Summary

In the second chapter, entitled Dromiols, the narrator describes the days following his arrival at Le Redousse, November 13th through November 16th. He describes his conversations with Balandran, who is terse and soft-spoken. As the heavy rains begin to erode the island, the narrator finds Balandran building a landing on the bank of the river. Balandran explains that the landing is to accommodate the arrival of Dromiols, the notaire. When the narrator asks Balandran how he knows of Dromiols’ arrival, Balandran explains that it is a fact that he intuits.

Later the narrator stands on the bank of the river watching as a boat arrives from the opposite shore carrying Balandran, Brequillet, Dromiols, and Dromiols’ clerk, Uncle Rat. Balandran informs the narrator that Dromiols will be staying with him while they sort out the business of Malicroix’s will.

When they return to the...