Summary

Mathilde shows her father the contents of the mahogany box. He wants to comfort her, but he does not know how. Germain Pire finds Manech alive and living in Milly-la-Foret. He is in good health, but he has complete amnesia. He has been told that he is Jean Desrochelles. Juliette Desrochelles, whom he thinks is his mother, cares for him. Juliette's real son Jean was two years older than Manech, and he was killed in the war. Mrs. Desrochelles, a widow who raised her son alone, was distraught when she learned of her son’s death. Corporal Urbain Chardolot, had been the one to bring her the news. He had related the story to her of the five soldiers who were tossed over the trench where Jean Desrochelles was stationed. He told her she could save the youngest of these men who was...