ThiswasthefirsttimeMariushadseenhimlaugh。Thelaughwascoldandsweet，andprovokedashudder。
Jondretteopenedacupboardnearthefireplace，anddrewfromitanoldcap，whichheplacedonhishead，afterbrushingitwithhissleeve。
"Now，"saidhe，"I’mgoingout。IhavesomemorepeoplethatI
mustsee。Goodones。You’llseehowwellthewholethingwillwork。
Ishallbeawayasshortatimeaspossible，it’safinestrokeofbusiness，doyoulookafterthehouse。"
Andwithbothfiststhrustintothepocketsofhistrousers，hestoodforamomentinthought，thenexclaimed:——
"Doyouknow，it’smightylucky，bytheway，thathedidn’trecognizeme！Ifhehadrecognizedmeonhisside，hewouldnothavecomebackagain。Hewouldhaveslippedthroughourfingers！
Itwasmybeardthatsavedus！myromanticbeard！myprettylittleromanticbeard！"
Andagainhebrokeintoalaugh。
Hesteppedtothewindow。Thesnowwasstillfalling，andstreakingthegrayofthesky。
"Whatbeastlyweather！"saidhe。
Thenlappinghisovercoatacrosshisbreast:——
"Thisrindistoolargeforme。Nevermind，"headded，"hedidadevilishgoodthinginleavingitforme，theoldscoundrel！
Ifithadn’tbeenforthat，Icouldn’thavegoneout，andeverythingwouldhavegonewrong！Whatsmallpointsthingshangon，anyway！"
Andpullinghiscapdownoverhiseyes，hequittedtheroom。
Hehadbarelyhadtimetotakehalfadozenstepsfromthedoor，whenthedooropenedagain，andhissavagebutintelligentfacemadeitsappearanceoncemoreintheopening。
"Icamenearforgetting，"saidhe。"Youaretohaveabrazierofcharcoalready。"
Andheflungintohiswife’sapronthefive—francpiecewhichthe"philanthropist"hadleftwithhim。
"Abrazierofcharcoal？"askedhiswife。
"Yes。"
"Howmanybushels？"
"Twogoodones。"
"Thatwillcometothirtysous。WiththerestIwillbuysomethingfordinner。"
"Thedevil，no。"
"Why？"
"Don’tgoandspendthehundred—soupiece。"
"Why？"
"BecauseIshallhavetobuysomething，too。"
"What？"
"Something。"
"Howmuchshallyouneed？"
"Whereaboutsintheneighborhoodisthereanironmonger’sshop？"
"RueMouffetard。"
"Ah！yes，atthecornerofastreet；Icanseetheshop。"
"Buttellmehowmuchyouwillneedforwhatyouhavetopurchase？"
"Fiftysous——threefrancs。"
"Therewon’tbemuchleftfordinner。"
"Eatingisnotthepointto—day。There’ssomethingbettertobedone。"
"That’senough，myjewel。"
Atthiswordfromhiswife，Jondretteclosedthedooragain，andthistime，Mariusheardhisstepdieawayinthecorridorofthehovel，anddescendthestaircaserapidly。
Atthatmoment，oneo’clockstruckfromthechurchofSaint—Medard。
CHAPTERXIII
SOLUSCUMSOLO，INLOCOREMOTO，NONCOGITABUNTURORAREPATERNOSTER
Marius，dreamerashewas，was，aswehavesaid，firmandenergeticbynature。Hishabitsofsolitarymeditation，whiletheyhaddevelopedinhimsympathyandcompassion，had，perhaps，diminishedthefacultyforirritation，buthadleftintactthepowerofwaxingindignant；
hehadthekindlinessofabrahmin，andtheseverityofajudge；
hetookpityuponatoad，buthecrushedaviper。Now，itwasintoaholeofvipersthathisglancehadjustbeendirected，itwasanestofmonstersthathehadbeneathhiseyes。
"Thesewretchesmustbestampedupon，"saidhe。
Notoneoftheenigmaswhichhehadhopedtoseesolvedhadbeenelucidated；onthecontrary，allofthemhadbeenrenderedmoredense，ifanything；heknewnothingmoreaboutthebeautifulmaidenoftheLuxembourgandthemanwhomhecalledM。Leblanc，exceptthatJondrettewasacquaintedwiththem。Athwartthemysteriouswordswhichhadbeenuttered，theonlythingofwhichhecaughtadistinctglimpsewasthefactthatanambushwasincourseofpreparation，adarkbutterribletrap；thatbothofthemwereincurringgreatdanger，sheprobably，herfathercertainly；
thattheymustbesaved；thatthehideousplotsoftheJondrettesmustbethwarted，andthewebofthesespidersbroken。
HescannedthefemaleJondretteforamoment。Shehadpulledanoldsheet—ironstovefromacorner，andshewasrummagingamongtheoldheapofiron。
Hedescendedfromthecommodeassoftlyaspossible，takingcarenottomaketheleastnoise。Amidhisterrorastowhatwasinpreparation，andinthehorrorwithwhichtheJondretteshadinspiredhim，heexperiencedasortofjoyattheideathatitmightbegrantedtohimperhapstorenderaservicetotheonewhomheloved。
Buthowwasittobedone？Howwarnthepersonsthreatened？
Hedidnotknowtheiraddress。Theyhadreappearedforaninstantbeforehiseyes，andhadthenplungedbackagainintotheimmensedepthsofParis。ShouldhewaitforM。Leblancatthedoorthateveningatsixo’clock，atthemomentofhisarrival，andwarnhimofthetrap？ButJondretteandhismenwouldseehimonthewatch，thespotwaslonely，theywerestrongerthanhe，theywoulddevisemeanstoseizehimortogethimaway，andthemanwhomMariuswasanxioustosavewouldbelost。Oneo’clockhadjuststruck，thetrapwastobesprungatsix。Mariushadfivehoursbeforehim。
Therewasbutonethingtobedone。
Heputonhisdecentcoat，knottedasilkhandkerchiefroundhisneck，tookhishat，andwentout，withoutmakinganymorenoisethanifhehadbeentreadingonmosswithbarefeet。
Moreover，theJondrettewomancontinuedtorummageamongheroldiron。
Onceoutsideofthehouse，hemadefortheRueduPetit—Banquier。
Hehadalmostreachedthemiddleofthisstreet，nearaverylowwallwhichamancaneasilystepoveratcertainpoints，andwhichabutsonawastespace，andwaswalkingslowly，inconsequenceofhispreoccupiedcondition，andthesnowdeadenedthesoundofhissteps；
allatonceheheardvoicestalkingverycloseby。Heturnedhishead，thestreetwasdeserted，therewasnotasoulinit，itwasbroaddaylight，andyethedistinctlyheardvoices。
Itoccurredtohimtoglanceoverthewallwhichhewasskirting。
