When I say we, of course I speak of M. Billaud and the elder Leblanc, whom M. Drouet had taken into his confidence. About eleven in the morning we heard that a detachment of hussars had been seen on the road from Stenay. I left my work, giving a few words of explanation to M. Gerbaut and Mdlle. Sophie. They partook of the general agitation which pervaded the town, or rather the air which seemed tremendous with coming events. Mdlle. Sophie was very much excited, especially when I announced the approach of the hussars. Two days previously, MM. Malmy and Courtemont had arrived at Varennes. I crossed the bridge and entered the Grand Place on one side, at the same moment as the hussars entered it at the other. They stopped a moment on the Place, spoke to the groom, who had arrived the evening before with the relays, which, by superior orders, they had stabled in the old Convent of the Cordeliers. They were commanded by a tall officer of effeminate appearance, and blonde complexion. He spoke French with a very strong German accent. His name was M. de Rokrey. He put up in the Place, not at an hotel, but with a tradesman of the town, to whom he bore a letter of recommendation. Behind me a great number of the inhabitants of the High Town were descending and forming themselves in groups with those of the Low Town. About one o’clock, two young officers arrived by the same route, and stopped to speak with him who commanded the detachment. One of them approached me, and asked if I knew the whereabouts of Neuvilly. I told him it was half-way between Clermont and Varennes, and pointed out the direction to take. “Can you tell me, sir,” said he, “the cause of the agitation of the people?” “The movements of the troops about the city for the last two days. It is reported that they are to form a convoy for a treasure, and the inhabitants are curious.” The two officers looked at each other. “Can one get to Neuvilly,” asked one of the two, “without passing through the town?” “Impossible!” replied I. “A canal of great width intersects the road; and even if your horses could swim across they would not be able to mount the opposite bank.” The officer turned round to his friend. “What will you do? It appears that the relays must pass through the town.” “We have plenty of time,” replied his friend; “the courier will precede the carriage two hours.” The two officers thanked me for my information, and proceeded to the “Hotel du Grand Monarque,” in the court of which they dismounted, having thrown the bridles of their horses to the stable boys in attendance. It was evident that the persons expected would arrive from the opposite side of the city—that is to say, the side on which Paris lies. It was, therefore, but lost time to stay in the Low Town. I walked up to the High Town, crossed the bridge, and returned to M. Gerbaut’s just as they were sitting down to dinner. Notwithstanding the stifling heat, the Place de Latry was crowded.