Чума

           Foralongtimehehadsufferedfromanarrowingoftheaortaand,sincehewaspoor,Rieuxtreatedhimfornothing.

           "Yes,"hesaid."Yourememberme.ButI’mcallingaboutsomeoneelse.Comequickly,somethinghashappenedatmyneighbour’s."

           Hewasoutofbreath.Rieuxthoughtabouttheconciergeanddecidedtogoandseehimafterwards.Afewminuteslaterhewasgoingthroughthedoorofalow-builthouseontheRueFaidherbe,ontheedgeoftown.Halfwayupthecold,stinkingstairwayhecrossedJosephGrand,thecivilservant,comingdowntomeethim.Hewasamanofaboutfifty,withayellowmoustache,tall,bent,withnarrowshouldersandthinlimbs.

           "He’sbetter,"hesaidashereachedRieux."ButIthoughthewasdonefor."

           Heblewhisnose.Onthesecond(andtop)floor,ontheleft-handdoor,Rieuxreadthewords"Comein,I’mhanged"inredchalk.

           Theywentin.Theropewashangingfromtheceilinglightaboveachair,lyingonitsside,withthetablepushedintoacorner;buttheropewashanginginthevoid.

           "Igothimdownintime,"Grandsaid,stillseemingtohavetroublefindinghiswords,eventhoughhewasspeakinginverysimpleterms."IjusthappenedtobegoingoutandIheardanoise.WhenIsawthewriting…whatcanIsay?Ithoughtitwasajoke.Buthegaveanoddkindofgroan,youcouldevensayquiteasinisterone."

           Hescratchedhishead.