第9章

ButIsoonperceivedthatshehadchangedsomewhatinhermanner，though，forawhile，Ipaidlittleattentiontoit.

"WhenIwaspainting，whetherinmyvalleyorinsomecountrylane，I

wouldseehersuddenlyappearwithherrapid，springywalk.Shewouldthensitdownabruptly，outofbreath，asthoughshehadbeenrunningorwereovercomebysomeprofoundemotion.Herfacewouldbered，thatEnglishredwhichisdeniedtothepeopleofallothercountries;then，withoutanyreason，shewouldturnashypaleandseemabouttofaintaway.Gradually，however，hernaturalcolorwouldreturnandshewouldbegintospeak.

"Then，withoutwarning，shewouldbreakoffinthemiddleofasentence，springupfromherseatandwalkawaysorapidlyandsostrangelythatI

wasatmywits’endstodiscoverwhetherIhaddoneorsaidanythingtodispleaseorwoundher.

"Ifinallycametotheconclusionthatthosewerehernormalmanners，somewhatmodifiednodoubtinmyhonorduringthefirstdaysofouracquaintance.

"Whenshereturnedtothefarm，afterwalkingforhoursonthewindycoast，herlongcurlsoftenhungstraightdown，asiftheirspringshadbeenbroken.Thishadhithertoseldomgivenheranyconcern，andshewouldcometodinnerwithoutembarrassmentalldishevelledbyhersister，thebreeze.

Butnowshewouldgotoherroomandarrangetheuntidylocks，andwhenI

wouldsay，withfamiliargallantry，which，however，alwaysoffendedher"’Youareasbeautifulasastarto—day，MissHarriet，’ablushwouldimmediatelyrisetohercheeks，theblushofayounggirl，ofagirloffifteen.

"Thenshewouldsuddenlybecomequitereservedandceasecomingtowatchmepaint.Ithought，’Thisisonlyafitoftemper;itwillblowover.’

Butitdidnotalwaysblowover，andwhenIspoketohershewouldanswermeeitherwithaffectedindifferenceorwithsullenannoyance.

"Shebecamebyturnsrude，impatientandnervous.Ineversawhernowexceptatmeals，andwespokebutlittle.IconcludedatlengththatI

musthaveoffendedherinsomeway，and，accordingly，Isaidtoheroneevening：

"’MissHarriet，whyisitthatyoudonotacttowardmeasformerly？

WhathaveIdonetodispleaseyou？Youarecausingmemuchpain！’

"Sherepliedinamostcomicaltoneofanger：

"’Iamjustthesamewithyouasformerly.Itisnottrue，nottrue，’

andsheranupstairsandshutherselfupinherroom.

"Occasionallyshewouldlookatmeinapeculiarmanner.Ihaveoftensaidtomyselfsincethenthatthosewhoarecondemnedtodeathmustlookthuswhentheyareinformedthattheirlastdayhascome.Inhereyetherelurkedaspeciesofinsanity，aninsanityatoncemysticalandviolent;andevenmore，afever，anaggravatedlonging，impatientandimpotent，fortheunattainedandunattainable.

"Nay，itseemedtometherewasalsogoingonwithinherastruggleinwhichherheartwrestledwithanunknownforcethatshesoughttomaster，andeven，perhaps，somethingelse.ButwhatdoIknow？WhatdoIknow？

"Itwasindeedasingularrevelation.

"ForsometimeIhadcommencedtowork，assoonasdaylightappeared，onapicturethesubjectofwhichwasasfollows：

"Adeepravine，enclosed，surmountedbytwothicketsoftreesandvines，extendedintothedistanceandwaslost，submergedinthatmilkyvapor，inthatcloudlikecottondownthatsometimesfloatsovervalleysatdaybreak.Andattheextremeendofthatheavy，transparentfogonesaw，or，rather，surmised，thatacoupleofhumanbeingswereapproaching，ahumancouple，ayouthandamaiden，theirarmsinterlaced，embracingeachother，theirheadsinclinedtowardeachother，theirlipsmeeting.

"Afirstrayofthesun，glisteningthroughthebranches，piercedthatfogofthedawn，illuminateditwitharosyreflectionjustbehindtherusticlovers，framingtheirvagueshadowsinasilverybackground.Itwaswelldone;yes，indeed，welldone.

"IwasworkingonthedeclivitywhichledtotheValleyofEtretat.OnthisparticularmorningIhad，bychance，thesortoffloatingvaporwhichIneeded.Suddenlysomethingroseupinfrontofmelikeaphantom;itwasMissHarriet.Onseeingmeshewasabouttoflee.ButI

calledafterher，saying：’Comehere，comehere，mademoiselle.Ihaveanicelittlepictureforyou.’

"Shecameforward，thoughwithseemingreluctance.Ihandedhermysketch.Shesaidnothing，butstoodforalongtime，motionless，lookingatit，andsuddenlysheburstintotears.Sheweptspasmodically，likemenwhohavestrivenhardtorestraintheirtears，butwhocandosonolongerandabandonthemselvestogrief，thoughstillresisting.Isprangtomyfeet，movedatthesightofasorrowIdidnotcomprehend，andI

tookherbythehandwithanimpulseofbrusqueaffection，atrueFrenchimpulsewhichactsbeforeitreflects.

"Sheletherhandsrestinmineforafewseconds，andIfeltthemquiverasifallhernerveswerebeingwrenched.Thenshewithdrewherhandsabruptly，or，rather，snatchedthemaway.

"Irecognizedthattremor，forIhadfeltit，andIcouldnotbedeceived.Ah！thelovetremorofawoman，whethershebefifteenorfiftyyearsofage，whethershebeofthepeopleorofsociety，goessostraighttomyheartthatIneverhaveanyhesitationinunderstandingit！

"Herwholefrailbeinghadtrembled，vibrated，beenovercome.Iknewit.

ShewalkedawaybeforeIhadtimetosayaword，leavingmeassurprisedasifIhadwitnessedamiracleandastroubledasifIhadcommittedacrime.

"Ididnotgointobreakfast.Iwenttotakeaturnontheedgeofthecliff，feelingthatIwouldjustasliefweepaslaugh，lookingontheadventureasbothcomicanddeplorableandmypositionasridiculous，believingherunhappyenoughtogoinsane.

"IaskedmyselfwhatIoughttodo.Itseemedbestformetoleavetheplace，andIimmediatelyresolvedtodoso.

"Somewhatsadandperplexed，Iwanderedaboutuntildinnertimeandenteredthefarmhousejustwhenthesouphadbeenservedup.

"Isatdownatthetableasusual.MissHarrietwasthere，eatingawaysolemnly，withoutspeakingtoanyone，withoutevenliftinghereyes.

Hermannerandexpressionwere，however，thesameasusual.

"Iwaitedpatientlytillthemealhadbeenfinished，when，turningtowardthelandlady，Isaid：’Well，MadameLecacheur，itwillnotbelongnowbeforeIshallhavetotakemyleaveofyou.’

"Thegoodwoman，atoncesurprisedandtroubled，repliedinherdrawlingvoice：’Mydearsir，whatisityousay？YouaregoingtoleaveusafterIhavebecomesoaccustomedtoyou？’

"IglancedatMissHarrietoutofthecornerofmyeye.Hercountenancedidnotchangeintheleast.ButCeleste，thelittleservant，lookedupatme.Shewasafatgirl，ofabouteighteenyearsofage，rosy，fresh，asstrongasahorse，andpossessingtherareattributeofcleanliness.

Ihadkissedheratoddtimesinout—of—the—waycorners，afterthemanneroftravellers——nothingmore.

"Thedinnerbeingatlengthover，Iwenttosmokemypipeundertheappletrees，walkingupanddownfromoneendoftheenclosuretotheother.

AllthereflectionswhichIhadmadeduringtheday，thestrangediscoveryofthemorning，thatpassionateandgrotesqueattachmentforme，therecollectionswhichthatrevelationhadsuddenlycalledup，recollectionsatoncecharmingandperplexing，perhapsalsothatlookwhichtheservanthadcastonmeattheannouncementofmydeparture——allthesethings，mixedupandcombined，putmenowinarecklesshumor，gavemeaticklingsensationofkissesonthelipsandinmyveinsasomethingwhichurgedmeontocommitsomefolly.

