It should seem that Louvois had originally sketched the design, and had bequeathed it, still rude, to his son and successor Barbesieux.

By Barbesieux the plan was perfected.
The execution was entrusted to an officer named Grandval.

Grandval was undoubtedly brave, and full of zeal for his country and his religion.
He was indeed flighty and half witted, but not on that account the less dangerous.

Indeed a flighty and half witted man is the very instrument generally preferred by cunning politicians when very hazardous work is to be done.

No shrewd calculator would, for any bribe, however enormous, have exposed himself to the fate of Chatel, of Ravaillac, or of Gerarts.
[314] Grandval secured, as he conceived, the assistance of two adventurers, Dumont, a Walloon, and Leefdale, a Dutchman.