Two persons on horseback, who were undoubtedly Rifoel and the woman Bryond (for it is stated that this woman accompanied Rifoel on these expeditions on horseback and dressed as a man), arrived during the evening and conversed with Hiley.
The next day Hiley wrote a letter to the notary Leveille, which one of the Chaussard brothers took to the latter, bringing back his answer.
Two hours later Rifoel and the woman Bryond returned and had an interview with Hiley.
It was then found necessary to obtain an axe to open, as we shall see, the cases containing the money.The notary went with the woman Bryond to Saint-Savin, where they searched in vain for an axe.The notary returned alone; half way back he met Hiley, to whom he stated that they could not obtain an axe.
Hiley returned to the inn, where he ordered supper for ten persons; seven of them being the brigands, who had now returned, fully armed.Hiley made them stack their arms in the military manner.They then sat down to table and supped in haste.Hiley ordered provisions prepared to take away with him.Then he took the elder Chaussard aside and asked him for an axe.The innkeeper who, if we believe him, was surprised, refused to give one.
Courceuil and Boislaurier arrived; the night wore on; the three men walked the floor of their room discussing the plot.Courceuil, called "Confesseur," the most wily of the party, obtained an axe;and about two in the morning they all went away by different paths.
Every moment was of value; the execution of the crime was fixed for that night.Hiley, Courceuil, and Boislaurier led and placed their men.Hiley hid in ambush with Minard, Cabot, and Bruce at the right of the Chesnay forest; Boislaurier, Grenier, and Horeau took the centre; Courceuil, Herbomez, and Lisieux occupied the ravine to the left of the wood.All these positions are indicated on the ground-plan drawn by the engineer of the government survey-office, which is here subjoined.