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。