第18章

CHAPTERIV

THEREMARKSOFTHEPRINCIPALTENANT

JeanValjeanwasprudentenoughnevertogooutbyday。

Everyevening，attwilight，hewalkedforanhourortwo，sometimesalone，oftenwithCosette，seekingthemostdesertedsidealleysoftheboulevard，andenteringchurchesatnightfall。

HelikedtogotoSaint—Medard，whichisthenearestchurch。

WhenhedidnottakeCosettewithhim，sheremainedwiththeoldwoman；

butthechild’sdelightwastogooutwiththegoodman。Shepreferredanhourwithhimtoallherrapturoustete—a—teteswithCatherine。

Heheldherhandastheywalked，andsaidsweetthingstoher。

ItturnedoutthatCosettewasaverygaylittleperson。

Theoldwomanattendedtothehousekeepingandcookingandwenttomarket。

Theylivedsoberly，alwayshavingalittlefire，butlikepeopleinverymoderatecircumstances。JeanValjeanhadmadenoalterationsinthefurnitureasitwasthefirstday；hehadmerelyhadtheglassdoorleadingtoCosette’sdressing—roomreplacedbyasoliddoor。

Hestillworehisyellowcoat，hisblackbreeches，andhisoldhat。

Inthestreet，hewastakenforapoorman。Itsometimeshappenedthatkind—heartedwomenturnedbacktobestowasouonhim。

JeanValjeanacceptedthesouwithadeepbow。Italsohappenedoccasionallythatheencounteredsomepoorwretchaskingalms；

thenhelookedbehindhimtomakesurethatnoonewasobservinghim，stealthilyapproachedtheunfortunateman，putapieceofmoneyintohishand，oftenasilvercoin，andwalkedrapidlyaway。

Thishaditsdisadvantages。Hebegantobeknownintheneighborhoodunderthenameofthebeggarwhogivesalms。

Theoldprincipallodger，across—lookingcreature，whowasthoroughlypermeated，sofarasherneighborswereconcerned，withtheinquisitivenesspeculiartoenviouspersons，scrutinizedJeanValjeanagreatdeal，withouthissuspectingthefact。Shewasalittledeaf，whichrenderedhertalkative。Thereremainedtoherfromherpast，twoteeth，——oneabove，theotherbelow，——whichshewascontinuallyknockingagainsteachother。ShehadquestionedCosette，whohadnotbeenabletotellheranything，sincesheknewnothingherselfexceptthatshehadcomefromMontfermeil。Onemorning，thisspysawJeanValjean，withanairwhichstrucktheoldgossipaspeculiar，enteringoneoftheuninhabitedcompartmentsofthehovel。

Shefollowedhimwiththestepofanoldcat，andwasabletoobservehimwithoutbeingseen，throughacrackinthedoor，whichwasdirectlyoppositehim。JeanValjeanhadhisbackturnedtowardsthisdoor，bywayofgreatersecurity，nodoubt。Theoldwomansawhimfumbleinhispocketanddrawthenceacase，scissors，andthread；thenhebegantoriptheliningofoneoftheskirtsofhiscoat，andfromtheopeninghetookabitofyellowishpaper，whichheunfolded。

Theoldwomanrecognized，withterror，thefactthatitwasabank—billforathousandfrancs。Itwasthesecondorthirdonlythatshehadseeninthecourseofherexistence。Shefledinalarm。

Amomentlater，JeanValjeanaccostedher，andaskedhertogoandgetthisthousand—francbillchangedforhim，addingthatitwashisquarterlyincome，whichhehadreceivedthedaybefore。

"Where？"thoughttheoldwoman。"Hedidnotgooutuntilsixo’clockintheevening，andthegovernmentbankcertainlyisnotopenatthathour。"Theoldwomanwenttogetthebillchanged，andmentionedhersurmises。Thatthousand—francnote，commentedonandmultiplied，producedavastamountofterrifieddiscussionamongthegossipsoftheRuedesVignesSaint—Marcel。

Afewdayslater，itchancedthatJeanValjeanwassawingsomewood，inhisshirt—sleeves，inthecorridor。Theoldwomanwasinthechamber，puttingthingsinorder。Shewasalone。Cosettewasoccupiedinadmiringthewoodasitwassawed。Theoldwomancaughtsightofthecoathangingonanail，andexaminedit。Thelininghadbeensewedupagain。Thegoodwomanfeltofitcarefully，andthoughtsheobservedintheskirtsandreversthicknessesofpaper。

Morethousand—francbank—bills，nodoubt！

Shealsonoticedthattherewereallsortsofthingsinthepockets。

Notonlytheneedles，thread，andscissorswhichshehadseen，butabigpocket—book，averylargeknife，and——asuspiciouscircumstance——

severalwigsofvariouscolors。Eachpocketofthiscoathadtheairofbeinginamannerprovidedagainstunexpectedaccidents。

Thustheinhabitantsofthehousereachedthelastdaysofwinter。

CHAPTERV

AFIVE—FRANCPIECEFALLSONTHEGROUNDANDPRODUCESATUMULT

NearSaint—Medard’schurchtherewasapoormanwhowasinthehabitofcrouchingonthebrinkofapublicwellwhichhadbeencondemned，andonwhomJeanValjeanwasfondofbestowingcharity。Heneverpassedthismanwithoutgivinghimafewsous。Sometimeshespoketohim。

Thosewhoenviedthismendicantsaidthathebelongedtothepolice。

Hewasanex—beadleofseventy—five，whowasconstantlymumblinghisprayers。

Oneevening，asJeanValjeanwaspassingby，whenhehadnotCosettewithhim，hesawthebeggarinhisusualplace，beneaththelanternwhichhadjustbeenlighted。Themanseemedengagedinprayer，accordingtohiscustom，andwasmuchbentover。JeanValjeansteppeduptohimandplacedhiscustomaryalmsinhishand。

Themendicantraisedhiseyessuddenly，staredintentlyatJeanValjean，thendroppedhisheadquickly。Thismovementwaslikeaflashoflightning。JeanValjeanwasseizedwithashudder。

Itseemedtohimthathehadjustcaughtsight，bythelightofthestreetlantern，notoftheplacidandbeamingvisageoftheoldbeadle，butofawell—knownandstartlingface。

Heexperiencedthesameimpressionthatonewouldhaveonfindingone’sself，allofasudden，facetoface，inthedark，withatiger。

Herecoiled，terrified，petrified，daringneithertobreathe，tospeak，toremain，nortoflee，staringatthebeggarwhohaddroppedhishead，whichwasenvelopedinarag，andnolongerappearedtoknowthathewasthere。Atthisstrangemoment，aninstinct——

possiblythemysteriousinstinctofself—preservation，——restrainedJeanValjeanfromutteringaword。Thebeggarhadthesamefigure，thesamerags，thesameappearanceashehadeveryday。"Bah！"saidJeanValjean，"Iammad！Iamdreaming！Impossible！"Andhereturnedprofoundlytroubled。

Hehardlydaredtoconfess，eventohimself，thatthefacewhichhethoughthehadseenwasthefaceofJavert。

Thatnight，onthinkingthematterover，heregrettednothavingquestionedtheman，inordertoforcehimtoraisehisheadasecondtime。

Onthefollowingday，atnightfall，hewentback。Thebeggarwasathispost。"Goodday，mygoodman，"saidJeanValjean，resolutely，handinghimasou。Thebeggarraisedhishead，andrepliedinawhiningvoice，"Thanks，mygoodsir。"Itwasunmistakablytheex—beadle。

JeanValjeanfeltcompletelyreassured。Hebegantolaugh。

"HowthedeucecouldIhavethoughtthatIsawJavertthere？"

hethought。"AmIgoingtolosemyeyesightnow？"Andhethoughtnomoreaboutit。

Afewdaysafterwards，——itmighthavebeenateighto’clockintheevening，——hewasinhisroom，andengagedinmakingCosettespellaloud，whenheheardthehousedooropenandthenshutagain。

