第10章

Thenhewentoffatarapidpace，reachedthemeadows，tookawideturninordertoshowhimselftosomepeasantswhodweltsomedistanceawayattheoppositesideofthedistrict，andcamebacktodineattheusualhour，tellinghisservantsallthatwassupposedtohavehappenedduringhiswalk.

Heslept，however，thatnight;hesleptwithaheavy，brutishsleeplikethesleepofcertainpersonscondemnedtodeath.Hedidnotopenhiseyesuntilthefirstglimmerofdawn，andhewaitedtillhisusualhourforriding，soastoexcitenosuspicion.

Thenhehadtobepresentattheinquiryastothecauseofdeath.Hedidsolikeasomnambulist，inakindofvisionwhichshowedhimmenandthingsasinadream，inacloudofintoxication，withthatsenseofunrealitywhichperplexesthemindatthetimeofthegreatestcatastrophes.

ButtheagonizedcryofMotherRoquepiercedhisheart.Atthatmomenthehadfeltinclinedtocasthimselfattheoldwoman’sfeetandtoexclaim：

"Iamtheguiltyone！"

Buthehadrestrainedhimself.Hewentback，however，duringthenighttofishupthedeadgirl’swoodenshoes，inordertoplacethemonhermother’sthreshold.

Aslongastheinquirylasted，aslongasitwasnecessarytoleadjusticeastrayhewascalm，masterofhimself，craftyandsmiling.Hediscussedquietlywiththemagistratesallthesuppositionsthatpassedthroughtheirminds，combatedtheiropinionsanddemolishedtheirarguments.Heeventookakeenandmournfulpleasureindisturbingtheirinvestigations，inembroilingtheirideas，inshowingtheinnocenceofthosewhomtheysuspected.

Butassoonastheinquirywasabandonedhebecamegraduallynervous，moreexcitablethanhehadbeenbefore，althoughhemasteredhisirritability.Suddennoisesmadehimstartwithfear;heshudderedattheslightestthingandtrembledsometimesfromheadtofootwhenaflyalightedonhisforehead.Thenhewasseizedwithanimperiousdesireformotion，whichimpelledhimtotakelongwalksandtoremainupwholenightspacingupanddownhisroom.

Itwasnotthathewasgoadedbyremorse.Hisbrutalnaturedidnotlenditselftoanyshadeofsentimentorofmoralterror.Amanofenergyandevenofviolence，borntomakewar，toravageconqueredcountriesandtomassacrethevanquished，fullofthesavageinstinctsofthehunterandthefighter，hescarcelytookcountofhumanlife.ThoughherespectedtheChurchoutwardly，frompolicy，hebelievedneitherinGodnorthedevil，expectingneitherchastisementnorrecompenseforhisactsinanotherlife.Hissolebeliefwasavaguephilosophydrawnfromalltheideasoftheencyclopedistsofthelastcentury，andheregardedreligionasamoralsanctionofthelaw，theoneandtheotherhavingbeeninventedbymentoregulatesocialrelations.Tokillanyoneinaduel，orinwar，orinaquarrel，orbyaccident，orforthesakeofrevenge，oreventhroughbravadowouldhaveseemedtohimanamusingandcleverthingandwouldnothaveleftmoreimpressiononhismindthanashotfiredatahare;buthehadexperiencedaprofoundemotionatthemurderofthischild.Hehad，inthefirstplace，perpetrateditintheheatofanirresistiblegustofpassion，inasortoftempestofthesensesthathadoverpoweredhisreason.Andhehadcherishedinhisheart，inhisflesh，onhislips，eventotheverytipsofhismurderousfingersakindofbestiallove，aswellasafeelingofterrifiedhorror，towardthislittlegirlsurprisedbyhimandbaselykilled.Everymomenthisthoughtsreturnedtothathorriblescene，and，thoughheendeavoredtodrivethispicturefromhismind，thoughheputitasidewithterror，withdisgust，hefeltitsurgingthroughhissoul，movingaboutinhim，waitingincessantlyforthemomenttoreappear.

Then，aseveningapproached，hewasafraidoftheshadowfallingaroundhim.Hedidnotyetknowwhythedarknessseemedfrightfultohim，butheinstinctivelyfearedit，hefeltthatitwaspeopledwithterrors.

Thebrightdaylightdidnotlenditselftofears.Thingsandbeingswerevisiblethen，andonlynaturalthingsandbeingscouldexhibitthemselvesinthelightofday.Butthenight，theimpenetrablenight，thickerthanwallsandempty;theinfinitenight，soblack，sovast，inwhichonemightbrushagainstfrightfulthings;thenight，whenonefeelsthatamysteriousterroriswandering，prowlingabout，appearedtohimtoconcealanunknownthreateningdanger，closebesidehim.

Whatwasit？

Heknewerelong.Ashesatinhisarmchair，ratherlateoneeveningwhenhecouldnotsleep，hethoughthesawthecurtainofhiswindowmove.Hewaited，uneasily，withbeatingheart.Thedraperydidnotstir;then，allofasudden，itmovedoncemore.Hedidnotventuretorise;henolongerventuredtobreathe，andyethewasbrave.Hehadoftenfought，andhewouldhavelikedtocatchthievesinhishouse.

Wasittruethatthiscurtaindidmove？heaskedhimself，fearingthathiseyeshaddeceivedhim.Itwas，moreover，suchaslightthing，agentleflutterofdrapery，akindoftremblinginitsfolds，lessthananundulationcausedbythewind.

Renardetsatstill，withstaringeyesandoutstretchedneck.Hesprangtohisfeetabruptly，ashamedofhisfear，tookfoursteps，seizedthedraperywithbothhandsandpulleditwideapart.Atfirsthesawnothingbutdarkenedglass，resemblingplatesofglitteringink.Thenight，thevast，impenetrablenight，stretchedbeyondasfarastheinvisiblehorizon.Heremainedstandinginfrontofthisillimitableshadow，andsuddenlyheperceivedalight，amovinglight，whichseemedsomedistanceaway.

Thenheputhisfaceclosetothewindowpane，thinkingthatapersonlookingforcrabsmightbepoachingintheBrindille，foritwaspastmidnight，andthislightroseupattheedgeofthestream，underthetrees.Ashewasnotyetabletoseeclearly，Renardetplacedhishandsoverhiseyes，andsuddenlythislightbecameanillumination，andhebeheldlittleLouiseRoquenakedandbleedingonthemoss.Herecoiled，frozenwithhorror，knockedoverhischairandfelloveronhisback.Heremainedtheresomeminutesinanguishofmind;thenhesatupandbegantoreflect.Hehadhadahallucination——thatwasall，ahallucinationduetothefactthatanightmarauderwaswalkingwithalanterninhishandnearthewater’sedge.Whatwasthereastonishing，besides，inthecircumstancethattherecollectionofhiscrimeshouldsometimesbringbeforehimthevisionofthedeadgirl？

Herosefromtheground，swallowedaglassofwineandsatdownagain.

Hewasthinking：

"WhatamItodoifthisoccursagain？"

Anditwouldoccur;hefeltit;hewassureofit.Alreadyhisglancewasdrawntowardthewindow;itcalledhim;itattractedhim.Inordertoavoidlookingatit，heturnedhischairround.Thenhetookabookandtriedtoread，butitseemedtohimthathepresentlyheardsomethingstirringbehindhim，andheswungroundhisarmchairononefoot.

Thecurtainwasmovingagain;unquestionably，itmovedthistime.Hecouldnolongerhaveanydoubtaboutit.

Herushedforwardandgraspeditsoviolentlythathepulleditdownwithitspole.Thenheeagerlygluedhisfacetotheglass.Hesawnothing.

Allwasblackoutside，andhebreathedwiththejoyofamanwhoselifehasjustbeensaved.

Thenhewentbacktohischairandsatdownagain，butalmostimmediatelyhefeltalongingtolookoutoncemorethroughthewindow.Sincethecurtainhadfallendown，thewindowmadeasortofgap，fascinatingandterrible，onthedarklandscape.Inordernottoyieldtothisdangeroustemptation，heundressed，blewoutthelightandclosedhiseyes.

Lyingonhisbackmotionless，hisskinwarmandmoist，heawaitedsleep.