There，infact，sattwomen，flatonthesnow，withtheirbacksagainstthewall，talkingtogetherinsubduedtones。
Thesetwopersonswerestrangerstohim；onewasabeardedmaninablouse，andtheotheralong—hairedindividualinrags。
Thebeardedmanhadonafez，theother’sheadwasbare，andthesnowhadlodgedinhishair。
Bythrustinghisheadoverthewall，Mariuscouldheartheirremarks。
Thehairyonejoggedtheotherman’selbowandsaid:——
"——WiththeassistanceofPatron—Minette，itcan’tfail。"
"Doyouthinkso？"saidthebeardedman。
Andthelong—hairedonebeganagain:——
"It’sasgoodasawarrantforeachone，offivehundredballs，andtheworstthatcanhappenisfiveyears，sixyears，tenyearsatthemost！"
Theotherrepliedwithsomehesitation，andshiveringbeneathhisfez:——
"That’sarealthing。Youcan’tgoagainstsuchthings。"
"Itellyouthattheaffaircan’tgowrong，"resumedthelong—hairedman。
"FatherWhat’s—his—name’steamwillbealreadyharnessed。"
ThentheybegantodiscussamelodramathattheyhadseenontheprecedingeveningattheGaiteTheatre。
Mariuswenthisway。
Itseemedtohimthatthemysteriouswordsofthesemen，sostrangelyhiddenbehindthatwall，andcrouchinginthesnow，couldnotbutbearsomerelationtoJondrette’sabominableprojects。
Thatmustbetheaffair。
HedirectedhiscoursetowardsthefaubourgSaint—Marceauandaskedatthefirstshophecametowherehecouldfindacommissaryofpolice。
HewasdirectedtoRuedePontoise，No。14。
ThitherMariusbetookhimself。
Ashepassedabaker’sshop，heboughtatwo—pennyroll，andateit，foreseeingthatheshouldnotdine。
Ontheway，herenderedjusticetoProvidence。HereflectedthathadhenotgivenhisfivefrancstotheJondrettegirlinthemorning，hewouldhavefollowedM。Leblanc’sfiacre，andconsequentlyhaveremainedignorantofeverything，andthattherewouldhavebeennoobstacletothetrapoftheJondrettesandthatM。Leblancwouldhavebeenlost，andhisdaughterwithhim，nodoubt。
CHAPTERXIV
INWHICHAPOLICEAGENTBESTOWSTWOFISTFULSONALAWYER
OnarrivingatNo。14，RuedePontoise，heascendedtothefirstfloorandinquiredforthecommissaryofpolice。
"Thecommissaryofpoliceisnothere，"saidaclerk；"butthereisaninspectorwhotakeshisplace。Wouldyouliketospeaktohim？
Areyouinhaste？"
"Yes，"saidMarius。
Theclerkintroducedhimintothecommissary’soffice。Therestoodatallmanbehindagrating，leaningagainstastove，andholdingupwithbothhandsthetailsofavasttopcoat，withthreecollars。
Hisfacewassquare，withathin，firmmouth，thick，gray，andveryferociouswhiskers，andalookthatwasenoughtoturnyourpocketsinsideout。Ofthatglanceitmighthavebeenwellsaid，notthatitpenetrated，butthatitsearched。
Thisman’sairwasnotmuchlessferociousnorlessterriblethanJondrette’s；thedogis，attimes，nolessterribletomeetthanthewolf。
"Whatdoyouwant？"hesaidtoMarius，withoutadding"monsieur。"
"IsthisMonsieurleCommissairedePolice？"
"Heisabsent。Iamhereinhisstead。"
"Thematterisveryprivate。"’
"Thenspeak。"
"Andgreathasteisrequired。"
"Thenspeakquick。"
Thiscalm，abruptmanwasbothterrifyingandreassuringatoneandthesametime。Heinspiredfearandconfidence。
Mariusrelatedtheadventuretohim:Thatapersonwithwhomhewasnotacquaintedotherwisethanbysight，wastobeinveigledintoatrapthatveryevening；that，asheoccupiedtheroomadjoiningtheden，he，MariusPontmercy，alawyer，hadheardthewholeplotthroughthepartition；thatthewretchwhohadplannedthetrapwasacertainJondrette；thattherewouldbeaccomplices，probablysomeprowlersofthebarriers，amongothersacertainPanchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille；thatJondrette’sdaughtersweretolieinwait；thattherewasnowayofwarningthethreatenedman，sincehedidnotevenknowhisname；andthat，finally，allthiswastobecarriedoutatsixo’clockthatevening，atthemostdesertedpointoftheBoulevarddel’Hopital，inhouseNo。50—52。
Atthesoundofthisnumber，theinspectorraisedhishead，andsaidcoldly:——
"Soitisintheroomattheendofthecorridor？"
"Precisely，"answeredMarius，andheadded:"Areyouacquaintedwiththathouse？"
Theinspectorremainedsilentforamoment，thenreplied，ashewarmedtheheelofhisbootatthedoorofthestove:——
"Apparently。"
Hewenton，mutteringbetweenhisteeth，andnotaddressingMariussomuchashiscravat:——
"Patron—Minettemusthavehadahandinthis。"
ThiswordstruckMarius。
"Patron—Minette，"saidhe，"Ididhearthatwordpronounced，infact。"
Andherepeatedtotheinspectorthedialoguebetweenthelong—hairedmanandthebeardedmaninthesnowbehindthewalloftheRueduPetit—Banquier。
Theinspectormuttered:——
"Thelong—hairedmanmustbeBrujon，andthebeardedoneDemi—Liard，aliasDeux—Milliards。"
Hehaddroppedhiseyelidsagain，andbecameabsorbedinthought。
"AsforFatherWhat’s—his—name，IthinkIrecognizehim。
Here，I’veburnedmycoat。Theyalwayshavetoomuchfireinthesecursedstoves。Number50—52。FormerpropertyofGorbeau。"
ThenheglancedatMarius。
"Yousawonlythatbeardedandthatlong—hairedman？"
"AndPanchaud。"
"Youdidn’tseealittleimpofadandyprowlingaboutthepremises？"
"No。"
"Norabiglumpofmatter，resemblinganelephantintheJardindesPlantes？"
"No。"
"Norascampwiththeairofanoldredtail？"
"No。"
"Asforthefourth，nooneseeshim，notevenhisadjutants，clerks，andemployees。Itisnotsurprisingthatyoudidnotseehim。"
"No。Whoareallthosepersons？"askedMarius。
Theinspectoranswered:——
"Besides，thisisnotthetimeforthem。"
Herelapsedintosilence，thenresumed:——
"50—52。Iknowthatbarrack。Impossibletoconcealourselvesinsideitwithouttheartistsseeingus，andthentheywillgetoffsimplybycountermandingthevaudeville。Theyaresomodest！
