Those who carried the wounded man naturally looked across at Monsieur Hochon's door while waiting for Kouski to let them in, and saw Monsieur Hochon's servant sweeping the steps.

At the old miser's, as everywhere else in the provinces, the household was early astir.

The few words uttered by Max had roused the suspicions of Monsieur Goddet, and he called to the woman,-- "Gritte, is Monsieur Joseph Bridau in bed ?" "Bless me!" she said, "he went out at half-past four.

I don't know what ailed him; he walked up and down his room all night." This simple answer drew forth such exclamations of horror that the woman came over, curious to know what they were carrying to old Rouget's house.
"A precious fellow he is, that painter of yours!" they said to her.
And the procession entered the house, leaving Gritte open-mouthed with amazement at the sight of Max in his bloody shirt, stretched half-fainting on a mattress.
Artists will readily guess what ailed Joseph, and kept him restless all night.

He imagined the tale the bourgeoisie of Issoudun would tell of him.