Diary of a Madman Page #5

and I am trying to be

as kind as possible

under the circumstances.

I don't need your kindness,

Magistrate.

Well, what else have I to offer you?

I love Odette,

and I will not give her up.

And what of your fine reputation

if this were made public?

Are you threatening me?

Yes.

Think about it, Magistrate.

He will be trouble, Simon.

Kill him!

Kill him? No!

No, you cannot make me

commit murder!

What happened?

It almost fell on me.

I'm sorry.

It was an accident.

It would have been a most

convenient accident, wouldn't it?

Mr. Duclasse, I...

Those urns have been up there

since the house was built.

How could it have fallen?

It's all right, Pierre.

You may clean this up

in the morning.

Yes, sir.

- I'm frightened, Pierre.

- Shh.

You tried t0 kill him.

No, we are not ready

for his death yet.

That was merely to show you

how simple killing can be.

As simple as crushing the life

from a bird.

But you cannot make me

take a human life.

Not as long as there is

a shred of my will left.

You've already started

to murder him

by taking the one thing he loved.

The time will come, Magistrate,

and you will end his agony.

Has Paul gone?

Yes.

Odette, we can't stay here.

I want to leave Paris.

Tell me that you'll come

to Lucerne with me now.

But what of Paul?

Well, I have some influence.

Perhaps I can arrange an annulment.

We'll be married in Switzerland.

But I want to leave this house

as soon as possible tomorrow.

Can you be ready?

Oh, Simon, what is it?

Is Paul causing trouble?

Please, tell me, will you go?

Of course, Simon.

I'll be ready.

The servants will leave immediately.

There's a train at midnight.

They'll have the villa ready for us

by the time we get there.

We'll leave on the morning train.

I'll pick you up at 10:00.

We'll be happy, Simon.

I know we will.

We must take whatever happiness

we can, Odette.

That's all we can do.

Come.

You're here, aren't you?

You've been here all the time.

You must admit

that patience is a virtue.

Are you running from me,

Magistrate?

Yes!

The human body is so fragile.

It withers and dies so easily,

as a flower does.

Do you think that by putting distance

between yourself and Paul Duclasse,

that I can't make you kill him?

You say the Horla exist

as people do?

Very well, then, your powers

must be limited as ours are.

Do you think that I'M let you run

so that you can share your life

with that woman?

I will not be stopped.

You'll share nothing!

As this rose is destroyed,

so can I destroy your resistance.

Every thought you think,

your senses, your will,

they belong to me

to use as I wish.

No more bullets left, Magistrate.

The woman is useless to us,

as useless as any dead thing.

What are you saying?

A dead thing owns nothing,

possesses nu one, Magistrate.

That is what she must be.

I can't.

I can't.

A dead thing, Magistrate.

Who is it?

Odette, I must talk to you.

Paul, go away.

Leave me alone.

You're my wife!

You owe me this much!

All right, all right! Stop it!

You'll break down the door.

Odette, I...

Where are you going?

- None of your business.

- You...

You're going with him?

MY things!

My things! Get out!

You're not gonna spoil it for me!

Odette, I can't let you do this

to either of us.

I'd rather see you dead.

Doesn't it matter what I want?

Maybe I should feel sorry for him.

You'll bleed him dry,

take every cent he's got,

and meanwhile

be looking for another man

with even more money.

Yes.

Yes, that's exactly what I'll do.

Are you satisfied?

Yes, I'm satisfied that I'm a fool

and that he's a bigger one.

Why, Simon, I didn't expect...

- Good morning, Magistrate.

- Good morning, Master.

I expected Pierre.

Pierre and Louise have left

for my place in Switzerland.

Please forward my mail there

until I notify you.

- I'll be very glad to, sir.

- Thank you.

Blood?

Odette?

You murdered her!

You're quite wrong, Magistrate.

You kilted her.

It was your hand.

Can you deny the evidence

you've hidden in the clay?

I couldn't have done it.

I never left the house!

That's right, Magistrate.

I'm the only one who knows

you left here last night.

You're quite safe, I assure you.

I didn't do it.

I didn't kill her.

The murderer Girot

never thought he killed either.

Had you learned to love her,

Magistrate?

- Father.

- What is it?

The police, they've arrested Paul.

Paul? For killing Odette?

But why?

I don't understand.

The landlady identified him.

She heard him arguing with Odette.

There was a struggle.

Paul wouldn't have done it.

He loved her.

The police will learn the truth,

Jeanne.

We know that Paul is innocent.

They will find it out.

He doesn't even have money

for a good lawyer.

Whatever we have will be his

if he needs it.

Helen, if only it was

in my power to bring you back.

So that I could tell you

how meaningless my life became

when you were no longer with me.

Tragedy can blind

the judgment of a man.

I know you would understand that.

What is it, Magistrate?

Are you talking to memories now?

Do you think she can hear you?

My heart has spoken to her

many times.

Yes, she can hear me!

Fool. Do you expect me

to have patience with sentiment?

You had no reason to do that!

You were only talking

to your conscience, Magistrate.

You're still a murderer.

And if I am, then I will not let

an innocent man die

for something I did.

On the contrary.

Paul Duclasse

will go to the guillotine.

Haven't you done enough?

Why should I let them

execute you, Magistrate,

when you serve my purpose

so well?

Cover your victim with this.

I...

I can't, I can't!

You think I'm so stupid

as to let the police find it?

The grave is waiting.

Do as I say.

To the back of the garden,

Magistrate.

You see,

I can be most accommodating.

The grave is already dug.

You used clay

to make her like this.

She returns to clay.

When the grave is filled,

we will remove the last vestige

of the woman from your life.

The painting, Magistrate.

It, too, must be destroyed.

Leave me alone!

Let me have peace!

I doubt whether such art

is meant for immortality.

Burn it.

No. No, I've done enough.

There's the fire.

You burn it.

You heard what I said.

Do as I say. Burn it!

The police, Magistrate.

You will tell them

only what I want you to tell them.

- Robert.

- Good evening, Simon.

Come in, come in.

It is not often that I am honored

by your presence.

A policeman isn't supposed

to have time for his friends.

If it isn't one thing, it's another.

Now, this stupid murder.

Oh, yes, yes.

It's a terrible thing.

A glass of wine, Robert?

No, I can only stay a minute.

Oh, then, this isn't a social call.

Yes and no.

I have to ask a favor of you.

Oh? Well, sit down.

This murderer Duclasse,

he wants to talk to you.

To me? But whatever for?

Well, he seems to have the idea

that you'll help him.

But I don't even know the man.

Many people know your reputation

as a man who works hard for justice.

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