Suddenlyagreatgleamoflightflashedacrosshiseyelids.Heopenedthem，believingthathisdwellingwasonfire.Allwasblackasbefore，andheleanedonhiselbowtotrytodistinguishthewindowwhichhadstillforhimanunconquerableattraction.Bydintof，straininghiseyeshecouldperceivesomestars，andherose，gropedhiswayacrosstheroom，discoveredthepaneswithhisoutstretchedhands，andplacedhisforeheadclosetothem.Therebelow，underthetrees，laythebodyofthelittlegirlgleaminglikephosphorus，lightingupthesurroundingdarkness.

Renardetutteredacryandrushedtowardhisbed，wherehelaytillmorning，hisheadhiddenunderthepillow.

Fromthatmomenthislifebecameintolerable.Hepassedhisdaysinapprehensionofeachsucceedingnight，andeachnightthevisioncamebackagain.Assoonashehadlockedhimselfupinhisroomhestrovetoresistit，butinvain.Anirresistibleforceliftedhimupandpushedhimagainstthewindow，asiftocallthephantom，andhesawitatonce，lyingfirstinthespotwherethecrimewascommittedinthepositioninwhichithadbeenfound.

Thenthedeadgirlroseupandcametowardhimwithlittlestepsjustasthechildhaddonewhenshecameoutoftheriver.Sheadvancedquietly，passingstraightacrossthegrassandoverthebedofwitheredflowers.

ThensheroseupintheairtowardRenardet’swindow.Shecametowardhimasshehadcomeonthedayofthecrime.Andthemanrecoiledbeforetheapparition——heretreatedtohisbedandsankdownuponit，knowingwellthatthelittleonehadenteredtheroomandthatshenowwasstandingbehindthecurtain，whichpresentlymoved.Anduntildaybreakhekeptstaringatthiscurtainwithafixedglance，everwaitingtoseehisvictimdepart.

Butshedidnotshowherselfanymore;sheremainedtherebehindthecurtain，whichquiveredtremulouslynowandthen.

AndRenardet，hisfingersclutchingtheclothes，squeezedthemashehadsqueezedthethroatoflittleLouiseRoque.

Heheardtheclockstrikingthehours，andinthestillnessthependulumkepttickingintimewiththeloudbeatingofhisheart.Andhesuffered，thewretchedman，morethananymanhadeversufferedbefore.

Then，assoonasawhitestreakoflightontheceilingannouncedtheapproachingday，hefelthimselffree，aloneatlast，aloneinhisroom;

andhewenttosleep.Hesleptseveralhours——arestless，feverishsleepinwhichheretracedindreamsthehorriblevisionofthepastnight.

Whenhewentdowntothelatebreakfasthefeltexhaustedasafterunusualexertion，andhescarcelyateanything，stillhauntedashewasbythefearofwhathehadseenthenightbefore.

Heknewwell，however，thatitwasnotanapparition，thatthedeaddonotcomeback，andthathissicksoul，hissoulpossessedbyonethoughtalone，byanindelibleremembrance，wastheonlycauseofhistorture，waswhatbroughtthedeadgirlbacktolifeandraisedherformbeforehiseyes，onwhichitwasineffaceablyimprinted.Butheknew，too，thattherewasnocure，thathewouldneverescapefromthesavagepersecutionofhismemory，andheresolvedtodieratherthantoendurethesetorturesanylonger.

Thenhethoughtofhowhewouldkillhimself，Itmustbesomethingsimpleandnatural，whichwouldprecludetheideaofsuicide.Forheclungtohisreputation，tothenamebequeathedtohimbyhisancestors;andifhisdeathawakenedanysuspicionpeople’sthoughtsmightbe，perhaps，directedtowardthemysteriouscrime，towardthemurdererwhocouldnotbefound，andtheywouldnothesitatetoaccusehimofthecrime.

Astrangeideacameintohishead，thatofallowinghimselftobecrushedbythetreeatthefootofwhichhehadassassinatedlittleLouiseRoque.

Sohedeterminedtohavethewoodcutdownandtosimulateanaccident.

Butthebeechtreerefusedtocrushhisribs.

Returningtohishouse，apreytoutterdespair，hehadsnatcheduphisrevolver，andthendidnotdaretofireit.

Thedinnerbellsummonedhim.Hecouldeatnothing，andhewentupstairsagain.Andhedidnotknowwhattodo.Nowthathehadescapedthefirsttime，hefelthimselfacoward.Presentlyhewouldbeready，brave，decided，masterofhiscourageandofhisresolution;nowhewasweakandfeareddeathasmuchashedidthedeadgirl.

Hefaltered：

"Idarenotventureitagain——Idarenotventureit."

Thenheglancedwithterror，firstattherevolveronthetableandnextatthecurtainwhichhidhiswindow.Itseemedtohim，moreover，thatsomethinghorriblewouldoccurassoonashislifewasended.Something？

What？Ameetingwithher，perhaps.Shewaswatchingforhim;shewaswaitingforhim;shewascallinghim;anditwasinordertoseizehiminherturn，todrawhimtowardthedoomthatwouldavengeher，andtoleadhimtodie，thatsheappearedthuseverynight.

Hebegantocrylikeachild，repeating：

"Iwillnotventureitagain——Iwillnotventureit."

Thenhefellonhiskneesandmurmured：

"MyGod！myGod！"withoutbelieving，nevertheless，inGod.Andhenolongerdared，infact，tolookathiswindow，whereheknewtheapparitionwashiding，norathistable，wherehisrevolvergleamed.

Whenhehadrisenuphesaid：

"Thiscannotlast;theremustbeanendofit"

Thesoundofhisvoiceinthesilentroommadeachilloffearpassthroughhislimbs，butashecouldnotbringhimselftocometoadetermination，ashefeltcertainthathisfingerwouldalwaysrefusetopullthetriggerofhisrevolver，heturnedroundtohidehisheadunderthebedclothesandbegantoreflect.

Hewouldhavetofindsomewayinwhichhecouldforcehimselftodie，toplaysometrickonhimselfwhichwouldnotpermitofanyhesitationonhispart，anydelay，anypossibleregrets.Heenviedcondemnedcriminalswhoareledtothescaffoldsurroundedbysoldiers.Oh！ifhecouldonlybegofsomeonetoshoothim;ifafterconfessinghiscrimetoatruefriendwhowouldneverdivulgeithecouldprocuredeathathishand.

Butfromwhomcouldheaskthisterribleservice？Fromwhom？Hethoughtofallthepeopleheknew.Thedoctor？No，hewouldtalkaboutitafterward，mostprobably.Andsuddenlyafantasticideaenteredhismind.Hewouldwritetothemagistrate，whowasontermsofclosefriendshipwithhim，andwoulddenouncehimselfastheperpetratorofthecrime.Hewouldinthisletterconfesseverything，revealinghowhissoulhadbeentortured，howhehadresolvedtodie，howhehadhesitatedaboutcarryingouthisresolutionandwhatmeanshehademployedtostrengthenhisfailingcourage.Andinthenameoftheiroldfriendshiphewouldimploreoftheothertodestroytheletterassoonashehadascertainedthattheculprithadinflictedjusticeonhimself.Renardetcouldrelyonthismagistrate;heknewhimtobetrue，discreet，incapableofevenanidleword.Hewasoneofthosemenwhohaveaninflexibleconscience，governed，directed，regulatedbytheirreasonalone.

Scarcelyhadheformedthisprojectwhenastrangefeelingofjoytookpossessionofhisheart.Hewascalmnow.Hewouldwritehisletterslowly，thenatdaybreakhewoulddeposititintheboxnailedtotheoutsidewallofhisoffice;thenhewouldascendhistowertowatchforthepostman’sarrival;andwhenthemanintheblueblousehadgoneaway，hewouldcasthimselfheadforemostontherocksonwhichthefoundationsrested，Hewouldtakecaretobeseenfirstbytheworkmenwhohadcutdownhiswood.Hecouldclimbtotheprojectingstonewhichboretheflagstaffdisplayedonfestivals，Hewouldsmashthispolewithashakeandcarryitalongwithhimashefell.

Whowouldsuspectthatitwasnotanaccident？Andhewouldbekilledoutright，owingtohisweightandtheheightofthetower.

Presentlyhegotoutofbed，wentovertothetableandbegantowrite.

