Thisoldman，whowassofirmandsobraveinthepresenceofsuchadanger，seemedtopossessoneofthosenatureswhichareascourageousastheyarekind，botheasilyandsimply。
　　Thefatherofawomanwhomweloveisneverastrangertous。
　　Mariusfeltproudofthatunknownman。
　　Threeofthemen，ofwhomJondrettehadsaid:"Theyarechimney—builders，"hadarmedthemselvesfromthepileofoldiron，onewithaheavypairofshears，thesecondwithweighing—tongs，thethirdwithahammer，andhadplacedthemselvesacrosstheentrancewithoututteringasyllable。Theoldmanhadremainedonthebed，andhadmerelyopenedhiseyes。TheJondrettewomanhadseatedherselfbesidehim。
　　Mariusdecidedthatinafewsecondsmorethemomentforinterventionwouldarrive，andheraisedhisrighthandtowardstheceiling，inthedirectionofthecorridor，inreadinesstodischargehispistol。
　　Jondrettehavingterminatedhiscolloquywiththemanwiththecudgel，turnedoncemoretoM。Leblanc，andrepeatedhisquestion，accompanyingitwiththatlow，repressed，andterriblelaughwhichwaspeculiartohim:——
　　"Soyoudonotrecognizeme？"
　　M。Leblanclookedhimfullintheface，andreplied:——
　　"No。"
　　ThenJondretteadvancedtothetable。Heleanedacrossthecandle，crossinghisarms，puttinghisangularandferociousjawclosetoM。Leblanc’scalmface，andadvancingasfaraspossiblewithoutforcingM。Leblanctoretreat，and，inthispostureofawildbeastwhoisabouttobite，heexclaimed:——
　　"MynameisnotFabantou，mynameisnotJondrette，mynameisThenardier。Iamtheinn—keeperofMontfermeil！
　　Doyouunderstand？Thenardier！Nowdoyouknowme？"
　　AnalmostimperceptibleflushcrossedM。Leblanc’sbrow，andherepliedwithavoicewhichneithertremblednorroseaboveitsordinarylevel，withhisaccustomedplacidity:——
　　"Nomorethanbefore。"
　　Mariusdidnothearthisreply。Anyonewhohadseenhimatthatmomentthroughthedarknesswouldhaveperceivedthathewashaggard，stupid，thunder—struck。AtthemomentwhenJondrettesaid:
　　"MynameisThenardier，"Mariushadtrembledineverylimb，andhadleanedagainstthewall，asthoughhefeltthecoldofasteelbladethroughhisheart。Thenhisrightarm，allreadytodischargethesignalshot，droppedslowly，andatthemomentwhenJondretterepeated，"Thenardier，doyouunderstand？"
　　Marius’sfalteringfingershadcomenearlettingthepistolfall。
　　Jondrette，byrevealinghisidentity，hadnotmovedM。Leblanc，buthehadquiteupsetMarius。ThatnameofThenardier，withwhichM。Leblancdidnotseemtobeacquainted，Mariusknewwell。
　　Letthereaderrecallwhatthatnamemeanttohim！Thatnamehehadwornonhisheart，inscribedinhisfather’stestament！
　　Heboreitatthebottomofhismind，inthedepthsofhismemory，inthatsacredinjunction:"AcertainThenardiersavedmylife。
　　Ifmysonencountershim，hewilldohimallthegoodthatliesinhispower。"Thatname，itwillberemembered，wasoneofthepietiesofhissoul；hemingleditwiththenameofhisfatherinhisworship。What！ThismanwasthatThenardier，thatinn—keeperofMontfermeilwhomhehadsolongandsovainlysought！Hehadfoundhimatlast，andhow？Hisfather’ssaviourwasaruffian！
　　Thatman，towhoseserviceMariuswasburningtodevotehimself，wasamonster！ThatliberatorofColonelPontmercywasonthepointofcommittingacrimewhosescopeMariusdidnot，asyet，clearlycomprehend，butwhichresembledanassassination！
　　Andagainstwhom，greatGod！whatafatality！Whatabittermockeryoffate！HisfatherhadcommandedhimfromthedepthsofhiscoffintodoallthegoodinhispowertothisThenardier，andforfouryearsMariushadcherishednootherthoughtthantoacquitthisdebtofhisfather’s，andatthemomentwhenhewasontheeveofhavingabrigandseizedintheveryactofcrimebyjustice，destinycriedtohim:"ThisisThenardier！"Hecouldatlastrepaythismanforhisfather’slife，savedamidahail—stormofgrape—shotontheheroicfieldofWaterloo，andrepayitwiththescaffold！
　　HehadsworntohimselfthatifeverhefoundthatThenardier，hewouldaddresshimonlybythrowinghimselfathisfeet；andnowheactuallyhadfoundhim，butitwasonlytodeliverhimovertotheexecutioner！Hisfathersaidtohim:"SuccorThenardier！"
　　AndherepliedtothatadoredandsaintedvoicebycrushingThenardier！
　　Hewasabouttooffertohisfatherinhisgravethespectacleofthatmanwhohadtornhimfromdeathattheperilofhisownlife，executedonthePlaceSaint—Jacquesthroughthemeansofhisson，ofthatMariustowhomhehadentrustedthatmanbyhiswill！
　　Andwhatamockerytohavesolongwornonhisbreasthisfather’slastcommands，writteninhisownhand，onlytoactinsohorriblycontraryasense！But，ontheotherhand，nowlookonthattrapandnotpreventit！Condemnthevictimandtosparetheassassin！
　　Couldonebeheldtoanygratitudetowardssomiserableawretch？
　　AlltheideaswhichMariushadcherishedforthelastfouryearswerepiercedthroughandthrough，asitwere，bythisunforeseenblow。
　　Heshuddered。Everythingdependedonhim。Unknowntothemselves，heheldinhishandallthosebeingswhoweremovingabouttherebeforehiseyes。Ifhefiredhispistol，M。Leblancwassaved，andThenardierlost；ifhedidnotfire，M。Leblancwouldbesacrificed，and，whoknows？Thenardierwouldescape。Shouldhedashdowntheoneorallowtheothertofall？Remorseawaitedhimineithercase。
　　Whatwashetodo？Whatshouldhechoose？Befalsetothemostimperioussouvenirs，toallthosesolemnvowstohimself，tothemostsacredduty，tothemostveneratedtext！Shouldheignorehisfather’stestament，orallowtheperpetrationofacrime！
　　Ontheonehand，itseemedtohimthatheheard"hisUrsule"
　　supplicatingforherfatherandontheother，thecolonelcommendingThenardiertohiscare。Hefeltthathewasgoingmad。Hiskneesgavewaybeneathhim。Andhehadnoteventhetimefordeliberation，sogreatwasthefurywithwhichthescenebeforehiseyeswashasteningtoitscatastrophe。Itwaslikeawhirlwindofwhichhehadthoughthimselfthemaster，andwhichwasnowsweepinghimaway。