Thisstruckhimassingular。Theoldwoman，whowastheonlyinhabitantofthehouseexcepthimself，alwayswenttobedatnightfall，sothatshemightnotburnouthercandles。JeanValjeanmadeasigntoCosettetobequiet。Heheardsomeoneascendingthestairs。

Itmightpossiblybetheoldwoman，whomighthavefallenillandhavebeenouttotheapothecary’s。JeanValjeanlistened。

Thestepwasheavy，andsoundedlikethatofaman；buttheoldwomanworestoutshoes，andthereisnothingwhichsostronglyresemblesthestepofamanasthatofanoldwoman。Nevertheless，JeanValjeanblewouthiscandle。

HehadsentCosettetobed，sayingtoherinalowvoice，"Getintobedverysoftly"；andashekissedherbrow，thestepspaused。

JeanValjeanremainedsilent，motionless，withhisbacktowardsthedoor，seatedonthechairfromwhichhehadnotstirred，andholdinghisbreathinthedark。

Aftertheexpirationofaratherlonginterval，heturnedround，asheheardnothingmore，and，asheraisedhiseyestowardsthedoorofhischamber，hesawalightthroughthekeyhole。Thislightformedasortofsinisterstarintheblacknessofthedoorandthewall。

Therewasevidentlysomeonethere，whowasholdingacandleinhishandandlistening。

Severalminuteselapsedthus，andthelightretreated。Butheheardnosoundoffootsteps，whichseemedtoindicatethatthepersonwhohadbeenlisteningatthedoorhadremovedhisshoes。

JeanValjeanthrewhimself，alldressedashewas，onhisbed，andcouldnotclosehiseyesallnight。

Atdaybreak，justashewasfallingintoadozethroughfatigue，hewasawakenedbythecreakingofadoorwhichopenedonsomeatticattheendofthecorridor，thenheheardthesamemasculinefootstepwhichhadascendedthestairsontheprecedingevening。

Thestepwasapproaching。Hesprangoffthebedandappliedhiseyetothekeyhole，whichwastolerablylarge，hopingtoseethepersonwhohadmadehiswaybynightintothehouseandhadlistenedathisdoor，ashepassed。Itwasaman，infact，whopassed，thistimewithoutpausing，infrontofJeanValjean’schamber。Thecorridorwastoodarktoallowoftheperson’sfacebeingdistinguished；

butwhenthemanreachedthestaircase，arayoflightfromwithoutmadeitstandoutlikeasilhouette，andJeanValjeanhadacompleteviewofhisback。Themanwasofloftystature，cladinalongfrock—coat，withacudgelunderhisarm。TheformidableneckandshouldersbelongedtoJavert。

JeanValjeanmighthaveattemptedtocatchanotherglimpseofhimthroughhiswindowopeningontheboulevard，buthewouldhavebeenobligedtoopenthewindow:hedarednot。

Itwasevidentthatthismanhadenteredwithakey，andlikehimself。

Whohadgivenhimthatkey？Whatwasthemeaningofthis？

Whentheoldwomancametodothework，atseveno’clockinthemorning，JeanValjeancastapenetratingglanceonher，buthedidnotquestionher。Thegoodwomanappearedasusual。

Asshesweptupsheremarkedtohim:——

"PossiblyMonsieurmayhaveheardsomeonecomeinlastnight？"

Atthatage，andonthatboulevard，eighto’clockintheeveningwasthedeadofthenight。

"Thatistrue，bytheway，"hereplied，inthemostnaturaltonepossible。"Whowasit？"

"Itwasanewlodgerwhohascomeintothehouse，"saidtheoldwoman。

"Andwhatishisname？"

"Idon’tknowexactly；Dumont，orDaumont，orsomenameofthatsort。"

"AndwhoisthisMonsieurDumont？"

Theoldwomangazedathimwithherlittlepolecateyes，andanswered:——

"Agentlemanofproperty，likeyourself。"

Perhapsshehadnoulteriormeaning。JeanValjeanthoughtheperceivedone。

Whentheoldwomanhadtakenherdeparture，hedidupahundredfrancswhichhehadinacupboard，intoaroll，andputitinhispocket。

Inspiteofalltheprecautionswhichhetookinthisoperationsothathemightnotbeheardrattlingsilver，ahundred—soupieceescapedfromhishandsandrollednoisilyonthefloor。

Whendarknesscameon，hedescendedandcarefullyscrutinizedbothsidesoftheboulevard。Hesawnoone。Theboulevardappearedtobeabsolutelydeserted。Itistruethatapersoncanconcealhimselfbehindtrees。

Hewentupstairsagain。

"Come。"hesaidtoCosette。

Hetookherbythehand，andtheybothwentout。

BOOKFIFTH。——FORABLACKHUNT，AMUTEPACK

CHAPTERI

THEZIGZAGSOFSTRATEGY

Anobservationherebecomesnecessary，inviewofthepageswhichthereaderisabouttoperuse，andofotherswhichwillbemetwithfurtheron。

Theauthorofthisbook，whoregretsthenecessityofmentioninghimself，hasbeenabsentfromParisformanyyears。Parishasbeentransformedsincehequittedit。Anewcityhasarisen，whichis，afterafashion，unknowntohim。ThereisnoneedforhimtosaythathelovesParis:

Parisishismind’snatalcity。Inconsequenceofdemolitionsandreconstructions，theParisofhisyouth，thatPariswhichheboreawayreligiouslyinhismemory，isnowaParisofdaysgoneby。

HemustbepermittedtospeakofthatParisasthoughitstillexisted。

Itispossiblethatwhentheauthorconductshisreaderstoaspotandsays，"Insuchastreettherestandssuchandsuchahouse，"

neitherstreetnorhousewillanylongerexistinthatlocality。

Readersmayverifythefactsiftheycaretotakethetrouble。

Forhisownpart，heisunacquaintedwiththenewParis，andhewriteswiththeoldParisbeforehiseyesinanillusionwhichisprecioustohim。Itisadelighttohimtodreamthattherestilllingersbehindhimsomethingofthatwhichhebeheldwhenhewasinhisowncountry，andthatallhasnotvanished。Solongasyougoandcomeinyournativeland，youimaginethatthosestreetsareamatterofindifferencetoyou；thatthosewindows，thoseroofs，andthosedoorsarenothingtoyou；thatthosewallsarestrangerstoyou；thatthosetreesaremerelythefirstencounteredhaphazard；

thatthosehouses，whichyoudonotenter，areuselesstoyou；

thatthepavementswhichyoutreadaremerelystones。Lateron，whenyouarenolongerthere，youperceivethatthestreetsaredeartoyou；thatyoumissthoseroofs，thosedoors；andthatthosewallsarenecessarytoyou，thosetreesarewellbelovedbyyou；

thatyouenteredthosehouseswhichyouneverentered，everyday，andthatyouhaveleftapartofyourheart，ofyourblood，ofyoursoul，inthosepavements。Allthoseplaceswhichyounolongerbehold，whichyoumayneverbeholdagain，perchance，andwhosememoryyouhavecherished，takeonamelancholycharm，recurtoyourmindwiththemelancholyofanapparition，maketheholylandvisibletoyou，andare，sotospeak，theveryformofFrance，andyoulovethem；andyoucallthemupastheyare，astheywere，andyoupersistinthis，andyouwillsubmittonochange:

foryouareattachedtothefigureofyourfatherlandastothefaceofyourmother。

Maywe，then，bepermittedtospeakofthepastinthepresent？

Thatsaid，webegthereadertotakenoteofit，andwecontinue。

JeanValjeaninstantlyquittedtheboulevardandplungedintothestreets，takingthemostintricatelineswhichhecoulddevise，returningonhistrackattimes，tomakesurethathewasnotbeingfollowed。