Heomittednothing，notasingledetailofthecrime，notasingledetailofthetormentsofhisheart，andheendedbyannouncingthathehadpassedsentenceonhimself，thathewasgoingtoexecutethecriminal，andbeggedhisfriend，hisoldfriend，tobecarefulthatthereshouldneverbeanystainonhismemory.

Whenhehadfinishedthisletterhesawthatthedayhaddawned.

Heclosed，sealeditandwrotetheaddress.Thenhedescendedwithlightsteps，hurriedtowardthelittlewhiteboxfastenedtotheoutsidewallinthecornerofthefarmhouse，andwhenhehadthrownintoitthisletter，whichmadehishandtremble，hecamebackquickly，drewtheboltsofthegreatdoorandclimbeduptohistowertowaitforthepassingofthepostman，whowastobearawayhisdeathsentence.

Hefeltself—possessednow.Liberated！Saved！

Acolddrywind，anicywindpassedacrosshisface.Heinhalediteagerlywithopenmouth，drinkinginitschillingkiss.Theskywasred，awintryred，andalltheplain，whitenedwithfrost，glistenedunderthefirstraysofthesun，asifitwerecoveredwithpowderedglass.

Renardet，standingup，hisheadbare，gazedatthevasttractofcountrybeforehim，themeadowstotheleftandtotherightthevillagewhosechimneyswerebeginningtosmokeinpreparationforthemorningmeal.AthisfeethesawtheBrindilleflowingamidtherocks，wherehewouldsoonbecrushedtodeath.Hefeltnewlifeonthatbeautifulfrostymorning.

Thelightbathedhim，enteredhisbeinglikeanew—bornhope.Athousandrecollectionsassailedhim，recollectionsofsimilarmornings，ofrapidwalksonthehardearthwhichrangbeneathhisfootsteps，ofhappydaysofshootingontheedgesofpoolswherewildduckssleep.Allthegoodthingsthatheloved，thegoodthingsofexistence，rushedtohismemory，penetratedhimwithfreshdesires，awakenedallthevigorousappetitesofhisactive，powerfulbody.

Andhewasabouttodie！Why？Hewasgoingtokillhimselfstupidlybecausehewasafraidofashadow—afraidofnothing！Hewasstillrichandintheprimeoflife.Whatfolly！Allheneededwasdistraction，absence，avoyageinordertoforget.

Thisnightevenhehadnotseenthelittlegirlbecausehismindwaspreoccupiedandhadwanderedtowardsomeothersubject.Perhapshewouldnotseeheranymore？Andevenifshestillhauntedhiminthishouse，certainlyshewouldnotfollowhimelsewhere！Theearthwaswide，thefuturewaslong.

Whyshouldhedie？

Hisglancetravelledacrossthemeadows，andheperceivedabluespotinthepathwhichwoundalongsidetheBrindille.ItwasMedericcomingtobringlettersfromthetownandtocarryawaythoseofthevillage.

Renardetgaveastart，asensationofpainshotthroughhisbreast，andherusheddownthewindingstaircasetogetbackhisletter，todemanditbackfromthepostman.Littlediditmattertohimnowwhetherhewasseen，Hehurriedacrossthegrassdampfromthelightfrostofthepreviousnightandarrivedinfrontoftheboxinthecornerofthefarmhouseexactlyatthesametimeasthelettercarrier.

Thelatterhadopenedthelittlewoodendooranddrewforththefourpapersdepositedtherebytheinhabitantsofthelocality.

Renardetsaidtohim：

"Good—morrow，Mederic."

"Good—morrow，MonsieurleMaire."

"Isay，Mederic，IthrewaletterintotheboxthatIwantbackagain.

Icametoaskyoutogiveitbacktome."

"That’sallright，MonsieurleMaire——you’llgetit."

Andthepostmanraisedhiseyes.HestoodpetrifiedatthesightofRenardet’sface.Themayor’scheekswerepurple，hiseyeswereanxiousandsunken，withblackcirclesroundthem，hishairwasunbrushed，hisbearduntrimmed，hisnecktieunfastened.Itwasevidentthathehadnotbeeninbed.

Thepostmanasked：

"Areyouill，MonsieurleMaire？"

Theother，suddenlycomprehendingthathisappearancemustbeunusual，lostcountenanceandfaltered：

"Oh！no—oh！no.OnlyIjumpedoutofbedtoaskyouforthisletter.

Iwasasleep.Youunderstand？"

Hesaidinreply：

"Whatletter？"

"Theoneyouaregoingtogivebacktome."

Medericnowbegantohesitate.Themayor’sattitudedidnotstrikehimasnatural.Therewasperhapsasecretinthatletter，apoliticalsecret.HeknewRenardetwasnotaRepublican，andheknewallthetricksandchicaneryemployedatelections.

Heasked：

"Towhomisitaddressed，thisletterofyours？"

"ToMonsieurPutoin，themagistrate——youknow，myfriend，MonsieurPutoin！"

Thepostmansearchedthroughthepapersandfoundtheoneaskedfor.

Thenhebeganlookingatit，turningitroundandroundbetweenhisfingers，muchperplexed，muchtroubledbythefearofeithercommittingagraveoffenceorofmakinganenemyofthemayor.

Seeinghishesitation，Renardetmadeamovementforthepurposeofseizingtheletterandsnatchingitawayfromhim.ThisabruptactionconvincedMedericthatsomeimportantsecretwasatstakeandmadehimresolvetodohisduty，costwhatitmay.

Soheflungtheletterintohisbagandfasteneditup，withthereply：

"No，Ican’t，MonsieurleMaire.Aslongasitisforthemagistrate，I

can’t."

AdreadfulpangwrungRenardet’sheartandhemurmured：

"Why，youknowmewell.Youareevenabletorecognizemyhandwriting.

ItellyouIwantthatpaper."

"Ican’t."

"Lookhere，Mederic，youknowthatI’mincapableofdeceivingyou——ItellyouIwantit."

"No，Ican’t."

AtremorofragepassedthroughRenardet’ssoul.

"Damnitall，takecare！YouknowthatInevertrifleandthatIcouldgetyououtofyourjob，mygoodfellow，andwithoutmuchdelay，either，Andthen，Iamthemayorofthedistrict，afterall;andInoworderyoutogivemebackthatpaper."

Thepostmanansweredfirmly：

"No，Ican’t，MonsieurleMaire."

ThereuponRenardet，losinghishead，caughtholdofthepostman’sarmsinordertotakeawayhisbag;but，freeinghimselfbyastrongeffort，andspringingbackward，thelettercarrierraisedhisbighollystick.

Withoutlosinghistemper，hesaidemphatically：

"Don’ttouchme，MonsieurleMaire，orI’llstrike.Takecare，I’monlydoingmyduty！"

Feelingthathewaslost，Renardetsuddenlybecamehumble，gentle，appealingtohimlikeawhimperingchild：

"Lookhere，lookhere，myfriend，givemebackthatletterandI’llrecompenseyou——I’llgiveyoumoney.Stop！stop！I’llgiveyouahundredfrancs，youunderstand——ahundredfrancs！"

Thepostmanturnedonhisheelandstartedonhisjourney.

Renardetfollowedhim，outofbreath，stammering：

"Mederic，Mederic，listen！I’llgiveyouathousandfrancs，youunderstand——athousandfrancs."

Thepostmanstillwentonwithoutgivinganyanswer.

Renardetwenton：

"I’llmakeyourfortune，youunderstand——whateveryouwish——fiftythousandfrancs——fiftythousandfrancsforthatletter！Whatdoesitmattertoyou？Youwon’t？Well，ahundredthousand——Isay——ahundredthousandfrancs.Doyouunderstand？Ahundredthousandfrancs——ahundredthousandfrancs."

Thepostmanturnedback，hisfacehard，hiseyesevere：

"Enoughofthis，orelseI’llrepeattothemagistrateeverythingyouhavejustsaidtome."

Renardetstoppedabruptly.Itwasallover.Heturnedbackandrushedtowardhishouse，runninglikeahuntedanimal.

Then，inhisturn，Medericstoppedandwatchedhisflightwithstupefaction.Hesawthemayorreenterhishouse，andhewaitedstill，asifsomethingastonishingwereabouttohappen.