　　Hewasonthevergeofswooning。
　　Inthemeantime，Thenardier，whomweshallhenceforthcallbynoothername，waspacingupanddowninfrontofthetableinasortoffrenzyandwildtriumph。
　　Heseizedthecandleinhisfist，andsetitonthechimney—piecewithsoviolentabangthatthewickcamenearbeingextinguished，andthetallowbespatteredthewall。
　　ThenheturnedtoM。Leblancwithahorriblelook，andspitoutthesewords:——
　　"Donefor！Smokedbrown！Cooked！Spitchcocked！"
　　Andagainhebegantomarchbackandforth，infulleruption。
　　"Ah！"hecried，"soI’vefoundyouagainatlast，Misterphilanthropist！
　　Misterthreadbaremillionnaire！Mistergiverofdolls！youoldninny！
　　Ah！soyoudon’trecognizeme！No，itwasn’tyouwhocametoMontfermeil，tomyinn，eightyearsago，onChristmaseve，1823！
　　Itwasn’tyouwhocarriedoffthatFantine’schildfromme！
　　TheLark！Itwasn’tyouwhohadayellowgreat—coat！No！
　　Norapackageofdudsinyourhand，asyouhadthismorninghere！
　　Say，wife，itseemstobehismaniatocarrypacketsofwoollenstockingsintohouses！Oldcharitymonger，getoutwithyou！
　　Areyouahosier，Mistermillionnaire？Yougiveawayyourstockintradetothepoor，holyman！Whatbosh！merryAndrew！
　　Ah！andyoudon’trecognizeme？Well，Irecognizeyou，thatIdo！
　　Irecognizedyoutheverymomentyoupokedyoursnoutinhere。
　　Ah！you’llfindoutpresently，thatitisn’tallrosestothrustyourselfinthatfashionintopeople’shouses，underthepretextthattheyaretaverns，inwretchedclothes，withtheairofapoorman，towhomonewouldgiveasou，todeceivepersons，toplaythegenerous，totakeawaytheirmeansoflivelihood，andtomakethreatsinthewoods，andyoucan’tcallthingsquitsbecauseafterwards，whenpeopleareruined，youbringacoatthatistoolarge，andtwomiserablehospitalblankets，youoldblackguard，youchild—stealer！"
　　Hepaused，andseemedtobetalkingtohimselfforamoment。
　　Onewouldhavesaidthathiswrathhadfallenintosomehole，liketheRhone；then，asthoughhewereconcludingaloudthethingswhichhehadbeensayingtohimselfinawhisper，hesmotethetablewithhisfist，andshouted:——
　　"Andwithhisgoody—goodyair！"
　　And，apostrophizingM。Leblanc:——
　　"Parbleu！Youmadegameofmeinthepast！Youarethecauseofallmymisfortunes！ForfifteenhundredfrancsyougotagirlwhomIhad，andwhocertainlybelongedtorichpeople，andwhohadalreadybroughtinagreatdealofmoney，andfromwhomImighthaveextractedenoughtoliveonallmylife！AgirlwhowouldhavemadeuptomeforeverythingthatIlostinthatvilecook—shop，wheretherewasnothingbutonecontinualrow，andwhere，likeafool，Iateupmylastfarthing！Oh！Iwishallthewinefolksdrankinmyhousehadbeenpoisontothosewhodrankit！
　　Well，nevermind！Say，now！YoumusthavethoughtmeridiculouswhenyouwentoffwiththeLark！Youhadyourcudgelintheforest。
　　Youwerethestronger。Revenge。I’mtheonetoholdthetrumpsto—day！You’reinasorrycase，mygoodfellow！Oh，butI
　　canlaugh！Really，Ilaugh！Didn’thefallintothetrap！
　　ItoldhimthatIwasanactor，thatmynamewasFabantou，thatIhadplayedcomedywithMamselleMars，withMamselleMuche，thatmylandlordinsistedonbeingpaidtomorrow，the4thofFebruary，andhedidn’tevennoticethatthe8thofJanuary，andnotthe4thofFebruaryisthetimewhenthequarterrunsout！Absurdidiot！
　　AndthefourmiserablePhilippeswhichhehasbroughtme！Scoundrel！
　　Hehadn’tthehearteventogoashighasahundredfrancs！Andhowheswallowedmyplatitudes！Thatdidamuseme。Isaidtomyself:
　　`Blockhead！Come，I’vegotyou！Ilickyourpawsthismorning，butI’llgnawyourheartthisevening！’"
　　Thenardierpaused。Hewasoutofbreath。Hislittle，narrowchestpantedlikeaforgebellows。Hiseyeswerefulloftheignoblehappinessofafeeble，cruel，andcowardlycreature，whichfindsthatitcan，atlast，harasswhatithasfeared，andinsultwhatithasflattered，thejoyofadwarfwhoshouldbeabletosethisheelontheheadofGoliath，thejoyofajackalwhichisbeginningtorendasickbull，sonearlydeadthathecannolongerdefendhimself，butsufficientlyalivetosufferstill。
　　M。Leblancdidnotinterrupthim，butsaidtohimwhenhepaused:——
　　"Idonotknowwhatyoumeantosay。Youaremistakeninme。Iamaverypoorman，andanythingbutamillionnaire。Idonotknowyou。
　　Youaremistakingmeforsomeotherperson。"
　　"Ah！"roaredThenardierhoarsely，"aprettylie！Yousticktothatpleasantry，doyou！You’refloundering，myoldbuck！
　　Ah！Youdon’tremember！Youdon’tseewhoIam？"
　　"Excuseme，sir，"saidM。Leblancwithapolitenessofaccent，whichatthatmomentseemedpeculiarlystrangeandpowerful，"Iseethatyouareavillain！"
　　Whohasnotremarkedthefactthatodiouscreaturespossessasusceptibilityoftheirown，thatmonstersareticklish！Atthisword"villain，"thefemaleThenardiersprangfromthebed，Thenardiergraspedhischairasthoughhewereabouttocrushitinhishands。
　　"Don’tyoustir！"heshoutedtohiswife；and，turningtoM。Leblanc:——
　　"Villain！Yes，Iknowthatyoucallusthat，yourichgentlemen！
　　Stop！it’struethatIbecamebankrupt，thatIaminhiding，thatI
　　havenobread，thatIhavenotasinglesou，thatIamavillain！
　　It’sthreedayssinceIhavehadanythingtoeat，soI’mavillain！
　　Ah！youfolkswarmyourfeet，youhaveSakoskiboots，youhavewaddedgreat—coats，likearchbishops，youlodgeonthefirstfloorinhousesthathaveporters，youeattruffles，youeatasparagusatfortyfrancsthebunchinthemonthofJanuary，andgreenpeas，yougorgeyourselves，andwhenyouwanttoknowwhetheritiscold，youlookinthepaperstoseewhattheengineerChevalier’sthermometersaysaboutit。We，itiswewhoarethermometers。