Anaudienceembarrassesthem。Noneofthat，noneofthat。Iwanttohearthemsingandmakethemdance。"
Thismonologueconcluded，heturnedtoMarius，anddemanded，gazingathimintentlythewhile:——
"Areyouafraid？"
"Ofwhat？"saidMarius。
"Ofthesemen？"
"Nomorethanyourself！"retortedMariusrudely，whohadbeguntonoticethatthispoliceagenthadnotyetsaid"monsieur"tohim。
TheinspectorstaredstillmoreintentlyatMarius，andcontinuedwithsententioussolemnity:——
"There，youspeaklikeabraveman，andlikeanhonestman。
Couragedoesnotfearcrime，andhonestydoesnotfearauthority。"
Mariusinterruptedhim:——
"Thatiswell，butwhatdoyouintendtodo？"
Theinspectorcontentedhimselfwiththeremark:——
"Thelodgershavepass—keyswithwhichtogetinatnight。
Youmusthaveone。"
"Yes，"saidMarius。
"Haveyouitaboutyou？"
"Yes。"
"Giveittome，"saidtheinspector。
Mariustookhiskeyfromhiswaistcoatpocket，handedittotheinspectorandadded:——
"Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，youwillcomeinforce。"
TheinspectorcastonMariussuchaglanceasVoltairemighthavebestowedonaprovincialacademicianwhohadsuggestedarhymetohim；
withonemovementheplungedhishands，whichwereenormous，intothetwoimmensepocketsofhistop—coat，andpulledouttwosmallsteelpistols，ofthesortcalled"knock—me—downs。"ThenhepresentedthemtoMarius，sayingrapidly，inacurttone:——
"Takethese。Gohome。Hideinyourchamber，sothatyoumaybesupposedtohavegoneout。Theyareloaded。Eachonecarriestwoballs。Youwillkeepwatch；thereisaholeinthewall，asyouhaveinformedme。Thesemenwillcome。Leavethemtotheirowndevicesforatime。Whenyouthinkmattershavereachedacrisis，andthatitistimetoputastoptothem，fireashot。
Nottoosoon。Therestconcernsme。Ashotintotheceiling，theair，nomatterwhere。Aboveallthings，nottoosoon。Waituntiltheybegintoputtheirprojectintoexecution；youarealawyer；
youknowtheproperpoint。"Mariustookthepistolsandputtheminthesidepocketofhiscoat。
"Thatmakesalumpthatcanbeseen，"saidtheinspector。
"Puttheminyourtrouserspocket。"
Mariushidthepistolsinhistrouserspockets。
"Now，"pursuedtheinspector，"thereisnotaminutemoretobelostbyanyone。Whattimeisit？Half—pasttwo。Seveno’clockisthehour？"
"Sixo’clock，"answeredMarius。
"Ihaveplentyoftime，"saidtheinspector，"butnomorethanenough。
Don’tforgetanythingthatIhavesaidtoyou。Bang。Apistolshot。"
"Resteasy，"saidMarius。
AndasMariuslaidhishandonthehandleofthedooronhiswayout，theinspectorcalledtohim:——
"Bytheway，ifyouhaveoccasionformyservicesbetweennowandthen，comeorsendhere。YouwillaskforInspectorJavert。"
CHAPTERXV
JONDRETTEMAKESHISPURCHASES
Afewmomentslater，aboutthreeo’clock，CourfeyracchancedtobepassingalongtheRueMouffetardincompanywithBossuet。
Thesnowhadredoubledinviolence，andfilledtheair。BossuetwasjustsayingtoCourfeyrac:——
"Onewouldsay，toseeallthesesnow—flakesfall，thattherewasaplagueofwhitebutterfliesinheaven。"Allatonce，BossuetcaughtsightofMariuscomingupthestreettowardsthebarrierwithapeculiarair。
"Hold！"saidBossuet。"There’sMarius。"
"Isawhim，"saidCourfeyrac。"Don’tlet’sspeaktohim。"
"Why？"
"Heisbusy。"
"Withwhat？"
"Don’tyouseehisair？"
"Whatair？"
"Hehastheairofamanwhoisfollowingsomeone。"
"That’strue，"saidBossuet。
"Justseetheeyesheismaking！"saidCourfeyrac。
"Butwhothedeuceishefollowing？"
"Somefine，flowerybonnetedwench！He’sinlove。"
"But，"observedBossuet，"Idon’tseeanywenchnoranyflowerybonnetinthestreet。There’snotawomanround。"
Courfeyractookasurvey，andexclaimed:——
"He’sfollowingaman！"
Aman，infact，wearingagraycap，andwhosegraybeardcouldbedistinguished，althoughtheyonlysawhisback，waswalkingalongabouttwentypacesinadvanceofMarius。
Thismanwasdressedinagreat—coatwhichwasperfectlynewandtoolargeforhim，andinafrightfulpairoftrousersallhanginginragsandblackwithmud。
Bossuetburstoutlaughing。
"Whoisthatman？"
"He？"retortedCourfeyrac，"he’sapoet。PoetsareveryfondofwearingthetrousersofdealersinrabbitskinsandtheovercoatsofpeersofFrance。"
"Let’sseewhereMariuswillgo，"saidBossuet；"let’sseewherethemanisgoing，let’sfollowthem，hey？"
"Bossuet！"exclaimedCourfeyrac，"eagleofMeaux！Youareaprodigiousbrute。Followamanwhoisfollowinganotherman，indeed！"
Theyretracedtheirsteps。
Mariushad，infact，seenJondrettepassingalongtheRueMouffetard，andwasspyingonhisproceedings。
Jondrettewalkedstraightahead，withoutasuspicionthathewasalreadyheldbyaglance。
HequittedtheRueMouffetard，andMariussawhimenteroneofthemostterriblehovelsintheRueGracieuse；heremainedthereaboutaquarterofanhour，thenreturnedtotheRueMouffetard。
Hehaltedatanironmonger’sshop，whichthenstoodatthecorneroftheRuePierre—Lombard，andafewminuteslaterMariussawhimemergefromtheshop，holdinginhishandahugecoldchiselwithawhitewoodhandle，whichheconcealedbeneathhisgreat—coat。AtthetopoftheRuePetit—GentillyheturnedtotheleftandproceededrapidlytotheRueduPetit—Banquier。Thedaywasdeclining；
thesnow，whichhadceasedforamoment，hadjustbegunagain。
MariuspostedhimselfonthewatchattheverycorneroftheRueduPetit—Banquier，whichwasdeserted，asusual，anddidnotfollowJondretteintoit。Itwasluckythathedidso，for，onarrivinginthevicinityofthewallwhereMariushadheardthelong—hairedmanandthebeardedmanconversing，Jondretteturnedround，madesurethatnoonewasfollowinghim，didnotseehim，thensprangacrossthewallanddisappeared。
