Hélène was lying in her nightdress on the bedroom floor, unconscious. She had moved a heavy wardrobe in front of the door, by some supernatural strength whch came from fear. Then she had fainted. To his deep regret Edouard had not killed the German.
Schwarz had crawled back to his bedroom when they went back into the house, and next morning wept to Madame Chéri, and implored forgiveness. There had been a little banquet, he said, and he had drunk too much.
Madame Chéri did not forgive. She called at the Kommandantur where the General saw her, and listened to her gravely. He did not waste words.
"The matter will be attended to," he said.
Captain Schwarz departed that day from the house in the rue Esquermoise. He was sent to a battalion in the line and was killed somewhere near Ypres.