　　Wedon’tneedtogooutandlookonthequayatthecorneroftheTourdel’Horologe，tofindoutthenumberofdegreesofcold；
　　wefeelourbloodcongealinginourveins，andtheiceformingroundourhearts，andwesay:`ThereisnoGod！’Andyoucometoourcaverns，yesourcaverns，forthepurposeofcallingusvillains！
　　Butwe’lldevouryou！Butwe’lldevouryou，poorlittlethings！
　　Justseehere，Mistermillionnaire:Ihavebeenasolidman，Ihaveheldalicense，Ihavebeenanelector，Iamabourgeois，thatIam！Andit’squitepossiblethatyouarenot！"
　　HereThenardiertookasteptowardsthemenwhostoodnearthedoor，andaddedwithashudder:——
　　"WhenIthinkthathehasdaredtocomehereandtalktomelikeacobbler！"
　　ThenaddressingM。Leblancwithafreshoutburstoffrenzy:——
　　"Andlistentothisalso，Misterphilanthropist！I’mnotasuspiciouscharacter，notabitofit！I’mnotamanwhosenamenobodyknows，andwhocomesandabductschildrenfromhouses！
　　I’manoldFrenchsoldier，Ioughttohavebeendecorated！
　　IwasatWaterloo，soIwas！AndinthebattleIsavedageneralcalledtheComteofIdon’tknowwhat。Hetoldmehisname，buthisbeastlyvoicewassoweakthatIdidn’thear。AllIcaughtwasMerci[thanks]。I’dratherhavehadhisnamethanhisthanks。
　　Thatwouldhavehelpedmetofindhimagain。Thepicturethatyouseehere，andwhichwaspaintedbyDavidatBruqueselles，——doyouknowwhatitrepresents？Itrepresentsme。Davidwishedtoimmortalizethatfeatofprowess。Ihavethatgeneralonmyback，andIamcarryinghimthroughthegrape—shot。There’sthehistoryofit！
　　Thatgeneralneverdidasinglethingforme；hewasnobetterthantherest！Butnonetheless，Isavedhislifeattheriskofmyown，andIhavethecertificateofthefactinmypocket！
　　IamasoldierofWaterloo，byallthefuries！AndnowthatIhavehadthegoodnesstotellyouallthis，let’shaveanendofit。
　　Iwantmoney，Iwantadealofmoney，Imusthaveanenormouslotofmoney，orI’llexterminateyou，bythethunderofthegoodGod！"
　　Mariushadregainedsomemeasureofcontroloverhisanguish，andwaslistening。Thelastpossibilityofdoubthadjustvanished。
　　ItcertainlywastheThenardierofthewill。Mariusshudderedatthatreproachofingratitudedirectedagainsthisfather，andwhichhewasonthepointofsofatallyjustifying。Hisperplexitywasredoubled。
　　Moreover，therewasinallthesewordsofThenardier，inhisaccent，inhisgesture，inhisglancewhichdartedflamesateveryword，therewas，inthisexplosionofanevilnaturedisclosingeverything，inthatmixtureofbraggadocioandabjectness，ofprideandpettiness，ofrageandfolly，inthatchaosofrealgriefsandfalsesentiments，inthatimmodestyofamaliciousmantastingthevoluptuousdelightsofviolence，inthatshamelessnudityofarepulsivesoul，inthatconflagrationofallsufferingscombinedwithallhatreds，somethingwhichwasashideousasevil，andasheart—rendingasthetruth。
　　Thepictureofthemaster，thepaintingbyDavidwhichhehadproposedthatM。Leblancshouldpurchase，wasnothingelse，asthereaderhasdivined，thanthesignofhistavernpainted，asitwillberemembered，byhimself，theonlyrelicwhichhehadpreservedfromhisshipwreckatMontfermeil。
　　AshehadceasedtointerceptMarius’visualray，Mariuscouldexaminethisthing，andinthedaub，heactuallydidrecognizeabattle，abackgroundofsmoke，andamancarryinganotherman。
　　ItwasthegroupcomposedofPontmercyandThenardier；thesergeanttherescuer，thecolonelrescued。Mariuswaslikeadrunkenman；
　　thispicturerestoredhisfathertolifeinsomesort；itwasnolongerthesignboardofthewine—shopatMontfermeil，itwasaresurrection；
　　atombhadyawned，aphantomhadrisenthere。Mariusheardhisheartbeatinginhistemples，hehadthecannonofWaterlooinhisears，hisbleedingfather，vaguelydepictedonthatsinisterpanelterrifiedhim，anditseemedtohimthatthemisshapenspectrewasgazingintentlyathim。
　　WhenThenardierhadrecoveredhisbreath，heturnedhisbloodshoteyesonM。Leblanc，andsaidtohiminalow，curtvoice:——
　　"Whathaveyoutosaybeforeweputthehandcuffsonyou？"
　　M。Leblancheldhispeace。
　　Inthemidstofthissilence，acrackedvoicelaunchedthislugubrioussarcasmfromthecorridor:——
　　"Ifthere’sanywoodtobesplit，I’mthere！"
　　Itwasthemanwiththeaxe，whowasgrowingmerry。
　　Atthesamemoment，anenormous，bristling，andclayeyfacemadeitsappearanceatthedoor，withahideouslaughwhichexhibitednotteeth，butfangs。
　　Itwasthefaceofthemanwiththebutcher’saxe。
　　"Whyhaveyoutakenoffyourmask？"criedThenardierinarage。
　　"Forfun，"retortedtheman。
　　ForthelastfewminutesM。LeblanchadappearedtobewatchingandfollowingallthemovementsofThenardier，who，blindedanddazzledbyhisownrage，wasstalkingtoandfrointhedenwithfullconfidencethatthedoorwasguarded，andofholdinganunarmedmanfast，hebeingarmedhimself，ofbeingnineagainstone，supposingthatthefemaleThenardiercountedforbutoneman。
　　Duringhisaddresstothemanwiththepole—axe，hehadturnedhisbacktoM。Leblanc。
　　M。Leblancseizedthismoment，overturnedthechairwithhisfootandthetablewithhisfist，andwithonebound，withprodigiousagility，beforeThenardierhadtimetoturnround，hehadreachedthewindow。
　　Toopenit，toscaletheframe，tobestrideit，wastheworkofasecondonly。Hewashalfoutwhensixrobustfistsseizedhimanddraggedhimbackenergeticallyintothehovel。Thesewerethethree"chimney—builders，"whohadflungthemselvesuponhim。
　　AtthesametimetheThenardierwomanhadwoundherhandsinhishair。
　　Atthetramplingwhichensued，theotherruffiansrushedupfromthecorridor。Theoldmanonthebed，whoseemedundertheinfluenceofwine，descendedfromthepalletandcamereelingup，withastone—breaker’shammerinhishand。
