Renardet exclaimed some distance away:
"You lunch with us, Monsieur l'Abbé—in an hour's time."
The priest turned his head round, and replied:
"With pleasure, Monsieur le Maire. I'll be with you at twelve."
And they all directed their steps towards the house whose gray front and large tower built on the edge of the Brindelle, could be seen through the branches.
The meal lasted a long time. They talked about the crime. Everybody was of the same opinion. It had been committed by some tramp passing there by mere chance while the little girl was bathing.
Then the magistrates returned to Roug, announcing that they would return next day at an early hour. The doctor and the curé went to their respective homes, while Renardet, after a long walk through the meadows, returned to the wood where he remained walking till nightfall with slow steps, his hands behind his back.
He went to bed early, and was still asleep next morning when the examining magistrate entered his room. He rubbed his hands together with a self-satisfied air. He said:
"Ha! ha! You're still sleeping. Well, my dear fellow, we have news this morning."
The Mayor sat up on his bed.