“And last night, how was it?”
“The wind was from the west, as it always is when we have a storm.”
“So that you have heard nothing? You do not know what a terrible calamity”—
“A calamity? I do not understand you, sir.”
This conversation had taken place in the court-yard: and at this moment there appeared two gendarmes on horseback, whom M. Galpin had sent for just before he left Valpinson.
When old Anthony saw them, he exclaimed,—
“Great God! what is the meaning of this? I must wake master.”
The magistrate stopped him, saying harshly,—
“Not a step! Don’t say a word!”
And pointing out Ribot to the gendarmes, he said,—