　　Oneofthe"chimney—builders，"whosesmirchedfacewaslightedupbythecandle，andinwhomMariusrecognized，inspiteofhisdaubing，Panchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille，liftedaboveM。Leblanc’sheadasortofbludgeonmadeoftwoballsoflead，atthetwoendsofabarofiron。
　　Mariuscouldnotresistthissight。"Myfather，"hethought，"forgiveme！"
　　Andhisfingersoughtthetriggerofhispistol。
　　TheshotwasonthepointofbeingdischargedwhenThenardier’svoiceshouted:——
　　"Don’tharmhim！"
　　Thisdesperateattemptofthevictim，farfromexasperatingThenardier，hadcalmedhim。Thereexistedinhimtwomen，theferociousmanandtheadroitman。Uptothatmoment，intheexcessofhistriumphinthepresenceofthepreywhichhadbeenbroughtdown，andwhichdidnotstir，theferociousmanhadprevailed；whenthevictimstruggledandtriedtoresist，theadroitmanreappearedandtooktheupperhand。
　　"Don’thurthim！"herepeated，andwithoutsuspectingit，hisfirstsuccesswastoarrestthepistolintheactofbeingdischarged，andtoparalyzeMarius，inwhoseopiniontheurgencyofthecasedisappeared，andwho，inthefaceofthisnewphase，sawnoinconvenienceinwaitingawhilelonger。
　　WhoknowswhethersomechancewouldnotarisewhichwoulddeliverhimfromthehorriblealternativeofallowingUrsule’sfathertoperish，orofdestroyingthecolonel’ssaviour？
　　Aherculeanstrugglehadbegun。Withoneblowfullinthechest，M。Leblanchadsenttheoldmantumbling，rollinginthemiddleoftheroom，thenwithtwobackwardsweepsofhishandhehadoverthrowntwomoreassailants，andheheldoneundereachofhisknees；
　　thewretcheswererattlinginthethroatbeneaththispressureasunderagranitemillstone；buttheotherfourhadseizedtheformidableoldmanbybotharmsandthebackofhisneck，andwereholdinghimdoubledupoverthetwo"chimney—builders"onthefloor。
　　Thus，themasterofsomeandmasteredbytherest，crushingthosebeneathhimandstiflingunderthoseontopofhim，endeavoringinvaintoshakeoffalltheeffortswhichwereheapeduponhim，M。Leblancdisappearedunderthehorriblegroupofruffianslikethewildboarbeneathahowlingpileofdogsandhounds。
　　Theysucceededinoverthrowinghimuponthebednearestthewindow，andtheretheyheldhiminawe。TheThenardierwomanhadnotreleasedherclutchonhishair。
　　"Don’tyoumixyourselfupinthisaffair，"saidThenardier。
　　"You’lltearyourshawl。"
　　TheThenardierobeyed，asthefemalewolfobeysthemalewolf，withagrowl。
　　"Now，"saidThenardier，"searchhim，youotherfellows！"
　　M。Leblancseemedtohaverenouncedtheideaofresistance。
　　Theysearchedhim。
　　Hehadnothingonhispersonexceptaleatherpursecontainingsixfrancs，andhishandkerchief。
　　Thenardierputthehandkerchiefintohisownpocket。
　　"What！Nopocket—book？"hedemanded。
　　"No，norwatch，"repliedoneofthe"chimney—builders。"
　　"Nevermind，"murmuredthemaskedmanwhocarriedthebigkey，inthevoiceofaventriloquist，"he’satougholdfellow。"
　　Thenardierwenttothecornernearthedoor，pickedupabundleofropesandthrewthematthemen。
　　"Tiehimtothelegofthebed，"saidhe。
　　And，catchingsightoftheoldmanwhohadbeenstretchedacrosstheroombytheblowfromM。Leblanc’sfist，andwhomadenomovement，headded:——
　　"IsBoulatruelledead？"
　　"No，"repliedBigrenaille，"he’sdrunk。"
　　"Sweephimintoacorner，"saidThenardier。
　　Twoofthe"chimney—builders"pushedthedrunkenmanintothecornerneartheheapofoldironwiththeirfeet。
　　"Babet，"saidThenardierinalowtonetothemanwiththecudgel，"whydidyoubringsomany；theywerenotneeded。"
　　"Whatcanyoudo？"repliedthemanwiththecudgel，"theyallwantedtobeinit。Thisisabadseason。There’snobusinessgoingon。"
　　ThepalletonwhichM。Leblanchadbeenthrownwasasortofhospitalbed，elevatedonfourcoarsewoodenlegs，roughlyhewn。
　　M。Leblancletthemtaketheirowncourse。
　　Theruffiansboundhimsecurely，inanuprightattitude，withhisfeetonthegroundattheheadofthebed，theendwhichwasmostremotefromthewindow，andnearesttothefireplace。
　　Whenthelastknothadbeentied，ThenardiertookachairandseatedhimselfalmostfacingM。Leblanc。
　　Thenardiernolongerlookedlikehimself；inthecourseofafewmomentshisfacehadpassedfromunbridledviolencetotranquilandcunningsweetness。
　　Mariusfounditdifficulttorecognizeinthatpolishedsmileofamaninofficiallifethealmostbestialmouthwhichhadbeenfoamingbutamomentbefore；hegazedwithamazementonthatfantasticandalarmingmetamorphosis，andhefeltasamanmightfeelwhoshouldbeholdatigerconvertedintoalawyer。
　　"Monsieur——"saidThenardier。
　　AnddismissingwithagesturetheruffianswhostillkepttheirhandsonM。Leblanc:——
　　"Standoffalittle，andletmehaveatalkwiththegentleman。"
　　Allretiredtowardsthedoor。
　　Hewenton:——
　　"Monsieur，youdidwrongtotrytojumpoutofthewindow。
　　Youmighthavebrokenyourleg。Now，ifyouwillpermitme，wewillconversequietly。Inthefirstplace，ImustcommunicatetoyouanobservationwhichIhavemadewhichis，thatyouhavenotutteredthefaintestcry。"
　　Thenardierwasright，thisdetailwascorrect，althoughithadescapedMariusinhisagitation。M。Leblanchadbarelypronouncedafewwords，withoutraisinghisvoice，andevenduringhisstrugglewiththesixruffiansnearthewindowhehadpreservedthemostprofoundandsingularsilence。
　　Thenardiercontinued:——
　　"MonDieu！Youmighthaveshouted`stopthief’abit，andI
　　shouldnothavethoughtitimproper。`Murder！’That，too，issaidoccasionally，and，sofarasIamconcerned，Ishouldnothavetakenitinbadpart。Itisverynaturalthatyoushouldmakealittlerowwhenyoufindyourselfwithpersonswhodon’tinspireyouwithsufficientconfidence。Youmighthavedonethat，andnoonewouldhavetroubledyouonthataccount。Youwouldnotevenhavebeengagged。AndIwilltellyouwhy。Thisroomisveryprivate。