"Nightwascomingon，castingitsdarkshadowsunderthetrees，whenI

descriedCeleste，whohadgonetofastenupthepoultryyardattheotherendoftheenclosure.Idartedtowardher，runningsonoiselesslythatsheheardnothing，andasshegotupfromclosingthesmalltrapdoorbywhichthechickensgotinandout，Iclaspedherinmyarmsandrainedonhercoarse，fatfaceashowerofkisses.Shestruggled，laughingallthetime，asshewasaccustomedtodoinsuchcircumstances.WhydidI

suddenlyloosemygripofher？WhydidIatonceexperienceashock？

WhatwasitthatIheardbehindme？

"ItwasMissHarriet，whohadcomeuponus，whohadseenusandwhostoodinfrontofusmotionlessasaspectre.Thenshedisappearedinthedarkness.

"Iwasashamed，embarrassed，moredesperateathavingbeenthussurprisedbyherthanifshehadcaughtmecommittingsomecriminalact.

"Isleptbadlythatnight.Iwascompletelyunnervedandhauntedbysadthoughts.Iseemedtohearloudweeping，butinthisIwasnodoubtdeceived.Moreover，IthoughtseveraltimesthatIheardsomeonewalkingupanddowninthehouseandopeningthehalldoor.

"TowardmorningIwasovercomebyfatigueandfellasleep.Igotuplateanddidnotgodownstairsuntilthelatebreakfast，beingstillinabewilderedstate，notknowingwhatkindofexpressiontoputon.

"NoonehadseenMissHarriet.Wewaitedforherattable，butshedidnotappear.AtlengthMotherLecacheurwenttoherroom.TheEnglishwomanhadgoneout.Shemusthavesetoutatbreakofday，asshewaswonttodo，inordertoseethesunrise.

"Nobodyseemedsurprisedatthis，andwebegantoeatinsilence.

"Theweatherwashot，veryhot，oneofthosebroiling，heavydayswhennotaleafstirs.Thetablehadbeenplacedoutofdoors，underanappletree，andfromtimetotimeSapeurhadgonetothecellartodrawajugofcider，everybodywassothirsty.Celestebroughtthedishesfromthekitchen，aragoutofmuttonwithpotatoes，acoldrabbitandasalad.

Afterwardsheplacedbeforeusadishofstrawberries，thefirstoftheseason.

"AsIwishedtowashandfreshenthese，Ibeggedtheservanttogoanddrawmeapitcherofcoldwater.

"Inaboutfiveminutesshereturned，declaringthatthewellwasdry.

Shehadloweredthepitchertothefullextentofthecordandhadtouchedthebottom，butondrawingthepitcherupagainitwasempty.

MotherLecacheur，anxioustoexaminethethingforherself，wentandlookeddownthehole.Shereturned，announcingthatonecouldseeclearlysomethinginthewell，somethingaltogetherunusual.Butthisnodoubtwasbundlesofstraw，whichaneighborhadthrowninoutofspite.

"Iwishedtolookdownthewellalso，hopingImightbeabletoclearupthemystery，andIperchedmyselfclosetothebrink.Iperceivedindistinctlyawhiteobject.Whatcoulditbe？Ithenconceivedtheideaofloweringalanternattheendofacord.WhenIdidsotheyellowflamedancedonthelayersofstoneandgraduallybecameclearer.

Allfourofuswereleaningovertheopening，SapeurandCelestehavingnowjoinedus.Thelanternrestedonablack—and—whiteindistinctmass，singular，incomprehensible.Sapeurexclaimed：

"’Itisahorse.Iseethehoofs.Itmusthavegotoutofthemeadowduringthenightandfalleninheadlong.’

"Butsuddenlyacoldshiverfrozemetothemarrow.Ifirstrecognizedafoot，thenalegstickingup;thewholebodyandtheotherlegwerecompletelyunderwater.

"Istammeredoutinaloudvoice，tremblingsoviolentlythatthelanterndancedhitherandthitherovertheslipper：

"’Itisawoman！Who—who—canitbe？ItisMissHarriet！’

"Sapeuralonedidnotmanifesthorror.HehadwitnessedmanysuchscenesinAfrica.

"MotherLecacheurandCelestebegantoutterpiercingscreamsandranaway.

"Butitwasnecessarytorecoverthecorpseofthedeadwoman.I

attachedtheyoungmansecurelybythewaisttotheendofthepulleyropeandloweredhimveryslowly，watchinghimdisappearinthedarkness.

Inonehandheheldthelanternandaropeintheother.SoonI

recognizedhisvoice，whichseemedtocomefromthecentreoftheearth，saying：

’Stop！’

"Ithensawhimfishsomethingoutofthewater.Itwastheotherleg.

Hethenboundthetwofeettogetherandshoutedanew：

"’Haulup！’

"Ibegantowindup，butIfeltmyarmscrack，mymusclestwitch，andI

wasinterrorlestIshouldletthemanfalltothebottom.WhenhisheadappearedatthebrinkIasked：

"’Well？’asifIexpectedhehadamessagefromthedrownedwoman.

"Webothgotonthestoneslabattheedgeofthewellandfromoppositesideswebegantohaulupthebody.

"MotherLecacheurandCelestewatchedusfromadistance，concealedfromviewbehindthewallofthehouse.Whentheysawissuingfromtheholetheblackslippersandwhitestockingsofthedrownedpersontheydisappeared.

"Sapeurseizedtheankles，andwedrewupthebodyofthepoorwoman.

Theheadwasshockingtolookat，beingbruisedandlacerated，andthelonggrayhair，outofcurlforevermore，hangingdowntangledanddisordered.

"’Inthenameofallthatisholy！howleansheis，’exclaimedSapeurinacontemptuoustone.

"Wecarriedherintotheroom，andasthewomendidnotputinanappearanceI，withtheassistanceofthestablelad，dressedthecorpseforburial.

"Iwashedherdisfiguredface.Underthetouchofmyfingeraneyewasslightlyopenedandregardedmewiththatpale，coldlook，thatterriblelookofacorpsewhichseemstocomefromthebeyond.IbraidedaswellasIcouldherdishevelledhairandwithmyclumsyhandsarrangedonherheadanovelandsingularcoiffure.ThenItookoffherdrippingwetgarments，baring，notwithoutafeelingofshame，asthoughIhadbeenguiltyofsomeprofanation，hershouldersandherchestandherlongarms，asslimasthetwigsofatree.

"Inextwenttofetchsomeflowers，poppies，bluets，margueritesandfresh，sweet—smellinggrasswithwhichtostrewherfuneralcouch.

"Ithenhadtogothroughtheusualformalities，asIwasalonetoattendtoeverything.Aletterfoundinherpocket，writtenatthelastmoment，requestedthatherbodybeburiedinthevillageinwhichshehadpassedthelastdaysofherlife.Asadsuspicionweighedonmyheart.Wasitnotonmyaccountthatshewishedtobelaidtorestinthisplace？

"Towardeveningallthefemalegossipsofthelocalitycametoviewtheremainsofthedefunct，butIwouldnotallowasinglepersontoenter.

Iwantedtobealone，andIwatchedbesideherallnight.

"Ilookedatthecorpsebytheflickeringlightofthecandles，atthisunhappywoman，unknowntousall，whohaddiedinsuchalamentablemannerandsofarawayfromhome.Hadsheleftnofriends，norelationsbehindher？Whathadherinfancybeen？Whathadbeenherlife？Whencehadshecomethitheralone，awanderer，lostlikeadogdrivenfromhome？

Whatsecretsofsufferingsandofdespairweresealedupinthatunprepossessingbody，inthatpoorbodywhoseoutwardappearancehaddrivenfromherallaffection，alllove？

"Howmanyunhappybeingsthereare！Ifeltthatthereweigheduponthathumancreaturetheeternalinjusticeofimplacablenature！Itwasalloverwithher，withouthereverhavingexperienced，perhaps，thatwhichsustainsthegreatestoutcaststowit，thehopeofbeinglovedonce！

Otherwisewhyshouldshethushaveconcealedherself，fledfromthefaceofothers？Whydidsheloveeverythingsotenderlyandsopassionately，everythinglivingthatwasnotaman？

"IrecognizedthefactthatshebelievedinaGod，andthatshehopedtoreceivecompensationfromthelatterforallthemiseriesshehadendured.Shewouldnowdisintegrateandbecome，inturn，aplant.Shewouldblossominthesun，thecattlewouldbrowseonherleaves，thebirdswouldbearawaytheseeds，andthroughthesechangesshewouldbecomeagainhumanflesh.Butthatwhichiscalledthesoulhadbeenextinguishedatthebottomofthedarkwell.Shesufferednolonger.