Thewastelandborderedbythiswallcommunicatedwiththebackyardofanex—liverystable—keeperofbadrepute，whohadfailedandwhostillkeptafewoldsingle—seatedberlinsunderhissheds。
MariusthoughtthatitwouldbewisetoprofitbyJondrette’sabsencetoreturnhome；moreover，itwasgrowinglate；everyevening，Ma’amBougonwhenshesetoutforherdish—washingintown，hadahabitoflockingthedoor，whichwasalwaysclosedatdusk。
Mariushadgivenhiskeytotheinspectorofpolice；itwasimportant，therefore，thatheshouldmakehaste。
Eveninghadarrived，nighthadalmostclosedin；onthehorizonandintheimmensityofspace，thereremainedbutonespotilluminatedbythesun，andthatwasthemoon。
ItwasrisinginaruddyglowbehindthelowdomeofSalpetriere。
MariusreturnedtoNo。50—52withgreatstrides。Thedoorwasstillopenwhenhearrived。Hemountedthestairsontip—toeandglidedalongthewallofthecorridortohischamber。Thiscorridor，asthereaderwillremember，wasborderedonbothsidesbyattics，allofwhichwere，forthemoment，emptyandtolet。Ma’amBougonwasinthehabitofleavingallthedoorsopen。Ashepassedoneoftheseattics，Mariusthoughtheperceivedintheuninhabitedcellthemotionlessheadsoffourmen，vaguelylightedupbyaremnantofdaylight，fallingthroughadormerwindow，Mariusmadenoattempttosee，notwishingtobeseenhimself。
Hesucceededinreachinghischamberwithoutbeingseenandwithoutmakinganynoise。Itwashightime。AmomentlaterheheardMa’amBougontakeherdeparture，lockingthedoorofthehousebehindher。
CHAPTERXVI
INWHICHWILLBEFOUNDTHEWORDSTOANENGLISHAIRWHICHWASIN
FASHIONIN1832
Mariusseatedhimselfonhisbed。Itmighthavebeenhalf—pastfiveo’clock。Onlyhalfanhourseparatedhimfromwhatwasabouttohappen。
Heheardthebeatingofhisarteriesasonehearsthetickingofawatchinthedark。Hethoughtofthedoublemarchwhichwasgoingonatthatmomentinthedark，——crimeadvancingononeside，justicecomingupontheother。Hewasnotafraid，buthecouldnotthinkwithoutashudderofwhatwasabouttotakeplace。
Asisthecasewithallthosewhoaresuddenlyassailedbyanunforeseenadventure，theentiredayproduceduponhimtheeffectofadream，andinordertopersuadehimselfthathewasnotthepreyofanightmare，hehadtofeelthecoldbarrelsofthesteelpistolsinhistrouserspockets。
Itwasnolongersnowing；themoondisengageditselfmoreandmoreclearlyfromthemist，anditslight，mingledwiththewhitereflectionofthesnowwhichhadfallen，communicatedtothechamberasortoftwilightaspect。
TherewasalightintheJondretteden。Mariussawtheholeinthewallshiningwithareddishglowwhichseemedbloodytohim。
Itwastruethatthelightcouldnotbeproducedbyacandle。
However，therewasnotasoundintheJondrettequarters，notasoulwasmovingthere，notasoulspeaking，notabreath；thesilencewasglacialandprofound，andhaditnotbeenforthatlight，hemighthavethoughthimselfnextdoortoasepulchre。
Mariussoftlyremovedhisbootsandpushedthemunderhisbed。
Severalminuteselapsed。Mariusheardthelowerdoorturnonitshinges；
aheavystepmountedthestaircase，andhastenedalongthecorridor；
thelatchofthehovelwasnoisilylifted；itwasJondrettereturning。
Instantly，severalvoicesarose。Thewholefamilywasinthegarret。Only，ithadbeensilentinthemaster’sabsence，likewolfwhelpsintheabsenceofthewolf。
"It’sI，"saidhe。
"Goodevening，daddy，"yelpedthegirls。
"Well？"saidthemother。
"All’sgoingfirst—rate，"respondedJondrette，"butmyfeetarebeastlycold。Good！Youhavedressedup。Youhavedonewell！
Youmustinspireconfidence。"
"Allreadytogoout。"
"Don’tforgetwhatItoldyou。Youwilldoeverythingsure？"
"Resteasy。"
"Because——"saidJondrette。Andheleftthephraseunfinished。
Mariusheardhimlaysomethingheavyonthetable，probablythechiselwhichhehadpurchased。
"Bytheway，"saidJondrette，"haveyoubeeneatinghere？"
"Yes，"saidthemother。"Igotthreelargepotatoesandsomesalt。
Itookadvantageofthefiretocookthem。"
"Good，"returnedJondrette。"To—morrowIwilltakeyououttodinewithme。Wewillhaveaduckandfixings。YoushalldinelikeCharlestheTenth；allisgoingwell！"
Thenheadded:——
"Themouse—trapisopen。Thecatsarethere。"
Heloweredhisvoicestillfurther，andsaid:——
"Putthisinthefire。"
Mariusheardasoundofcharcoalbeingknockedwiththetongsorsomeironutensil，andJondrettecontinued:——
"Haveyougreasedthehingesofthedoorsothattheywillnotsqueak？"
"Yes，"repliedthemother。
"Whattimeisit？"
"Nearlysix。Thehalf—hourstruckfromSaint—Medardawhileago。"
"Thedevil！"ejaculatedJondrette；"thechildrenmustgoandwatch。
Comeyou，doyoulistenhere。"
Awhisperingensued。
Jondrette’svoicebecameaudibleagain:——
"HasoldBougonleft？"
"Yes，"saidthemother。
"Areyousurethatthereisnooneinourneighbor’sroom？"
"Hehasnotbeeninallday，andyouknowverywellthatthisishisdinnerhour。"
"Youaresure？"
"Sure。"
"Allthesame，"saidJondrette，"there’snoharmingoingtoseewhetherheisthere。Here，mygirl，takethecandleandgothere。"
Mariusfellonhishandsandkneesandcrawledsilentlyunderhisbed。
Hardlyhadheconcealedhimself，whenheperceivedalightthroughthecrackofhisdoor。
"P’pa，"criedavoice，"heisnotinhere。"
Herecognizedthevoiceoftheeldestdaughter。
"Didyougoin？"demandedherfather。
"No，"repliedthegirl，"butashiskeyisinthedoor，hemustbeout。"
Thefatherexclaimed:——
"Goin，nevertheless。"
Thedooropened，andMariussawthetallJondrettecomeinwithacandleinherhand。Shewasasshehadbeeninthemorning，onlystillmorerepulsiveinthislight。
Shewalkedstraightuptothebed。Mariusenduredanindescribablemomentofanxiety；butnearthebedtherewasamirrornailedtothewall，anditwasthitherthatshewasdirectinghersteps。
