No answer. The great silence of the countryside at night. . . .
In spite of himself, he continued to think of the treble murder, the steel dagger. But no, it was impossible, the man had not had time, had not even had the need to strike, as he had found the road clear.
M. Lenormand jumped out in his turn and, switching on his lantern, recognized Gourel lying on the ground:
"Damn it!" he swore. "If they've killed him, they'll have to pay dearly for it."
But Gourel was not dead, only stunned; and, a few minutes later, he came to himself and growled:
"Only a blow of the fist, chief . . . just a blow of the fist which caught me full in the chest. But what a fellow!"
"There were two of them then?"
"Yes, a little one, who went up, and another, who took me unawares while I was watching."
"And the Doudevilles?"
"Haven't seen them."