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loosed their hold of each other; Bastien took had concealed himself at Dannemoine, he his hat and departed, muttering threats. could not avoid the inevitable; and more While Robert adjusted his clothing, Veron than once strange scenes revealed the fatal cast his eyes upon a desk, and saw there, power which one of these men exercised beside a twisted pen, a note for 20,000 francs, over the other. drawn in Bastien's favor, and lacking only a In 1827 Bastien appeared unexpectedly at signature, — that of Robert, doubtless. Dannemoine with the intention of forcing the As soon as Bastien had gone, Veron and Roberts to accept drafts for 6,000 francs. several neighbors, who had been attracted This new persecution came at a moment by the noise of the struggle, entreated Robert when Robert was preparing a new retreat to put an end to such scenes by making a for himself at Villeneuve-le-Roi. His wife had already departed to make ready the new complaint against Bastien; but Robert de clared that he had lost money at play, and house, and it would be necessary to follow that his disputes with Bastien concerned no her and bring her back to Germiny to sign one but himself. But when he was alone the exacted acceptances. The interview be with Veron, he became more confiding, and tween Bastien and Robert was a stormy one. told him that the importunities of Bastien a violent quarrel took place during the night; were becoming unendurable, and he coolly and the innkeeper, concealed in an adjoining proposed to him to entice the man into one room, heard Bastien say to Robert, — "Come now I did I do it, or did I not?" of the houses at Versailles, and kill him and "Yes, it is true," replied Robert, bury him in the garden. Who was this Bastien, and what mysteri I "Well, then, you must pay me." ous hold did he have upon Robert? For "Alas, mon Dieu! it is true; I must pay." merly a carpenter at Grenoble, he had left Robert, however, resisted until sunrise, that town in 18 19 to escape his numerous and the acceptances were not signed. He creditors, and in 1820 he lived in Paris, not then went secretly to the innkeeper, and far from where Robert carried on his wine handing him six francs said, — "Look here! there is a man here of whom business. Bastien took his meals at Robert's house; and since the disappearance of the j I wish to rid myself; he demands money of Widow Houet, the two had maintained very me which I do not wish to give him. When intimate relations. he comes down I will tell you that I have Some time after the scene which we have not a sou, and you will lend me these six just referred to, Robert and Veron estab francs." lished themselves at Versailles to superin The innkeeper declined to play any part tend certain repairs which were being made in this comedy, and told Bastien of the on the Houet houses. There Robert, on scheme invented by Robert. returning from a trip to Paris, told Veron "Ah! that is his game, is it? " said Bas that he had met Bastien, who had forced tien. " Well, tell him that there is not a bit him, holding a pistol against his head, to of straw in his house which does not belong sign notes for 20,000 francs. Veron, who to me if I choose to take it; and if neces did not know all, again advised him to make sary, I will go and install myself in his a complaint to the procureur du roi; but house and drive him out." Robert had his reasons for not enlisting jus The upshot of the affair was that Robert paid Bastien's bill at the inn, and the two tice in his behalf. He preferred flight to scandal; he sought men left the house together. These singular interviews had more than to escape Bastien. It was to attempt the im possible; Bastien knew too well the life and once awakened the suspicions of those who affairs of his victim. So, although Robert i witnessed them. In 1824 an anonymous de