He stood at a corner of the market under the pelting
rain, his head filled with a loud buzzing noise which prevented him
from thinking. He did not feel impatient, for he was unconscious of the
flight of time. He stood there looking at the house, which, with its
closed door and windows, seemed quite lifeless. When at the end of an
hour the major came out again it appeared to the captain as if he had
only just gone in.
Laguitte was so grimly mute that Burle did not venture to question him.
For a moment they sought each other, groping about in the dark; then
they resumed their walk through the somber streets, where the water
rolled as in the bed of a torrent. They moved on in silence side by
side, the major being so abstracted that he even forgot to swear.
However, as they again crossed the Place du Palais, at the sight of the
Cafe de Paris, which was still lit up, he dropped his hand on Burle's
shoulder and said, "If you ever re-enter that hole I--"
"No fear!" answered the captain without letting his friend finish his
sentence.
Then he stretched out his hand.
"No, no," said Laguitte, "I'll see you home; I'll at least make sure
that you'll sleep in your bed tonight."
They went on, and as they ascended the Rue des Recollets they slackened
their pace.
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