This is the text of the short story "Belhomme's Beast" by Guy de Maupassant. Belhomme, one of the travelers in the stagecoach, is convinced that a beast has entered through his ear and is eating his brain. The trip will be poisoned by this old whiner who makes more and more horrible cries. But what is this mysterious beast that is gnawing at poor Belhomme, and how will their trip end?