　　That’sitsonlyrecommendation，butithasthatinitsfavor。
　　Youmightfireoffamortaranditwouldproduceaboutasmuchnoiseatthenearestpolicestationasthesnoresofadrunkenman。
　　Hereacannonwouldmakeaboum，andthethunderwouldmakeapouf。
　　It’sahandylodging。But，inshort，youdidnotshout，anditisbetterso。Ipresentyoumycompliments，andIwilltellyoutheconclusionthatIdrawfromthatfact:Mydearsir，whenamanshouts，whocomes？Thepolice。Andafterthepolice？
　　Justice。Well！Youhavenotmadeanoutcry；thatisbecauseyoudon’tcaretohavethepoliceandthecourtscomeinanymorethanwedo。
　　Itisbecause，——Ihavelongsuspectedit，——youhavesomeinterestinhidingsomething。Onoursidewehavethesameinterest。
　　Sowecancometoanunderstanding。"
　　Ashespokethus，itseemedasthoughThenardier，whokepthiseyesfixedonM。Leblanc，weretryingtoplungethesharppointswhichdartedfromthepupilsintotheveryconscienceofhisprisoner。
　　Moreover，hislanguage，whichwasstampedwithasortofmoderated，subduedinsolenceandcraftyinsolence，wasreservedandalmostchoice，andinthatrascal，whohadbeennothingbutarobberashorttimepreviously，onenowfelt"themanwhohadstudiedforthepriesthood。"
　　Thesilencepreservedbytheprisoner，thatprecautionwhichhadbeencarriedtothepointofforgettingallanxietyforhisownlife，thatresistanceopposedtothefirstimpulseofnature，whichistoutteracry，allthis，itmustbeconfessed，nowthathisattentionhadbeencalledtoit，troubledMarius，andaffectedhimwithpainfulastonishment。
　　Thenardier’swell—groundedobservationstillfurtherobscuredforMariusthedensemysterywhichenvelopedthatgraveandsingularpersononwhomCourfeyrachadbestowedthesobriquetofMonsieurLeblanc。
　　Butwhoeverhewas，boundwithropes，surroundedwithexecutioners，halfplunged，sotospeak，inagravewhichwasclosinginuponhimtotheextentofadegreewitheverymomentthatpassed，inthepresenceofThenardier’swrath，asinthepresenceofhissweetness，thismanremainedimpassive；andMariuscouldnotrefrainfromadmiringatsuchamomentthesuperblymelancholyvisage。
　　Here，evidently，wasasoulwhichwasinaccessibletoterror，andwhichdidnotknowthemeaningofdespair。Herewasoneofthosemenwhocommandamazementindesperatecircumstances。
　　Extremeaswasthecrisis，inevitableaswasthecatastrophe，therewasnothinghereoftheagonyofthedrowningman，whoopenshishorror—filledeyesunderthewater。
　　Thenardierroseinanunpretendingmanner，wenttothefireplace，shovedasidethescreen，whichheleanedagainsttheneighboringpallet，andthusunmaskedthebrazierfullofglowingcoals，inwhichtheprisonercouldplainlyseethechiselwhite—hotandspottedhereandtherewithtinyscarletstars。
　　ThenThenardierreturnedtohisseatbesideM。Leblanc。
　　"Icontinue，"saidhe。"Wecancometoanunderstanding。
　　Letusarrangethismatterinanamicableway。Iwaswrongtolosemytemperjustnow，Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinkingof，Iwentagreatdealtoofar，Isaidextravagantthings。Forexample，becauseyouareamillionnaire，ItoldyouthatIexactedmoney，alotofmoney，adealofmoney。Thatwouldnotbereasonable。
　　MonDieu，inspiteofyourriches，youhaveexpensesofyourown——
　　whohasnot？Idon’twanttoruinyou，Iamnotagreedyfellow，afterall。Iamnotoneofthosepeoplewho，becausetheyhavetheadvantageoftheposition，profitbythefacttomakethemselvesridiculous。Why，I’mtakingthingsintoconsiderationandmakingasacrificeonmyside。Ionlywanttwohundredthousandfrancs。"
　　M。Leblancutterednotaword。
　　Thenardierwenton:——
　　"YouseethatIputnotalittlewaterinmywine；I’mverymoderate。
　　Idon’tknowthestateofyourfortune，butIdoknowthatyoudon’tstickatmoney，andabenevolentmanlikeyourselfcancertainlygivetwohundredthousandfrancstothefatherofafamilywhoisoutofluck。Certainly，youarereasonable，too；youhaven’timaginedthatIshouldtakeallthetroubleIhaveto—dayandorganizedthisaffairthisevening，whichhasbeenlaborwellbestowed，intheopinionofthesegentlemen，merelytowindupbyaskingyouforenoughtogoanddrinkredwineatfifteensousandeatvealatDesnoyer’s。Twohundredthousandfrancs——it’ssurelyworthallthat。
　　Thistrifleonceoutofyourpocket，Iguaranteeyouthatthat’stheendofthematter，andthatyouhavenofurtherdemandstofear。
　　Youwillsaytome:`ButIhaven’ttwohundredthousandfrancsaboutme。’Oh！I’mnotextortionate。Idon’tdemandthat。
　　Ionlyaskonethingofyou。HavethegoodnesstowritewhatIamabouttodictatetoyou。"
　　HereThenardierpaused；thenheadded，emphasizinghiswords，andcastingasmileinthedirectionofthebrazier:——
　　"IwarnyouthatIshallnotadmitthatyoudon’tknowhowtowrite。"
　　Agrandinquisitormighthaveenviedthatsmile。
　　ThenardierpushedthetableclosetoM。Leblanc，andtookaninkstand，apen，andasheetofpaperfromthedrawerwhichhelefthalfopen，andinwhichgleamedthelongbladeoftheknife。
　　HeplacedthesheetofpaperbeforeM。Leblanc。
　　"Write，"saidhe。
　　Theprisonerspokeatlast。
　　"Howdoyouexpectmetowrite？Iambound。"
　　"That’strue，excuseme！"ejaculatedThenardier，"youarequiteright。"
　　AndturningtoBigrenaille:——
　　"Untiethegentleman’srightarm。"
　　Panchaud，aliasPrintanier，aliasBigrenaille，executedThenardier’sorder。
　　Whentheprisoner’srightarmwasfree，Thenardierdippedthepenintheinkandpresentedittohim。
　　"Understandthoroughly，sir，thatyouareinourpower，atourdiscretion，thatnohumanpowercangetyououtofthis，andthatweshallbereallygrievedifweareforcedtoproceedtodisagreeableextremities。
