All the brigades of gendarmerie in the neighborhood received secret instructions and special orders.
During the months of December, January, and February the search was active and incessant, even in remote villages.

Spies were in all the taverns.

Corentin learned some important facts: a horse like that of Michu had been found dead in the neighborhood of Lagny; the five horses burned in the forest of Nodesme had been sold, for five hundred francs each, by farmers and millers to a man who answered to the description of Michu.

When the decree against the accomplices and harborers of Georges was put in force Corentin confined his search to the forest of Nodesme.
After Moreau, the royalists, and Pichegru were arrested no strangers were ever seen about the place.
Michu lost his situation at that time; the notary of Arcis brought him a letter in which Malin, now made senator, requested Grevin to settle all accounts with the bailiff and dismiss him.

Michu asked and obtained a formal discharge and became a free man.