"My friend," said the good woman, "Madame, the Countess, desires you to bring Moumouth to her."
"Moumouth!" stammered Faribole, starting at the name as if he had been stung by a wasp.
"Yes, Moumouth; I thought he was with you."
"He just quitted me; some persons passing in the street made a noise that frightened him, and he leaped into the hedge."
Mother Michel, after having spent more than half an hour in scouring the garden, returned to Madame de la Grenouillère and said: "Moumouth is absent, madame; but do not be anxious; he disappeared once before, and we found him in the garret."
"Let him be searched for! I do not wish to wait. I desire to see him this instant!"
Alas! this desire was not likely to be gratified, if any reliance could be placed upon the words exchanged in the dark between Lustucru and his accomplice.
"Well, did you do it?"
"Yes, Monsieur Lustucru, I pounded until the cat ceased to move."
"What have you done with the body?"