They made many inquiries.
"Why was this Flanders regiment brought to Versailles?"

"How did it happen that the king had at present double the usual number
of his Swiss guards?"

"Where were all those foreign officers from, who were seen in the
streets in strange uniforms?" The people, exasperated afresh by finding
that, though the harvest was over, there was still a scarcity of bread,
were in a temper to believe the worst that was told them; and it seems
now very probable that much of it was true. They were told that these
same soldiers had breakfasted together, and that they had planned to
march upon the National Assembly, and destroy it. They heard a report
that the king meant to go away to Metz, and to return at the head of an
army, and to crush all those who had risen against him. Nothing could
now prevent the people from doing what they had threatened--going to
Versailles, to separate the king from his evil counsellors, and bring
the Dauphin to Paris. Some went further than this, saying to General
Lafayette that the king was too weak to reign; that they would destroy
his guards, make him lay down his crown, and declare the Dauphin king,
with Lafayette and others to manage the affairs of the empire till the
boy should be of age.

This was said to Lafayette on the morning of the 5th of October.
Grieved as he was to see that the mob were resolved to go to Versailles,
he saw what he must do, since he could not keep them back. He detained
them as long as he could by speeches and arguments, while he sent
messengers by every road to Versailles, to give notice of what might be
expected; and he declared his intention of leading the march when the
people could be detained no longer. Several of his messengers were
stopped: but some who went by by-roads reached Versailles, and gave the
alarm. Meantime, he contrived to make the march so slow, as that he and
his thirty thousand followers were nine hours going the twelve miles to
Versailles. Lest the royal family should not be gone, as he hoped, he
made the crowd halt on the ridge of the hill which overlooked
Versailles, and swear, with their right hands lifted up towards heaven,
to respect the king's dwelling, and be faithful to the orders of the
Assembly they themselves had chosen. Unhappily, all he did was of
little use. He arrived at near midnight; but another mob--a mob of
women, savage because their children were hungry--had been in possession
of Versailles si