"But—?"
"Don't you understand? Don't you understand that I'm wondering—?"
"No; what?"
"If he's not dead!"
"But you're mad, Chief!"
"No…. I don't know…. Only, only … I have an impression of death—"
Lantern in hand, he stood as one paralyzed, opposite the bed; and he who was afraid of nothing in the world had not the courage to throw the light on Hippolyte Fauville's face. A terrifying silence rose and filled the room.
"Oh, Chief, he's not moving!"
"I know … I know … and I now see that he has not moved once during the night. And that's what frightens me."
He had to make a real effort in order to step forward. He was now almost touching the bed.