Sheraisedherselfontiptoeandlookedatherselfinit。
Intheneighboringroom，thesoundofironarticlesbeingmovedwasaudible。
Shesmoothedherhairwiththepalmofherhand，andsmiledintothemirror，hummingwithhercrackedandsepulchralvoice:——
Nosamoursontduretouteunesemaine，[28]
Maisquedubonheurlesinstantssontcourts！
S’adorerhuitjours，c’etaitbienlapeine！
Letempsdesamoursdevaitdurertoujours！
Devraitdurertoujours！devraitdurertoujours！
[28]Ourlovehaslastedawholeweek，buthowshortaretheinstantsofhappiness！Toadoreeachotherforeightdayswashardlyworththewhile！Thetimeofloveshouldlastforever。
Inthemeantime，Mariustrembled。Itseemedimpossibletohimthatsheshouldnothearhisbreathing。
Shesteppedtothewindowandlookedoutwiththehalf—foolishwayshehad。
"HowuglyParisiswhenithasputonawhitechemise！"saidshe。
Shereturnedtothemirrorandbeganagaintoputonairsbeforeit，scrutinizingherselffull—faceandthree—quartersfaceinturn。
"Well！"criedherfather，"whatareyouaboutthere？"
"Iamlookingunderthebedandthefurniture，"shereplied，continuingtoarrangeherhair；"there’snoonehere。"
"Booby！"yelledherfather。"Comeherethisminute！Anddon’twasteanytimeaboutit！"
"Coming！Coming！"saidshe。"Onehasnotimeforanythinginthishovel！"
Shehummed:——
Vousmequittezpouralleralagloire；[29]
Montristecoeursuivrapartout。
[29]Youleavemetogotoglory；mysadheartwillfollowyoueverywhere。
Shecastapartingglanceinthemirrorandwentout，shuttingthedoorbehindher。
Amomentmore，andMariusheardthesoundofthetwoyounggirls’
barefeetinthecorridor，andJondrette’svoiceshoutingtothem:——
"Paystrictheed！Oneonthesideofthebarrier，theotheratthecorneroftheRueduPetit—Banquier。Don’tlosesightforamomentofthedoorofthishouse，andthemomentyouseeanything，rushhereontheinstant！ashardasyoucango！Youhaveakeytogetin。"
Theeldestgirlgrumbled:——
"Theideaofstandingwatchinthesnowbarefoot！"
"To—morrowyoushallhavesomedaintylittlegreensilkboots！"
saidthefather。
Theyrandownstairs，andafewsecondslatertheshockoftheouterdoorasitbangedtoannouncedthattheywereoutside。
TherenowremainedinthehouseonlyMarius，theJondrettesandprobably，also，themysteriouspersonsofwhomMariushadcaughtaglimpseinthetwilight，behindthedooroftheunusedattic。
CHAPTERXVII
THEUSEMADEOFMARIUS’FIVE—FRANCPIECE
Mariusdecidedthatthemomenthadnowarrivedwhenhemustresumehispostathisobservatory。Inatwinkling，andwiththeagilityofhisage，hehadreachedtheholeinthepartition。
Helooked。
TheinterioroftheJondretteapartmentpresentedacuriousaspect，andMariusfoundanexplanationofthesingularlightwhichhehadnoticed。Acandlewasburninginacandlestickcoveredwithverdigris，butthatwasnotwhatreallylightedthechamber。
Thehovelwascompletelyilluminated，asitwere，bythereflectionfromaratherlargesheet—ironbrazierstandinginthefireplace，andfilledwithburningcharcoal，thebrazierpreparedbytheJondrettewomanthatmorning。Thecharcoalwasglowinghotandthebrazierwasred；
ablueflameflickeredoverit，andhelpedhimtomakeouttheformofthechiselpurchasedbyJondretteintheRuePierre—Lombard，whereithadbeenthrustintothebraziertoheat。Inonecorner，nearthedoor，andasthoughpreparedforsomedefiniteuse，twoheapswerevisible，whichappearedtobe，theoneaheapofoldiron，theotheraheapofropes。Allthiswouldhavecausedthemindofapersonwhoknewnothingofwhatwasinpreparation，towaverbetweenaverysinisterandaverysimpleidea。Thelairthuslightedupmoreresembledaforgethanamouthofhell，butJondrette，inthislight，hadrathertheairofademonthanofasmith。
Theheatofthebrazierwassogreat，thatthecandleonthetablewasmeltingonthesidenextthechafing—dish，andwasdroopingover。
Anolddark—lanternofcopper，worthyofDiogenesturnedCartouche，stoodonthechimney—piece。
Thebrazier，placedinthefireplaceitself，besidethenearlyextinctbrands，sentitsvaporsupthechimney，andgaveoutnoodor。
Themoon，enteringthroughthefourpanesofthewindow，castitswhitenessintothecrimsonandflaminggarret；andtothepoeticspiritofMarius，whowasdreamyeveninthemomentofaction，itwaslikeathoughtofheavenmingledwiththemisshapenreveriesofearth。
Abreathofairwhichmadeitswayinthroughtheopenpane，helpedtodissipatethesmellofthecharcoalandtoconcealthepresenceofthebrazier。
TheJondrettelairwas，ifthereaderrecallswhatwehavesaidoftheGorbeaubuilding，admirablychosentoserveasthetheatreofaviolentandsombredeed，andastheenvelopeforacrime。
ItwasthemostretiredchamberinthemostisolatedhouseonthemostdesertedboulevardinParis。Ifthesystemofambushandtrapshadnotalreadyexisted，theywouldhavebeeninventedthere。
Thewholethicknessofahouseandamultitudeofuninhabitedroomsseparatedthisdenfromtheboulevard，andtheonlywindowthatexistedopenedonwastelandsenclosedwithwallsandpalisades。
Jondrettehadlightedhispipe，seatedhimselfontheseatlesschair，andwasengagedinsmoking。Hiswifewastalkingtohiminalowtone。
IfMariushadbeenCourfeyrac，thatistosay，oneofthosemenwholaughoneveryoccasioninlife，hewouldhaveburstwithlaughterwhenhisgazefellontheJondrettewoman。Shehadonablackbonnetwithplumesnotunlikethehatsoftheheralds—at—armsatthecoronationofCharlesX。，animmensetartanshawloverherknittedpetticoat，andtheman’sshoeswhichherdaughterhadscornedinthemorning。ItwasthistoilettewhichhadextractedfromJondrettetheexclamation:"Good！Youhavedressedup。
Youhavedonewell。Youmustinspireconfidence！"