Infact，presentlythetallformofRenardetappearedonthesummitoftheFox’stower.Heranroundtheplatformlikeamadman.Thenheseizedtheflagstaffandshookitfuriouslywithoutsucceedinginbreakingit;then，allofasudden，likeadiver，withhistwohandsbeforehim，heplungedintospace.

Medericrushedforwardtohisassistance.Hesawthewoodcuttersgoingtoworkandcalledouttothem，tellingthemanaccidenthadoccurred.

Atthefootofthewallstheyfoundableedingbody，itsheadcrushedonarock.TheBrindillesurroundedthisrock，andoveritsclear，calmwaterscouldbeseenalongredthreadofmingledbrainsandblood.

THEDONKEY

Therewasnotabreathofairstirring;aheavymistwaslyingovertheriver.Itwaslikealayerofcottonplacedonthewater.Thebanksthemselveswereindistinct，hiddenbehindstrangefogs.Butdaywasbreakingandthehillwasbecomingvisible.Inthedawninglightofdaytheplasterhousesbegantoappearlikewhitespots.Cockswerecrowinginthebarnyard.

Ontheothersideoftheriver，hiddenbehindthefogs，justoppositeFrette，aslightnoisefromtimetotimebrokethedeadsilenceofthequietmorning.Attimesitwasanindistinctplashing，likethecautiousadvanceofaboat，thenagainasharpnoiseliketherattleofanoarandthenthesoundofsomethingdroppinginthewater.Thensilence.

Sometimeswhisperedwords，comingperhapsfromadistance，perhapsfromquitenear，piercedthroughtheseopaquemists.Theypassedbylikewildbirdswhichhavesleptintherushesandwhichflyawayatthefirstlightofday，crossingthemistandutteringalowandtimidsoundwhichwakestheirbrothersalongtheshores.

Suddenlyalongthebank，nearthevillage，abarelyperceptibleshadowappearedonthewater.Thenitgrew，becamemoredistinctand，comingoutofthefoggycurtainwhichhungovertheriver，aflatboat，mannedbytwomen，pusheduponthegrass.

Theonewhowasrowingroseandtookapailfuloffishfromthebottomoftheboat，thenhethrewthedrippingnetoverhisshoulder.Hiscompanion，whohadnotmadeamotion，exclaimed："Say，Mailloche，getyourgunandseeifwecan’tlandsomerabbitalongtheshore."

Theotheroneanswered："Allright.I’llbewithyouinaminute."Thenhedisappeared，inordertohidetheircatch.

Themanwhohadstayedintheboatslowlyfilledhispipeandlightedit.

HisnamewasLabouise，buthewascalledChicot，andwasinpartnershipwithMaillochon，commonlycalledMailloche，topracticethedoubtfulandundefinedprofessionofjunk—gatherersalongtheshore.

Theywerealoworderofsailorsandtheynavigatedregularlyonlyinthemonthsoffamine.Therestofthetimetheyactedasjunk—gatherers.

Rowingaboutontheriverdayandnight，watchingforanyprey，deadoralive，poachersonthewaterandnocturnalhunters，sometimesambushingvenisonintheSaint—Germainforests，sometimeslookingfordrownedpeopleandsearchingtheirclothes，pickingupfloatingragsandemptybottles;thusdidLabouiseandMaillochonliveeasily.

Attimestheywouldsetoutonfootaboutnoonandstrollalongstraightahead.Theywoulddineinsomeinnontheshoreandleaveagainsidebyside.Theywouldremainawayforacoupleofdays;thenonemorningtheywouldbeseenrowingaboutinthetubwhichtheycalledtheirboat.

AtJoinvilleoratNogentsomeboatmanwouldbelookingforhisboat，whichhaddisappearedonenight，probablystolen，whiletwentyorthirtymilesfromthere，ontheOise，someshopkeeperwouldberubbinghishands，congratulatinghimselfonthebargainhehadmadewhenheboughtaboatthedaybeforeforfiftyfrancs，whichtwomenofferedhimastheywerepassing.

Maillochonreappearedwithhisgunwrappedupinrags.Hewasamanoffortyorfifty，tallandthin，withtherestlesseyeofpeoplewhoareworriedbylegitimatetroublesandofhuntedanimals.Hisopenshirtshowedhishairychest，butheseemednevertohavehadanymorehaironhisfacethanashortbrushofamustacheandafewstiffhairsunderhislowerlip.Hewasbaldaroundthetemples.Whenhetookoffthedirtycapthatheworehisscalpseemedtobecoveredwithafluffydown，likethebodyofapluckedchicken.

Chicot，onthecontrary，wasred，fat，shortandhairy.Helookedlikearawbeefsteak.Hecontinuallykepthislefteyeclosed，asifhewereaimingatsomethingoratsomebody，andwhenpeoplejokinglycriedtohim，"Openyoureye，Labouise！"hewouldanswerquietly："Neverfear，sister，Iopenitwhenthere’scauseto."

Hehadahabitofcallingeveryone"sister，"evenhisscavengercompanion.

Hetookuptheoarsagain，andoncemoretheboatdisappearedintheheavymist，whichwasnowturnedsnowywhiteinthepink—tintedsky.

"Whatkindofleaddidyoutake，Maillochon？"Labouiseasked.

"Verysmall，numbernine;that’sthebestforrabbits."

Theywereapproachingtheothershoresoslowly，soquietlythatnonoisebetrayedthem.ThisbankbelongstotheSaint—Germainforestandistheboundarylineforrabbithunting.Itiscoveredwithburrowshiddenundertherootsoftrees，andthecreaturesatdaybreakfriskabout，runninginandoutoftheholes.

Maillochonwaskneelinginthebow，watching，hisgunhiddenonthefloor.Suddenlyheseizedit，aimed，andthereportechoedforsometimethroughoutthequietcountry.

Labouise，inafewstrokes，touchedthebeach，andhiscompanion，jumpingtotheground，pickedupalittlegrayrabbit，notyetdead.

Thentheboatoncemoredisappearedintothefoginordertogettotheotherside，whereitcouldkeepawayfromthegamewardens.

Thetwomenseemedtoberidingeasilyonthewater.TheweaponhaddisappearedundertheboardwhichservedasahidingplaceandtherabbitwasstuffedintoChicot’slooseshirt.

AfteraboutaquarterofanhourLabouiseasked："Well，sister，shallwegetonemore？"

"Itwillsuitme，"Maillochonanswered.

Theboatstartedswiftlydownthecurrent.Themist，whichwashidingbothshores，wasbeginningtorise.Thetreescouldbebarelyperceived，asthroughaveil，andthelittlecloudsoffogwerefloatingupfromthewater.Whentheydrewneartheisland，theendofwhichisoppositeHerblay，thetwomenslackenedtheirpaceandbegantowatch.Soonasecondrabbitwaskilled.

ThentheywentdownuntiltheywerehalfwaytoConflans.Heretheystoppedtheirboat，tiedittoatreeandwenttosleepinthebottomofit.

FromtimetotimeLabouisewouldsitupandlookoverthehorizonwithhisopeneye.Thelastofthemorningmisthaddisappearedandthelargesummersunwasclimbinginthebluesky.

Ontheothersideoftheriverthevineyard—coveredhillstretchedoutinasemicircle.Onehousestoodoutaloneatthesummit.Everythingwassilent.

Somethingwasmovingslowlyalongthetow—path，advancingwithdifficulty.Itwasawomandraggingadonkey.Thestubborn，stiff—

jointedbeastoccasionallystretchedoutaleginanswertoitscompanion’sefforts，anditproceededthus，withoutstretchedneckandearslyingflat，soslowlythatonecouldnottellwhenitwouldeverbeoutofsight.

Thewoman，bentdouble，waspulling，turningroundoccasionallytostrikethedonkeywithastick.

Assoonashesawher，Labouiseexclaimed："Say，Mailloche！"

Maillocheanswered："What’sthematter？"

"Wanttohavesomefun？"

"Ofcourse！"

"Thenhurry，sister;we’regoingtohavealaugh."

Chicottooktheoars.Whenhehadcrossedtheriverhestoppedoppositethewomanandcalled：

"Hey，sister！"

Thewomanstoppeddraggingherdonkeyandlooked.

Labouisecontinued："Whatareyoudoing——goingtothelocomotiveshow？"

Thewomanmadenoreply.Chicotcontinued：

"Say，yourtrotter’sprimeforarace.Whereareyoutakinghimatthatspeed？"

Atlastthewomananswered："I’mgoingtoMacquart，atChampioux，tohavehimkilled.He’sworthless."

