"[1707] a very daring enterprise was formed by one colonel
Queintern, a partisan in the Imperial army. This man laid a scheme
for carrying off the dauphin of France from the court of Versailles.
He selected 30 men of approved valour for this undertaking. He
procured passes for them, and they rendezvoused in the neighbourhood
of Paris. On the 24 day of March, in the evening, he and his
accomplices stopped a coach and six, with the king's liveries, and
arrested the person who was in it, on the supposition of his being a
prince of the blood. It was, however, M. de Barringhen, the king's
first equerry [an official charged w/ the care of the horses of
princes].
This officer they mounted on a spare horse, and set out for the Low
Countries; but, being little acquainted with the roads, they did not
reach Chantilly till next morning, when they heard the tocsin, or
alarm-bell, and thence concluded that detachments were sent out in
pursuit of them.
Nevertheless, they proceeded boldly, and would certainly have
carried the point, had not Queintern halted 3 hours for the
refreshment of his prisoner, who complained of his being
indisposed. He likewise procured a chaise, and ordered the back of
it to be lowered for his convenience. These acts of humanity
retarded him so much, that he was overtaken by a detachment of horse
at Ham, within 3 hours' ride of a place of safety.
Finding himself surrounded, he thought proper to surrender, and
M. de Berringhen treated him with great generosity, for the
civilities he had experienced at his hands. He carried him back to
Versailles, and lodged him in his own apartments. Madame de
Berringhen made him a considerable present; and the king ordered him
and his companions to be discharged, on account of the courage and
humanity they had displayed."