Thismanoeuvreispeculiartothehuntedstag。Onsoilwhereanimprintofthetrackmaybeleft，thismanoeuvrepossesses，amongotheradvantages，thatofdeceivingthehuntsmenandthedogs，bythrowingthemonthewrongscent。Invenerythisiscalledfalsere—imbushment。

Themoonwasfullthatnight。JeanValjeanwasnotsorryforthis。

Themoon，stillveryclosetothehorizon，castgreatmassesoflightandshadowinthestreets。JeanValjeancouldglidealongclosetothehousesonthedarkside，andyetkeepwatchonthelightside。

Hedidnot，perhaps，takesufficientlyintoconsiderationthefactthatthedarksideescapedhim。Still，inthedesertedlaneswhichlieneartheRuePoliveau，hethoughthefeltcertainthatnoonewasfollowinghim。

Cosettewalkedonwithoutaskinganyquestions。Thesufferingsofthefirstsixyearsofherlifehadinstilledsomethingpassiveintohernature。Moreover，——andthisisaremarktowhichweshallfrequentlyhaveoccasiontorecur，——shehadgrownused，withoutbeingherselfawareofit，tothepeculiaritiesofthisgoodmanandtothefreaksofdestiny。Andthenshewaswithhim，andshefeltsafe。

JeanValjeanknewnomorewherehewasgoingthandidCosette。

HetrustedinGod，asshetrustedinhim。Itseemedasthoughhealsowereclingingtothehandofsomeonegreaterthanhimself；

hethoughthefeltabeingleadinghim，thoughinvisible。

However，hehadnosettledidea，noplan，noproject。HewasnotevenabsolutelysurethatitwasJavert，andthenitmighthavebeenJavert，withoutJavertknowingthathewasJeanValjean。Wasnothedisguised？Wasnothebelievedtobedead？Still，queerthingshadbeengoingonforseveraldays。Hewantednomoreofthem。

HewasdeterminednottoreturntotheGorbeauhouse。Likethewildanimalchasedfromitslair，hewasseekingaholeinwhichhemighthideuntilhecouldfindonewherehemightdwell。

JeanValjeandescribedmanyandvariedlabyrinthsintheMouffetardquarter，whichwasalreadyasleep，asthoughthedisciplineoftheMiddleAgesandtheyokeofthecurfewstillexisted；

hecombinedinvariousmanners，withcunningstrategy，theRueCensierandtheRueCopeau，theRueduBattoir—Saint—VictorandtheRueduPuitsl’Ermite。Therearelodginghousesinthislocality，buthedidnotevenenterone，findingnothingwhichsuitedhim。

Hehadnodoubtthatifanyonehadchancedtobeuponhistrack，theywouldhavelostit。

Aseleveno’clockstruckfromSaint—Etienne—du—Mont，hewastraversingtheRuedePontoise，infrontoftheofficeofthecommissaryofpolice，situatedatNo。14。Afewmomentslater，theinstinctofwhichwehavespokenabovemadehimturnround。

Atthatmomenthesawdistinctly，thankstothecommissary’slantern，whichbetrayedthem，threemenwhowerefollowinghimclosely，pass，oneaftertheother，underthatlantern，onthedarksideofthestreet。

Oneofthethreeenteredthealleyleadingtothecommissary’shouse。

Theonewhomarchedattheirheadstruckhimasdecidedlysuspicious。

"Come，child，"hesaidtoCosette；andhemadehastetoquittheRuePontoise。

Hetookacircuit，turnedintothePassagedesPatriarches，whichwasclosedonaccountofthehour，strodealongtheRuedel’Epee—de—BoisandtheRuedel’Arbalete，andplungedintotheRuedesPostes。

Atthattimetherewasasquareformedbytheintersectionofstreets，wheretheCollegeRollinstandsto—day，andwheretheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveturnsoff。

Itisunderstood，ofcourse，thattheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveisanoldstreet，andthataposting—chaisedoesnotpassthroughtheRuedesPostesonceintenyears。InthethirteenthcenturythisRuedesPosteswasinhabitedbypotters，anditsrealnameisRuedesPots。

Themooncastalividlightintothisopenspace。JeanValjeanwentintoambushinadoorway，calculatingthatifthemenwerestillfollowinghim，hecouldnotfailtogetagoodlookatthem，astheytraversedthisilluminatedspace。

Inpointoffact，threeminuteshadnotelapsedwhenthemenmadetheirappearance。Therewerefourofthemnow。Allweretall，dressedinlong，browncoats，withroundhats，andhugecudgelsintheirhands。Theirgreatstatureandtheirvastfistsrenderedthemnolessalarmingthandidtheirsinisterstridethroughthedarkness。

Onewouldhavepronouncedthemfourspectresdisguisedasbourgeois。

Theyhaltedinthemiddleofthespaceandformedagroup，likemeninconsultation。Theyhadanairofindecision。TheonewhoappearedtobetheirleaderturnedroundandpointedhastilywithhisrighthandinthedirectionwhichJeanValjeanhadtaken；anotherseemedtoindicatethecontrarydirectionwithconsiderableobstinacy。

Atthemomentwhenthefirstmanwheeledround，themoonfellfullinhisface。JeanValjeanrecognizedJavertperfectly。

CHAPTERII

ITISLUCKYTHATTHEPONTD’AUSTERLITZBEARSCARRIAGES

UncertaintywasatanendforJeanValjean:fortunatelyitstilllastedforthemen。Hetookadvantageoftheirhesitation。

Itwastimelostforthem，butgainedforhim。Heslippedfromunderthegatewherehehadconcealedhimself，andwentdowntheRuedesPostes，towardstheregionoftheJardindesPlantes。Cosettewasbeginningtobetired。Hetookherinhisarmsandcarriedher。

Therewerenopassers—by，andthestreetlanternshadnotbeenlightedonaccountoftherebeingamoon。

Heredoubledhispace。

InafewstrideshehadreachedtheGobletpotteries，onthefrontofwhichthemoonlightrendereddistinctlylegibletheancientinscription:——

DeGobletfilsc’esticilafabrique；[14]

Venezchoisirdescruchesetdesbroos，Despotsafleurs，destuyaux，delabrique。

AtoutvenantleCoeurvenddesCarreaux。

[14]ThisisthefactoryofGobletJunior:

Comechooseyourjugsandcrocks，Flower—pots，pipes，bricks。

TheHeartsellsDiamondstoeverycomer。

HeleftbehindhimtheRuedelaClef，thentheFountainSaint—Victor，skirtedtheJardindesPlantesbythelowerstreets，andreachedthequay。Thereheturnedround。Thequaywasdeserted。Thestreetsweredeserted。Therewasnoonebehindhim。Hedrewalongbreath。

HegainedthePontd’Austerlitz。

Tollswerestillcollectedthereatthatepoch。

Hepresentedhimselfatthetollofficeandhandedoverasou。

"Itistwosous，"saidtheoldsoldierinchargeofthebridge。

"Youarecarryingachildwhocanwalk。Payfortwo。"

Hepaid，vexedthathispassageshouldhavearousedremark。

Everyflightshouldbeanimperceptibleslippingaway。

AheavycartwascrossingtheSeineatthesametimeashimself，andonitsway，likehim，totherightbank。Thiswasofusetohim。

Hecouldtraversethebridgeintheshadowofthecart。

TowardsthemiddleoftheBridge，Cosette，whosefeetwerebenumbed，wantedtowalk。Hesetheronthegroundandtookherhandagain。