Labouiseanswered："You’reright.HowmuchdoyouthinkMacquartwillgiveyouforhim？"

Thewomanwipedherforeheadonthebackofherhandandhesitated，saying："HowdoIknow？Perhapsthreefrancs，perhapsfour."

Chicotexclaimed："I’llgiveyoufivefrancsandyourerrand’sdone！

How’sthat？"

Thewomanconsideredthematterforasecondandthenexclaimed："Done！"

Thetwomenlanded.Labouisegraspedtheanimalbythebridle.

Maillochonaskedinsurprise：

"Whatdoyouexpecttodowiththatcarcass？"

Chicotthistimeopenedhisothereyeinordertoexpresshisgaiety.

Hiswholeredfacewasgrinningwithjoy.Hechuckled："Don’tworry，sister.I’vegotmyidea."

Hegavefivefrancstothewoman，whothensatdownbytheroadtoseewhatwasgoingtohappen.ThenLabouise，ingreathumor，gotthegunandhelditouttoMaillochon，saying："Eachoneinturn;we’regoingafterbiggame，sister.Don’tgetsonearoryou’llkillitrightaway！Youmustmakethepleasurelastalittle."

Heplacedhiscompanionaboutfortypacesfromthevictim.Theass，feelingitselffree，wastryingtogetalittleofthetallgrass，butitwassoexhaustedthatitswayedonitslegsasifitwereabouttofall.

Maillochonaimedslowlyandsaid："Alittlepepperfortheears;watch，Ghicot！"Andhefired.

Thetinyshotstruckthedonkey’slongearsandhebegantoshaketheminordertogetridofthestingingsensation.Thetwomenweredoubledupwithlaughterandstampedtheirfeetwithjoy.Thewoman，indignant，rushedforward;shedidnotwantherdonkeytobetortured，andsheofferedtoreturnthefivefrancs.Labouisethreatenedherwithathrashingandpretendedtorolluphissleeves.Hehadpaid，hadn’the？

Well，then，hewouldtakeashotatherskirts，justtoshowthatitdidn’thurt.Shewentaway，threateningtocallthepolice.Theycouldhearherprotestingindignantlyandcursingasshewentherway.

Maillochonheldouttheguntohiscomrade，saying："It’syourturn，Chicot."

Labouiseaimedandfired.Thedonkeyreceivedthechargeinhisthighs，buttheshotwassosmallandcamefromsuchadistancethathethoughthewasbeingstungbyflies，forhebegantothrashhimselfwithhistail.

Labouisesatdowntolaughmorecomfortably，whileMaillochonreloadedtheweapon，sohappythatheseemedtosneezeintothebarrel.Hesteppedforwardafewpaces，and，aimingatthesameplacethathisfriendhadshotat，hefiredagain.Thistimethebeaststarted，triedtokickandturneditshead.Atlastalittlebloodwasrunning.Ithadbeenwoundedandfeltasharppain，forittriedtorunawaywithaslow，limping，jerkygallop.

Bothmendartedafterthebeast，Maillochonwithalongstride，Labouisewiththeshort，breathlesstrotofalittleman.Butthedonkey，tiredout，hadstopped，and，withabewilderedlook，waswatchinghistwomurderersapproach.Suddenlyhestretchedhisneckandbegantobray.

Labouise，outofbreath，hadtakenthegun.Thistimehewalkedrightupclose，ashedidnotwishtobeginthechaseoveragain.

Whenthepoorbeasthadfinisheditsmournfulcry，likealastcallforhelp，themancalled："Hey，Mailloche！Comehere，sister;I’mgoingtogivehimsomemedicine."Andwhiletheothermanwasforcingtheanimal’smouthopen，Chicotstuckthebarrelofhisgundownitsthroat，asifheweretryingtomakeitdrinkapotion.Thenhesaid："Lookout，sister，hereshegoes！"

Hepressedthetrigger.Thedonkeystumbledbackafewsteps，felldown，triedtogetupagainandfinallylayonitssideandcloseditseyes：

Thewholebodywastrembling，itslegswerekickingasifitwere，tryingtorun.Astreamofbloodwasoozingthroughitsteeth.Soonitstoppedmoving.Itwasdead.

Thetwomenwentalong，laughing.Itwasovertooquickly;theyhadnothadtheirmoney’sworth.Maillochonasked："Well，whatarewegoingtodonow？"

Labouiseanswered："Don’tworry，sister.Getthethingontheboat;

we’regoingtohavesomefunwhennightcomes."

Theywentandgottheboat.Theanimal’sbodywasplacedonthebottom，coveredwithfreshgrass，andthetwomenstretchedoutonitandwenttosleep.

TowardnoonLabouisedrewabottleofwine，somebreadandbutterandrawonionsfromahidingplaceintheirmuddy，worm—eatenboat，andtheybegantoeat.

Whenthemealwasovertheyoncemorestretchedoutonthedeaddonkeyandslept.AtnightfallLabouiseawokeandshookhiscomrade，whowassnoringlikeabuzzsaw."Comeon，sister，"heordered.

Maillochonbegantorow.AstheyhadplentyoftimetheywentuptheSeineslowly.Theycoastedalongthereachescoveredwithwater—lilies，andtheheavy，mud—coveredboatslippedoverthelilypadsandbenttheflowers，whichstoodupagainassoonastheyhadpassed.

WhentheyreachedthewalloftheEperon，whichseparatestheSaint—

GermainforestfromtheMaisons—LaffittePark，Labouisestoppedhiscompanionandexplainedhisideatohim.Maillochonwasmovedbyaprolonged，silentlaugh.

Theythrewintothewaterthegrasswhichhadcoveredthebody，tooktheanimalbythefeetandhiditbehindsomebushes.ThentheygotintotheirboatagainandwenttoMaisons—Laffitte.

ThenightwasperfectlyblackwhentheyreachedthewineshopofoldmanJules.Assoonasthedealersawthemhecameup，shookhandswiththemandsatdownattheirtable.Theybegantotalkofonethingandanother.Byeleveno’clockthelastcustomerhadleftandoldmanJuleswinkedatLabouiseandasked："Well，haveyougotany？"

Labouisemadeamotionwithhisheadandanswered："Perhapsso，perhapsnot！"

Thedealerinsisted："Perhapsyou’venotnothingbutgrayones？"

Chicotdughishandsintohisflannelshirt，drewouttheearsofarabbitanddeclared："Threefrancsapair！"

Thenbeganalongdiscussionabouttheprice.Twofrancssixty—fiveandthetworabbitsweredelivered.Asthetwomenweregettinguptogo，oldmanJules，whohadbeenwatchingthem，exclaimed：

"Youhavesomethingelse，butyouwon’tsaywhat."

Labouiseanswered："Possibly，butitisnotforyou;you’retoostingy."

Theman，growingeager，keptasking："Whatisit？Somethingbig？

Perhapswemightmakeadeal."

Labouise，whoseemedperplexed，pretendedtoconsultMaillochonwithaglance.Thenheansweredinaslowvoice："Thisishowitis.WewereinthebushesatEperonwhensomethingpassedrightnearus，totheleft，attheendofthewall.Maillochetakesashotanditdrops.Weskippedonaccountofthegamepeople.Ican’ttellyouwhatitis，becauseI

don’tknow.Butit’sbigenough.Butwhatisit？IfItoldyouI’dbelying，andyouknow，sister，betweenuseverything’sabove—board."

Anxiouslythemanasked："Thinkit’svenison？"

Labouiseanswered："Mightbeandthenagainitmightnot！Venison？——uh！

uh！——mightbealittlebigforthat！Mindyou，Idon’tsayit’sadoe，becauseIdon’tknow，butitmightbe."

Stillthedealerinsisted："Perhapsit’sabuck？"

Labouisestretchedouthishand，exclaiming："No，it’snotthat！It’snotabuck.Ishouldhaveseenthehorns.No，it’snotabuck！"

"Whydidn’tyoubringitwithyou？"askedtheman.

"Because，sister，fromnowonIsellfromwhereIstand.Plentyofpeoplewillbuy.Allyouhavetodoistotakeawalkoverthere，findthethingandtakeit.Noriskforme."

