"Decisive measures must be taken against the impending evils, and a half hearted policy will only favour the progress of their designs. If Pitracha be arrested, the conspiracy will come to naught. Remember that the greatest secrecy is absolutely necessary to the success of this enterprise, and, to be successful, we must dissemble our feelings." The King understood the importance of this advice, but weakened by illness was unable to keep the matter secret, and he could not resist the temptation of breaking out into threats and reproaches. Pitracha's suspicions were aroused mid he anticipated matters. He assembled his retainers and pointed out the serious nature of the situation. Without delay they marched on the Palace and possessed themselves of the King. Faulcon, alarmed at this sudden turn of events, would not follow the advice of his friends who desired him to remain at home to await the upshot of affairs. His impolitic attachment to the King was the cause of his downfall, and believing that inaction would be detrimental to the favours he enjoyed, followed the promptings of courage and duty.
He went to the Palace accompanied by Beauchamp, Fretteville, Vaudrille, Laise and the Chevalier des Farges, all of whom were French officers. He was followed by two Portuguese and sixteen Englishmen who were in his pay as guards. He took his departure and said to his wife "Farewell for ever, madame. The King is a prisoner, and I am going to die at his feet."
His zeal and courage buoyed him up in the hope that with this little band, he could force his way to the room of his master, but no sooner had he entered the outer courtyard of the palace, than Pitracha at the head of a Siamese force arrested him on the charge of high treason.
His first thought was to defend himself but on seeing that his guards had basely deserted him, saw that resistance was useless. The French officers however justified the confidence he had in their courage, and alone, they thought they could scatter the armed mob, but Faulcon exhorted them to give up their swords and they were led off to the common prison under pretext of rescuing them from the fury of the crowd.
Pitracha, now absolute master of the King's fate left him the empty title of King with the shadow of power, and to render the fact of his usurpation less objectionable, merely took the title of chief minister of State.
All submitted to him. The priests whom he had deceived by his hypocrisy, belauded him as the defender of their faith. The officials regarded him as the liberator of their country from the oppression of the foreigner. The populace, were foolish enough to imagine that a change of masters, would be the prelude to a happier condition of existance.
The usurper, now assured of the support of the whole nation, saw that the French were the sole obstacles in his path. To him they seemed invincible, as they possessed the two strongest positions in the Kingdom. He sent for M. de Métellopolis, who fearing punishment for having advised Des Farges, excused his attendance on the ground of ill-health.
M. de Lionne, Bishop of Rosalie, however acted as his substitute.
Pitracha insolently addressed him in these words.
"It is with the greatest disgust that I learn that the French troops who come to Siam to serve the King, refuse to obey his commands. I order you to write to their commander to enforce their obedience. Should he persist in his contumacious behavior you shall suffer for it, I will give your Seminary and Church over to pillage, all the French shall be blown from the cannon's mouth, and every Christian shall be put to death."
M. de Rosalie replied that although he had no authority over the French commander, he would endeavour to arrange matters that Des Farges should come to Louvo in person. This offer was accepted, and the prelate accompanied by two officials who had been members of the embassy to France, set out for Bangkok.