Was he connected with the conspiracy?
It has always been supposed so.
He invited Maurice and the abbe to take some refreshments in a way that made them understand he was anxious to speak with them, and he conducted them to a retired room where he knew they would be secure from observation.
Thanks to one of the Duc de Sairmeuse's valets de chambre who frequented the house, the host knew as much as the authorities; he knew even more, since he had also received information from the rebels who had escaped capture.
From him the abbe and Maurice received their first positive information.
In the first place, nothing had been heard of Lacheneur, or of his son Jean; thus far they had escaped the most rigorous pursuit.
In the second place, there were, at this moment, two hundred prisoners in the citadel, and among them the Baron d'Escorval and Chanlouineau.
And lastly, since morning there had been at least sixty arrests in Montaignac.
It was generally supposed that these arrests were the work of some traitor, and all the inhabitants were trembling with fear.
But M.Laugeron knew the real cause.

It had been confided to him under pledge of secrecy by his guest, the duke's _valet de chambre_.
"It is certainly an incredible story, gentlemen," he said; "nevertheless, it is true.

Two officers belonging to the Montaignac militia, on returning from their expedition this morning at daybreak, on passing the Croix d'Arcy, found a man, clad in the uniform of the Emperor's body-guard, lying dead in the fosse." Maurice shuddered.
The unfortunate man, he could not doubt, was the brave old soldier who had spoken to Lacheneur.
"Naturally," pursued M.Laugeron, "the two officers examined the body of the dead man.

Between his lips they found a paper, which they opened and read.

It was a list of all the conspirators in the village.