Shehadgivenherlifeforthatofothersyettocome.

"Hourspassedawayinthissilentandsinistercommunionwiththedead.

Apalelightatlengthannouncedthedawnofanewday;thenaredraystreamedinonthebed，makingabaroflightacrossthecoverletandacrossherhands.Thiswasthehourshehadsomuchloved.Theawakenedbirdsbegantosinginthetrees.

"Iopenedthewindowtoitsfullestextentanddrewbackthecurtainsthatthewholeheavensmightlookinuponus，and，bendingovertheicycorpse，Itookinmyhandsthemutilatedheadandslowly，withoutterrorordisgust，Iimprintedakiss，alongkiss，uponthoselipswhichhadneverbeforebeenkissed."

LeonChenalremainedsilent.Thewomenwept.WeheardontheboxseattheCountd’Atrailleblowinghisnosefromtimetotime.Thecoachmanalonehadgonetosleep.Thehorses，whonolongerfeltthestingofthewhip，hadslackenedtheirpaceandmovedalongslowly.Thedrag，hardlyadvancingatall，seemedsuddenlytorpid，asifithadbeenfreightedwithsorrow.

[MissHarrietappearedinLeGaulois，July9，1883，underthetitleofMissHastings.Thestorywaslaterrevised，enlarged;andpartlyreconstructed.ThisiswhatDeMaupassantwrotetoEditorHavardMarch15，1884，inanuneditedletter，inregardtothetitleofthestorythatwastogiveitsnametothevolume：

"IdonotbelievethatHastingsisabadname，inasmuchasitisknownallovertheworld，andrecallsthegreatestfactsinEnglishhistory.Besides，HastingsisasmuchanameasDuvaliswithus.

"ThenameCherbuliezselected，MissRevel，isnomorelikeanEnglishnamethanlikeaTurkishname.ButhereisanothernameasEnglishasHastings，andmoreeuphonious;itisMissHarriet.

IwillaskyouthereforetosubstituteHarrietforHastings."

ItwasinregardtothisverytittlethatDeMaupassanthadadisagreementwithAudranandBoucherondirectoroftheBouffesParisiensinOctober，1890TheyhadgiventhistitletoanoperettaabouttobeplayedattheBouffes.Itendedhowever，bytheircedingtoDeMaupassant，andthetitleoftheoperettawaschangedtoMissHelyett.]

LITTLELOUISEROQUE

Theformersoldier，MedericRompel，familiarlycalledMedericbythecountryfolks，leftthepostofficeofRoiiy—le—Torsattheusualhour.

Afterpassingthroughthevillagewithhislongstride，hecutacrossthemeadowsofVillaumeandreachedthebankoftheBrindille，followingthepathalongthewater’sedgetothevillageofCarvelin，wherehecommencedtodeliverhisletters.Hewalkedquickly，followingthecourseofthenarrowriver，whichfrothed，murmuredandboiledinitsgrassybedbeneathanarchofwillows.

Medericwentonwithoutstopping，withonlythisthoughtinhismind："MyfirstletterisforthePoivronfamily，thenIhaveoneforMonsieurRenardet;soImustcrossthewood."

Hisblueblouse，fastenedroundhiswaistbyablackleatherbelt，movedinaquick，regularfashionabovethegreenhedgeofwillowtrees，andhisstoutstickofhollykepttimewithhissteadytread.

HecrossedtheBrindilleonabridgeconsistingofatreetrunk，withahandrailofrope，fastenedateitherendtoastakedrivenintotheground.

Thewood，whichbelongedtoMonsieurRenardet，themayorofCarvelinandthelargestlandownerinthedistrict，consistedofhugeoldtrees，straightaspillarsandextendingforabouthalfaleaguealongtheleftbankofthestreamwhichservedasaboundarytothisimmensedomeoffoliage.Alongsidethewaterlargeshrubshadgrownupinthesunlight，butunderthetreesonefoundnothingbutmoss，thick，softandyielding，fromwhicharose，inthestillair，anodorofdampnessandofdeadwood.

Medericslackenedhispace，tookoffhisblackcapadornedwithredlaceandwipedhisforehead，foritwasbythistimehotinthemeadows，thoughitwasnotyeteighto’clockinthemorning.

Hehadjustrecoveredfromtheeffectsoftheheatandresumedhisquickpacewhenhenoticedatthefootofatreeaknife，achild’ssmallknife.Whenhepickedituphediscoveredathimbleandalsoaneedlecasenotfaraway.

Havingtakenuptheseobjects，hethought："I’llentrustthemtothemayor，"andheresumedhisjourney，butnowhekepthiseyesopen，expectingtofindsomethingelse.

Allofasuddenhestoppedshort，asifhehadstruckagainstawoodenbarrier.Tenpacesinfrontofhimlaystretchedonherbackonthemossalittlegirl，perfectlynude，herfacecoveredwithahandkerchief.Shewasabouttwelveyearsold.

Meredicadvancedontiptoe，asifheapprehendedsomedanger，andheglancedtowardthespotuneasily.

Whatwasthis？Nodoubtshewasasleep.Thenhereflectedthatapersondoesnotgotosleepnakedathalf—pastseveninthemorningunderthecooltrees.So，then，shemustbedead，andhemustbefacetofacewithacrime.Atthisthoughtacoldshiverranthroughhisframe，althoughhewasanoldsoldier.Andthenamurderwassuchararethinginthecountry，and，aboveall，themurderofachild，thathecouldnotbelievehiseyes.Butshehadnowound—nothingsaveaspotofbloodonherleg.

How，then，hadshebeenkilled？

Hestoppedclosetoherandgazedather，whileheleanedonhisstick.

Certainlyhemustknowher，forheknewalltheinhabitantsofthedistrict;but，notbeingabletogetalookatherface，hecouldnotguesshername.Hestoopedforwardinordertotakeoffthehandkerchiefwhichcoveredherface，thenpaused，withoutstretchedhand，restrainedbyanideathatoccurredtohim.

Hadhetherighttodisarrangeanythingintheconditionofthecorpsebeforetheofficialinvestigation？Hepicturedjusticetohimselfasakindofgeneralwhomnothingescapesandwhoattachesasmuchimportancetoalostbuttonastothestabofaknifeinthestomach.Perhapsunderthishandkerchiefevidencecouldbefoundtosustainachargeofmurder;

infact，ifsuchproofwerethereitmightloseitsvalueiftouchedbyanawkwardhand.

Thenheraisedhimselfwiththeintentionofhasteningtowardthemayor’sresidence，butagainanotherthoughtheldhimback.Ifthelittlegirlwerestillalive，byanychance，hecouldnotleaveherlyingthereinthisway.Hesankonhiskneesverygently，alittledistancefromher，throughprecaution，andextendedhishandtowardherfoot.Itwasicycold，withtheterriblecoldnessofdeathwhichleavesusnolongerindoubt.Thelettercarrier，ashetouchedher，felthisheartinhismouth，ashesaidhimselfafterward，andhismouthparched.Risingupabruptly，herushedoffunderthetreestowardMonsieurRenardet’shouse.

Hewalkedonfasterthanever，withhisstickunderhisarm，hishandsclenchedandhisheadthrustforward，whilehisleathernbag，filledwithlettersandnewspapers，keptflappingathisside.

Themayor’sresidencewasattheendofthewoodwhichservedasapark，andonesideofitwaswashedbytheBrindille.

Itwasabigsquarehouseofgraystone，veryold，andhadstoodmanyasiegeinformerdays，andattheendofitwasahugetower，twentymetreshigh，risingoutofthewater.

