While Constant Reynaert is a prisoner of war in Germany, Gerard continues to publish Het Vrije Meerse from Holland. De Bellicourt fails to win back Marie-Ange and is ridiculed by her husband. The Baron disappears in dark circumstances. Forester Gentiel Smessaert also does not return from an inspection trip. In Houtegem it is rumored that Gentiel knew more about the disappearance of the baron. A body is found in the forest. Mayor de Bellicourt immediately shows that it is an unknown person ...