“Having shut and sealed the drawers, they desired me to follow them; and in going out, they locked the chamber door and took the key. On coming to the street, I found a coach, into which I was desired to go, and the others followed me. After sitting for some time the commissary told me they were carrying me to the Bastile, and soon afterwards I saw the towers. They did not go the shortest and direct road; which I suppose was to conceal our destination from those who might have observed us. The coach stopped at the gate in St. Anthony’s street. I saw the coachman make signs to the sentinel, and soon after the gate was opened: the guard was under arms, and I heard the gate shut again. On coming to the first drawbridge, it was let down, the guard there being likewise under arms. The coach went on, and entered the castle, where I saw another guard under arms. It stopped at a flight of steps at the bottom of the court, where being desired to go out, I was conducted to a room which I heard named the council chamber. I found three persons sitting at a table, who, as I was told, were the king’s lieutenant, the major, and his deputy. The major asked me nearly the same questions which the commissary had done, and observed the same formalities in directing me to read and sign the examination. I was then desired to empty my pockets, and lay what I had in them on the table. My handkerchief and snuff-box being returned to me, my money, watch, and indeed every thing else, were put into a box that was sealed in my presence, and an inventory having been made of them, it was likewise read and signed by me. The major then called for the turnkey whose turn of duty it was, and having asked what room was empty, he said, the Calotte de la Bertaudière. He was ordered to convey me to it, and to carry thither my linen and clothes. The turnkey having done so, left me and locked the doors. The weather was still extremely cold, and I was glad to see him return soon afterwards with firewood, a tinder-box, and a candle. He made my fire, but told me, on leaving the tinder-box, that I might in future do it myself when so inclined.[3] “From the time the exempt of police came into my room, I had not ceased to form conjectures about the cause of my imprisonment. I knew of none, unless it were some verses and sketches, relative to the affairs of the times. Though they were indiscreet, they were of little importance. The only writing that might have seriously given offence to the government, I had never shown, but to one person in whom I thought I could confide. I found afterwards he had betrayed me.