"Ovide fell in a heap on the floor, still pointing with trembling finger at the window, and there I saw, I, Celestine Colomb, the flaming eyes of some ferocious beast. It was terrifying. ’Jesus-Maria!’ I cried, making the holy sign, and saying all my prayers at once. The apparition vanished, but I could not forget the fearful eyes, and all night long I was seeing them in my dreams. "On the next day, at half-past two in the afternoon, I put on my best dress and my French shoes, and went to visit Annette Duval. "’Annette,’ I said, as politely as possible, ’you do not love me, perhaps; and I, possibly, do not love you.’ "’Perhaps not,’ said Annette, beginning to cry, ’but I do not hate you, Celestine. I pray for you, even.’ "’That is not necessary, Annette,’ said I, with scorn. ’I can make my salvation myself, thank you. I do not love you, as I have said, but I would not have you marry a sorcerer.’ "What is that you say? A sorcerer? Michel a sorcerer? Nonsense! If you had nothing better to say why did you come?’ "’I came, Annette, to say that Michel is a sorcerer, one who has not made his Easter confession in seven years, one who has sold his soul to the devil. Not only so, but he becomes a _loup garou_ every evening at midnight. My brother Ovide has seen him change into a _loup garou_ only last night.’ "’Mademoiselle,’ said Annette, becoming very pale, ’be so kind as to go away.’ "’Annette,’ said I, ’listen to me. Ask him why he leaves you every evening before midnight. Ask him to stay with you for a few minutes longer, and you will see.’ "’Mademoiselle Colomb,’ said Annette, rising, ’permit me to show you the door.’ "This time I went without a word. It was not necessary to say more. Annette was troubled, and would certainly ask Michel for an explanation. And so it turned out. "Some time before midnight, Ovide and I--Ovide would not go alone--hid ourselves in the bushes near the door of Bonhomme Duval, the door which Annette had shown to me, not once only, but twice. But I was to show her something; I, Celestine Colomb. Ovide had his gun loaded with a silver bullet, a bullet which I had made with my own hands--for the sorcerer, of course. Ovide had a knife also, long and sharp. Michel does not forget that knife, I think. "It lacked but a few minutes of midnight when the door opened and there stood Michel and Annette on the threshold in the light of the fire. Annette was angry, as we could see; and Michel, that giant who could have strangled her with one hand, was trying to pacify her, to explain what could not be explained. "’So,’ she said, ’you must go, it seems, although I have prayed you to stay a few minutes longer, to spend the first moments of Christmas with me--and you will not.’ "’Annette, my dear Annette, have I not said that I must go? It is an important appointment.’ "’Important? Oh yes, more important than I, of course. I see. You do not love me. No, it is money that you love, that only.’