nuns of Loudun,
and of other persons, who are said like wise to be tormented of devils
through the evil practices of the said Grandier; he will diligently
investigate everything from the beginning that has any bearing either on
the said possession or on the exorcisms, and will forward to us his
report thereon, and the reports and other documents sent in by former
commissioners and delegates, and will be present at all future exorcisms,
and take proper steps to obtain evidence of the said facts, that they may
be clearly established; and, above all, will direct, institute, and carry
through the said proceedings against Grandier and all others who have
been involved with him in the said case, until definitive sentence be
passed; and in spite of any appeal or countercharge this cause will not
be delayed (but without prejudice to the right of appeal in other
causes), on account of the nature of the crimes, and no regard will be
paid to any request for postponement made by the said Grandier. His
majesty commands all governors, provincial lieutenant-generals, bailiffs,
seneschals, and other municipal authorities, and all subjects whom it may
concern, to give every assistance in arresting and imprisoning all
persons whom it may be necessary to put under constraint, if they shall
be required so to do."

Furnished with this order, which was equivalent to a condemnation, de
Laubardemont arrived at Laudun, the 5th of December, 1633, at nine
o'clock in the evening; and to avoid being seen he alighted in a suburb
at the house of one maitre Paul Aubin, king's usher, and son-in-law of
Memin de Silly. His arrival was kept so secret that neither Grandier nor
his friends knew of it, but Memin, Herve Menuau, and Mignon were
notified, and immediately called on him. De Laubardemont received them,
commission in hand, but broad as it was, it did not seem to them
sufficient, for it contained no order for Grandier's arrest, and Grandier
might fly. De Laubardemont, smiling at the idea that he could be so much
in fault, drew from his pocket an order in duplicate, in case one copy
should be lost, dated like the commission, November 30th, signed LOUIS,
and countersigned PHILIPPEAUX. It was conceived in the following terms:

LOUIS, etc. etc. "We have entrusted these presents to Sieur de
Laubardemont, Privy Councillor, to empower the said Sieur de Laubardemont
to arrest Grandier and his accomplices and imprison them in a secure
place, with orde