　　Iknowneitheryourname，noryouraddress，butIwarnyou，thatyouwillremainbounduntilthepersonchargedwithcarryingtheletterwhichyouareabouttowriteshallhavereturned。Now，besogoodastowrite。"
　　"What？"demandedtheprisoner。
　　"Iwilldictate。"
　　M。Leblanctookthepen。
　　Thenardierbegantodictate:——
　　"Mydaughter——"
　　Theprisonershuddered，andraisedhiseyestoThenardier。
　　"Putdown`Mydeardaughter’——"saidThenardier。
　　M。Leblancobeyed。
　　Thenardiercontinued:——
　　"Comeinstantly——"
　　Hepaused:——
　　"Youaddressherasthou，doyounot？"
　　"Who？"askedM。Leblanc。
　　"Parbleu！"criedThenardier，"thelittleone，theLark。"
　　M。Leblancrepliedwithouttheslightestapparentemotion:——
　　"Idonotknowwhatyoumean。"
　　"Goon，nevertheless，"ejaculatedThenardier，andhecontinuedtodictate:——
　　"Comeimmediately，Iaminabsoluteneedofthee。Thepersonwhowilldeliverthisnotetotheeisinstructedtoconducttheetome。
　　Iamwaitingforthee。Comewithconfidence。"
　　M。Leblanchadwrittenthewholeofthis。
　　Thenardierresumed:——
　　"Ah！erase`comewithconfidence’；thatmightleadhertosupposethateverythingwasnotasitshouldbe，andthatdistrustispossible。"
　　M。Leblancerasedthethreewords。
　　"Now，"pursuedThenardier，"signit。What’syourname？"
　　Theprisonerlaiddownthepenanddemanded:——
　　"Forwhomisthisletter？"
　　"Youknowwell，"retortedThenardier，"forthelittleoneIjusttoldyouso。"
　　ItwasevidentthatThenardieravoidednamingtheyounggirlinquestion。Hesaid"theLark，"hesaid"thelittleone，"
　　buthedidnotpronouncehername——theprecautionofaclevermanguardinghissecretfromhisaccomplices。Tomentionthenamewastodeliverthewhole"affair"intotheirhands，andtotellthemmoreaboutitthantherewasanyneedoftheirknowing。
　　Hewenton:——
　　"Sign。Whatisyourname？"
　　"UrbainFabre，"saidtheprisoner。
　　Thenardier，withthemovementofacat，dashedhishandintohispocketanddrewoutthehandkerchiefwhichhadbeenseizedonM。Leblanc。
　　Helookedforthemarkonit，andhelditclosetothecandle。
　　"U。F。That’sit。UrbainFabre。Well，signitU。F。"
　　Theprisonersigned。
　　"Astwohandsarerequiredtofoldtheletter，giveittome，Iwillfoldit。"
　　Thatdone，Thenardierresumed:——
　　"Addressit，`MademoiselleFabre，’atyourhouse。Iknowthatyoulivealongdistancefromhere，nearSaint—Jacquesdu—Haut—Pas，becauseyougotomassthereeveryday，butIdon’tknowinwhatstreet。
　　Iseethatyouunderstandyoursituation。Asyouhavenotliedaboutyourname，youwillnotlieaboutyouraddress。Writeityourself。"
　　Theprisonerpausedthoughtfullyforamoment，thenhetookthepenandwrote:——
　　"MademoiselleFabre，atM。UrbainFabre’s，RueSaint—Dominique—D’Enfer，No。17。"
　　Thenardierseizedtheletterwithasortoffeverishconvulsion。
　　"Wife！"hecried。
　　TheThenardierwomanhastenedtohim。
　　"Here’stheletter。Youknowwhatyouhavetodo。Thereisacarriageatthedoor。Setoutatonce，andreturnditto。"
　　Andaddressingthemanwiththemeat—axe:——
　　"Sinceyouhavetakenoffyournose—screen，accompanythemistress。
　　Youwillgetupbehindthefiacre。Youknowwhereyoulefttheteam？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheman。
　　Anddepositinghisaxeinacorner，hefollowedMadameThenardier。
　　Astheysetoff，Thenardierthrusthisheadthroughthehalf—opendoor，andshoutedintothecorridor:——
　　"Aboveallthings，don’tlosetheletter！rememberthatyoucarrytwohundredthousandfrancswithyou！"
　　TheThenardier’shoarsevoicereplied:——
　　"Beeasy。Ihaveitinmybosom。"
　　Aminutehadnotelapsed，whenthesoundofthecrackingofawhipwasheard，whichrapidlyretreatedanddiedaway。
　　"Good！"growledThenardier。"They’regoingatafinepace。
　　Atsuchagallop，thebourgeoisewillbebackinsidethree—quartersofanhour。"
　　Hedrewachairclosetothefireplace，foldinghisarms，andpresentinghismuddybootstothebrazier。
　　"Myfeetarecold！"saidhe。
　　OnlyfiveruffiansnowremainedinthedenwithThenardierandtheprisoner。
　　Thesemen，throughtheblackmasksorpastewhichcoveredtheirfaces，andmadeofthem，atfear’spleasure，charcoal—burners，negroes，ordemons，hadastupidandgloomyair，anditcouldbefeltthattheyperpetratedacrimelikeabitofwork，tranquilly，withouteitherwrathormercy，withasortofennui。Theywerecrowdedtogetherinonecornerlikebrutes，andremainedsilent。
　　Thenardierwarmedhisfeet。
　　Theprisonerhadrelapsedintohistaciturnity。Asombrecalmhadsucceededtothewilduproarwhichhadfilledthegarretbutafewmomentsbefore。
　　Thecandle，onwhichalarge"stranger"hadformed，castbutadimlightintheimmensehovel，thebrazierhadgrowndull，andallthosemonstrousheadscastmisshapenshadowsonthewallsandceiling。
　　Nosoundwasaudibleexceptthequietbreathingoftheolddrunkenman，whowasfastasleep。
　　Mariuswaitedinastateofanxietythatwasaugmentedbyeverytrifle。
　　Theenigmawasmoreimpenetrablethanever。
　　Whowasthis"littleone"whomThenardierhadcalledtheLark？
　　Wasshehis"Ursule"？Theprisonerhadnotseemedtobeaffectedbythatword，"theLark，"andhadrepliedinthemostnaturalmannerintheworld:"Idonotknowwhatyoumean。"Ontheotherhand，thetwolettersU。F。wereexplained；theymeantUrbainFabre；
　　andUrsulewasnolongernamedUrsule。ThiswaswhatMariusperceivedmostclearlyofall。
　　Asortofhorriblefascinationheldhimnailedtohispost，fromwhichhewasobservingandcommandingthiswholescene。
　　Therehestood，almostincapableofmovementorreflection，asthoughannihilatedbytheabominablethingsviewedatsuchclosequarters。
　　Hewaited，inthehopeofsomeincident，nomatterofwhatnature，sincehecouldnotcollecthisthoughtsanddidnotknowuponwhatcoursetodecide。