Fromthetopofthisfortressonecouldformerlyseeallthesurroundingcountry.ItwascalledtheFox’stower，withoutanyoneknowingexactlywhy;andfromthisappellation，nodoubt，hadcomethenameRenardet，bornebytheownersofthisfief，whichhadremainedinthesamefamily，itwassaid，formorethantwohundredyears.FortheRenardetsformedpartoftheuppermiddleclass，allbutnoble，tobemetwithsooftenintheprovincebeforetheRevolution.

Thepostmandashedintothekitchen，wheretheservantsweretakingbreakfast，andexclaimed：

"Isthemayorup？Iwanttospeaktohimatonce."

Medericwasrecognizedasamanofstandingandauthority，andtheyunderstoodthatsomethingserioushadhappened.

AssoonaswordwasbroughttoMonsieurRenardet，heorderedthepostmantobesentuptohim.Paleandoutofbreath，withhiscapinhishand，Medericfoundthemayorseatedatalongtablecoveredwithscatteredpapers.

Hewasalarge，tallman，heavyandred—faced，strongasanox，andwasgreatlylikedinthedistrict，althoughofanexcessivelyviolentdisposition.Almostfortyyearsoldandawidowerforthepastsixmonths，helivedonhisestatelikeacountrygentleman.HischolerictemperamenthadoftenbroughthimintotroublefromwhichthemagistratesofRoiiy—le—Tors，likeindulgentandprudentfriends，hadextricatedhim.

Hadhenotonedaythrowntheconductorofthediligencefromthetopofhisseatbecausehecamenearrunningoverhisretriever，Micmac？Hadhenotbrokentheribsofagamekeeperwhoabusedhimforhaving，guninhand，passedthroughaneighbor’sproperty？Hadhenotevencaughtbythecollarthesub—prefect，whostoppedoverinthevillageduringanadministrativecircuit，calledbyMonsieurRenardetanelectioneeringcircuit，forhewasopposedtothegovernment，inaccordancewithfamilytraditions.

Themayorasked：

"What’sthematternow，Mederic？"

"Ifoundalittlegirldeadinyourwood."

Renardetrosetohisfeet，hisfacethecolorofbrick.

"Whatdoyousay——alittlegirl？"

"Yes，m’sieu，alittlegirl，quitenaked，onherback，withbloodonher，dead——quitedead！"

Themayorgaveventtoanoath：

"ByGod，I’dmakeabetitislittleLouiseRoque！Ihavejustlearnedthatshedidnotgohometohermotherlastnight.Wheredidyoufindher？"

Thepostmandescribedthespot，gavefulldetailsandofferedtoconductthemayortotheplace.

ButRenardetbecamebrusque：

"No，Idon’tneedyou.Sendthewatchman，themayor’ssecretaryandthedoctortomeatonce，andresumeyourrounds.Quick，quick，goandtellthemtomeetmeinthewood."

Thelettercarrier，amanusedtodiscipline，obeyedandwithdrew，angryandgrievedatnotbeingabletobepresentattheinvestigation.

Themayor，inhisturn，preparedtogoout，tookhisbigsofthatandpausedforafewsecondsonthethresholdofhisabode.Infrontofhimstretchedawidesward，inwhichwerethreelargebedsofflowersinfullbloom，onefacingthehouseandtheothersateithersideofit.Fartherontheoutlyingtreesofthewoodroseskyward，whileattheleft，beyondtheBrindille，whichatthatspotwidenedintoapond，couldbeseenlongmeadows，anentirelygreenflatsweepofcountry，intersectedbytrenchesandhedgesofpollardwillows.

Totheright，behindthestables，theouthousesandallthebuildingsconnectedwiththeproperty，mightbeseenthevillage，whichwaswealthy，beingmainlyinhabitedbycattlebreeders.

Renardetslowlydescendedthestepsinfrontofhishouse，and，turningtotheleft，gainedthewater’sedge，whichhefollowedataslowpace，hishandbehindhisback.Hewalkedon，withbenthead，andfromtimetotimeglancedroundinsearchofthepersonshehadsentfor.

Whenhestoodbeneaththetreeshestopped，tookoffhishatandwipedhisforeheadasMederichaddone，fortheburningsunwasdartingitsfieryraysontheearth.Thenthemayorresumedhisjourney，stoppedoncemoreandretracedhissteps.Suddenly，stoopingdown，hesteepedhishandkerchiefinthestreamthatglidedalongathisfeetandspreaditoverhishead，underhishat.Dropsofwaterfloweddownhistemplesoverhisears，whichwerealwayspurple，overhisstrongredneck，andmadetheirway，oneaftertheother，underhiswhiteshirtcollar.

Asnobodyhadappeared，hebegantappingwithhisfoot，thenhecalledout：

"Hello！Hello！"

Avoiceathisrightanswered：

"Hello！Hello！"

Andthedoctorappearedunderthetrees.Hewasathinlittleman，anex—militarysurgeon，whopassedintheneighborhoodforaveryskillfulpractitioner.Helimped，havingbeenwoundedwhileintheservice，andhadtouseasticktoassisthiminwalking.

Nextcamethewatchmanandthemayor’ssecretary，who，havingbeensentforatthesametime，arrivedtogether.Theylookedscared，andhurriedforward，outofbreath，walkingandrunningalternatelytohastentheirprogress，andmovingtheirarmsupanddownsovigorouslythattheyseemedtodomoreworkwiththemthanwiththeirlegs.

Renardetsaidtothedoctor：

"Youknowwhatthetroubleisabout？"

"Yes，achildfounddeadinthewoodbyMederic."

"That’squitecorrect.Comeon！"

Theywalkedalong，sidebyside，followedbythetwomen.

Theirstepsmadenosoundonthemoss.Theireyesweregazingaheadinfrontofthem.

Suddenlythedoctor，extendinghisarm，said：

"See，theresheis！"

Faraheadofthemunderthetreestheysawsomethingwhiteonwhichthesungleameddownthroughthebranches.Astheyapproachedtheygraduallydistinguishedahumanformlyingthere，itsheadtowardtheriver，thefacecoveredandthearmsextendedasthoughonacrucifix.

"Iamfearfullywarm，"saidthemayor，andstoopingdown，heagainsoakedhishandkerchiefinthewaterandplaceditroundhisforehead.

Thedoctorhastenedhissteps，interestedbythediscovery.Assoonastheywerenearthecorpse，hebentdowntoexamineitwithouttouchingit.Hehadputonhispince—nez，asonedoesinexaminingsomecuriousobject，andturnedroundveryquietly.

Hesaid，withoutrising：

"Violatedandmurdered，asweshallprovepresently.Thislittlegirl，moreover，isalmostawoman——lookatherthroat."

Thedoctorlightlydrewawaythehandkerchiefwhichcoveredherface，whichlookedblack，frightful，thetongueprotruding，theeyesbloodshot.

Hewenton：

"Byheavens！Shewasstrangledthemomentthedeedwasdone."

Hefeltherneck.

"Strangledwiththehandswithoutleavinganyspecialtrace，neitherthemarkofthenailsnortheimprintofthefingers.Quiteright.ItislittleLouiseRoque，sureenough！"

Hecarefullyreplacedthehandkerchief.

"There’snothingformetodo.She’sbeendeadforthelasthouratleast.Wemustgivenoticeofthemattertotheauthorities."

Renardet，standingup，withhishandsbehindhisback，keptstaringwithastonylookatthelittlebodyexposedtoviewonthegrass.Hemurmured：

"Whatawretch！Wemustfindtheclothes."

Thedoctorfeltthehands，thearms，thelegs.Hesaid：

"Shehadbeenbathingnodoubt.Theyoughttobeatthewater’sedge."

Themayorthereupongavedirections：

"Doyou，Principe"（thiswashissecretary），"goandfindthoseclothesformealongthestream.You，Maxime"（thiswasthewatchman），"hurryontowardRouy—le—Torsandbringwithyouthemagistratewiththegendarmes.

