At these words everyone rose from table, struck by a fatal presentiment.
The door opened, and Père Jacques appeared, followed by his two assistants. They carried the body of a man wrapped in a military cloak. The Countess recognising the body of her brother, uttered a piercing cry and hid her face in her hands. Silent and terror-stricken, the company stood looking at each other. The Curé clasped his hands as if in prayer; the Lieutenant of Police went over and examined the body.
"This is not the work of a robber," said he, "for the jewels and purse of the Baron are untouched. He has been shot in the temple. Does any person here present know anything of this murder?"
No one spoke.
"Where was the body found?"
"We discovered it near the foot of Mont Cantal, with M. le Baron's horse standing beside it, M. le Lieutenant," replied Père Jacques.
"Does any person know of any enemy whom M. le Baron may have had in this neighbourhood?" pursued the officer of police.
"Alas, Monsieur," replied the cowkeeper, bluntly, "the Baron de Pradines had very few friends in these parts, but no enemy, I think, who would serve him a turn like this."
"Does any person know if M. le Baron had any difference or quarrel lately with any person?"
There was a profound silence; but more than one glance was directed towards the Chevalier de Fontane.