The prisoners delivered over by Laprade to Saint-Mars were old captives, whom the latter had already had in charge at Pignerol. This is clear: 1st, from a despatch, dated January 11, 1694, in which the Minister asks Saint-Mars the name of one of Laprade’s prisoners who had just died;[607] 2nd, from the conclusion of the first despatch, announcing to Saint-Mars the approaching arrival of the prisoners at Pignerol: “I do not inform you of the number, persuaded that you know it;”[608] 3rd, from that significant phrase which we have already quoted from the second despatch relating to the transfer of these prisoners: “You know that they are of more consequence, or at least one of them, than those who are now at the Islands, and you ought to place them by preference in the surest prisons.”[609] Now it is quite certain, that at the time of his departure from Pignerol to Exiles, Saint-Mars had no other considerable prisoner except Matthioly, Fouquet being dead and Lauzun set at liberty. We may remark, too, that it is in Villebois’ care that he leaves him, Villebois who, with Catinat, had been charged with the mission of arresting Matthioly on the road to Turin.[610] When Villebois dies, it is another of Saint-Mars’ confidential lieutenants--the Sieur de Laprade, who is sent from the Islands to command in the donjon of Pignerol.[611] Consequently Saint-Mars--and this is an essential point to establish,--did not cease to be acquainted with Matthioly’s fate, and it is his own lieutenants who have replaced him for a time in guarding this prisoner. We have shown, in the preceding chapter,[612] the evident obscurity of the insignificant prisoner brought by Saint-Mars from Exiles to the Isles Sainte-Marguerite. His furniture and effects are only worth thirteen crowns; his gaoler leaves him without scruple; he is designated as “a crow.” A new prisoner, “of more consequence than the others,” arrives at the Islands. From that moment Saint-Mars does not quit them; but immediately imagines fresh measures for the safety of his prisoners, which the Minister approves, July 20, 1694.[613] It is about this period that we find, in the official despatches, the name of the Sieur Favre, whom the most unquestionable tradition represents as having been chaplain of the prison at the time that the Man with the Iron Mask was confined there.[614] Barbézieux, who previously had not been troubled with this anxiety, all at once thinks of what would happen if Saint-Mars should fall ill, and, with anxious solicitude, inquires[615] immediately what would be done if this should occur.[616] On January 15, 1696, we find a new despatch from Barbézieux, expressing, in the King’s name and his own, the satisfaction experienced on learning the precautions adopted.[617] On October 29, 1696, the Minister causes the locks of the donjon of Pignerol to be sent to the Isles Sainte-Marguerite, in order to render the confinement of the prisoners more secure.[618]