Theymustbeherewithinanhour.Youunderstand？"

Thetwomenstartedatonce，andRenardetsaidtothedoctor：

"Whatmiscreantcouldhavedonesuchadeedinthispartofthecountry？"

Thedoctormurmured：

"Whoknows？Anyoneiscapableofthat.Everyoneinparticularandnobodyingeneral.Nomatter，itmustbesomeprowler，someworkmanoutofemployment.SincewehavebecomeaRepublicwemeetonlythiskindofpersonalongtheroads."

BothofthemwereBonapartists.

Themayorwenton：

"Yes，itcanonlybeastranger，apasser—by，avagabondwithouthearthorhome."

Thedoctoradded，withtheshadowofasmileonhisface：

"Andwithoutawife.Havingneitheragoodsuppernoragoodbed，hebecamereckless.Youcan’ttellhowmanymentheremaybeintheworldcapableofacrimeatagivenmoment.Didyouknowthatthislittlegirlhaddisappeared？"

Andwiththeendofhisstickhetouchedoneaftertheotherthestiffenedfingersofthecorpse，restingonthemasonthekeysofapiano.

"Yes，themothercamelastnighttolookformeaboutnineo’clock，thechildnothavingcomehomeatseventosupper.Welookedforheralongtheroadsuptomidnight，butwedidnotthinkofthewood.However，weneededdaylighttocarryoutathoroughsearch."

"Willyouhaveacigar？"saidthedoctor.

"Thanks，Idon’tcaretosmoke.Thisthingaffectsmeso."

Theyremainedstandingbesidethecorpseoftheyounggirl，sopaleonthedarkmoss.Abigblueflywaswalkingoverthebodywithhislively，jerkymovements.Thetwomenkeptwatchingthiswanderingspeck.

Thedoctorsaid：

"Howprettyitis，aflyontheskin！Theladiesofthelastcenturyhadgoodreasontopastethemontheirfaces.Whyhasthisfashiongoneout？"

Themayorseemednottohear，plungedashewasindeepthought.

But，allofasudden，heturnedround，surprisedbyashrillnoise.A

womaninacapandblueapronwasrunningtowardthemunderthetrees.

Itwasthemother，LaRoque.AssoonasshesawRenardetshebegantoshriek：

"Mylittlegirl！Where’smylittlegirl？"sodistractedlythatshedidnotglancedownattheground.Suddenlyshesawthecorpse，stoppedshort，claspedherhandsandraisedbothherarmswhilesheutteredasharp，heartrendingcry——thecryofawoundedanimal.Thensherushedtowardthebody，fellonherkneesandsnatchedawaythehandkerchiefthatcoveredtheface.Whenshesawthatfrightfulcountenance，blackanddistorted，sherosetoherfeetwithashudder，thensinkingtotheground，facedownward，shepressedherfaceagainstthegroundandutteredfrightful，continuousscreamsonthethickmoss.

Hertall，thinframe，withitsclose—clingingdress，waspalpitating，shakenwithspasms.Onecouldseeherbonyanklesandherdried—upcalvescoveredwithcoarsebluestockingsshakinghorribly.Shewasdiggingthesoilwithhercrookedfingers，asthoughsheweretryingtomakeaholeinwhichtohideherself.

Thedoctor，muchaffected，saidinalowtone：

"Pooroldwoman！"

Renardetfeltastrangesensation.Thenhegaveventtoasortofloudsneeze，and，drawinghishandkerchieffromhispocket，hebegantoweepinternally，coughing，sobbingandblowinghisnosenoisily.

Hestammered：

"Damn——damn——damnedpigtodothis！Iwouldliketoseemhimguillotined."

Principereappearedwithhishandsempty.Hemurmured：

"Ihavefoundnothing，M’sieuleMaire，nothingatallanywhere."

Themayor，alarmed，repliedinathickvoice，drownedintears：

"Whatisthatyoucouldnotfind？"

"Thelittlegirl’sclothes."

"Well——well——lookagain，andfindthem——oryou’’llhavetoanswertome."

Theman，knowingthatthemayorwouldnotbrookopposition，setforthagainwithhesitatingsteps，castingatimidsideglanceatthecorpse.

Distantvoiceswereheardunderthetrees，aconfusedsound，thenoiseofanapproachingcrowd，forMederichad，inthecourseofhisrounds，carriedthenewsfromdoortodoor.Thepeopleoftheneighborhood，dazedatfirst，hadgossipedaboutitinthestreet，fromonethresholdtoanother.Thentheygatheredtogether.Theytalkedover，discussedandcommentedontheeventforsomeminutesandhadnowcometoseeforthemselves.

Theyarrivedingroups，alittlefalteringanduneasythroughfearofthefirstimpressionofsuchasceneontheirminds.Whentheysawthebodytheystopped，notdaringtoadvance，andspeakinglow.Thentheygrewbolder，wentonafewsteps，stoppedagain，advancedoncemore，andpresentlyformedaroundthedeadgirl，hermother，thedoctorandRenardetaclosecircle，restlessandnoisy，whichcrowdedforwardatthesuddenimpactofnewcomers.Andnowtheytouchedthecorpse.Someofthemevenbentdowntofeelitwiththeirfingers.Thedoctorkeptthemback.Butthemayor，wakingabruptlyoutofhistorpor，flewintoarage，andseizingDr.Labarbe’sstick，flunghimselfonhistownspeople，stammering：

"Clearout——clearout——youpackofbrutes——clearout！"

Andinasecondthecrowdofsightseershadfallenbacktwohundredpaces.

MotherLaRoquehadrisentoasittingpostureandnowremainedweeping，withherhandsclaspedoverherface.

Thecrowdwasdiscussingtheaffair，andyounglads’eagereyescuriouslyscrutinizedthisnudeyoungform.Renardetperceivedthis，and，abruptlytakingoffhiscoat，heflungitoverthelittlegirl，whowasentirelyhiddenfromviewbeneaththelargegarment.

Thesecretarydrewnearquietly.Thewoodwasfilledwithpeople，andacontinuoushumofvoicesroseupunderthetangledfoliageofthetalltrees.

Themayor，inhisshirtsleeves，remainedstanding，withhisstickinhishands，inafightingattitude.Heseemedexasperatedbythiscuriosityonthepartofthepeopleandkeptrepeating：

"IfoneofyoucomenearerI’llbreakhisheadjustasIwouldadog’s."

Thepeasantsweregreatlyafraidofhim.Theyheldback.Dr.Labarbe，whowassmoking，satdownbesideLaRoqueandspoketoherinordertodistractherattention.Theoldwomanatonceremovedherhandsfromherfaceandrepliedwithafloodoftearfulwords，emptyinghergriefincopioustalk.Shetoldthewholestoryofherlife，hermarriage，thedeathofherman，acattledrover，whohadbeengoredtodeath，theinfancyofherdaughter，herwretchedexistenceasawidowwithoutresourcesandwithachildtosupport.Shehadonlythisone，herlittleLouise，andthechildhadbeenkilled——killedinthiswood.Thenshefeltanxioustoseeheragain，and，draggingherselfonherkneestowardthecorpse，sheraiseduponecornerofthegarmentthatcoveredher;

thensheletitfallagainandbeganwailingoncemore.Thecrowdremainedsilent，eagerlywatchingallthemother’sgestures.

Butsuddenlytherewasagreatcommotionatthecryof"Thegendarmes！

thegendarmes！"

Twogendarmesappearedinthedistance，advancingatarapidtrot，escortingtheircaptainandalittlegentlemanwithredwhiskers，whowasbobbingupanddownlikeamonkeyonabigwhitemare.

ThewatchmanhadjustfoundMonsieurPutoin，themagistrate，atthemomentwhenhewasmountinghishorsetotakehisdailyride，forheposedasagoodhorseman，tothegreatamusementoftheofficers.

Hedismounted，alongwiththecaptain，andpressedthehandsofthemayorandthedoctor，castingaferret—likeglanceonthelinencoatbeneathwhichlaythecorpse.

Whenhewasmadeacquaintedwithallthefacts，hefirstgaveorderstodispersethecrowd，whomthegendarmesdroveoutofthewood，butwhosoonreappearedinthemeadowandformedahedge，abighedgeofexcitedandmovingheads，ontheothersideofthestream.

