Inciting Incident
Maître Hauchecome of Breaute had just arrived at Goderville, and he was directing his steps toward the public square when he perceived upon the ground a little piece of string. Maître Hauchecome, economical like a true Norman, thought that everything useful ought to be picked up, and he bent painfully, for he suffered from rheumatism. He took the bit of thin cord from the ground and began to roll it carefully when he noticed Maître Malandain, the harness maker, on the threshold of his door, looking at him.
When Maitre Hauchcome picks the string off the ground, he commits the act that sets the story in motion. The simple act of picking up the piece of string will lead Malandain to accuse him of stealing the wallet and ultimately, to Hauchcome's death.