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.