Extraordinary stories went the rounds, and the master of Les Aigues was declared insane.

The next day Brunet, who had served all the warrants for the general, now brought him on behalf of Courtecuisse a summon to appear before the police court.

The lion was stung by gnats; but his misery was only just beginning.
The installation of a keeper is not done without a few formalities; he must, for instance, file an oath in the civil court.

Some days therefore elapsed before the three keepers really entered upon their functions.
Though the general had written to Michaud to bring his wife without waiting until the lodge at the gate of the Avonne was ready for them, the future head-keeper, or rather bailiff, was detained in Paris by his marriage and his wife's family, and did not reach Les Aigues until a fortnight later.

During those two weeks, and during the time still further required for certain formalities which were carried out with very ill grace by the authorities at Ville-aux-Fayes, the forest of Les Aigues was shamefully devastated by the peasantry, who took advantage of the fact that there was practically no watch over it.
The appearance of three keepers handsomely dressed in green cloth, the Emperor's color, with faces denoting firmness, and each of them well-made, active, and capable of spending their nights in the woods, was a great event in the valley, from Conches to Ville-aux-Fayes.
Throughout the district Groison was the only man who welcomed these veterans.