Just then Malin, happening to look up, saw the muzzle of a gun through the foliage of a tall linden.
“I was not mistaken, I thought I heard the click of a trigger,” he said to Grevin, after getting behind the trunk of a large tree, where the notary, uneasy at his friend’s sudden movement, followed him.
“It is Michu,” said Grevin; “I see his red beard.”
“Don’t let us seem afraid,” said Malin, who walked slowly away, saying at intervals: “Why is that man so bitter against the owners of this property? It was not you he was covering. If he overheard us he had better ask the prayers of the congregation! Who the devil would have thought of looking up into the trees!”
“There’s always something to learn,” said the notary. “But he was a good distance off, and we spoke low.”
“I shall tell Corentin about it,” replied Malin.
CHAPTER III. THE MASK THROWN OFF
A few moments later Michu returned home, his face pale, his features contracted.
“What is the matter?” said his wife, frightened.