Theinnkeeper，growingsuspicious，exclaimed"Supposinghewasn’tthere！"

Labouiseoncemoreraisedhishandandsaid：

"He’sthere，Iswear！——firstbushtotheleft.Whatitis，Idon’tknow.

Butit’snotabuck，I’mpositive.It’sforyoutofindoutwhatitis.

Twenty—fivefrancs，cashdown！"

Stillthemanhesitated："Couldn’tyoubringit？"

Maillochonexclaimed："No，indeed！Youknowourprice！Takeitorleaveit！"

Thedealerdecided："It’sabargainfortwentyfrancs！"

Andtheyshookhandsoverthedeal.

Thenhetookoutfourbigfive—francpiecesfromthecashdrawer，andthetwofriendspocketedthemoney.Labouisearose，emptiedhisglassandleft.Ashewasdisappearingintheshadowsheturnedroundtoexclaim：

"Itisn’tabuck.Idon’tknowwhatitis！——butit’sthere.I’llgiveyoubackyourmoneyifyoufindnothing！"

Andhedisappearedinthedarkness.Maillochon，whowasfollowinghim，keptpunchinghiminthebacktoexpresshisjoy.

MOIRON

AswewerestilltalkingaboutPranzini，M.Maloureau，whohadbeenattorneygeneralundertheEmpire，said："Oh！Iformerlyknewaverycuriousaffair，curiousforseveralreasons，asyouwillsee.

"Iwasatthattimeimperialattorneyinoneoftheprovinces.IhadtotakeupthecasewhichhasremainedfamousunderthenameoftheMoironcase.

"MonsieurMoiron，whowasateacherinthenorthofFrance，enjoyedanexcellentreputationthroughoutthewholecountry.Hewasapersonofintelligence，quiet，veryreligious，alittletaciturn;hehadmarriedinthedistrictofBoislinot，whereheexercisedhisprofession.Hehadhadthreechildren，whohaddiedofconsumption，oneaftertheother.Fromthistimeheseemedtobestowupontheyoungstersconfidedtohiscareallthetendernessofhisheart.Withhisownmoneyheboughttoysforhisbestscholarsandforthegoodboys;hegavethemlittledinnersandstuffedthemwithdelicacies，candyandcakes：Everybodylovedthisgoodmanwithhisbigheart，whensuddenlyfiveofhispupilsdied，inastrangemanner，oneaftertheother.Itwassupposedthattherewasanepidemicduetotheconditionofthewater，resultingfromdrought;theylookedforthecauseswithoutbeingabletodiscoverthem，themoresothatthesymptomsweresopeculiar.Thechildrenseemedtobeattackedbyafeelingoflassitude;theywouldnoteat，theycomplainedofpainsintheirstomachs，draggedalongforashorttime，anddiedinfrightfulsuffering.

"Apost—mortemexaminationwasheldoverthelastone，butnothingwasdiscovered.ThevitalsweresenttoParisandanalyzed，andtheyrevealedthepresenceofnotoxicsubstance.

"Forayearnothingnewdeveloped;thentwolittleboys，thebestscholarsintheclass，Moiron’sfavorites，diedwithinfourdaysofeachother.Anexaminationofthebodieswasagainordered，andinbothofthemwerediscoveredtinyfragmentsofcrushedglass.Theconclusionarrivedatwasthatthetwoyoungstersmustimprudentlyhaveeatenfromsomecarelesslycleanedreceptacle.Aglassbrokenoverapailofmilkcouldhaveproducedthisfrightfulaccident，andtheaffairwouldhavebeenpushednofurtherifMoiron’sservanthadnotbeentakensickatthistime.Thephysicianwhowascalledinnoticedthesamesymptomshehadseeninthechildren.Hequestionedherandobtainedtheadmissionthatshehadstolenandeatensomecandiesthathadbeenboughtbytheteacherforhisscholars.

"Onanorderfromthecourttheschoolhousewassearched，andaclosetwasfoundwhichwasfulloftoysanddaintiesdestinedforthechildren.

Almostallthesedelicaciescontainedbitsofcrushedglassorpiecesofbrokenneedles！

"Moironwasimmediatelyarrested;butheseemedsoastonishedandindignantatthesuspicionhangingoverhimthathewasalmostreleased.

However，indicationsofhisguiltkeptappearing，andbaffledinmymindmyfirstconviction，basedonhisexcellentreputation，onhiswholelife，onthecompleteabsenceofanymotiveforsuchacrime.

"Whyshouldthisgood，simple，religiousmanhavekilledlittlechildren，andtheverychildrenwhomheseemedtolovethemost，whomhespoiledandstuffedwithsweetthings，forwhomhespenthalfhissalaryinbuyingtoysandbonbons？

"Onemustconsiderhiminsanetobelievehimguiltyofthisact.Now，Moironseemedsonormal，soquiet，sorationalandsensiblethatitseemedimpossibletoadjudgehiminsane.

"However，theproofskeptgrowing！Innoneofthecandiesthatwereboughtattheplaceswheretheschoolmastersecuredhisprovisionscouldtheslightesttraceofanythingsuspiciousbefound.

"Hetheninsistedthatanunknownenemymusthaveopenedhiscupboardwithafalsekeyinordertointroducetheglassandtheneedlesintotheeatables.Andhemadeupawholestoryofaninheritancedependentonthedeathofachild，determinedonandsoughtbysomepeasant，andpromotedthusbycastingsuspicionsontheschoolmaster.Thisbrute，heclaimed，didnotcareabouttheotherchildrenwhowereforcedtodieaswell.

"Thestorywaspossible.Themanappearedtobesosureofhimselfandinsuchdespairthatweshouldundoubtedlyhaveacquittedhim，notwithstandingthechargesagainsthim，iftwocrushingdiscoverieshadnotbeenmade，oneaftertheother.

"Thefirstonewasasnuffboxfullofcrushedglass;hisownsnuffbox，hiddeninthedeskwherehekepthismoney！

"Heexplainedthisnewfindinanacceptablemanner，astheruseoftherealunknowncriminal.ButamercerfromSaint—Marloufcametothepresidingjudgeandsaidthatagentlemanhadseveraltimescometohisstoretobuysomeneedles;andhealwaysaskedforthethinnestneedleshecouldfind，andwouldbreakthemtoseewhethertheypleasedhim.Themanwasbroughtforwardinthepresenceofadozenormorepersons，andimmediatelyrecognizedMoiron.TheinquestrevealedthattheschoolmasterhadindeedgoneintoSaint—Marloufonthedaysmentionedbythetradesman.

"Iwillpassovertheterribletestimonyofchildrenonthechoiceofdaintiesandthecarewhichhetooktohavethemeatthethingsinhispresence，andtoremovetheslightesttraces.

"Publicindignationdemandedcapitalpunishment，anditbecamemoreandmoreinsistent，overturningallobjections.

"Moironwascondemnedtodeath，andhisappealwasrejected.Nothingwasleftforhimbuttheimperialpardon.Iknewthroughmyfatherthattheemperorwouldnotgrantit.

"Onemorning，asIwasworkinginmystudy，thevisitoftheprisonalmonerwasannounced.Hewasanoldpriestwhoknewmenwellandunderstoodthehabitsofcriminals.Heseemedtroubled，illatease，nervous.Aftertalkingforafewminutesaboutonethingandanother，hearoseandsaidsuddenly：’IfMoironisexecuted，monsieur，youwillhaveputaninnocentmantodeath.’

"Thenheleftwithoutbowing，leavingmebehindwiththedeepimpressionmadebyhiswords.Hehadpronouncedtheminsuchasincereandsolemnmanner，openingthoselips，closedandsealedbythesecretofconfession，inordertosavealife.

"AnhourlaterIleftforParis，andmyfatherimmediatelyaskedthatI

begrantedanaudiencewiththeemperor.

"ThefollowingdayIwasreceived.Hismajestywasworkinginalittlereceptionroomwhenwewereintroduced.Idescribedthewholecase，andIwasjusttellingaboutthepriest’svisitwhenadooropenedbehindthesovereign’schairandtheempress，whosupposedhewasalone，appeared.

Hismajesty，Napoleon，consultedher.Assoonasshehadheardthematter，sheexclaimed：’Thismanmustbepardoned.Hemust，sinceheisinnocent.’

