"If you please," said he, in a tone totally unlike that he had used up
to this time, "I would like to call your attention to the wounds on the
head, made by a blunt instrument, which I suppose to be a hammer. I have
studied these wounds, and though I am no doctor, they seem to me
suspicious."
"And to me," M. Plantat quickly added. "It seemed to me, that in the
places struck, there was no emission of blood in the cutaneous vessels."
"The nature of these wounds," continued M. Lecoq, "will be a valuable
indication, which will fix my opinion." And, as he felt keenly the
brusque manner of the judge, he added:
"It is you, Doctor, who hold the match."
M. Gendron was about to leave the room, when Baptiste, the mayor's
servant--the man who wouldn't be scolded--appeared. He bowed and said:
"I have come for Monsieur the Mayor."
"For me? why?" asked M. Courtois. "What's the matter? They don't give me
a minute's rest! Answer that I am busy."
"It's on account of madame," resumed the placid Baptiste; "she isn't at
all well." The excellent mayor grew slightly pale.
"My wife!" cried he, alarmed. "What do you mean? Explain yourself."
"The postman arrived just now," returned Baptiste with a most tranquil
air, "and I carried the letters to madame, who was in the drawing-room.
Hardly had I turned on my heels when I heard a shriek, and the noise of
someone falling to the floor." Baptiste spoke slowly, taking artful
pains to prolong his master's anguish.
"Speak! go on!" cried the mayor, exasperated. "Speak, won't you?"
"I naturally opened the drawing-room door again. What did I see? madame,
at full length on the floor. I called for help; the chambermaid, cook,
and others came hastening up, and we carried madame to her bed. Justine
said that it was a letter from Mademoiselle Laurence which overcame my
mistress--"
At each word Baptiste hesitated, reflected; his eyes, giving the lie to
his solemn face, betrayed the great satisfaction he felt in relating his
master's misfortunes.
His master was full of consternation. As it is with all of us, when we
know not exactly what ill is about to befall us, he dared not ask any
questions. He stood still, crushed; lamenting, instead of hastening
home. M. Plantat profited by the pause to question the servant, with a
look which Baptiste dared not disobey.
"What, a letter from Mademoiselle Laurence? Isn't she here, then?"
"No, sir: she went away a week ago, to pass a month with one of her
aunts."
"And how is madame?"
"Better, sir; only she cries piteously."
The unfortunate mayor had now somewhat recovered his presence of mind.
He seized Baptiste by the arm.
"Come along," cried he, "come along!"
They hastened off.
"Poor man!" said the judge of instruction. "Perhaps his daughter is
dead."