Thedoctor，inhisturn，gaveexplanations，whichRenardetnoteddowninhismemorandumbook.Alltheevidencewasgiven，takendownandcommentedonwithoutleadingtoanydiscovery.Maxime，too，camebackwithouthavingfoundanytraceoftheclothes.

Thisdisappearancesurprisedeverybody;noonecouldexplainitexceptonthetheoryoftheft，andasherragswerenotworthtwentysous，eventhistheorywasinadmissible.

Themagistrate，themayor，thecaptainandthedoctorsettoworksearchinginpairs，puttingasidethesmallestbranchalongthewater.

Renardetsaidtothejudge：

"Howdoesithappenthatthiswretchhasconcealedorcarriedawaytheclothes，andhasthusleftthebodyexposed，insightofeveryone？"

Theother，craftyandsagacious，answered：

"Ha！ha！Perhapsadodge？Thiscrimehasbeencommittedeitherbyabruteorbyaslyscoundrel.Inanycase，we’lleasilysucceedinfindinghim."

Thenoiseofwheelsmadethemturntheirheadsround.Itwasthedeputymagistrate，thedoctorandtheregistrarofthecourtwhohadarrivedintheirturn.Theyresumedtheirsearch，allchattinginananimatedfashion.

Renardetsaidsuddenly：

"Doyouknowthatyouaretotakeluncheonwithme？"

Everyonesmilinglyacceptedtheinvitation，andthemagistrate，thinkingthatthecaseoflittleLouiseRoquehadoccupiedenoughattentionforoneday，turnedtowardthemayor.

"Icanhavethebodybroughttoyourhouse，canInot？Youhavearoominwhichyoucankeepitformetillthisevening？"

Theotherbecameconfusedandstammered：

"Yes——no——no.Totellthetruth，Ipreferthatitshouldnotcomeintomyhouseonaccountof——onaccountofmyservants，whoarealreadytalkingaboutghostsin——inmytower，intheFox’stower.Youknow——Icouldnolongerkeepasingleone.No——Iprefernottohaveitinmyhouse."

Themagistratebegantosmile.

"Good！IwillhaveittakenatoncetoRoilyforthelegalexamination."

And，turningtohisdeputy，hesaid：

"Icanmakeuseofyourtrap，canInot？"

"Yes，certainly."

Theyallcamebacktotheplacewherethecorpselay.MotherLaRoque，nowseatedbesideherdaughter，washoldingherhandandwasstaringrightbeforeherwithawandering，listlesseye.

Thetwodoctorsendeavoredtoleadheraway，sothatshemightnotwitnessthedeadgirl’sremoval，butsheunderstoodatoncewhattheywantedtodo，and，flingingherselfonthebody，shethrewbotharmsroundit.Lyingontopofthecorpse，sheexclaimed：

"Youshallnothaveit——it’smine——it’sminenow.Theyhavekilledherforme，andIwanttokeepher——youshallnothaveher————"

Allthemen，affectedandnotknowinghowtoact，remainedstandingaroundher.Renardetfellonhiskneesandsaidtoher：

"Listen，LaRoque，itisnecessary，inordertofindoutwhokilledher.

Withoutthis，wecouldnotfindout.Wemustmakeasearchforthemaninordertopunishhim.Whenwehavefoundhimwe’llgiveheruptoyou.

Ipromiseyouthis."

Thisexplanationbewilderedthewoman，andafeelingofhatredmanifesteditselfinherdistractedglance.

"Sothenthey’llarresthim？"

"Yes，Ipromiseyouthat."

Sheroseup，decidingtoletthemdoastheyliked，butwhenthecaptainremarked：

"Itissurprisingthatherclotheswerenotfound，"anewidea，whichshehadnotpreviouslythoughtof，abruptlyenteredhermind，andsheasked：

"Whereareherclothes？They’remine.Iwantthem.Wherehavetheybeenput？"

Theyexplainedtoherthattheyhadnotbeenfound.Thenshedemandedthempersistently，cryingandmoaning.

"They’remine——Iwantthem.Wherearethey？Iwantthem！"

Themoretheytriedtocalmherthemoreshesobbedandpersistedinherdemands.Shenolongerwantedthebody，sheinsistedonhavingtheclothes，asmuchperhapsthroughtheunconsciouscupidityofawretchedbeingtowhomapieceofsilverrepresentsafortuneasthroughmaternaltenderness.

Andwhenthelittlebody，rolledupinblanketswhichhadbeenbroughtoutfromRenardet’shouse，haddisappearedinthevehicle，theoldwomanstandingunderthetrees，sustainedbythemayorandthecaptain，exclaimed：

"Ihavenothing，nothing，nothingintheworld，notevenherlittlecap——

herlittlecap."

Thecure，ayoungpriest，hadjustarrived.Hetookitonhimselftoaccompanythemother，andtheywentawaytogethertowardthevillage.

Themother’sgriefwasmodifiedbythesugarywordsoftheclergyman，whopromisedherathousandcompensations.Butshekeptrepeating："IfIhadonlyherlittlecap."Thisideanowdominatedeveryother.

Renardetcalledfromthedistance：

"Youwilllunchwithus，Monsieurl’Abbe——inanhour’stime."

Thepriestturnedhisheadroundandreplied：

"Withpleasure，MonsieurleMaire.I’llbewithyouattwelve."

Andtheyalldirectedtheirstepstowardthehouse，whosegrayfront，withthelargetowerbuiltontheedgeoftheBrindille，couldbeseenthroughthebranches.

Themeallastedalongtime.Theytalkedaboutthecrime.Everybodywasofthesameopinion.Ithadbeencommittedbysometramppassingtherebymerechancewhilethelittlegirlwasbathing.

ThenthemagistratesreturnedtoRouy，announcingthattheywouldreturnnextdayatanearlyhour.Thedoctorandthecurewenttotheirrespectivehomes，whileRenardet，afteralongwalkthroughthemeadows，returnedtothewood，whereheremainedwalkingtillnightfallwithslowsteps，hishandsbehindhisback.

Hewenttobedearlyandwasstillasleepnextmorningwhenthemagistrateenteredhisroom.Hewasrubbinghishandstogetherwithaself—satisfiedair.

"Ha！ha！Youarestillsleeping！Well，mydearfellow，wehavenewsthismorning."

Themayorsatupinhisbed.

"What，pray？"

"Oh！Somethingstrange.Yourememberwellhowthemotherclamoredyesterdayforsomemementoofherdaughter，especiallyherlittlecap？

Well，onopeningherdoorthismorningshefoundonthethresholdherchild’stwolittlewoodenshoes.Thisprovesthatthecrimewasperpetratedbysomeonefromthedistrict，someonewhofeltpityforher.Besides，thepostman，Mederic，broughtmethethimble，theknifeandtheneedlecaseofthedeadgirl.So，then，themanincarryingofftheclothestohidethemmusthaveletfallthearticleswhichwereinthepocket.Asforme，Iattachspecialimportancetothewoodenshoes，astheyindicateacertainmoralcultureandafacultyfortendernessonthepartoftheassassin.Wewill，therefore，ifyouhavenoobjection，goovertogethertheprincipalinhabitantsofyourdistrict."

Themayorgotup.Herangforhisshavingwaterandsaid：

"Withpleasure，butitwilltakesometime，andwemaybeginatonce."

M.Putoinsatastrideachair.

Renardetcoveredhischinwithawhitelatherwhilehelookedathimselfintheglass.Thenhesharpenedhisrazoronthestropandcontinued：

"TheprincipalinhabitantofCarvelinbearsthenameofJosephRenardet，mayor，arichlandowner，aroughmanwhobeatsguardsandcoachmen——"

Theexaminingmagistrateburstoutlaughing.

"That’senough.Letuspassontothenext."

"ThesecondinimportanceisPelledent，hisdeputy，acattlebreeder，anequallyrichlandowner，acraftypeasant，verysly，veryclose—fistedoneveryquestionofmoney，butincapableinmyopinionofhavingperpetratedsuchacrime."

"Continue，"saidM.Putoin.