Thebridgeoncecrossed，heperceivedsometimber—yardsonhisright。

Hedirectedhiscoursethither。Inordertoreachthem，itwasnecessarytoriskhimselfinatolerablylargeunshelteredandilluminatedspace。Hedidnothesitate。Thosewhowereonhistrackhadevidentlylostthescent，andJeanValjeanbelievedhimselftobeoutofdanger。Hunted，yes；followed，no。

Alittlestreet，theRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine，openedoutbetweentwotimber—yardsenclosedinwalls。Thisstreetwasdarkandnarrowandseemedmadeexpresslyforhim。Beforeenteringithecastaglancebehindhim，FromthepointwherehestoodhecouldseethewholeextentofthePontd’Austerlitz。

Fourshadowswerejustenteringonthebridge。

TheseshadowshadtheirbacksturnedtotheJardindesPlantesandwereontheirwaytotherightbank。

Thesefourshadowswerethefourmen。

JeanValjeanshudderedlikethewildbeastwhichisrecaptured。

Onehoperemainedtohim；itwas，thatthemenhadnot，perhaps，steppedonthebridge，andhadnotcaughtsightofhimwhilehewascrossingthelargeilluminatedspace，holdingCosettebythehand。

Inthatcase，byplungingintothelittlestreetbeforehim，hemightescape，ifhecouldreachthetimber—yards，themarshes，themarket—gardens，theuninhabitedgroundwhichwasnotbuiltupon。

Itseemedtohimthathemightcommithimselftothatsilentlittlestreet。Heenteredit。

CHAPTERIII

TOWIT，THEPLANOFPARISIN1727

Threehundredpacesfurtheron，hearrivedatapointwherethestreetforked。Itseparatedintotwostreets，whichraninaslantingline，onetotheright，andtheothertotheleft。

JeanValjeanhadbeforehimwhatresembledthetwobranchesofaY。Whichshouldhechoose？Hedidnothesitate，buttooktheoneontheright。

Why？

Becausethattotheleftrantowardsasuburb，thatistosay，towardsinhabitedregions，andtherightbranchtowardstheopencountry，thatistosay，towardsdesertedregions。

However，theynolongerwalkedveryfast。Cosette’spaceretardedJeanValjean’s。

Hetookherupandcarriedheragain。Cosettelaidherheadontheshoulderofthegoodmanandsaidnotaword。

Heturnedroundfromtimetotimeandlookedbehindhim。

Hetookcaretokeepalwaysonthedarksideofthestreet。

Thestreetwasstraightinhisrear。Thefirsttwoorthreetimesthatheturnedroundhesawnothing；thesilencewasprofound，andhecontinuedhismarchsomewhatreassured。Allatonce，onturninground，hethoughtheperceivedintheportionofthestreetwhichhehadjustpassedthrough，faroffintheobscurity，somethingwhichwasmoving。

Herushedforwardprecipitatelyratherthanwalked，hopingtofindsomeside—street，tomakehisescapethroughit，andthustobreakhisscentoncemore。

Hearrivedatawall。

Thiswall，however，didnotabsolutelypreventfurtherprogress；

itwasawallwhichborderedatransversestreet，inwhichtheonehehadtakenended。

Hereagain，hewasobligedtocometoadecision；shouldhegototherightortotheleft。

Heglancedtotheright。Thefragmentarylanewasprolongedbetweenbuildingswhichwereeithershedsorbarns，thenendedatablindalley。Theextremityofthecul—de—sacwasdistinctlyvisible，——

aloftywhitewall。

Heglancedtotheleft。Onthatsidethelanewasopen，andabouttwohundredpacesfurtheron，ranintoastreetofwhichitwastheaffluent。Onthatsidelaysafety。

AtthemomentwhenJeanValjeanwasmeditatingaturntotheleft，inanefforttoreachthestreetwhichhesawattheendofthelane，heperceivedasortofmotionless，blackstatueatthecornerofthelaneandthestreettowardswhichhewasonthepointofdirectinghissteps。

Itwassomeone，aman，whohadevidentlyjustbeenpostedthere，andwhowasbarringthepassageandwaiting。

JeanValjeanrecoiled。

ThepointofPariswhereJeanValjeanfoundhimself，situatedbetweentheFaubourgSaint—AntoineandlaRapee，isoneofthosewhichrecentimprovementshavetransformedfromtoptobottom，——

resultingindisfigurementaccordingtosome，andinatransfigurationaccordingtoothers。Themarket—gardens，thetimber—yards，andtheoldbuildingshavebeeneffaced。To—day，therearebrand—new，widestreets，arenas，circuses，hippodromes，railwaystations，andaprison，Mazas，there；progress，asthereadersees，withitsantidote。

Halfacenturyago，inthatordinary，populartongue，whichisallcompoundedoftraditions，whichpersistsincallingtheInstitutlesQuatre—Nations，andtheOpera—ComiqueFeydeau，theprecisespotwhitherJeanValjeanhadarrivedwascalledlePetitPicpus。

ThePorteSaint—Jacques，thePorteParis，theBarrieredesSergents，thePorcherons，laGaliote，lesCelestins，lesCapucins，leMail，laBourbe，l’ArbredeCracovie，laPetite—Pologne——thesearethenamesofoldPariswhichsurviveamidthenew。Thememoryofthepopulacehoversovertheserelicsofthepast。

LePetit—Picpus，which，moreover，hardlyeverhadanyexistence，andneverwasmorethantheoutlineofaquarter，hadnearlythemonkishaspectofaSpanishtown。Theroadswerenotmuchpaved；

thestreetswerenotmuchbuiltup。Withtheexceptionofthetwoorthreestreets，ofwhichweshallpresentlyspeak，allwaswallandsolitudethere。Notashop，notavehicle，hardlyacandlelightedhereandthereinthewindows；alllightsextinguishedafterteno’clock。Gardens，convents，timber—yards，marshes；

occasionallowlydwellingsandgreatwallsashighasthehouses。

Suchwasthisquarterinthelastcentury。TheRevolutionsnubbeditsoundly。Therepublicangovernmentdemolishedandcutthroughit。

Rubbishshootswereestablishedthere。Thirtyyearsago，thisquarterwasdisappearingundertheerasingprocessofnewbuildings。

To—day，ithasbeenutterlyblottedout。ThePetit—Picpus，ofwhichnoexistingplanhaspreservedatrace，isindicatedwithsufficientclearnessintheplanof1727，publishedatParisbyDenisThierry，RueSaint—Jacques，oppositetheRueduPlatre；

andatLyons，byJeanGirin，RueMerciere，atthesignofPrudence。

Petit—Picpushad，aswehavejustmentioned，aYofstreets，formedbytheRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine，whichspreadoutintwobranches，takingontheleftthenameofLittlePicpusStreet，andontherightthenameoftheRuePolonceau。

ThetwolimbsoftheYwereconnectedattheapexasbyabar；

thisbarwascalledRueDroit—Mur。TheRuePolonceauendedthere；

RuePetit—Picpuspassedon，andascendedtowardstheLenoirmarket。

ApersoncomingfromtheSeinereachedtheextremityoftheRuePolonceau，andhadonhisrighttheRueDroit—Mur，turningabruptlyatarightangle，infrontofhimthewallofthatstreet，andonhisrightatruncatedprolongationoftheRueDroit—Mur，whichhadnoissueandwascalledtheCul—de—SacGenrot。

ItwasherethatJeanValjeanstood。

Aswehavejustsaid，oncatchingsightofthatblacksilhouettestandingonguardattheangleoftheRueDroit—MurandtheRuePetit—Picpus，herecoiled。Therecouldbenodoubtofit。

Thatphantomwaslyinginwaitforhim。

Whatwashetodo？

Thetimeforretreatingwaspassed。Thatwhichhehadperceivedinmovementaninstantbefore，inthedistantdarkness，wasJavertandhissquadwithoutadoubt。JavertwasprobablyalreadyatthecommencementofthestreetatwhoseendJeanValjeanstood。

