oureau could not leave the mayoral premises,
Marescot his office, the doctor his patients, or Girbal his firemen. M.
de Faverges was at Cherbourg. Beljambe kept his bed. The captain
grumbled: "They did not want me; so much the worse!"--and Bouvard had
the wisdom to put restraint on Pecuchet.

The patrols throughout the country were extended farther. They were
panic-stricken by the shadow of a haystack, or by the forms of branches.
On one occasion the entire National Guard turned and ran. In the
moonlight they had observed, under an apple tree, a man with a gun,
taking aim at them. At another time, on a dark night, the patrol halting
under the beech trees, heard some one close at hand.

"Who is there?"

No answer.

They allowed the person to pursue his course, following him at a
distance, for he might have a pistol or a tomahawk; but when they were
in the village, within reach of help, the dozen men of the company
rushed together upon him, exclaiming:

"Your papers!" They pulled him about and overwhelmed him with insults.
The men at the guard-house had gone out. They dragged him there; and by
the light of the candle that was burning on top of the stove they at
last recognised Gorju.

A wretched greatcoat of lasting was flapping over his shoulders. His
toes could be seen through the holes in his boots. Scratches and bruises
stained his face with blood. He was fearfully emaciated, and rolled his
eyes about like a wolf.

Foureau, coming up speedily, questioned him as to how he chanced to be
under the beech trees, what his object was in coming back to
Chavignolles, and also as to the employment of his time for the past six
weeks.

"That is no business of yours. I have my liberty."

Placquevent searched him to find out whether he had cartridges about
him.

They were about to imprison him provisionally.

Bouvard interposed.

"No use," replied the mayor; "we know your opinions."

"Nevertheless----"

"Ha! be careful; I give you warning. Be careful."

Bouvard persisted no further.

Gorju then turned towards Pecuchet: "And you, master, have you not a
word to say for me?"

Pecuchet hung down his head, as if he had a suspicion against his
innocence.

The poor wretch smiled bitterly.

"I protected you, all the same."

At daybreak, two gendarmes took him to Falaise.

He was not tried before a court-martial, but was sentenced by the civil
tribunal to three months' imprisonment for the misdemeanour of langu