Renardet，whileproceedingwithhistoilet，reviewedthecharactersofalltheinhabitantsofCarvelin.Aftertwohours’discussiontheirsuspicionswerefixedonthreeindividualswhohadhithertoborneashadyreputation——apoachernamedCavalle，afishermannamedPaquet，whocaughttroutandcrabs，andacattledrovernamedClovis.

II

Thesearchfortheperpetratorofthecrimelastedallsummer，buthewasnotdiscovered.Thosewhoweresuspectedandarrestedeasilyprovedtheirinnocence，andtheauthoritieswerecompelledtoabandontheattempttocapturethecriminal.

Butthismurderseemedtohavemovedtheentirecountryinasingularmanner.Thereremainedineveryone’smindadisquietude，avaguefear，asensationofmysteriousterror，springingnotmerelyfromtheimpossibilityofdiscoveringanytraceoftheassassin，butalsoandaboveallfromthatstrangefindingofthewoodenshoesinfrontofLaRoque’sdoorthedayafterthecrime.Thecertaintythatthemurdererhadassistedattheinvestigation，thathewasstill，doubtless，livinginthevillage，possessedallmindsandseemedtobroodovertheneighborhoodlikeaconstantmenace.

Thewoodhadalsobecomeadreadedspot，aplacetobeavoidedandsupposedtobehaunted.

FormerlytheinhabitantswenttheretospendeverySundayafternoon.

Theyusedtositdownonthemossatthefeetofthehugetalltreesorwalkalongthewater’sedgewatchingthetroutglidingamongtheweeds.

Theboy’susedtoplaybowls，hide—and—seekandothergameswherethegroundhadbeenclearedandlevelled，andthegirls，inrowsoffourorfive，wouldtripalong，holdingoneanotherbythearmsandscreamingsongswiththeirshrillvoices.Nownobodyventuredthereforfearoffindingsomecorpselyingontheground.

Autumnarrived，theleavesbegantofallfromthetalltrees，whirlingroundandroundtotheground，andtheskycouldbeseenthroughthebarebranches.Sometimes，whenagustofwindsweptoverthetreetops，theslow，continuousrainsuddenlygrewheavierandbecamearoughstormthatcoveredthemosswithathickyellowcarpetthatmadeakindofcreakingsoundbeneathone’sfeet.

Andthesoundofthefallingleavesseemedlikeawailandtheleavesthemselvesliketearsshedbythesegreat，sorrowfultrees，thatweptinthesilenceofthebareandemptywood，thisdreadedanddesertedwoodwherewanderedlonelythesoul，thelittlesouloflittleLouiseRoque.

TheBrindille，swollenbythestorms，rushedonmorequickly，yellowandangry，betweenitsdrybanks，borderedbytwothin，bare，willowhedges.

AndherewasRenardetsuddenlyresuminghiswalksunderthetrees.Everyday，atsunset，hecameoutofhishouse，descendedthefrontstepsslowlyandenteredthewoodinadreamyfashion，withhishandsinhispockets，andpacedoverthedampsoftmoss，whilealegionofrooksfromalltheneighboringhauntscamethithertorestinthetalltreesandthenflewofflikeablackcloudutteringloud，discordantcries.

Nightcameon，andRenardetwasstillstrollingslowlyunderthetrees;

then，whenthedarknesspreventedhimfromwalkinganylonger，hewouldgobacktothehouseandsinkintohisarmchairinfrontoftheglowinghearth，stretchinghisdampfeettowardthefire.

Onemorninganimportantbitofnewswascirculatedthroughthedistrict;

themayorwashavinghiswoodcutdown.

Twentywoodcutterswerealreadyatwork.Theyhadcommencedatthecornernearesttothehouseandworkedrapidlyinthemaster’spresence.

Andeachdaythewoodgrewthinner，losingitstrees，whichfelldownonebyone，asanarmylosesitssoldiers.

Renardetnolongerwalkedup，anddown.Heremainedfrommorningtillnight，contemplating，motionless，withhishandsbehindhisback，theslowdestructionofhiswood.Whenatreefellheplacedhisfootonitasifitwereacorpse.Thenheraisedhiseyestothenextwithakindofsecret，calmimpatience，asifheexpected，hopedforsomethingattheendofthisslaughter.

MeanwhiletheywereapproachingtheplacewherelittleLouiseRoquehadbeenfound.Theycametoitoneeveninginthetwilight.

Asitwasdark，theskybeingovercast，thewoodcutterswantedtostoptheirwork，puttingofftillnextdaythefallofanenormousbeechtree，butthemayorobjectedtothisandinsistedthattheyshouldatoncelopandcutdownthisgiant，whichhadshelteredthecrime.

Whenthelopperhadlaiditbareandthewoodcuttershadsappeditsbase，fivemencommencedhaulingattheropeattachedtothetop.

Thetreeresisted;itspowerfultrunk，althoughnotchedtothecentre，wasasrigidasiron.Theworkmen，alltogether，withasortofsimultaneousmotion，’strainedattherope，bendingbackwardandutteringacrywhichtimedandregulatedtheirefforts.

Twowoodcuttersstandingclosetothegiantremainedwithaxesintheirgrip，liketwoexecutionersreadytostrikeoncemore，andRenardet，motionless，withhishandonthetrunk，awaitedthefallwithanuneasy，nervousfeeling.

Oneofthemensaidtohim：

"Youaretoonear，MonsieurleMaire.Whenitfallsitmayhurtyou."

Hedidnotreplyanddidnotmoveaway.Heseemedreadytocatchthebeechtreeinhisopenarmsandtocastitonthegroundlikeawrestler.

Allatonce，atthebaseofthetallcolumnofwoodtherewasarentwhichseemedtoruntothetop，likeapainfulshock;itbentslightly，readytofall，butstillresisting.Themen，inastateofexcitement，stiffenedtheirarms，renewedtheireffortswithgreatervigor，and，justasthetreecamecrashingdown，Renardetsuddenlymadeaforwardstep，thenstopped，hisshouldersraisedtoreceivetheirresistibleshock，themortalshockwhichwouldcrushhimtotheearth.

Butthebeechtree，havingdeviatedalittle，onlyrubbedagainsthisloins，throwinghimonhisface，fivemetresaway.

Theworkmendashedforwardtolifthimup.Hehadalreadyarisentohisknees，stupefied，withbewilderedeyesandpassinghishandacrosshisforehead，asifhewereawakingfromanattackofmadness.

Whenhehadgottohisfeetoncemorethemen，astonished，questionedhim，notbeingabletounderstandwhathehaddone.Herepliedinfalteringtonesthathehadbeendazedforamoment，or，rather，hehadbeenthinkingofhischildhooddays;thathethoughthewouldhavetimetorununderthetree，justasstreetboysrushinfrontofvehiclesdrivingrapidlypast;thathehadplayedatdanger;thatforthepasteightdayshefeltthisdesiregrowingstrongerwithinhim，askinghimselfeachtimeatreebegantofallwhetherhecouldpassbeneathitwithoutbeingtouched.Itwasapieceofstupidity，heconfessed，buteveryonehasthesemomentsofinsanityandthesetemptationstoboyishfolly.

Hemadethisexplanationinaslowtone，searchingforhiswords，andspeakinginacolorlesstone.

Thenhewentoff，saying：

"Tillto—morrow，myfriends—tillto—morrow."

Assoonashegotbacktohisroomhesatdownathistablewhichhislamplightedupbrightly，and，buryinghisheadinhishands，hebegantocry.

Heremainedthusforalongtime，thenwipedhiseyes，raisedhisheadandlookedattheclock.Itwasnotyetsixo’clock.

Hethought：

"Ihavetimebeforedinner."

Andhewenttothedoorandlockedit.Hethencameback，and，sittingdownathistable，pulledoutthemiddledrawer.Takingfromitarevolver，helaiditdownonhispapersinfullview.Thebarrelofthefirearmglittered，givingoutgleamsoflight.

Renardetgazedatitforsometimewiththeuneasyglanceofadrunkenman.Thenheroseandbegantopaceupanddowntheroom.

Hewalkedfromoneendoftheapartmenttotheother，stoppingfromtimetotime，onlytopaceupanddownagainamomentafterward.Suddenlyheopenedthedoorofhisdressing—room，steepedatowelinthewaterpitcherandmoistenedhisforehead，ashehaddoneonthemorningofthecrime.