　　"Inanycase，"hesaid，"ifsheistheLark，Ishallseeher，fortheThenardierwomanistobringherhither。Thatwillbetheend，andthenIwillgivemylifeandmybloodifnecessary，butIwilldeliverher！Nothingshallstopme。"
　　Nearlyhalfanhourpassedinthismanner。Thenardierseemedtobeabsorbedingloomyreflections，theprisonerdidnotstir。
　　Still，Mariusfanciedthatatintervals，andforthelastfewmoments，hehadheardafaint，dullnoiseinthedirectionoftheprisoner。
　　Allatonce，Thenardieraddressedtheprisoner:
　　"Bytheway，MonsieurFabre，Imightaswellsayittoyouatonce。"
　　Thesefewwordsappearedtobethebeginningofanexplanation。
　　Mariusstrainedhisears。
　　"Mywifewillbebackshortly，don’tgetimpatient。IthinkthattheLarkreallyisyourdaughter，anditseemstomequitenaturalthatyoushouldkeepher。Only，listentomeabit。Mywifewillgoandhuntherupwithyourletter。Itoldmywifetodressherselfinthewayshedid，sothatyouryoungladymightmakenodifficultyaboutfollowingher。Theywillbothenterthecarriagewithmycomradebehind。Somewhere，outsidethebarrier，thereisatrapharnessedtotwoverygoodhorses。Youryoungladywillbetakentoit。
　　Shewillalightfromthefiacre。Mycomradewillentertheothervehiclewithher，andmywifewillcomebackheretotellus:
　　`It’sdone。’Asfortheyounglady，noharmwillbedonetoher；
　　thetrapwillconducthertoaplacewhereshewillbequiet，andjustassoonasyouhavehandedovertomethoselittletwohundredthousandfrancs，shewillbereturnedtoyou。Ifyouhavemearrested，mycomradewillgiveaturnofhisthumbtotheLark，that’sall。"
　　Theprisonerutterednotasyllable。Afterapause，Thenardiercontinued:——
　　"It’sverysimple，asyousee。There’llbenoharmdoneunlessyouwishthatthereshouldbeharmdone。I’mtellingyouhowthingsstand。
　　Iwarnyousothatyoumaybeprepared。"
　　Hepaused:theprisonerdidnotbreakthesilence，andThenardierresumed:——
　　"Assoonasmywifereturnsandsaystome:`TheLarkisontheway，’
　　wewillreleaseyou，andyouwillbefreetogoandsleepathome。
　　Youseethatourintentionsarenotevil。"
　　TerribleimagespassedthroughMarius’mind。What！Thatyounggirlwhomtheywereabductingwasnottobebroughtback？
　　Oneofthosemonsterswastobearheroffintothedarkness？
　　Whither？Andwhatifitwereshe！
　　Itwasclearthatitwasshe。Mariusfelthisheartstopbeating。
　　Whatwashetodo？Dischargethepistol？Placeallthosescoundrelsinthehandsofjustice？Butthehorriblemanwiththemeat—axewould，nonetheless，beoutofreachwiththeyounggirl，andMariusreflectedonThenardier’swords，ofwhichheperceivedthebloodysignificance:"Ifyouhavemearrested，mycomradewillgiveaturnofhisthumbtotheLark。"
　　Now，itwasnotalonebythecolonel’stestament，itwasbyhisownlove，itwasbytheperiloftheoneheloved，thathefelthimselfrestrained。
　　Thisfrightfulsituation，whichhadalreadylastedabovehalfanhour，waschangingitsaspecteverymoment。
　　Mariushadsufficientstrengthofmindtoreviewinsuccessionallthemostheart—breakingconjectures，seekinghopeandfindingnone。
　　Thetumultofhisthoughtscontrastedwiththefunerealsilenceoftheden。
　　Inthemidstofthissilence，thedooratthebottomofthestaircasewasheardtoopenandshutagain。
　　Theprisonermadeamovementinhisbonds。
　　"Here’sthebourgeoise，"saidThenardier。
　　Hehadhardlyutteredthewords，whentheThenardierwomandidinfactrushhastilyintotheroom，red，panting，breathless，withflamingeyes，andcried，asshesmoteherhugehandsonherthighssimultaneously:——
　　"Falseaddress！"
　　Theruffianwhohadgonewithhermadehisappearancebehindherandpickeduphisaxeagain。
　　Sheresumed:——
　　"Nobodythere！RueSaint—Dominique，No。17，noMonsieurUrbainFabre！
　　Theyknownotwhatitmeans！"
　　Shepaused，choking，thenwenton:——
　　"MonsieurThenardier！Thatoldfellowhasdupedyou！Youaretoogood，yousee！Ifithadbeenme，I’dhavechoppedthebeastinfourquarterstobeginwith！Andifhehadactedugly，I’dhaveboiledhimalive！Hewouldhavebeenobligedtospeak，andsaywherethegirlis，andwherehekeepshisshiners！That’sthewayI
　　shouldhavemanagedmatters！Peopleareperfectlyrightwhentheysaythatmenareadealstupiderthanwomen！NobodyatNo。17。
　　It’snothingbutabigcarriagegate！NoMonsieurFabreintheRueSaint—Dominique！Andafterallthatracingandfeetothecoachmanandall！Ispoketoboththeporterandtheportress，afine，stoutwoman，andtheyknownothingabouthim！"
　　Mariusbreathedfreelyoncemore。
　　She，UrsuleortheLark，henolongerknewwhattocallher，wassafe。
　　Whilehisexasperatedwifevociferated，Thenardierhadseatedhimselfonthetable。
　　Forseveralminutesheutterednotaword，butswunghisrightfoot，whichhungdown，andstaredatthebrazierwithanairofsavagerevery。
　　Finally，hesaidtotheprisoner，withaslowandsingularlyferocioustone:
　　"Afalseaddress？Whatdidyouexpecttogainbythat？"
　　"Togaintime！"criedtheprisonerinathunderingvoice，andatthesameinstantheshookoffhisbonds；theywerecut。
　　Theprisonerwasonlyattachedtothebednowbyoneleg。
　　Beforethesevenmenhadtimetocollecttheirsensesanddashforward，hehadbentdownintothefireplace，hadstretchedouthishandtothebrazier，andhadthenstraightenedhimselfupagain，andnowThenardier，thefemaleThenardier，andtheruffians，huddledinamazementattheextremityofthehovel，staredathiminstupefaction，asalmostfreeandinaformidableattitude，hebrandishedabovehisheadthered—hotchisel，whichemittedathreateningglow。
　　ThejudicialexaminationtowhichtheambushintheGorbeauhouseeventuallygaverise，establishedthefactthatalargesoupiece，cutandworkedinapeculiarfashion，wasfoundinthegarret，whenthepolicemadetheirdescentonit。Thissoupiecewasoneofthosemarvelsofindustry，whichareengenderedbythepatienceofthegalleysintheshadowsandfortheshadows，marvelswhicharenothingelsethaninstrumentsofescape。
