characters involved. The opening of the collection sets a somber tone with the introduction of Médéric Rompel, a mail carrier, who discovers the lifeless body of a young girl, now revealed to be the victim of a brutal crime. As he grapples with the shocking sight, the story quickly shifts to the mayor, Monsieur Renardet, who orchestrates the ensuing investigation while dealing with his own internal turmoil. The text paints a vivid picture of the small community's emotional response, as they confront fear, grief, and the lurking threat of evil represented by the child’s murder. This grim beginning serves to engage the reader in a narrative that balances emotional poignancy with a critical look at human nature and societal justice. (This is an automatically generated summary.)