Bouille and his troops were to meet the royal family outside Varennes. The soldiers would then protect the royal family on the way to the fort at Montmedy. From Montmedy, it would be a short jump to the border, and safety. But an excited Drouet had quite a different plan for the royal family. Drouet raced to Varennes, far ahead of the heavily laden royal coach. When he arrived in town, he saw of Bouille's soldiers. Now Drouet was certain. Since there were so many many soldiers in town, they must be waiting for something important to happen.
Actually, the soldiers had earlier waited many hours outside of the royal family. But they had grown bored. General Bouille feared that his troops would desert, or leave their posts, if they had to wait longer. He thought it best to allow the soldiers a few hours in town. They now mingled among the townspeople in Varennes.
When Count Ferlin halted the coach, only two of the officers were there to meet him. Ferlin and the king were puzzled. Where were all the protect them?
While General Bouille tried to reassure the king, Drouet was already in Varennes. He was gathering together a group of revolutionaries. "A beautiful fancy coach," Drouet told them, "is about to enter Varennes. I would stake my life that it carries the royal family. They are trying to escape the country. What do you think of that?"