In Guy Maupassant's "A Piece of String" the suspicion is handled by the rivalry between Maitre Hauchecorne and Maitre Malandain. Malandain accused Hauchecorne of being a thief, when the major asks Hauchecorne about a black leather pocketbook that failed to return he was nervous and didn't know what to do. Ultimately, the accusations drive Hauchecorne to his deadly destiny.