Thenhe，beganwalkingupanddownagain.Eachtimehepassedthetablethegleamingrevolverattractedhisglance，temptedhishand，buthekeptwatchingtheclockandreflected：

"Ihavestilltime."

Itstruckhalf—pastsix.Thenhetookuptherevolver，openedhismouthwidewithafrightfulgrimaceandstuckthebarrelintoitasifhewantedtoswallowit.Heremainedinthispositionforsomesecondswithoutmoving，hisfingeronthetrigger.Then，suddenlyseizedwithashudderofhorror，hedroppedthepistolonthecarpet.

Hefellbackonhisarmchair，sobbing：

"Icannot.Idarenot！MyGod！myGod！HowcanIhavethecouragetokillmyself？’"

Therewasaknockatthedoor.Heroseup，bewildered.Aservantsaid：

"Monsieur’sdinnerisready."

Hereplied：

"Allright.I’mcomingdown."

Thenhepickeduptherevolver，lockeditupagaininthedrawerandlookedathimselfinthemirroroverthemantelpiecetoseewhetherhisfacedidnotlooktoomuchtroubled.Itwasasredasusual，alittleredderperhaps.Thatwasall.Hewentdownandseatedhimselfattable.

Heateslowly，likeamanwhowantstoprolongthemeal，whodoesnotwanttobealone.

Thenhesmokedseveralpipesinthehallwhilethetablewasbeingcleared.Afterthathewentbacktohisroom.

Assoonashehadlockedhimselfinhelooked，underthebed，openedalltheclosets，exploredeverycorner，rummagedthroughallthefurniture.

Thenhelightedthecandlesonthemantelpiece，and，turningroundseveraltimes，ranhiseyeallovertheapartmentwithananguishofterrorthatdistortedhisface，forheknewwellthathewouldseeher，ashedideverynight——littleLouiseRoque，thelittlegirlhehadattackedandafterwardstrangled.

Everynighttheodiousvisioncamebackagain.Firstheseemedtohearakindofroaringsound，suchasismadebyathreshingmachineorthedistantpassageofatrainoverabridge.Thenhecommencedtogasp，tosuffocate，andhehadtounbuttonhiscollarandhisbelt.Hemovedabouttomakehisbloodcirculate，hetriedtoread，heattemptedtosing.Itwasinvain.Histhoughts，inspiteofhimself，wentbacktothedayofthemurderandmadehimbeginitalloveragaininallitsmostsecretdetails，withalltheviolentemotionshehadexperiencedfromthefirstminutetothelast.

Hehadfeltonrisingthatmorning，themorningofthehorribleday，alittledizzinessandheadache，whichheattributedtotheheat，sothatheremainedinhisroomuntilbreakfasttime.

Afterthemealhehadtakenasiesta，then，towardthecloseoftheafternoon，hehadgoneouttobreathethefresh，soothingbreezeunderthetreesinthewood.

But，assoonashewasoutside，theheavy，scorchingairoftheplainoppressedhimstillmore.Thesun，stillhighintheheavens，poureddownontheparchedsoilwavesofburninglight.Notabreathofwindstirredtheleaves.Everybeastandbird，eventhegrasshoppers，weresilent.RenardetreachedthetalltreesandbegantowalkoverthemosswheretheBrindilleproducedaslightfreshnessoftheairbeneaththeimmenseroofofbranches.Buthefeltillatease.Itseemedtohimthatanunknown，invisiblehandwasstranglinghim，andhescarcelythoughtofanything，havingusuallyfewideasinhishead.Forthelastthreemonthsonlyonethoughthauntedhim，thethoughtofmarryingagain.

Hesufferedfromlivingalone，sufferedfromitmorallyandphysically.

Accustomedfortenyearspasttofeelingawomannearhim，habituatedtoherpresenceeverymoment，hehadneed，animperiousandperplexingneedofsuchassociation.SinceMadameRenardet’sdeathhehadsufferedcontinuallywithoutknowingwhy，hehadsufferedatnotfeelingherdressbrushingpasthim，and，aboveall，fromnolongerbeingabletocalmandresthimselfinherarms.Hehadbeenscarcelysixmonthsawidowerandhewasalreadylookingaboutinthedistrictforsomeyounggirlorsomewidowhemightmarrywhenhisperiodofmourningwasatanend.

Hehadachastesoul，butitwaslodgedinapowerful，herculeanbody，andcarnalimaginingsbegantodisturbhissleepandhisvigils.Hedrovethemaway;theycamebackagain;andhemurmuredfromtimetotime，smilingathimself：

"HereIam，likeSt.Anthony."

Havingthisspecialmorninghadseveralofthesevisions，thedesiresuddenlycameintohisbreasttobatheintheBrindilleinordertorefreshhimselfandcoolhisblood.

Heknewofalargedeeppool，alittlefartherdown，wherethepeopleoftheneighborhoodcamesometimestotakeadipinsummer.Hewentthere.

Thickwillowtreeshidthisclearbodyofwaterwherethecurrentrestedandwenttosleepforawhilebeforestartingonitswayagain.

Renardet，asheappeared，thoughtheheardalightsound，afaintplashingwhichwasnotthatofthestreamonthebanks.Hesoftlyputasidetheleavesandlooked.Alittlegirl，quitenakedinthetransparentwater，wasbeatingthewaterwithbothhands，dancingaboutinitanddippingherselfwithprettymovements.Shewasnotachildnorwassheyetawoman.Shewasplumpanddeveloped，whilepreservinganairofyouthfulprecocity，asofonewhohadgrownrapidly.Henolongermoved，overcomewithsurprise，withdesire，holdinghisbreathwithastrange，poignantemotion.Heremainedthere，hisheartbeatingasifoneofhissensuousdreamshadjustbeenrealized，asifanimpurefairyhadconjuredupbeforehimthisyoungcreature，thislittlerusticVenus，risingfromtheeddiesofthestreamastherealVenusrosefromthewavesofthesea.

Suddenlythelittlegirlcameoutofthewater，and，withoutseeinghim，cameovertowherehestood，lookingforherclothesinordertodressherself.Assheapproachedgingerly，onaccountofthesharp—pointedstones，hefelthimselfpushedtowardherbyanirresistibleforce，byabestialtransportofpassion，whichstirredhisflesh，bewilderedhismindandmadehimtremblefromheadtofoot.

Sheremainedstandingsomesecondsbehindthewillowtreewhichconcealedhimfromview.Then，losinghisreasonentirely，hepushedasidethebranches，rushedonherandseizedherinhisarms.Shefell，tooterrifiedtoofferanyresistance，tooterror—strickentocryout.Heseemedpossessed，notunderstandingwhathewasdoing.

Hewokefromhiscrimeasonewakesfromanightmare.Thechildburstoutweeping.

"Holdyourtongue！Holdyourtongue！"hesaid."I’llgiveyoumoney."

Butshedidnothearhimandwentonsobbing.

"Comenow，holdyourtongue！Doholdyourtongue！Keepquiet！"hecontinued.

Shekeptshriekingasshetriedtofreeherself.Hesuddenlyrealizedthathewasruined，andhecaughtherbythenecktostophermouthfromutteringtheseheartrending，dreadfulscreams.Asshecontinuedtostrugglewiththedesperatestrengthofabeingwhoisseekingtoflyfromdeath，hepressedhisenormoushandsonthelittlethroatswollenwithscreaming，andinafewsecondshehadstrangledher，sofuriouslydidhegripher.Hehadnotintendedtokillher，butonlytomakeherkeepquiet.

Thenhestoodup，overwhelmedwithhorror.

Shelaybeforehim，herfacebleedingandblackned.Hewasabouttorushawaywhentheresprangupinhisagitatedsoulthemysteriousandundefinedinstinctthatguidesallbeingsinthehourofdanger.

Hewasgoingtothrowthebodyintothewater，butanotherimpulsedrovehimtowardtheclothes，whichhemadeintoasmallpackage.Then，ashehadapieceoftwineinhispocket，hetieditupandhiditinadeepportionofthestream，beneaththetrunkofatreethatoverhungtheBrindille.