AsforJondrette，hehadnottakenoffthenewsurtout，whichwastoolargeforhim，andwhichM。Leblanchadgivenhim，andhiscostumecontinuedtopresentthatcontrastofcoatandtrouserswhichconstitutedtheidealofapoetinCourfeyrac’seyes。
Allatonce，Jondrettelifteduphisvoice:——
"Bytheway！NowthatIthinkofit。Inthisweather，hewillcomeinacarriage。Lightthelantern，takeitandgodownstairs。
Youwillstandbehindthelowerdoor。Theverymomentthatyouhearthecarriagestop，youwillopenthedoor，instantly，hewillcomeup，youwilllightthestaircaseandthecorridor，andwhenheentershere，youwillgodownstairsagainasspeedilyaspossible，youwillpaythecoachman，anddismissthefiacre。
"Andthemoney？"inquiredthewoman。
Jondrettefumbledinhistrouserspocketandhandedherfivefrancs。
"What’sthis？"sheexclaimed。
Jondretterepliedwithdignity:——
"Thatisthemonarchwhichourneighborgaveusthismorning。"
Andheadded:——
"Doyouknowwhat？Twochairswillbeneededhere。"
"Whatfor？"
"Tositon。"
MariusfeltacoldchillpassthroughhislimbsathearingthismildanswerfromJondrette。
"Pardieu！I’llgoandgetoneofourneighbor’s。"
Andwitharapidmovement，sheopenedthedooroftheden，andwentoutintothecorridor。
Mariusabsolutelyhadnotthetimetodescendfromthecommode，reachhisbed，andconcealhimselfbeneathit。
"Takethecandle，"criedJondrette。
"No，"saidshe，"itwouldembarrassme，Ihavethetwochairstocarry。
Thereismoonlight。"
MariusheardMotherJondrette’sheavyhandfumblingathislockinthedark。Thedooropened。Heremainednailedtothespotwiththeshockandwithhorror。
TheJondretteentered。
Thedormerwindowpermittedtheentranceofarayofmoonlightbetweentwoblocksofshadow。OneoftheseblocksofshadowentirelycoveredthewallagainstwhichMariuswasleaning，sothathedisappearedwithinit。
MotherJondretteraisedhereyes，didnotseeMarius，tookthetwochairs，theonlyoneswhichMariuspossessed，andwentaway，lettingthedoorfallheavilytobehindher。
Shere—enteredthelair。
"Herearethetwochairs。"
"Andhereisthelantern。Godownasquickasyoucan。"
Shehastilyobeyed，andJondrettewasleftalone。
Heplacedthetwochairsonoppositesidesofthetable，turnedthechiselinthebrazier，setinfrontofthefireplaceanoldscreenwhichmaskedthechafing—dish，thenwenttothecornerwherelaythepileofrope，andbentdownasthoughtoexaminesomething。
Mariusthenrecognizedthefact，thatwhathehadtakenforashapelessmasswasaverywell—maderope—ladder，withwoodenrungsandtwohookswithwhichtoattachit。
Thisladder，andsomelargetools，veritablemassesofiron，whichweremingledwiththeoldironpiledupbehindthedoor，hadnotbeenintheJondrettehovelinthemorning，andhadevidentlybeenbroughtthitherintheafternoon，duringMarius’absence。
"Thosearetheutensilsofanedge—toolmaker，"thoughtMarius。
HadMariusbeenalittlemorelearnedinthisline，hewouldhaverecognizedinwhathetookfortheenginesofanedge—toolmaker，certaininstrumentswhichwillforcealockorpickalock，andotherswhichwillcutorslice，thetwofamiliesoftoolswhichburglarscallcadetsandfauchants。
ThefireplaceandthetwochairswereexactlyoppositeMarius。
Thebrazierbeingconcealed，theonlylightintheroomwasnowfurnishedbythecandle；thesmallestbitofcrockeryonthetableoronthechimney—piececastalargeshadow。Therewassomethingindescribablycalm，threatening，andhideousaboutthischamber。
Onefeltthatthereexistedinittheanticipationofsomethingterrible。
Jondrettehadallowedhispipetogoout，aserioussignofpreoccupation，andhadagainseatedhimself。Thecandlebroughtoutthefierceandthefineanglesofhiscountenance。Heindulgedinscowlsandinabruptunfoldingsoftherighthand，asthoughhewererespondingtothelastcounselsofasombreinwardmonologue。Inthecourseofoneofthesedarkreplieswhichhewasmakingtohimself，hepulledthetabledrawerrapidlytowardshim，tookoutalongkitchenknifewhichwasconcealedthere，andtriedtheedgeofitsbladeonhisnail。Thatdone，heputtheknifebackinthedrawerandshutit。
Marius，onhisside，graspedthepistolinhisrightpocket，drewitoutandcockedit。
Thepistolemittedasharp，clearclick，ashecockedit。
Jondrettestarted，halfrose，listenedamoment，thenbegantolaughandsaid:——
"WhatafoolIam！It’sthepartitioncracking！"
Mariuskeptthepistolinhishand。
CHAPTERXVIII
MARIUS’TWOCHAIRSFORMAVIS—A—VIS
Suddenly，thedistantandmelancholyvibrationofaclockshookthepanes。Sixo’clockwasstrikingfromSaint—Medard。
Jondrettemarkedoffeachstrokewithatossofhishead。
Whenthesixthhadstruck，hesnuffedthecandlewithhisfingers。
Thenhebegantopaceupanddowntheroom，listenedatthecorridor，walkedonagain，thenlistenedoncemore。
"Providedonlythathecomes！"hemuttered，thenhereturnedtohischair。
Hehadhardlyreseatedhimselfwhenthedooropened。
MotherJondrettehadopenedit，andnowremainedinthecorridormakingahorrible，amiablegrimace，whichoneoftheholesofthedark—lanternilluminatedfrombelow。
"Enter，sir，"shesaid。
"Enter，mybenefactor，"repeatedJondrette，risinghastily。
M。Leblancmadehisappearance。
Heworeanairofserenitywhichrenderedhimsingularlyvenerable。
Helaidfourlouisonthetable。
"MonsieurFabantou，"saidhe，"thisisforyourrentandyourmostpressingnecessities。Wewillattendtotheresthereafter。"
"MayGodrequiteittoyou，mygenerousbenefactor！"saidJondrette。
Andrapidlyapproachinghiswife:——
"Dismissthecarriage！"
SheslippedoutwhileherhusbandwaslavishingsalutesandofferingM。Leblancachair。Aninstantlatershereturnedandwhisperedinhisear:——
"’Tisdone。"
Thesnow，whichhadnotceasedfallingsincethemorning，wassodeepthatthearrivalofthefiacrehadnotbeenaudible，andtheydidnotnowhearitsdeparture。
