We shaved the surrounding parts; and after we had washed and stanched the wound, we melted some tallow and spread it over some lint, which we adapted to the swelling with strips of diachylum.

Over this we placed first a bandage, then the cotton band, and then the cap.

While this was taking place, the justice of the peace arrived.

The first thing he did was to ask for the rake, and the only thing he seemed to care about was to examine it.

He took hold of the handle, counted the teeth, waved it in the air, tested the iron and bent the wood.
"Is this," he demanded, "the instrument with which the assault was committed?
Jerome, are you sure it is ?" "They say so, Monsieur." "You were not present, Monsieur le commissaire ?" "No, Monsieur le juge de paix." "I would like to know whether the blows were really dealt with a rake or whether they were given with a blunt instrument.