himself
already hanged； which was no wonder considering the marvellous
celerity with which executions were conducted at that epoch； he threw
himself on his knees； confessed who he was； and related for what
reason he had joined the fanatics。 He went on to say that as he had
not joined them of his own free will； but had been forced to do so；
he would； if they would spare his life； reveal important secrets to
them； by means of which they could arrest the principal conspirators。
His offer was so tempting and his life of so little worth that the
duke and de Baville did not long hesitate； but pledged their word to
spare his life if the revelations he was about to make proved to be
of real importance。 The bargain being concluded； the Genevois made
the following statement：
〃That several letters having arrived from foreign countries
containing promises of men and money； the discontented in the
provinces had leagued together in order to provoke a fresh rebellion。
By means of these letters and other documents which were scattered
abroad； hopes were raised that M。 de Miremont； the last Protestant
prince of the house of Bourbon； would bring them reinforcements five
or six thousand strong。 These reinforcements were to come by sea and
make a descent on Aigues…Mortes or Cette；and two thousand Huguenots
were to arrive at the same time by way of Dauphine and join the
others as they disembarked。
〃That in this hope Catinat； Clary； and Jonquet had left Geneva and
returned to France； and having joined Ravanel had gone secretly
through those parts of the country known to be infected with
fanaticism； and made all necessary arrangements； such as amassing
powder and lead； munitions of war； and stores of all kinds； as well
as enrolling the names of all those who were of age to bear arms。
Furthermore； they had made an estimate of what each city； town； and
village ought to contribute in money or in kind to theLeague of the
Children of God； so that they could count on having eight or ten
thousand men ready to rise at the first signal。 They had furthermore
resolved that there should be risings in several places at the same
time； which places were already chosen； and each of those who were to
take part in the movement knew his exact duty。 At Montpellier a
hundred of the most determined amongst the disaffected were to set
fire in different quarters to the houses of the Catholics； killing
all who attempted to extinguish the fires； and with the help of the
Huguenot inhabitants were； to slaughter the garrison； seize the
citadel； and carry off the Duke of Berwick and M。 de Baville。 The
same things were to be done at Nimes； Uzes； Alais； Anduze；
Saint…Hippolyte； and Sommieres。 Lastly； he said； this conspiracy had
been going on for more than three months； and the conspirators； in
order not to be found out； had only revealed their plans to those
whom they knew to be ready to join them： they had not admitted a
single woman to their confidence； or any man whom it was possible to
suspect。 Further； they had only met at night and a few persons at a
time； in certain country houses； to which admittance was gained by
means of a countersign； the 25th of April was the day fixed for the
general rising and the execution of these projects。〃
As may be seen； the danger was imminent； as there was only six days'
interval between the revelation and the expected outburst； so the
Genevois was consulted； under renewed promises of safety for himself；
as to the best means of seizing on the principal chiefs in the
shortest possible time。 He replied that he saw no other way but to
accompany them himself to Nimes； where Catinat and Ravanel were in
hiding； in a house of which he did not know the number and in a
street of which he did not know the name； but which he was sure of
recognising when he saw them。 If this advice were to be of any
avail； there was no time to be lost； for Ravanel and Catinat were to
leave Nimes on the 20th or the 21st at latest； consequently； if they
did not set off at once； the chiefs would no longer be there when
they arrived。 The advice seemed good； so the marechal and the
intendant hastened to follow it： the informer was sent to Nimes
guarded by six archers； the conduct of the expedition was given to
Barnier； the provost's lieutenant； a man of intellect and common
sense； and in whom the provost had full confidence。 He carried
letters for the Marquis of Sandricourt。
As they arrived late on the evening of the 19th； the Genevois was at
once led up and down the streets of Nimes； and； as he had promised；
he pointed out several houses in the district of Sainte…Eugenie。
Sandricourt at once ordered the garrison officers； as well as those
of the municipal and Courten regiments； to put all their soldiers
under arms and to station them quietly throughout the town so as to
surround that district。 At ten o'clock； the Marquis of Sandricourt；
having made certain that his instructions had been carefully carried
out； gave orders to MM。 de L'Estrade； Barnier； Joseph Martin； Eusebe；
the major of the Swiss regiment； and several other officers； along
with ten picked men； to repair to the house of one Alison； a silk
merchant； this house having been specially pointed out by the
prisoner。 This they did； but seeing the door open； they had little
hope of finding the chiefs of a conspiracy in a place so badly
guarded； nevertheless； determined to obey their instructions； they
glided softly into the hall。 In a few moments； during which silence
and darkness reigned； they heard people speaking rather loudly in an
adjoining room； and by listening intently they caught the following
words： 〃It is quite sure that in less than three weeks the king will
be no longer master of Dauphine； Vivarais； and Languedoc。 I am being
sought for everywhere； and here I am in Nimes； with nothing to fear。〃
It was now quite clear to the listeners that close at hand were some
at least of those f