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Updated: June 7, 2025
Hortense, who had followed Renine, was surprised to recognize her as a maid whom she had had in her service when a girl: "What! Is that you, Lucienne? Are you Madame Pancaldi?" The newcomer looked at her, recognized her also and seemed embarrassed.
In a secret recess in your writing-table, Pancaldi, I turned up a little account-book in which you have set down your remorse, your uneasiness, your fear of punishment and your dread of God's wrath.... It was highly imprudent of you, Pancaldi! People don't write such confessions! And, above all, they don't leave them lying about!
We shall then see things more clearly; and I am sure that our interview will lead to a perfectly natural solution.... This is how things happened: nine years ago, when you were lady's maid to Mlle. Hortense in the country, you made the acquaintance of M. Pancaldi, who soon became your lover.
Pancaldi whispered, under his breath. These few words were enough to make Madame Pancaldi realize to the full the seriousness of her position. And she did not try to keep her countenance or to retort with futile protests. She sank into a chair, sighing: "Oh, that's it!... I understand.... Mlle. Hortense has found the track.... Oh, it's all up with us!" There was a moment's respite.
This evening, I shall lodge an information with the public prosecutor. Evidence: the confessions in the account-book. Consequences: action by the police, search of the premises and the rest." Pancaldi was silent. The others had a feeling that all these threats did not affect him and that, protected by his fetish, he believed himself to be invulnerable.
When that is over, you will hand over what I in my turn have come to fetch." "What?" "The clasp." "That, never!" shouted the dealer. "Don't say no. It's a foregone conclusion." "No power on earth, sir, can compel me to do such a thing!" "Shall we send for your wife? Madame Pancaldi will perhaps realize the position better than you do."
Be this as it may, I read them and I noted one passage, which struck me as particularly important and was of use to me in preparing my plan of campaign: 'Should she come to me, the woman whom I robbed, should she come to me as I saw her in her garden, while Lucienne was taking the clasp; should she appear to me wearing the blue gown and the toque of red leaves, with the jet necklace and the whip of three plaited rushes which she was carrying that day; should she appear to me thus and say: "I have come to claim my property," then I shall understand that her conduct is inspired from on high and that I must obey the decree of Providence. That is what is written in your book, Pancaldi, and it explains the conduct of the lady whom you call Mlle.
He accepts! And the fact that he accepts shows that we are all agreed! Madame Pancaldi, don't distress yourself. Your son's coming back and nobody's going to prison! Good-bye, Mlle. Hortense! Good-day, sir! Hope to see you again! If you want to speak to me at any time, just give three thumps on the ceiling. Good-bye ... don't forget your present ... and may Mercury be kind to you!
She murmured: "A counterweight?... Are you thinking that it might be ... in the pedestal?" "Why not?" "Is that possible? But, if so, how did Pancaldi come to give you this statuette?" "He never gave me this one," Renine declared. "I took this one myself." "But where? And when?" "Just now, while you were in the drawing-room.
The idea of no longer being alone with this unexpected adversary seemed to appeal to Pancaldi. There was a bell on the table beside him. He struck it three times. "Capital!" exclaimed Renine "You see, my dear, M. Pancaldi is becoming quite amiable. Not a trace left of the devil broken loose who was going for you just now.
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