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.