The king, surprised to meet neither M.de Choiseul nor M.de Guoguelas, neither escort nor relays, hoped that the cracking of the postilions' whips would procure them fresh horses to continue their journey.

The three body-guards went from door to door, to inquire where the horses had been placed, but could obtain no information.
XII.
The little town of Varennes is formed into two divisions, the upper and lower town, separated by a river and bridge.

M.Guoguelas had stationed the fresh horses in the lower town on the other side of the bridge: the measure was in itself prudent, because the carriages would cross the bridge at full speed, and also, because in case of popular tumult, the changing horses and departure would be more easy when the bridge was once crossed; but the king should have been, but was not, informed of it.

The king and queen, greatly alarmed, left the carriage and wandered about in the deserted streets of the upper town for half an hour, seeking for the relays.

In vain did they knock at the door of the houses in which lights were burning, they could not hear of them.