p 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