第 35 节
作者:铲除不公      更新:2021-02-20 18:51      字数:9322
  secured him。  He also was brought to the town hall; where he found
  the Duke of Berwick and M。 de Baville; who were awaiting the result
  of the affray。
  Hardly had the prisoner caught sight of them than; seeing himself
  already hanged; which was no wonder considering the marvellous
  celerity with which executions were conducted at that epoch; he threw
  himself on his knees; confessed who he was; and related for what
  reason he had joined the fanatics。  He went on to say that as he had
  not joined them of his own free will; but had been forced to do so;
  he would; if they would spare his life; reveal important secrets to
  them; by means of which they could arrest the principal conspirators。
  His offer was so tempting and his life of so little worth that the
  duke and de Baville did not long hesitate; but pledged their word to
  spare his life if the revelations he was about to make proved to be
  of real importance。  The bargain being concluded; the Genevois made
  the following statement:
  〃That several letters having arrived from foreign countries
  containing promises of men and money; the discontented in the
  provinces had leagued together in order to provoke a fresh rebellion。
  By means of these letters and other documents which were scattered
  abroad; hopes were raised that M。 de Miremont; the last Protestant
  prince of the house of Bourbon; would bring them reinforcements five
  or six thousand strong。  These reinforcements were to come by sea and
  make a descent on Aigues…Mortes or Cette;and two thousand Huguenots
  were to arrive at the same time by way of Dauphine and join the
  others as they disembarked。
  〃That in this hope Catinat; Clary; and Jonquet had left Geneva and
  returned to France; and having joined Ravanel had gone secretly
  through those parts of the country known to be infected with
  fanaticism; and made all necessary arrangements; such as amassing
  powder and lead; munitions of war; and stores of all kinds; as well
  as enrolling the names of all those who were of age to bear arms。
  Furthermore; they had made an estimate of what each city; town; and
  village ought to contribute in money or in kind to theLeague of the
  Children of God; so that they could count on having eight or ten
  thousand men ready to rise at the first signal。  They had furthermore
  resolved that there should be risings in several places at the same
  time; which places were already chosen; and each of those who were to
  take part in the movement knew his exact duty。  At Montpellier a
  hundred of the most determined amongst the disaffected were to set
  fire in different quarters to the houses of the Catholics; killing
  all who attempted to extinguish the fires; and with the help of the
  Huguenot inhabitants were; to slaughter the garrison; seize the
  citadel; and carry off the Duke of Berwick and M。 de Baville。  The
  same things were to be done at Nimes; Uzes; Alais; Anduze;
  Saint…Hippolyte; and Sommieres。  Lastly; he said; this conspiracy had
  been going on for more than three months; and the conspirators; in
  order not to be found out; had only revealed their plans to those
  whom they knew to be ready to join them: they had not admitted a
  single woman to their confidence; or any man whom it was possible to
  suspect。  Further; they had only met at night and a few persons at a
  time; in certain country houses; to which admittance was gained by
  means of a countersign; the 25th of April was the day fixed for the
  general rising and the execution of these projects。〃
  As may be seen; the danger was imminent; as there was only six days'
  interval between the revelation and the expected outburst; so the
  Genevois was consulted; under renewed promises of safety for himself;
  as to the best means of seizing on the principal chiefs in the
  shortest possible time。  He replied that he saw no other way but to
  accompany them himself to Nimes; where Catinat and Ravanel were in
  hiding; in a house of which he did not know the number and in a
  street of which he did not know the name; but which he was sure of
  recognising when he saw them。  If this advice were to be of any
  avail; there was no time to be lost; for Ravanel and Catinat were to
  leave Nimes on the 20th or the 21st at latest; consequently; if they
  did not set off at once; the chiefs would no longer be there when
  they arrived。  The advice seemed good; so the marechal and the
  intendant hastened to follow it: the informer was sent to Nimes
  guarded by six archers; the conduct of the expedition was given to
  Barnier; the provost's lieutenant; a man of intellect and common