"Whydidthissuddenconvictionofareligiouswomancastaterribledoubtinmymind？

"UntilthenIhadardentlydesiredachangeofsentence.AndnowI

suddenlyfeltmyselfthetoy，thedupeofacunningcriminalwhohademployedthepriestandconfessionasalastmeansofdefence.

"Iexplainedmyhesitancytotheirmajesties.Theemperorremainedundecided，urgedononesidebyhisnaturalkindnessandheldbackontheotherbythefearofbeingdeceivedbyacriminal;buttheempress，whowasconvincedthatthepriesthadobeyedadivineinspiration，keptrepeating：’Nevermind！Itisbettertospareacriminalthantokillaninnocentman！’Heradvicewastaken.Thedeathsentencewascommutedtooneofhardlabor.

"AfewyearslaterIheardthatMoironhadagainbeencalledtotheemperor’sattentiononaccountofhisexemplaryconductintheprisonatToulonandwasnowemployedasaservantbythedirectorofthepenitentiary.

"ForalongtimeIheardnothingmoreofthisman."Butabouttwoyearsago，whileIwasspendingasummernearLillewithmycousin，DeLarielle，Iwasinformedoneevening，justasweweresittingdowntodinner，thatayoungpriestwishedtospeaktome.

"Ihadhimshowninandhebeggedmetocometoadyingmanwhodesiredabsolutelytoseeme.Thishadoftenhappenedtomeinmylongcareerasamagistrate，and，althoughIhadbeensetasidebytheRepublic，Iwasstilloftencalleduponinsimilarcircumstances.Ithereforefollowedthepriest，wholedmetoamiserablelittleroominalargetenementhouse.

"ThereIfoundastrange—lookingmanonabedofstraw，sittingwithhisbackagainstthewall，inordertogethisbreath.Hewasasortofskeleton，withdark，gleamingeyes.

"Assoonashesawme，hemurmured：’Don’tyourecognizeme？’

"’No.’

"’IamMoiron.’

"Ifeltashiverrunthroughme，andIasked’Theschoolmaster？’

"’Yes.’

"’Howdoyouhappentobehere？’

"’Thestoryistoolong.Ihaven’ttimetotellit.Iwasgoingtodie——andthatpriestwasbroughttome——andasIknewthatyouwerehereI

sentforyou.ItistoyouthatIwishtoconfess——sinceyouweretheonewhooncesavedmylife.’

"Hishandsclutchedthestrawofhisbedthroughthesheetandhecontinuedinahoarse，forcibleandlowtone：’Yousee——Ioweyouthetruth——Ioweittoyou——foritmustbetoldtosomeonebeforeIleavethisearth.

"’ItisIwhokilledthechildren——allofthem.Ididit——forrevenge！

"’Listen.Iwasanhonest，straightforward，pureman——adoringGod——thisgoodFather——thisMasterwhoteachesustolove，andnotthefalseGod，theexecutioner，therobber，themurdererwhogovernstheearth.Ihadneverdoneanyharm;Ihadnevercommittedanevilact.Iwasasgoodasitispossibletobe，monsieur.

"’Imarriedandhadchildren，andIlovedthemasnofatherormothereverlovedtheirchildren.Ilivedonlyforthem.Iwaswildaboutthem.Allthreeofthemdied！Why？why？WhathadIdone？Iwasrebellious，furious;andsuddenlymyeyeswereopenedasifIwerewakingupoutofasleep.IunderstoodthatGodisbad.WhyhadHekilledmychildren？IopenedmyeyesandsawthatHelovestokill.Helovesonlythat，monsieur.Hegiveslifebuttodestroyit！God，monsieur，isamurderer！Heneedsdeatheveryday.AndHemakesitofeveryvariety，inorderthebettertobeamused.HehasinventedsicknessandaccidentsinordertogiveHimdiversionallthroughthemonthsandtheyears;andwhenHegrowstiredofthis，Hehasepidemics，theplague，cholera，diphtheria，smallpox，everythingpossible！ButthisdoesnotsatisfyHim;allthesethingsaretoosimilar;andsofromtimetotimeHehaswars，inordertoseetwohundredthousandsoldierskilledatonce，crushedinbloodandinthemud，blownapart，theirarmsandlegstornoff，theirheadssmashedbybullets，likeeggsthatfallontheground.

"’Butthisisnotall.Hehasmademenwhoeateachother.Andthen，asmenbecomebetterthanHe，Hehasmadebeasts，inordertoseemenhuntthem，killthemandeatthem.Thatisnotall.Hehasmadetinylittleanimalswhichliveoneday，flieswhodiebythemillionsinonehour，antswhichwearecontinuallycrushingunderourfeet，andsomany，manyothersthatwecannotevenimagine.Andallthesethingsarecontinuallykillingeachotheranddying.AndthegoodLordlooksonandisamused，forHeseeseverything，thebigonesaswellasthelittleones，thosewhoareinthedropsofwaterandthoseintheotherfirmaments.Hewatchesthemandisamused.Wretch！

"’Then，monsieur，IbegantokillchildrenplayedatrickonHim.Hedidnotgetthose.ItwasnotHe，butI！AndIwouldhavekilledmanyothers，butyoucaughtme.There！

"’Iwastobeexecuted.I！HowHewouldhavelaughed！ThenIaskedforapriest，andIlied.Iconfessedtohim.IliedandIlived.

"’Now，allisover.IcannolongerescapefromHim.InolongerfearHim，monsieur;IdespiseHimtoomuch.’

"Thispoorwretchwasfrightfultoseeashelaytheregasping，openinganenormousmouthinordertoutterwordswhichcouldscarcelybeheard，hisbreathrattling，pickingathisbedandmovinghisthinlegsunderagrimysheetasthoughtryingtoescape.

"Oh！Themereremembranceofitisfrightful！

"’Youhavenothingmoretosay？’Iasked.

"’No，monsieur.’

"’Then，farewell.’

"’Farewell，monsieur，tillsomeday————’

"Iturnedtotheashen—facedpriest，whosedarkoutlinestoodoutagainstthewall，andasked：’Areyougoingtostayhere，Monsieurl’Abbe？’

"’Yes.’

"Thenthedyingmansneered：’Yes，yes，HesendsHisvulturestothecorpses.’

"Ihadhadenoughofthis.Iopenedthedoorandranaway."

THEDISPENSEROFHOLYWATER

Welivedformerlyinalittlehousebesidethehighroadoutsidethevillage.Hehadsetupinbusinessasawheelwright，aftermarryingthedaughterofafarmeroftheneighborhood，andastheywerebothindustrious，theymanagedtosaveupanicelittlefortune.Buttheyhadnochildren，andthiscausedthemgreatsorrow.Finallyasonwasborn，whomtheynamedJean.Theybothlovedandpettedhim，enfoldinghimwiththeiraffection，andwereunwillingtolethimbeoutoftheirsight.

Whenhewasfiveyearsoldsomemountebankspassedthroughthecountryandsetuptheirtentinthetownhallsquare.

Jean，whohadseenthempassby，madehisescapefromthehouse，andafterhisfatherhadmadealongsearchforhim，hefoundhimamongthelearnedgoatsandtrickdogs，utteringshoutsoflaughterandsittingonthekneesofanoldclown.

Threedayslater，justastheyweresittingdowntodinner，thewheelwrightandhiswifenoticedthattheirsonwasnotinthehouse.

Theylookedforhiminthegarden，andastheydidnotfindhim，hisfatherwentoutintotheroadandshoutedatthetopofhisvoice，"Jean！"

Nightcameon.Abrownvaporarosemakingdistantobjectslookstillfartherawayandgivingthemadismal，weirdappearance.Threetallpines，closeathand，seemedtobeweeping.Stilltherewasnoreply，buttheairappearedtobefullofindistinctsighing.Thefatherlistenedforsometime，thinkingheheardasoundfirstinonedirection，theninanother，and，almostbesidehimself，heran，outintothenight，callingincessantly"Jean！Jean！"

Heranalongthusuntildaybreak，fillingthe，darknesswithhisshouts，terrifyingstrayanimals，tornbyaterribleanguishandfearingthathewaslosinghismind.Hiswife，seatedonthestonestepoftheirhome，sobbeduntilmorning.

