trace of the prisoner, as was believed, effaced by these means; his changes of prison taking place with extraordinary precautions; all this would have sufficed to have rendered any researches useless, and to have prevented the complete identification of Matthioly, if the archives at Versailles had remained impenetrable. Louis XIV.’s order was scrupulously executed, as will be seen from the despatch,[650] which it is now time to give, and in which the King of France caused to be accorded to the Abbé d’Estrades, the authorisation which he had solicited. “Versailles, April 28, 1679. “The King has seen in your letter the confidence that Madame la Duchesse de Savoye had imparted to you concerning Count Matthioly’s perfidy. It is rather strange that, feeling himself guilty to such a degree towards his Majesty, he dares to trust himself in your hands. So the King thinks that it is good that he should not do so with impunity. _Since you believe you can get him carried off without the thing causing any scandal_, his Majesty desires that you should execute the idea that you have, and that you should have him taken secretly to Pignerol. An order is sent there to receive him, _and to have him kept there without any person knowing about it_. It will depend upon your skill to arrange a meeting, in order to speak with him in an unfrequented spot, and if possible, in the country. But in any case, if it is true that he has had the ratification of the Duke of Mantua, and should have it in his possession, it would be good to take him and make sure of him. It is not necessary that you should inform Madame la Duchesse de Savoye of this order which his Majesty gives you, and NO ONE MUST KNOW WHAT HAS BECOME OF THIS MAN.”