‘Speak freely,’ said Bigot; ‘fear nothing.’  Then the old man related how, many months since, he was leaving Argenteuil on his usual pilgrimage, and had gained the high ground beyond the village, when the violent barking of his dog caused him to listen attentively.  A man’s voice, feeble and suppliant, was distinctly heard.  ‘Monster!’ it said; ’thy master, thy benefactor—­mercy!  Must I die so far from my country and my brother!  Mercy, mercy!’

Then the blind man heard a fearful cry, like that of a dying man in his last agony, and all was silence.  After a time he distinguished the steps of one who seemed staggering under a heavy burden.  ‘Influenced by a sudden impulse,’ said Gervais, ’I went forward, asking what was the matter, and who had been moaning so.’

“Nothing, nothing,” said a voice in an agitated tone; “only a sick man who is being carried home, and has fainted on the way.”  And the voice added, in a lower and menacing tone:  “You may thank God that you are blind, or I would have done the same to you.”  I knew then that a horrible crime had been committed, and was seized with terror.  All things conspired to overwhelm me with fear; for immediately a dreadful storm arose, and the loud thunder seemed to pursue the murderer.  I thought the world was at an end.  Trembling, I continued my journey, resolving never to reveal what I had heard; for the criminal may belong to these parts, and the life of a poor old blind man is at the mercy of every one.  But when the judge spoke of a corpse being found so near to the place where I heard the voice, I could not avoid a sudden exclamation.  I have now told all; God grant that no evil comes to me from it!’

During this relation Laurence Bigot appeared absorbed in a deep reverie, which lasted long after the blind man ceased to speak.  Then addressing Gervais:  ‘Old man,’ said he, ’I wish to ask you a question; reflect well before answering it.  Do you remember exactly the voice that you heard that day on the hill, which replied to your questions and threatened you?  Do you think that you could recognise it again—­recognise it so as not to confound it with any other?’

‘Yes, my lord advocate,’ cried Gervais immediately:  ’yes! even as I should recognise the voice of my mother, if she were living still, poor woman!’

‘But,’ said the judge, ’have you considered that eight or nine months have passed since then?’

‘It seems but a few hours ago,’ answered the blind man.  ’My terror was so great, that even now I seem always to hear the voice that cried for mercy, and that which spoke to me, and the awful thunder.’  And when Bigot still doubted, Gervais, lifting his hands to heaven, said:  ’God is good, and forsakes not the poor blind.  Since I lost my sight, I can hear wonderfully.  Call the people of Argenteuil; they will tell you how they amuse themselves with embarrassing me, and saying, in counterfeited tones, “Who speaks to thee?” Ask them if they have ever succeeded in deceiving me!’ The people cried out that all that the blind man said was true; his knowledge of voices was wonderful.  Some hours after, Laurence Bigot departed for Rouen, and everything went on as usual in the village of Argenteuil.  Bigot conveyed Gervais with him to Rouen.