Javert，toallappearances，wasacquaintedwiththislittlelabyrinth，andhadtakenhisprecautionsbysendingoneofhismentoguardtheexit。Thesesurmises，whichsocloselyresembledproofs，whirledsuddenly，likeahandfulofdustcaughtupbyanunexpectedgustofwind，throughJeanValjean’smournfulbrain。

HeexaminedtheCul—de—SacGenrot；therehewascutoff。

HeexaminedtheRuePetit—Picpus；therestoodasentinel。Hesawthatblackformstandingoutinreliefagainstthewhitepavement，illuminatedbythemoon；toadvancewastofallintothisman’shands；

toretreatwastoflinghimselfintoJavert’sarms。JeanValjeanfelthimselfcaught，asinanet，whichwasslowlycontracting；

hegazedheavenwardindespair。

CHAPTERIV

THEGROPINGSOFFLIGHT

Inordertounderstandwhatfollows，itisrequisitetoformanexactideaoftheDroit—Murlane，and，inparticular，oftheanglewhichoneleavesontheleftwhenoneemergesfromtheRuePolonceauintothislane。Droit—Murlanewasalmostentirelyborderedontheright，asfarastheRuePetit—Picpus，byhousesofmeanaspect；

ontheleftbyasolitarybuildingofsevereoutlines，composedofnumerouspartswhichgrewgraduallyhigherbyastoryortwoastheyapproachedtheRuePetit—Picpusside；sothatthisbuilding，whichwasveryloftyontheRuePetit—Picpusside，wastolerablylowonthesideadjoiningtheRuePolonceau。There，attheangleofwhichwehavespoken，itdescendedtosuchadegreethatitconsistedofmerelyawall。ThiswalldidnotabutdirectlyontheStreet；

itformedadeeplyretreatingniche，concealedbyitstwocornersfromtwoobserverswhomighthavebeen，oneintheRuePolonceau，theotherintheRueDroit—Mur。

Beginningwiththeseanglesoftheniche，thewallextendedalongtheRuePolonceauasfarasahousewhichborethenumber49，andalongtheRueDroit—Mur，wherethefragmentwasmuchshorter，asfarasthegloomybuildingwhichwehavementionedandwhosegableitintersected，thusforminganotherretreatingangleinthestreet。

Thisgablewassombreofaspect；onlyonewindowwasvisible，or，tospeakmorecorrectly，twoshutterscoveredwithasheetofzincandkeptconstantlyclosed。

Thestateoftheplacesofwhichweareheregivingadescriptionisrigorouslyexact，andwillcertainlyawakenaveryprecisememoryinthemindofoldinhabitantsofthequarter。

Thenichewasentirelyfilledbyathingwhichresembledacolossalandwretcheddoor；itwasavast，formlessassemblageofperpendicularplanks，theupperonesbeingbroaderthanthelower，boundtogetherbylongtransversestripsofiron。

Atonesidetherewasacarriagegateoftheordinarydimensions，andwhichhadevidentlynotbeencutmorethanfiftyyearspreviously。

Alinden—treeshoweditscrestabovetheniche，andthewallwascoveredwithivyonthesideoftheRuePolonceau。

IntheimminentperilinwhichJeanValjeanfoundhimself，thissombrebuildinghadaboutitasolitaryanduninhabitedlookwhichtemptedhim。Heranhiseyesrapidlyoverit；hesaidtohimself，thatifhecouldcontrivetogetinsideit，hemightsavehimself。

Firstheconceivedanidea，thenahope。

Inthecentralportionofthefrontofthisbuilding，ontheRueDroit—Murside，therewereatallthewindowsofthedifferentstoriesancientcisternpipesoflead。Thevariousbranchesofthepipeswhichledfromonecentralpipetoalltheselittlebasinssketchedoutasortoftreeonthefront。Theseramificationsofpipeswiththeirhundredelbowsimitatedthoseoldleaflessvine—stockswhichwritheoverthefrontsofoldfarm—houses。

Thisoddespalier，withitsbranchesofleadandiron，wasthefirstthingthatstruckJeanValjean。HeseatedCosettewithherbackagainstastonepost，withaninjunctiontobesilent，andrantothespotwheretheconduittouchedthepavement。

Perhapstherewassomewayofclimbingupbyitandenteringthehouse。

Butthepipewasdilapidatedandpastservice，andhardlyhungtoitsfastenings。Moreover，allthewindowsofthissilentdwellingweregratedwithheavyironbars，eventheatticwindowsintheroof。

Andthen，themoonfellfulluponthatfacade，andthemanwhowaswatchingatthecornerofthestreetwouldhaveseenJeanValjeanintheactofclimbing。Andfinally，whatwastobedonewithCosette？

Howwasshetobedrawnuptothetopofathree—storyhouse？

Hegaveupallideaofclimbingbymeansofthedrain—pipe，andcrawledalongthewalltogetbackintotheRuePolonceau。

WhenhereachedtheslantofthewallwherehehadleftCosette，henoticedthatnoonecouldseehimthere。Aswehavejustexplained，hewasconcealedfromalleyes，nomatterfromwhichdirectiontheywereapproaching；besidesthis，hewasintheshadow。

Finally，thereweretwodoors；perhapstheymightbeforced。

Thewallabovewhichhesawthelinden—treeandtheivyevidentlyabuttedonagardenwherehecould，atleast，hidehimself，althoughtherewereasyetnoleavesonthetrees，andspendtheremainderofthenight。

Timewaspassing；hemustactquickly。

Hefeltoverthecarriagedoor，andimmediatelyrecognizedthefactthatitwasimpracticableoutsideandin。

Heapproachedtheotherdoorwithmorehope；itwasfrightfullydecrepit；

itsveryimmensityrendereditlesssolid；theplankswererotten；

theironbands——therewereonlythreeofthem——wererusted。Itseemedasthoughitmightbepossibletopiercethisworm—eatenbarrier。

Onexaminingithefoundthatthedoorwasnotadoor；ithadneitherhinges，cross—bars，lock，norfissureinthemiddle；

theironbandstraverseditfromsidetosidewithoutanybreak。

Throughthecrevicesintheplankshecaughtaviewofunhewnslabsandblocksofstoneroughlycementedtogether，whichpassers—bymightstillhaveseentheretenyearsago。Hewasforcedtoacknowledgewithconsternationthatthisapparentdoorwassimplythewoodendecorationofabuildingagainstwhichitwasplaced。

Itwaseasytotearoffaplank；butthen，onefoundone’sselffacetofacewithawall。

CHAPTERV

WHICHWOULDBEIMPOSSIBLEWITHGASLANTERNS

Atthatmomentaheavyandmeasuredsoundbegantobeaudibleatsomedistance。JeanValjeanriskedaglanceroundthecornerofthestreet。Sevenoreightsoldiers，drawnupinaplatoon，hadjustdebouchedintotheRuePolonceau。Hesawthegleamoftheirbayonets。Theywereadvancingtowardshim；thesesoldiers，atwhoseheadhedistinguishedJavert’stallfigure，advancedslowlyandcautiously。Theyhaltedfrequently；itwasplainthattheyweresearchingallthenooksofthewallsandalltheembrasuresofthedoorsandalleys。

ThiswassomepatrolthatJaverthadencountered——therecouldbenomistakeastothissurmise——andwhoseaidhehaddemanded。

Javert’stwoacolytesweremarchingintheirranks。

Attherateatwhichtheyweremarching，andinconsiderationofthehaltswhichtheyweremaking，itwouldtakethemaboutaquarterofanhourtoreachthespotwhereJeanValjeanstood。