Meanwhile，M。Leblanchadseatedhimself。
Jondrettehadtakenpossessionoftheotherchair，facingM。Leblanc。
Now，inordertoformanideaofthescenewhichistofollow，letthereaderpicturetohimselfinhisownmind，acoldnight，thesolitudesoftheSalpetrierecoveredwithsnowandwhiteaswinding—sheetsinthemoonlight，thetaper—likelightsofthestreetlanternswhichshoneredlyhereandtherealongthosetragicboulevards，andthelongrowsofblackelms，notapasser—byforperhapsaquarterofaleaguearound，theGorbeauhovel，atitshighestpitchofsilence，ofhorror，andofdarkness；inthatbuilding，inthemidstofthosesolitudes，inthemidstofthatdarkness，thevastJondrettegarretlightedbyasinglecandle，andinthatdentwomenseatedatatable，M。Leblanctranquil，Jondrettesmilingandalarming，theJondrettewoman，thefemalewolf，inonecorner，and，behindthepartition，Marius，invisible，erect，notlosingaword，notmissingasinglemovement，hiseyeonthewatch，andpistolinhand。
However，Mariusexperiencedonlyanemotionofhorror，butnofear。
Heclaspedthestockofthepistolfirmlyandfeltreassured。
"IshallbeabletostopthatwretchwheneverIplease，"
hethought。
Hefeltthatthepoliceweretheresomewhereinambuscade，waitingforthesignalagreeduponandreadytostretchouttheirarm。
Moreover，hewasinhopes，thatthisviolentencounterbetweenJondretteandM。Leblancwouldcastsomelightonallthethingswhichhewasinterestedinlearning。
CHAPTERXIX
OCCUPYINGONE’SSELFWITHOBSCUREDEPTHS
HardlywasM。Leblancseated，whenheturnedhiseyestowardsthepallets，whichwereempty。
"Howisthepoorlittlewoundedgirl？"heinquired。
"Bad，"repliedJondrettewithaheart—brokenandgratefulsmile，"verybad，myworthysir。HereldersisterhastakenhertotheBourbetohaveherhurtdressed。Youwillseethempresently；
theywillbebackimmediately。"
"MadameFabantouseemstometobebetter，"wentonM。Leblanc，castinghiseyesontheeccentriccostumeoftheJondrettewoman，asshestoodbetweenhimandthedoor，asthoughalreadyguardingtheexit，andgazedathiminanattitudeofmenaceandalmostofcombat。
"Sheisdying，"saidJondrette。"Butwhatdoyouexpect，sir！
Shehassomuchcourage，thatwomanhas！She’snotawoman，she’sanox。"
TheJondrette，touchedbyhiscompliment，deprecateditwiththeaffectedairsofaflatteredmonster。
"Youarealwaystoogoodtome，MonsieurJondrette！"
"Jondrette！"saidM。Leblanc，"IthoughtyournamewasFabantou？"
"Fabantou，aliasJondrette！"repliedthehusbandhurriedly。
"Anartisticsobriquet！"
AndlaunchingathiswifeashrugoftheshoulderswhichM。Leblancdidnotcatch，hecontinuedwithanemphaticandcaressinginflectionofvoice:——
"Ah！wehavehadahappylifetogether，thispoordarlingandI！
Whatwouldtherebeleftforusifwehadnotthat？Wearesowretched，myrespectablesir！Wehavearms，butthereisnowork！Wehavethewill，nowork！Idon’tknowhowthegovernmentarrangesthat，but，onmywordofhonor，sir，IamnotJacobin，sir，Iamnotabousingot。[30]Idon’twishthemanyevil，butifIweretheministers，onmymostsacredword，thingswouldbedifferent。Here，forinstance，Iwantedtohavemygirlstaughtthetradeofpaper—boxmakers。
Youwillsaytome:`What！atrade？’Yes！Atrade！Asimpletrade！
Abread—winner！Whatafall，mybenefactor！Whatadegradation，whenonehasbeenwhatwehavebeen！Alas！Thereisnothinglefttousofourdaysofprosperity！Onethingonly，apicture，ofwhichIthinkagreatdeal，butwhichIamwillingtopartwith，forImustlive！Item，onemustlive！"
[30]Ademocrat。
WhileJondrettethustalked，withanapparentincoherencewhichdetractednothingfromthethoughtfulandsagaciousexpressionofhisphysiognomy，Mariusraisedhiseyes，andperceivedattheotherendoftheroomapersonwhomhehadnotseenbefore。
Amanhadjustentered，sosoftlythatthedoorhadnotbeenheardtoturnonitshinges。Thismanworeavioletknittedvest，whichwasold，worn，spotted，cutandgapingateveryfold，widetrousersofcottonvelvet，woodenshoesonhisfeet，noshirt，hadhisneckbare，hisbarearmstattooed，andhisfacesmearedwithblack。Hehadseatedhimselfinsilenceonthenearestbed，and，ashewasbehindJondrette，hecouldonlybeindistinctlyseen。
Thatsortofmagneticinstinctwhichturnsasidethegaze，causedM。LeblanctoturnroundalmostatthesamemomentasMarius。
HecouldnotrefrainfromagestureofsurprisewhichdidnotescapeJondrette。
"Ah！Isee！"exclaimedJondrette，buttoninguphiscoatwithanairofcomplaisance，"youarelookingatyourovercoat？Itfitsme！
Myfaith，butitfitsme！"
"Whoisthatman？"saidM。Leblanc。
"Him？"ejaculatedJondrette，"he’saneighborofmine。Don’tpayanyattentiontohim。"
Theneighborwasasingular—lookingindividual。However，manufactoriesofchemicalproductsaboundintheFaubourgSaint—Marceau。Manyoftheworkmenmighthaveblackfaces。Besidesthis，M。Leblanc’swholepersonwasexpressiveofcandidandintrepidconfidence。
Hewenton:——
"Excuseme；whatwereyousaying，M。Fabantou？"
"Iwastellingyou，sir，anddearprotector，"repliedJondretteplacinghiselbowsonthetableandcontemplatingM。Leblancwithsteadyandtendereyes，notunliketheeyesoftheboa—constrictor，"Iwastellingyou，thatIhaveapicturetosell。"
Aslightsoundcamefromthedoor。Asecondmanhadjustenteredandseatedhimselfonthebed，behindJondrette。
Likethefirst，hisarmswerebare，andhehadamaskofinkorlampblack。
Althoughthismanhad，literally，glidedintotheroom，hehadnotbeenabletopreventM。Leblanccatchingsightofhim。
"Don’tmindthem，"saidJondrette，"theyarepeoplewhobelonginthehouse。SoIwassaying，thatthereremainsinmypossessionavaluablepicture。Butstop，sir，takealookatit。"