Theydidnotfindtheirson.Theybothagedrapidlyintheirinconsolablesorrow.Finallytheysoldtheirhouseandsetouttosearchtogether.

Theyinquiredoftheshepherdsonthehillsides，ofthetradesmenpassingby，ofthepeasantsinthevillagesandoftheauthoritiesinthetowns.

Buttheirboyhadbeenlostalongtimeandnooneknewanythingabouthim.Hehadprobablyforgottenhisownnamebythistimeandalsothenameofhisvillage，andhisparentsweptinsilence，havinglosthope.

Beforelongtheirmoneycametoanend，andtheyworkedoutbythedayinthefarmsandinns，doingthemostmenialwork，eatingwhatwasleftfromthetables，sleepingonthegroundandsufferingfromcold.Thenastheybecameenfeebledbyhardworknoonewouldemploythemanylonger，andtheywereforcedtobegalongthehighroads.Theyaccostedpassers—byinanentreatingvoiceandwithsad，discouragedfaces;theybeggedamorselofbreadfromtheharvesterswhowerediningaroundatreeinthefieldsatnoon，andtheyateinsilenceseatedontheedgeofaditch.

Aninnkeepertowhomtheytoldtheirstorysaidtothemoneday：

"Iknowsomeonewhohadlosttheirdaughter，andtheyfoundherinParis."

TheyatoncesetoutforParis.

Whentheyenteredthegreatcitytheywerebewilderedbyitssizeandbythecrowdsthattheysaw.ButtheyknewthatJeanmustbeinthemidstofallthesepeople，thoughtheydidnotknowhowtosetaboutlookingforhim.Thentheyfearedthattheymightnotrecognizehim，forhewasonlyfiveyearsoldwhentheylastsawhim.

Theyvisitedeveryplace，wentthroughallthestreets，stoppingwhenevertheysawagroupofpeople，hopingforsomeprovidentialmeeting，someextraordinaryluck，somecompassionatefate.

Theyfrequentlywalkedathaphazardstraightahead，leaningoneagainsttheother，lookingsosadandpoverty—strickenthatpeoplewouldgivethemalmswithouttheirasking.

TheyspenteverySundayatthedoorsofthechurches，watchingthecrowdsenteringandleaving，tryingtodistinguishamongthefacesonethatmightbefamiliar.Severaltimestheythoughttheyrecognizedhim，butalwaysfoundtheyhadmadeamistake.

InthevestibuleofoneofthechurcheswhichtheyvisitedthemostfrequentlytherewasanolddispenserofholyWaterwhohadbecometheirfriend.Healsohadaverysadhistory，andtheirsympathyforhimhadestablishedabondofclosefriendshipbetweenthem.Itendedbythemallthreelivingtogetherinapoorlodgingonthetopfloorofalargehousesituatedatsomedistance，quiteontheoutskirtsofthecity，andthewheelwrightwouldsometimestakehisnewfriend’splaceatthechurchwhenthelatterwasill.

Wintercame，averyseverewinter.Thepoorholywatersprinklerdiedandtheparishpriestappointedthewheelwright，whosemisfortuneshadcometohisknowledge，toreplacehim.Hewenteverymorningandsatinthesameplace，onthesamechair，wearingawaytheoldstonepillarbycontinuallyleaningagainstit.HewouldgazesteadilyateverymanwhoenteredthechurchandlookedforwardtoSundaywithasmuchimpatienceasaschoolboy，foronthatdaythechurchwasfilledwithpeoplefrommorningtillnight.

Hebecameveryold，growingweakereachdayfromthedampnessofthechurch，andhishopeoozedawaygradually.

Henowknewbysightallthepeoplewhocametotheservices;heknewtheirhours，theirmanners，coulddistinguishtheirsteponthestonepavement.

Hisinterestshadbecomesocontractedthattheentranceofastrangerinthechurchwasforhimagreatevent.Onedaytwoladiescamein;onewasold，theotheryoung——amotheranddaughterprobably.Behindthemcameamanwhowasfollowingthem.Hebowedtothemastheycameout，andafterofferingthemsomeholywater，hetookthearmoftheelderlady.

"Thatmustbethefianceoftheyoungerone，"thoughtthewheelwright.

Anduntileveninghekepttryingtorecallwherehehadformerlyseenayoungmanwhoresembledthisone.Buttheonehewasthinkingofmustbeanoldmanbythistime，foritseemedasifhehadknownhimdownhomeinhisyouth.

Thesamemanfrequentlycameagaintowalkhomewiththeladies，andthisvague，distant，familiarresemblancewhichhecouldnotplaceworriedtheoldmansomuchthathemadehiswifecomewithhimtoseeifshecouldhelphisimpairedmemory.

Oneeveningasitwasgrowingduskthethreestrangersenteredtogether.

Whentheyhadpassedtheoldmansaid：

"Well，doyouknowhim？"

Hiswifeanxiouslytriedtoransackhermemory.Suddenlyshesaidinalowtone：

"Yes——yes——butheisdarker，taller，stouterandisdressedlikeagentleman，but，father，allthesame，itisyourfacewhenyouwereyoung！"

Theoldmanstartedviolently.

Itwastrue.Helookedlikehimselfandalsolikehisbrotherwhowasdead，andlikehisfather，whomherememberedwhilehewasyetyoung.

Theoldcoupleweresoaffectedthattheycouldnotspeak.Thethreepersonscameoutandwereabouttoleavethechurch.

Themantouchedhisfingertotheholywatersprinkler.Thentheoldman，whosehandwastremblingsothathewasfairlysprinklingthegroundwithholywater，exclaimed：

"Jean！"

Theyoungmanstoppedandlookedathim.

Herepeatedinalowertone：

"Jean！"

Thetwowomenlookedatthemwithoutunderstanding.

Hethensaidforthethirdtime，sobbingashedidso：

"Jean！"

Themanstoopeddown，withhisfaceclosetotheoldman’s，andasamemoryofhischildhooddawnedonhimhereplied：

"PapaPierre，MammaJeanne！"

Hehadforgotteneverything，hisfather’ssurnameandthenameofhisnativeplace，buthealwaysrememberedthosetwowordsthathehadsooftenrepeated："PapaPierre，MammaJeanne."

Hesanktothefloor，hisfaceontheoldman’sknees，andhewept，kissingnowhisfatherandthenhismother，whiletheywerealmostbreathlessfromintensejoy.

Thetwoladiesalsowept，understandingastheydidthatsomegreathappinesshadcometopass.

Thentheyallwenttotheyoungman’shouseandhetoldthemhishistory.

Thecircuspeoplehadcarriedhimoff.Forthreeyearshetraveledwiththeminvariouscountries.Thenthetroupedisbanded，andonedayanoldladyinachateauhadpaidtohavehimstaywithherbecauseshelikedhisappearance.Ashewasintelligent，hewassenttoschool，thentocollege，andtheoldladyhavingnochildren，hadlefthimallhermoney.

He，forhispart，hadtriedtofindhisparents，butashecouldrememberonlythetwonames，"PapaPierre，MammaJeanne，"hehadbeenunabletodoso.Nowhewasabouttobemarried，andheintroducedhisfiancee，whowasverygoodandverypretty.

Whenthetwooldpeoplehadtoldtheirstoryintheirturnhekissedthemoncemore.Theysatupverylatethatnight，notdaringtoretirelestthehappinesstheyhadsolongsoughtshouldescapethemagainwhiletheywereasleep.

Butmisfortunehadlostitsholdonthemandtheywerehappyfortherestoftheirlives.

APARRICIDE

Thelawyerhadpresentedapleaofinsanity.Howcouldanyoneexplainthisstrangecrimeotherwise？

Onemorning，inthegrassnearChatou，twobodieshadbeenfound，amanandawoman，wellknown，rich，nolongeryoungandmarriedsincetheprecedingyear，thewomanhavingbeenawidowforthreeyearsbefore.

Theywerenotknowntohaveenemies;theyhadnotbeenrobbed.Theyseemedtohavebeenthrownfromtheroadsideintotheriver，afterhavingbeenstruck，oneaftertheother，withalongironspike.

Theinvestigationrevealednothing.Theboatmen，whohadbeenquestioned，knewnothing.Thematterwasabouttobegivenup，whenayoungcarpenterfromaneighboringvillage，GeorgesLouis，nicknamed"theBourgeois，"gavehimselfup.