Itwasafrightfulmoment。AfewminutesonlyseparatedJeanValjeanfromthatterribleprecipicewhichyawnedbeforehimforthethirdtime。Andthegalleysnowmeantnotonlythegalleys，butCosettelosttohimforever；thatistosay，aliferesemblingtheinteriorofatomb。

Therewasbutonethingwhichwaspossible。

JeanValjeanhadthispeculiarity，thathecarried，asonemightsay，twobeggar’spouches:inonehekepthissaintlythoughts；

intheothertheredoubtabletalentsofaconvict。Herummagedintheoneortheother，accordingtocircumstances。

Amonghisotherresources，thankstohisnumerousescapesfromtheprisonatToulon，hewas，asitwillberemembered，apastmasterintheincredibleartofcrawlingupwithoutladderorclimbing—irons，bysheermuscularforce，byleaningonthenapeofhisneck，hisshoulders，hiships，andhisknees，byhelpinghimselfontherareprojectionsofthestone，intherightangleofawall，ashighasthesixthstory，ifneedbe；

anartwhichhasrenderedsocelebratedandsoalarmingthatcornerofthewalloftheConciergerieofParisbywhichBattemolle，condemnedtodeath，madehisescapetwentyyearsago。

JeanValjeanmeasuredwithhiseyesthewallabovewhichheespiedthelinden；itwasabouteighteenfeetinheight。Theanglewhichitformedwiththegableofthelargebuildingwasfilled，atitslowerextremity，byamassofmasonryofatriangularshape，probablyintendedtopreservethattooconvenientcornerfromtherubbishofthosedirtycreaturescalledthepassers—by。ThispracticeoffillingupcornersofthewallismuchinuseinParis。

Thismasswasaboutfivefeetinheight；thespaceabovethesummitofthismasswhichitwasnecessarytoclimbwasnotmorethanfourteenfeet。

Thewallwassurmountedbyaflatstonewithoutacoping。

Cosettewasthedifficulty，forshedidnotknowhowtoclimbawall。

Shouldheabandonher？JeanValjeandidnotoncethinkofthat。

Itwasimpossibletocarryher。Aman’swholestrengthisrequiredtosuccessfullycarryoutthesesingularascents。Theleastburdenwoulddisturbhiscentreofgravityandpullhimdownwards。

Aropewouldhavebeenrequired；JeanValjeanhadnone。Wherewashetogetaropeatmidnight，intheRuePolonceau？Certainly，ifJeanValjeanhadhadakingdom，hewouldhavegivenitforaropeatthatmoment。

Allextremesituationshavetheirlightningflasheswhichsometimesdazzle，sometimesilluminateus。

JeanValjean’sdespairingglancefellonthestreetlantern—postoftheblindalleyGenrot。

Atthatepochtherewerenogas—jetsinthestreetsofParis。

Atnightfalllanternsplacedatregulardistanceswerelighted；

theywereascendedanddescendedbymeansofarope，whichtraversedthestreetfromsidetoside，andwasadjustedinagrooveofthepost。

Thepulleyoverwhichthisroperanwasfastenedunderneaththelanterninalittleironbox，thekeytowhichwaskeptbythelamp—lighter，andtheropeitselfwasprotectedbyametalcase。

JeanValjean，withtheenergyofasupremestruggle，crossedthestreetatonebound，enteredtheblindalley，brokethelatchofthelittleboxwiththepointofhisknife，andaninstantlaterhewasbesideCosetteoncemore。Hehadarope。Thesegloomyinventorsofexpedientsworkrapidlywhentheyarefightingagainstfatality。

Wehavealreadyexplainedthatthelanternshadnotbeenlightedthatnight。ThelanternintheCul—de—SacGenrotwasthusnaturallyextinct，liketherest；andonecouldpassdirectlyunderitwithoutevennoticingthatitwasnolongerinitsplace。

Nevertheless，thehour，theplace，thedarkness，JeanValjean’sabsorption，hissingulargestures，hisgoingsandcomings，allhadbeguntorenderCosetteuneasy。Anyotherchildthanshewouldhavegivenventtoloudshriekslongbefore。ShecontentedherselfwithpluckingJeanValjeanbytheskirtofhiscoat。Theycouldhearthesoundofthepatrol’sapproachevermoreandmoredistinctly。

"Father，"saidshe，inaverylowvoice，"Iamafraid。Whoiscomingyonder？"

"Hush！"repliedtheunhappyman；"itisMadameThenardier。"

Cosetteshuddered。Headded:——

"Saynothing。Don’tinterferewithme。Ifyoucryout，ifyouweep，theThenardierislyinginwaitforyou。Sheiscomingtotakeyouback。"

Then，withouthaste，butwithoutmakingauselessmovement，withfirmandcurtprecision，themoreremarkableatamomentwhenthepatrolandJavertmightcomeuponhimatanymoment，heundidhiscravat，passeditroundCosette’sbodyunderthearmpits，takingcarethatitshouldnothurtthechild，fastenedthiscravattooneendoftherope，bymeansofthatknotwhichseafaringmencalla"swallowknot，"tooktheotherendoftheropeinhisteeth，pulledoffhisshoesandstockings，whichhethrewoverthewall，steppeduponthemassofmasonry，andbegantoraisehimselfintheangleofthewallandthegablewithasmuchsolidityandcertaintyasthoughhehadtheroundsofaladderunderhisfeetandelbows。

Halfaminutehadnotelapsedwhenhewasrestingonhiskneesonthewall。

Cosettegazedathiminstupidamazement，withoututteringaword。

JeanValjean’sinjunction，andthenameofMadameThenardier，hadchilledherblood。

AllatoncesheheardJeanValjean’svoicecryingtoher，thoughinaverylowtone:——

"Putyourbackagainstthewall。"

Sheobeyed。

"Don’tsayaword，anddon’tbealarmed，"wentonJeanValjean。

Andshefeltherselfliftedfromtheground。

Beforeshehadtimetorecoverherself，shewasonthetopofthewall。

JeanValjeangraspedher，putheronhisback，tookhertwotinyhandsinhislargelefthand，laydownflatonhisstomachandcrawledalongontopofthewallasfarasthecant。Ashehadguessed，therestoodabuildingwhoseroofstartedfromthetopofthewoodenbarricadeanddescendedtowithinaveryshortdistanceoftheground，withagentleslopewhichgrazedthelinden—tree。Aluckycircumstance，forthewallwasmuchhigheronthissidethanonthestreetside。

JeanValjeancouldonlyseethegroundatagreatdepthbelowhim。

Hehadjustreachedtheslopeoftheroof，andhadnotyetleftthecrestofthewall，whenaviolentuproarannouncedthearrivalofthepatrol。ThethunderingvoiceofJavertwasaudible:——

"Searchtheblindalley！TheRueDroit—Murisguarded！soistheRuePetit—Picpus。I’llanswerforitthatheisintheblindalley。"

ThesoldiersrushedintotheGenrotalley。

JeanValjeanallowedhimselftoslidedowntheroof，stillholdingfasttoCosette，reachedthelinden—tree，andleapedtotheground。

Whetherfromterrororcourage，Cosettehadnotbreathedasound，thoughherhandswerealittleabraded。

CHAPTERVI

THEBEGINNINGOFANENIGMA

JeanValjeanfoundhimselfinasortofgardenwhichwasveryvastandofsingularaspect；oneofthosemelancholygardenswhichseemmadetobelookedatinwinterandatnight。Thisgardenwasoblonginshape，withanalleyoflargepoplarsatthefurtherend，tolerablytallforesttreesinthecorners，andanunshadedspaceinthecentre，wherecouldbeseenaverylarge，solitarytree，thenseveralfruit—trees，gnarledandbristlinglikebushes，bedsofvegetables，amelonpatch，whoseglassframessparkledinthemoonlight，andanoldwell。

