Чума
Part V
We’rewaitingforavanwiththeequipmentweneedbecausehefiresatanyonewhotriestogointhroughthedoorofthebuilding.Agendarmehasbeenhit."
"Whydidhefire?"
"Nooneknows.Peoplewerecelebratinginthestreet.Whenthefirstshotwentoff,theydidn’tknowwhatitwas.Atthesecond,therewerescreams,someonewaswoundedandeveryonetooktotheirheels.He’samaniac,that’sall."
Theminutesseemedtodragintherenewedsilence.Suddenlyonthefarsideofthestreettheysawadogrunout,thefirstRieuxhadseenforages,adirtyspaniel,whichmusthavebeenhiddenbyitsownersuptonow,trottingalongbythewall.Whenitreachedthedooritpaused,satdownonitshindquartersandturnedroundtostarteatingitsfleas.Thegendarmescalledtoit,givingasuccessionofwhistles.Itlookedup,thendecidedtocrosstheroadslowlytohaveasniffatthehat.Atthatmomentashotrangoutfromthesecondfloorandthedogflippedoverlikeapancake,violentlywavingitspaws,thenfinallyturningoveronitsside,shakenbylongshudders.Inreply,fiveorsixburstsoffirefromthedoorwaysoppositecausedfurtherdamagetotheshutter.Thensilence.ThesunhadmovedalittleandtheshadowswerestartingtoreachCottard’swindow.Therewasasoftsoundofbrakesfromthestreetbehindthedoctor.
"Heretheyare,"saidthegendarme.
Gendarmesappearedbehindthem,carryingropes,aladderandtwooblongparcelswrappedinoilcloth.