  sense; and in whom the provost had full confidence。  He carried
  letters for the Marquis of Sandricourt。
  As they arrived late on the evening of the 19th; the Genevois was at
  once led up and down the streets of Nimes; and; as he had promised;
  he pointed out several houses in the district of Sainte…Eugenie。
  Sandricourt at once ordered the garrison officers; as well as those
  of the municipal and Courten regiments; to put all their soldiers
  under arms and to station them quietly throughout the town so as to
  surround that district。  At ten o'clock; the Marquis of Sandricourt;
  having made certain that his instructions had been carefully carried
  out; gave orders to MM。 de L'Estrade; Barnier; Joseph Martin; Eusebe;
  the major of the Swiss regiment; and several other officers; along
  with ten picked men; to repair to the house of one Alison; a silk
  merchant; this house having been specially pointed out by the
  prisoner。  This they did; but seeing the door open; they had little
  hope of finding the chiefs of a conspiracy in a place so badly
  guarded; nevertheless; determined to obey their instructions; they
  glided softly into the hall。  In a few moments; during which silence
  and darkness reigned; they heard people speaking rather loudly in an
  adjoining room; and by listening intently they caught the following
  words: 〃It is quite sure that in less than three weeks the king will
  be no longer master of Dauphine; Vivarais; and Languedoc。  I am being
  sought for everywhere; and here I am in Nimes; with nothing to fear。〃
  It was now quite clear to the listeners that close at hand were some
  at least of those for whom they were looking。  They ran to the door;
  which was ajar; and entered the room; sword in hand。  They found
  Ravanel; Jonquet; and Villas talking together; one sitting on a
  table; another standing on the hearth; and the third lolling on a
  bed。
  Jonquet was a young man from Sainte…Chatte; highly thought of among
  the Camisards。  He had been; it may be remembered; one of Cavalier's
  principal officers。  Villas was the son of a doctor in Saint…
  Hippolyte; he was still young; though he had seen ten years' service;
  having been cornet in England in the Galloway regiment。  As to
  Ravanel; he is sufficiently known to our readers to make any words of
  introduction unnecessary。
  De l'Estrade threw himself on the nearest of the three; and; without
  using his sword; struck him with his fist。  Ravanel (for it was he)
  being half stunned; fell back a step and asked the reason of this
  violent assault; while Barnier exclaimed; 〃Hold him fast; M。 de
  1'Estrade; it is Ravanel!〃  〃Well; yes; I am Ravanel;〃 said the
  Camisard;〃 but that is no reason for making so much noise。〃  As he
  said these words he made an attempt to reach his weapons; but de
  1'Estrade and Barnier prevented him by throwing themselves on him;
  and succeeded in knocking him down after a fierce struggle。  While;
  this was going on; his two companions were secured; and the three
  were removed to the fort; where their guard never left them night or
  day。
  The Marquis of Sandricourt immediately sent off a courier to the Duke
  of Berwick and M。 de Baville to inform them of the important capture
  he had made。  They were so delighted at the news that they came next
  day to Nimes。
  They found the town intensely excited; soldiers with fixed bayonets
  at every street corner; all the houses shut up; and the gates of the
  town closed; and no one allowed to leave without written permission
  from Sandricourt。  On the 20th; and during the following night; more
  than fifty persons were arrested; amongst whom were Alison; the
  merchant in whose house Ravanel; Villas; and Jonquet were found;
  Delacroix; Alison's brother…in…law; who; on hearing the noise of the
  struggle; had hidden on the roof and was not discovered till next
  day; Jean Lauze; who was accused of having prepared Ravanel's supper;
  Lauze's mother; a widow; Tourelle; the maid…servant; the host of the
  Coupe d'Or; and a preacher named La Jeunesse。
  Great; however; as was the joy felt by the duke; the marquis; and de
  Baville; it fell short of full perfection; for the most dangerous man
  among the rebels was still at large; in spite of every effort;
  Catinat's hiding…place had not till now been discovered。
  Accordingly; the duke issued a proclamation offering a reward of one
  hundred Louis…d'or to whoever would take Catinat; or cause him to be
  taken prisoner; and granting a free pardon to anyone who had
  sheltered him; provided that he was denounced before the
  house…to…house visitation which was about to be made took place。
  After the search began; the master of the house in which he might be
  f