Hereandtherestoodstonebencheswhichseemedblackwithmoss。

Thealleyswereborderedwithgloomyandveryerectlittleshrubs。

Thegrasshadhalftakenpossessionofthem，andagreenmouldcoveredtherest。

JeanValjeanhadbesidehimthebuildingwhoseroofhadservedhimasameansofdescent，apileoffagots，and，behindthefagots，directlyagainstthewall，astonestatue，whosemutilatedfacewasnolongeranythingmorethanashapelessmaskwhichloomedvaguelythroughthegloom。

Thebuildingwasasortofruin，wheredismantledchambersweredistinguishable，oneofwhich，muchencumbered，seemedtoserveasashed。

ThelargebuildingoftheRueDroit—Mur，whichhadawingontheRuePetit—Picpus，turnedtwofacades，atrightangles，towardsthisgarden。

Theseinteriorfacadeswereevenmoretragicthantheexterior。

Allthewindowsweregrated。Notagleamoflightwasvisibleatanyoneofthem。Theupperstoryhadscuttleslikeprisons。

Oneofthosefacadescastitsshadowontheother，whichfelloverthegardenlikeanimmenseblackpall。

Nootherhousewasvisible。Thebottomofthegardenwaslostinmistanddarkness。Nevertheless，wallscouldbeconfusedlymadeout，whichintersectedasthoughthereweremorecultivatedlandbeyond，andthelowroofsoftheRuePolonceau。

Nothingmorewildandsolitarythanthisgardencouldbeimagined。

Therewasnooneinit，whichwasquitenaturalinviewofthehour；

butitdidnotseemasthoughthisspotweremadeforanyonetowalkin，eveninbroaddaylight。

JeanValjean’sfirstcarehadbeentogetholdofhisshoesandputthemonagain，thentostepundertheshedwithCosette。

Amanwhoisfleeingneverthinkshimselfsufficientlyhidden。

Thechild，whosethoughtswerestillontheThenardier，sharedhisinstinctforwithdrawingfromsightasmuchaspossible。

Cosettetrembledandpressedclosetohim。Theyheardthetumultuousnoiseofthepatrolsearchingtheblindalleyandthestreets；

theblowsoftheirgun—stocksagainstthestones；Javert’sappealstothepolicespieswhomhehadposted，andhisimprecationsmingledwithwordswhichcouldnotbedistinguished。

Attheexpirationofaquarterofanhouritseemedasthoughthatspeciesofstormyroarwerebecomingmoredistant。JeanValjeanheldhisbreath。

HehadlaidhishandlightlyonCosette’smouth。

However，thesolitudeinwhichhestoodwassostrangelycalm，thatthisfrightfuluproar，closeandfuriousasitwas，didnotdisturbhimbysomuchastheshadowofamisgiving。

ItseemedasthoughthosewallshadbeenbuiltofthedeafstonesofwhichtheScripturesspeak。

Allatonce，inthemidstofthisprofoundcalm，afreshsoundarose；

asoundascelestial，divine，ineffable，ravishing，astheotherhadbeenhorrible。Itwasahymnwhichissuedfromthegloom，adazzlingburstofprayerandharmonyintheobscureandalarmingsilenceofthenight；women’svoices，butvoicescomposedatoneandthesametimeofthepureaccentsofvirginsandtheinnocentaccentsofchildren，——

voiceswhicharenotoftheearth，andwhichresemblethosethatthenewborninfantstillhears，andwhichthedyingmanhearsalready。

Thissongproceededfromthegloomyedificewhichtoweredabovethegarden。Atthemomentwhenthehubbubofdemonsretreated，onewouldhavesaidthatachoirofangelswasapproachingthroughthegloom。

CosetteandJeanValjeanfellontheirknees。

Theyknewnotwhatitwas，theyknewnotwheretheywere；butbothofthem，themanandthechild，thepenitentandtheinnocent，feltthattheymustkneel。

Thesevoiceshadthisstrangecharacteristic，thattheydidnotpreventthebuildingfromseemingtobedeserted。

Itwasasupernaturalchantinanuninhabitedhouse。

Whilethesevoicesweresinging，JeanValjeanthoughtofnothing。

Henolongerbeheldthenight；hebeheldabluesky。Itseemedtohimthathefeltthosewingswhichweallhavewithinus，unfolding。

Thesongdiedaway。Itmayhavelastedalongtime。JeanValjeancouldnothavetold。Hoursofecstasyarenevermorethanamoment。

Allfellsilentagain。Therewasnolongeranythinginthestreet；

therewasnothinginthegarden。Thatwhichhadmenaced，thatwhichhadreassuredhim，——allhadvanished。Thebreezeswayedafewdryweedsonthecrestofthewall，andtheygaveoutafaint，sweet，melancholysound。

CHAPTERVII

CONTINUATIONOFTHEENIGMA

Thenightwindhadrisen，whichindicatedthatitmustbebetweenoneandtwoo’clockinthemorning。PoorCosettesaidnothing。

Asshehadseatedherselfbesidehimandleanedherheadagainsthim，JeanValjeanhadfanciedthatshewasasleep。Hebentdownandlookedather。Cosette’seyeswerewideopen，andherthoughtfulairpainedJeanValjean。

Shewasstilltrembling。

"Areyousleepy？"saidJeanValjean。

"Iamverycold，"shereplied。

Amomentlatersheresumed:——

"Isshestillthere？"

"Who？"saidJeanValjean。

"MadameThenardier。"

JeanValjeanhadalreadyforgottenthemeanswhichhehademployedtomakeCosettekeepsilent。

"Ah！"saidhe，"sheisgone。Youneedfearnothingfurther。"

Thechildsighedasthoughaloadhadbeenliftedfromherbreast。

Thegroundwasdamp，theshedopenonallsides，thebreezegrewmorekeeneveryinstant。ThegoodmantookoffhiscoatandwrappeditroundCosette。

"Areyoulesscoldnow？"saidhe。

"Oh，yes，father。"

"Well，waitformeamoment。Iwillsoonbeback。"

Hequittedtheruinandcreptalongthelargebuilding，seekingabettershelter。Hecameacrossdoors，buttheywereclosed。

Therewerebarsatallthewindowsofthegroundfloor。

Justafterhehadturnedtheinnerangleoftheedifice，heobservedthathewascomingtosomearchedwindows，whereheperceivedalight。

Hestoodontiptoeandpeepedthroughoneofthesewindows。

Theyallopenedonatolerablyvasthall，pavedwithlargeflagstones，cutupbyarcadesandpillars，whereonlyatinylightandgreatshadowswerevisible。Thelightcamefromataperwhichwasburninginonecorner。Theapartmentwasdeserted，andnothingwasstirringinit。Nevertheless，bydintofgazingintentlyhethoughtheperceivedonthegroundsomethingwhichappearedtobecoveredwithawinding—sheet，andwhichresembledahumanform。

Thisformwaslyingfacedownward，flatonthepavement，withthearmsextendedintheformofacross，intheimmobilityofdeath。

Onewouldhavesaid，judgingfromasortofserpentwhichundulatedoverthefloor，thatthissinisterformhadaroperounditsneck。

Thewholechamberwasbathedinthatmistofplaceswhicharesparelyilluminated，whichaddstohorror。

JeanValjeanoftensaidafterwards，that，althoughmanyfunerealspectreshadcrossedhispathinlife，hehadneverbeheldanythingmoreblood—curdlingandterriblethanthatenigmaticalformaccomplishingsomeinexplicablemysteryinthatgloomyplace，andbeheldthusatnight。Itwasalarmingtosupposethatthatthingwasperhapsdead；

andstillmorealarmingtothinkthatitwasperhapsalive。

Hehadthecouragetoplasterhisfacetotheglass，andtowatchwhetherthethingwouldmove。Inspiteofhisremainingthuswhatseemedtohimaverylongtime，theoutstretchedformmadenomovement。

