"It's all over," said he. "The asphyxia was accomplished in a very
few moments."
The bone-setter's body was carefully laid on the floor in the
library.
"There is nothing more to be done," said M. Plantat, "but to carry
him home; we will follow on so as to seal up his effects, which
perhaps contain important papers. Run to the mairie," he added,
turning to his servant, "and get a litter and two stout men."
Dr. Gendron's presence being no longer necessary, he promised M.
Plantat to rejoin him at Robelot's, and started off to inquire
after M. Courtois's condition.
Louis lost no time, and soon reappeared followed, not by two, but
ten men. The body was placed on a litter and carried away. Robelot
occupied a little house of three rooms, where he lived by himself;
one of the rooms served as a shop, and was full of plants, dried
herbs, grain, and other articles appertaining to his vocation as
an herbist. He slept in the back room, which was better furnished
than most country rooms. His body was placed upon the bed. Among
the men who had brought it was the "drummer of the town," who was
at the same time the grave-digger.
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