"Damn it all, take care! You know that I don't go in for chaffing, and that I could get you out of your job, my good fellow, and without much delay either. And then, I am the Mayor of the district, after all; and I now order you to give me back that paper." The postman answered firmly: "No, I can't, M'sieur le Maire." Thereupon, Renardet, losing his head, caught hold of the postman's arms in order to take away his bag; but, freeing himself by a strong effort, and springing backwards, the letter carrier raised his big holly stick. Without losing his temper, he said emphatically: "Don't touch me, M'sieur le Maire, or I'll strike. Take care, I'm only doing my duty!" Feeling that he was lost, Renardet suddenly became humble, gentle, appealing to him like a crying child: "Look here, look here, my friend, give me back that letter, and I'll recompense you--I'll give you money. Stop! Stop! I'll give you a hundred francs, you understand--a hundred francs!" The postman turned on his heel and started on his journey. Renardet followed him, out of breath, faltering: "Mederic, Mederic, listen! I'll give you a thousand francs, you understand--a thousand francs." The postman still went on without giving any answer. Renardet went on: "I'll make your fortune, you understand--whatever you wish--fifty thousand francs--fifty thousand francs for that letter! What does it matter to you? You won't? Well, a hundred thousand--I say--a hundred thousand francs. Do you understand? A hundred thousand francs--a hundred thousand francs." The postman turned back, his face hard, his eye severe: "Enough of this, or else I'll repeat to the magistrate everything you have just said to me." Renardet stopped abruptly. It was all over. He turned back and rushed towards his house, running like a hunted animal. Then, in his turn, Mederic stopped, and watched this flight with stupefaction. He saw the Mayor re-entering his own house, and he waited still as if something astonishing was about to happen. In fact, presently the tall form of Renardet appeared on the summit of the Fox's tower. He ran round the platform, like a madman. Then he seized the flagstaff and shook it furiously without succeeding in breaking it, then, all of a sudden, like a swimmer taking a plunge, he dashed into the air with his two hands in front of him. Mederic rushed forward to give succor. As he crossed the park, he saw the woodcutters going to work. He called out to them telling them an accident had occurred, and at the foot of the walls they found a bleeding body the head of which was crushed on a rock. The Brindelle surrounded this rock, and over its clear, calm waters, swollen at this point, could be seen a long red stream of mingled brains and blood. * * * * * MOTHER AND DAUGHTER "The Comtesse Samoris." "That lady in black over there?" "The very one. She's wearing mourning for her daughter, whom she killed." "Come now! You don't mean that seriously?"