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Updated: June 11, 2025
All the men, affected and not knowing how to act, remained standing around her. Renardet fell on his knees and said to her: "Listen, La Roque, it is necessary, in order to find out who killed her. Without this, we could not find out. We must make a search for the man in order to punish him. When we have found him we'll give her up to you. I promise you this."
Mederic went on without stopping, with only this thought in his mind: "My first letter is for the Poivron family, then I have one for Monsieur Renardet; so I must cross the wood." His blue blouse, fastened round his waist by a black leather belt, moved in a quick, regular fashion above the green hedge of willow trees, and his stout stick of holly kept time with his steady tread.
M. Putoin sat astride a chair. Renardet covered his chin with a white lather while he looked at himself in the glass. Then he sharpened his razor on the strop and continued: "The principal inhabitant of Carvelin bears the name of Joseph Renardet, mayor, a rich landowner, a rough man who beats guards and coachmen " The examining magistrate burst out laughing. "That's enough.
He then came back, and, sitting down at his table, pulled out the middle drawer. Taking from it a revolver, he laid it down on his papers in full view. The barrel of the firearm glittered, giving out gleams of light. Renardet gazed at it for some time with the uneasy glance of a drunken man. Then he rose and began to pace up and down the room.
The magistrate, the mayor, the captain and the doctor set to work searching in pairs, putting aside the smallest branch along the water. Renardet said to the judge: "How does it happen that this wretch has concealed or carried away the clothes, and has thus left the body exposed, in sight of every one?" The other, crafty and sagacious, answered: "Ha! ha! Perhaps a dodge?
Renardet uttered a cry and rushed towards his bed, where he lay till morning, his head hidden under the pillow. From that moment, his life became intolerable. He passed his days in apprehension of each succeeding night; and each night the vision came back again. As soon as he had locked himself up in his room, he strove to struggle; but in vain.
The two men started at once, and Renardet said to the doctor: "What miscreant could have done such a deed in this part of the country?" The doctor murmured: "Who knows? Any one is capable of that. Every one in particular and nobody in general. No matter, it must be some prowler, some workman out of employment. Since we have become a Republic we meet only this kind of person along the roads."
Mother La Roque had risen to a sitting posture and now remained weeping, with her hands clasped over her face. The crowd was discussing the affair, and young lads' eager eyes curiously scrutinized this nude young form. Renardet perceived this, and, abruptly taking off his coat, he flung it over the little girl, who was entirely hidden from view beneath the large garment.
Renardet said to the doctor: "You know what the trouble is about?" "Yes, a child found dead in the wood by Mederic." "That's quite correct. Come on!" They walked along, side by side, followed by the two men. Their steps made no sound on the moss. Their eyes were gazing ahead in front of them. Suddenly the doctor, extending his arm, said: "See, there she is!"
Renardet said suddenly: "Do you know that you are to take luncheon with me?" Every one smilingly accepted the invitation, and the magistrate, thinking that the case of little Louise Roque had occupied enough attention for one day, turned toward the mayor. "I can have the body brought to your house, can I not? You have a room in which you can keep it for me till this evening?"
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