When she had given her name, she was told a most astounding story to the effect that Coupeau had been fished out of the Seine close to the Pont-Neuf.

He had jumped over the parapet, under the impression that a bearded man was barring his way.

A fine jump, was it not?
And as for finding out how Coupeau got to be on the Pont-Neuf, that was a matter he could not even explain himself.
One of the keepers escorted Gervaise.

She was ascending a staircase, when she heard howlings which made her shiver to her very bones.
"He's playing a nice music, isn't he ?" observed the keeper.
"Who is ?" asked she.
"Why, your old man! He's been yelling like that ever since the day before yesterday; and he dances, you'll just see." _Mon Dieu!_ what a sight! She stood as one transfixed.

The cell was padded from the floor to the ceiling.