Allatoncehefelthimselfoverpoweredbyaninexpressibleterror，andhefled。Hebegantoruntowardstheshed，notdaringtolookbehindhim。Itseemedtohim，thatifheturnedhishead，heshouldseethatformfollowinghimwithgreatstridesandwavingitsarms。

Hereachedtheruinalloutofbreath。Hiskneesweregivingwaybeneathhim；theperspirationwaspouringfromhim。

Wherewashe？WhocouldeverhaveimaginedanythinglikethatsortofsepulchreinthemidstofParis！Whatwasthisstrangehouse？

Anedificefullofnocturnalmystery，callingtosoulsthroughthedarknesswiththevoiceofangels，andwhentheycame，offeringthemabruptlythatterriblevision；promisingtoopentheradiantportalsofheaven，andthenopeningthehorriblegatesofthetomb！Anditactuallywasanedifice，ahouse，whichboreanumberonthestreet！

Itwasnotadream！Hehadtotouchthestonestoconvincehimselfthatsuchwasthefact。

Cold，anxiety，uneasiness，theemotionsofthenight，hadgivenhimagenuinefever，andalltheseideaswereclashingtogetherinhisbrain。

HesteppeduptoCosette。Shewasasleep。

CHAPTERVIII

THEENIGMABECOMESDOUBLYMYSTERIOUS

Thechildhadlaidherheadonastoneandfallenasleep。

Hesatdownbesideherandbegantothink。Littlebylittle，ashegazedather，hegrewcalmandregainedpossessionofhisfreedomofmind。

Heclearlyperceivedthistruth，thefoundationofhislifehenceforth，thatsolongasshewasthere，solongashehadhernearhim，heshouldneednothingexceptforher，heshouldfearnothingexceptforher。Hewasnotevenconsciousthathewasverycold，sincehehadtakenoffhiscoattocoverher。

Nevertheless，athwartthisreveryintowhichhehadfallenhehadheardforsometimeapeculiarnoise。Itwaslikethetinklingofabell。Thissoundproceededfromthegarden。Itcouldbehearddistinctlythoughfaintly。Itresembledthefaint，vaguemusicproducedbythebellsofcattleatnightinthepastures。

ThisnoisemadeValjeanturnround。

Helookedandsawthattherewassomeoneinthegarden。

Abeingresemblingamanwaswalkingamidthebell—glassesofthemelonbeds，rising，stooping，halting，withregularmovements，asthoughheweredraggingorspreadingoutsomethingontheground。

Thispersonappearedtolimp。

JeanValjeanshudderedwiththecontinualtremoroftheunhappy。

Forthemeverythingishostileandsuspicious。Theydistrustthedaybecauseitenablespeopletoseethem，andthenightbecauseitaidsinsurprisingthem。Alittlewhilebeforehehadshiveredbecausethegardenwasdeserted，andnowheshiveredbecausetherewassomeonethere。

Hefellbackfromchimericalterrorstorealterrors。HesaidtohimselfthatJavertandthespieshad，perhaps，nottakentheirdeparture；thattheyhad，nodoubt，leftpeopleonthewatchinthestreet；thatifthismanshoulddiscoverhiminthegarden，hewouldcryoutforhelpagainstthievesanddeliverhimup。

HetookthesleepingCosettegentlyinhisarmsandcarriedherbehindaheapofoldfurniture，whichwasoutofuse，inthemostremotecorneroftheshed。Cosettedidnotstir。

Fromthatpointhescrutinizedtheappearanceofthebeinginthemelonpatch。Thestrangethingaboutitwas，thatthesoundofthebellfollowedeachofthisman’smovements。Whenthemanapproached，thesoundapproached；whenthemanretreated，thesoundretreated；

ifhemadeanyhastygesture，atremoloaccompaniedthegesture；

whenhehalted，thesoundceased。Itappearedevidentthatthebellwasattachedtothatman；butwhatcouldthatsignify？

Whowasthismanwhohadabellsuspendedabouthimlikearamoranox？

Asheputthesequestionstohimself，hetouchedCosette’shands。

Theywereicycold。

"Ah！goodGod！"hecried。

Hespoketoherinalowvoice:——

"Cosette！"

Shedidnotopenhereyes。

Heshookhervigorously。

Shedidnotwake。

"Isshedead？"hesaidtohimself，andsprangtohisfeet，quiveringfromheadtofoot。

Themostfrightfulthoughtsrushedpell—mellthroughhismind。

Therearemomentswhenhideoussurmisesassailuslikeacohortoffuries，andviolentlyforcethepartitionsofourbrains。

Whenthoseweloveareinquestion，ourprudenceinventseverysortofmadness。Herememberedthatsleepintheopenaironacoldnightmaybefatal。

Cosettewaspale，andhadfallenatfulllengthonthegroundathisfeet，withoutamovement。

Helistenedtoherbreathing:shestillbreathed，butwitharespirationwhichseemedtohimweakandonthepointofextinction。

Howwashetowarmherbacktolife？Howwashetorouseher？

Allthatwasnotconnectedwiththisvanishedfromhisthoughts。

Herushedwildlyfromtheruin。

ItwasabsolutelynecessarythatCosetteshouldbeinbedandbesideafireinlessthanaquarterofanhour。

CHAPTERIX

THEMANWITHTHEBELL

Hewalkedstraightuptothemanwhomhesawinthegarden。

Hehadtakeninhishandtherollofsilverwhichwasinthepocketofhiswaistcoat。

Theman’sheadwasbentdown，andhedidnotseehimapproaching。

InafewstridesJeanValjeanstoodbesidehim。

JeanValjeanaccostedhimwiththecry:——

"Onehundredfrancs！"

Themangaveastartandraisedhiseyes。

"Youcanearnahundredfrancs，"wentonJeanValjean，"ifyouwillgrantmeshelterforthisnight。"

ThemoonshonefulluponJeanValjean’sterrifiedcountenance。

"What！soitisyou，FatherMadeleine！"saidtheman。

Thatname，thuspronounced，atthatobscurehour，inthatunknownspot，bythatstrangeman，madeJeanValjeanstartback。

Hehadexpectedanythingbutthat。Thepersonwhothusaddressedhimwasabentandlameoldman，dressedalmostlikeapeasant，whoworeonhisleftkneealeatherknee—cap，whencehungamoderatelylargebell。Hisface，whichwasintheshadow，wasnotdistinguishable。

However，thegoodmanhadremovedhiscap，andexclaimed，tremblingallover:——

"Ah，goodGod！Howcomeyouhere，FatherMadeleine？Wheredidyouenter？Dieu—Jesus！Didyoufallfromheaven？Thereisnotroubleaboutthat:ifeveryoudofall，itwillbefromthere。

Andwhatastateyouarein！Youhavenocravat；youhavenohat；

youhavenocoat！Doyouknow，youwouldhavefrightenedanyonewhodidnotknowyou？Nocoat！LordGod！Arethesaintsgoingmadnowadays？Buthowdidyougetinhere？"

Hiswordstumbledovereachother。Thegoodmantalkedwitharusticvolubility，inwhichtherewasnothingalarming。Allthiswasutteredwithamixtureofstupefactionandnaivekindliness。

"Whoareyou？andwhathouseisthis？"demandedJeanValjean。

"Ah！pardieu，thisistoomuch！"exclaimedtheoldman。

"Iamthepersonforwhomyougottheplacehere，andthishouseistheonewhereyouhadmeplaced。What！Youdon’trecognizeme？"

"No，"saidJeanValjean；"andhowhappensitthatyouknowme？"

"Yousavedmylife，"saidtheman。