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Updated: May 1, 2025
The abbe and Maurice found an explanation of this evident terror on reaching the hotel to which they had ordered the coachman to take them. They had designated the Hotel de France, where the baron always stopped when he visited Montaignac, and whose proprietor was none other than Laugeron, that friend of Lacheneur, who had been the first to warn him of the arrival of the Duc de Sairmeuse.
It was generally supposed that these arrests were the work of some traitor, and all the inhabitants were trembling with fear. But M. Laugeron knew the real cause. It had been confided to him under pledge of secrecy by his guest, the duke's valet de chambre. "It is certainly an incredible story, gentlemen," he said; "nevertheless, it is true.
He had bathed his red and swollen eyes in fresh water, and was prepared to start on his expedition, when someone rapped cautiously at the door of the chamber. Maurice cried: "Come in," and M. Laugeron instantly entered the room. His face announced some dreadful misfortune; and the worthy man was really terrified. He had just learned that the military commission had been organized.
"I know it through Monsieur Laugeron, who, when I mounted his horse, said to me: 'Above all, old man, explain to my friend Lacheneur that the duke has ordered horses to be in readiness to convey him to Sairmeuse at eleven o'clock." With a common movement, all the peasants who had watches consulted them. "And what does he want here?" demanded the same young farmer.
"And when does the commission enter upon its functions?" inquired the abbe. "To-day," replied the host, hesitatingly; "this morning in an hour perhaps sooner!" The abbe understood what M. Laugeron meant, but dared not say: "The commission is assembling, make haste." "Come!" he said to Maurice, "I wish to be present when your father is examined."
"Have you seen him?" "No, I have not seen him, but someone else has seen him for me, and has spoken to him. And this someone is Monsieur Laugeron, the proprietor of the Hotel de France at Montaignac. I was passing the house this morning, when he called me.
Sovereigns and diplomats, ready for an invasion of France, had left Frankfort for Fribourg, there to complete their plans of vengeance and hate. Blucher, with Sachen and Laugeron, had concentrated their troops between Mayence and Coblentz. The Prince de Schwartzemberg was marching toward Bâle. The Swiss were irritated, believing that their neutrality would be violated.
"Naturally," pursued M. Laugeron, "the two officers examined the body of the dead man. Between his lips they found a paper, which they opened and read. It was a list of all the conspirators in the village. The brave man, knowing he was mortally wounded, endeavored to destroy this fatal list; but the agonies of death prevented him from swallowing it "
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