Herose，wenttothewallatthefootofwhichstoodthepanelwhichwehavealreadymentioned，andturneditround，stillleavingitsupportedagainstthewall。Itreallywassomethingwhichresembledapicture，andwhichthecandleilluminated，somewhat。Mariuscouldmakenothingoutofit，asJondrettestoodbetweenthepictureandhim；
heonlysawacoarsedaub，andasortofprincipalpersonagecoloredwiththeharshcrudityofforeigncanvassesandscreenpaintings。
"Whatisthat？"askedM。Leblanc。
Jondretteexclaimed:——
"Apaintingbyamaster，apictureofgreatvalue，mybenefactor！
IamasmuchattachedtoitasIamtomytwodaughters；itrecallssouvenirstome！ButIhavetoldyou，andIwillnottakeitback，thatIamsowretchedthatIwillpartwithit。"
Eitherbychance，orbecausehehadbeguntofeeladawninguneasiness，M。Leblanc’sglancereturnedtothebottomoftheroomasheexaminedthepicture。
Therewerenowfourmen，threeseatedonthebed，onestandingnearthedoor—post，allfourwithbarearmsandmotionless，withfacessmearedwithblack。Oneofthoseonthebedwasleaningagainstthewall，withclosedeyes，anditmighthavebeensupposedthathewasasleep。
Hewasold；hiswhitehaircontrastingwithhisblackenedfaceproducedahorribleeffect。Theothertwoseemedtobeyoung；
oneworeabeard，theotherworehishairlong。Noneofthemhadonshoes；thosewhodidnotwearsockswerebarefooted。
JondrettenoticedthatM。Leblanc’seyewasfixedonthesemen。
"Theyarefriends。Theyareneighbors，"saidhe。"Theirfacesareblackbecausetheyworkincharcoal。Theyarechimney—builders。
Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutthem，mybenefactor，butbuymypicture。
Havepityonmymisery。Iwillnotaskyoumuchforit。Howmuchdoyouthinkitisworth？"
"Well，"saidM。Leblanc，lookingJondrettefullintheeye，andwiththemannerofamanwhoisonhisguard，"itissomesignboardforatavern，andisworthaboutthreefrancs。"
Jondretterepliedsweetly:——
"Haveyouyourpocket—bookwithyou？Ishouldbesatisfiedwithathousandcrowns。"
M。Leblancsprangup，placedhisbackagainstthewall，andcastarapidglancearoundtheroom。HehadJondretteonhisleft，onthesidenextthewindow，andtheJondrettewomanandthefourmenonhisright，onthesidenextthedoor。Thefourmendidnotstir，anddidnotevenseemtobelookingon。
Jondrettehadagainbeguntospeakinaplaintivetone，withsovagueaneye，andsolamentableanintonation，thatM。Leblancmighthavesupposedthatwhathehadbeforehimwasamanwhohadsimplygonemadwithmisery。
"Ifyoudonotbuymypicture，mydearbenefactor，"saidJondrette，"Ishallbeleftwithoutresources；therewillbenothingleftformebuttothrowmyselfintotheriver。WhenIthinkthatI
wantedtohavemytwogirlstaughtthemiddle—classpaper—boxtrade，themakingofboxesforNewYear’sgifts！Well！Atablewithaboardattheendtokeeptheglassesfromfallingoffisrequired，thenaspecialstoveisneeded，apotwiththreecompartmentsforthedifferentdegreesofstrengthofthepaste，accordingasitistobeusedforwood，paper，orstuff，aparing—knifetocutthecardboard，amouldtoadjustit，ahammertonailthesteels，pincers，howthedevildoIknowwhatall？Andallthatinordertoearnfoursousaday！Andyouhavetoworkfourteenhoursaday！
Andeachboxpassesthroughtheworkwoman’shandsthirteentimes！
Andyoucan’twetthepaper！Andyoumustn’tspotanything！Andyoumustkeepthepastehot。Thedevil，Itellyou！Foursousaday！
Howdoyousupposeamanistolive？"
Ashespoke，JondrettedidnotlookatM。Leblanc，whowasobservinghim。
M。Leblanc’seyewasfixedonJondrette，andJondrette’seyewasfixedonthedoor。Marius’eagerattentionwastransferredfromonetotheother。
M。Leblancseemedtobeaskinghimself:"Isthismananidiot？"
Jondretterepeatedtwoorthreedistincttimes，withallmannerofvaryinginflectionsofthewhiningandsupplicatingorder:
"Thereisnothingleftformebuttothrowmyselfintotheriver！
IwentdownthreestepsatthesideofthebridgeofAusterlitztheotherdayforthatpurpose。"
Allatoncehisdulleyeslightedupwithahideousflash；
thelittlemandrewhimselfupandbecameterrible，tookasteptowardM。Leblancandcriedinavoiceofthunder:"Thathasnothingtodowiththequestion！Doyouknowme？"
CHAPTERXX
THETRAP
Thedoorofthegarrethadjustopenedabruptly，andallowedaviewofthreemencladinbluelinenblouses，andmaskedwithmasksofblackpaper。Thefirstwasthin，andhadalong，iron—tippedcudgel；
thesecond，whowasasortofcolossus，carried，bythemiddleofthehandle，withthebladedownward，abutcher’spole—axeforslaughteringcattle。Thethird，amanwiththick—setshoulders，notsoslenderasthefirst，heldinhishandanenormouskeystolenfromthedoorofsomeprison。
ItappearedthatthearrivalofthesemenwaswhatJondrettehadbeenwaitingfor。Arapiddialogueensuedbetweenhimandthemanwiththecudgel，thethinone。
"Iseverythingready？"saidJondrette。
"Yes，"repliedthethinman。
"WhereisMontparnasse？"
"Theyoungprincipalactorstoppedtochatwithyourgirl。"
"Which？"
"Theeldest。"
"Isthereacarriageatthedoor？"
"Yes。"
"Istheteamharnessed？"
"Yes。"
"Withtwogoodhorses？"
"Excellent。"
"IsitwaitingwhereIordered？"
"Yes。"
"Good，"saidJondrette。
M。Leblancwasverypale。Hewasscrutinizingeverythingaroundhimintheden，likeamanwhounderstandswhathehasfalleninto，andhishead，directedinturntowardalltheheadswhichsurroundedhim，movedonhisneckwithanastonishedandattentiveslowness，buttherewasnothinginhisairwhichresembledfear。Hehadimprovisedanintrenchmentoutofthetable；andtheman，whobutaninstantpreviously，hadbornemerelytheappearanceofakindlyoldman，hadsuddenlybecomeasortofathlete，andplacedhisrobustfistonthebackofhischair，withaformidableandsurprisinggesture。