A few shots were exchanged and the robbers put to flight, with the exception of one man belonging to their band who was taken prisoner, and another who lay wounded on the paving-stones.

This latter died next day without having spoken, and left no clue behind as to who he was.

His identity was, however, at length made clear.

He was the son of a high dignitary named de Laubardemont, who in 1634, as royal commissioner, condemned Urbain Grandier, a poor, priest of Loudun, to be burnt alive, under the pretence that he had caused several nuns of Loudun to be possessed by devils.

These nuns he had so tutored as to their behaviour that many people foolishly believed them to be demoniacs.