　　Thesehideousanddelicateproductsofwonderfulartaretojewellers’
　　workwhatthemetaphorsofslangaretopoetry。ThereareBenvenutoCellinisinthegalleys，justasthereareVillonsinlanguage。
　　Theunhappywretchwhoaspirestodeliverancefindsmeanssometimeswithouttools，sometimeswithacommonwooden—handledknife，tosawasouintotwothinplates，tohollowouttheseplateswithoutaffectingthecoinagestamp，andtomakeafurrowontheedgeofthesouinsuchamannerthattheplateswilladhereagain。
　　Thiscanbescrewedtogetherandunscrewedatwill；itisabox。
　　Inthisboxhehidesawatch—spring，andthiswatch—spring，properlyhandled，cutsgood—sizedchainsandbarsofiron。
　　Theunfortunateconvictissupposedtopossessmerelyasou；notatall，hepossessesliberty。Itwasalargesouofthissortwhich，duringthesubsequentsearchofthepolice，wasfoundunderthebednearthewindow。Theyalsofoundatinysawofbluesteelwhichwouldfitthesou。
　　Itisprobablethattheprisonerhadthissoupieceonhispersonatthemomentwhentheruffianssearchedhim，thathecontrivedtoconcealitinhishand，andthatafterward，havinghisrighthandfree，heunscrewedit，anduseditasasawtocutthecordswhichfastenedhim，whichwouldexplainthefaintnoiseandalmostimperceptiblemovementswhichMariushadobserved。
　　Ashehadnotbeenabletobenddown，forfearofbetrayinghimself，hehadnotcutthebondsofhisleftleg。
　　Theruffianshadrecoveredfromtheirfirstsurprise。
　　"Beeasy，"saidBigrenailletoThenardier。"Hestillholdsbyoneleg，andhecan’tgetaway。I’llanswerforthat。Itiedthatpawforhim。"
　　Inthemeanwhile，theprisonerhadbeguntospeak:——
　　"Youarewretches，butmylifeisnotworththetroubleofdefendingit。Whenyouthinkthatyoucanmakemespeak，thatyoucanmakemewritewhatIdonotchoosetowrite，thatyoucanmakemesaywhatIdonotchoosetosay——"
　　Hestrippeduphisleftsleeve，andadded:——
　　"Seehere。"
　　Atthesamemomentheextendedhisarm，andlaidtheglowingchiselwhichheheldinhislefthandbyitswoodenhandleonhisbareflesh。
　　Thecracklingoftheburningfleshbecameaudible，andtheodorpeculiartochambersoftorturefilledthehovel。
　　Mariusreeledinutterhorror，theveryruffiansshuddered，hardlyamuscleoftheoldman’sfacecontracted，andwhilethered—hotironsankintothesmokingwound，impassiveandalmostaugust，hefixedonThenardierhisbeautifulglance，inwhichtherewasnohatred，andwheresufferingvanishedinserenemajesty。
　　Withgrandandloftynatures，therevoltsofthefleshandthesenseswhensubjectedtophysicalsufferingcausethesoultospringforth，andmakeitappearonthebrow，justasrebellionsamongthesoldieryforcethecaptaintoshowhimself。
　　"Wretches！"saidhe，"havenomorefearofmethanIhaveforyou！"
　　And，tearingthechiselfromthewound，hehurleditthroughthewindow，whichhadbeenleftopen；thehorrible，glowingtooldisappearedintothenight，whirlingasitflew，andfellfarawayonthesnow。
　　Theprisonerresumed:——
　　"Dowhatyoupleasewithme。"Hewasdisarmed。
　　"Seizehim！"saidThenardier。
　　Twooftheruffianslaidtheirhandsonhisshoulder，andthemaskedmanwiththeventriloquist’svoicetookuphisstationinfrontofhim，readytosmashhisskullattheslightestmovement。
　　Atthesametime，Mariusheardbelowhim，atthebaseofthepartition，butsonearthathecouldnotseewhowasspeaking，thiscolloquyconductedinalowtone:——
　　"Thereisonlyonethinglefttodo。"
　　"Cuthisthroat。"
　　"That’sit。"
　　Itwasthehusbandandwifetakingcounseltogether。
　　Thenardierwalkedslowlytowardsthetable，openedthedrawer，andtookouttheknife。Mariusfrettedwiththehandleofhispistol。
　　Unprecedentedperplexity！Forthelasthourhehadhadtwovoicesinhisconscience，theoneenjoininghimtorespecthisfather’stestament，theothercryingtohimtorescuetheprisoner。
　　Thesetwovoicescontinueduninterruptedlythatstrugglewhichtormentedhimtoagony。Uptothatmomenthehadcherishedavaguehopethatheshouldfindsomemeansofreconcilingthesetwoduties，butnothingwithinthelimitsofpossibilityhadpresenteditself。
　　However，theperilwasurgent，thelastboundsofdelayhadbeenreached；Thenardierwasstandingthoughtfullyafewpacesdistantfromtheprisoner。
　　Mariuscastawildglanceabouthim，thelastmechanicalresourceofdespair。Allatonceashudderranthroughhim。
　　Athisfeet，onthetable，abrightrayoflightfromthefullmoonilluminatedandseemedtopointouttohimasheetofpaper。
　　Onthispaperhereadthefollowinglinewrittenthatverymorning，inlargeletters，bytheeldestoftheThenardiergirls:——
　　"THEBOBBIESAREHERE。"
　　Anidea，aflash，crossedMarius’mind；thiswastheexpedientofwhichhewasinsearch，thesolutionofthatfrightfulproblemwhichwastorturinghim，ofsparingtheassassinandsavingthevictim。
　　Hekneltdownonhiscommode，stretchedouthisarm，seizedthesheetofpaper，softlydetachedabitofplasterfromthewall，wrappedthepaperroundit，andtossedthewholethroughthecreviceintothemiddleoftheden。
　　Itwashightime。Thenardierhadconqueredhislastfearsorhislastscruples，andwasadvancingontheprisoner。
　　"Somethingisfalling！"criedtheThenardierwoman。
　　"Whatisit？"askedherhusband。
　　Thewomandartedforwardandpickedupthebitofplaster。
　　Shehandedittoherhusband。
　　"Wheredidthiscomefrom？"demandedThenardier。
　　"Pardie！"ejaculatedhiswife，"wheredoyousupposeitcamefrom？
　　Throughthewindow，ofcourse。"
　　"Isawitpass，"saidBigrenaille。
　　Thenardierrapidlyunfoldedthepaperandhelditclosetothecandle。
　　"It’sinEponine’shandwriting。Thedevil！"
　　Hemadeasigntohiswife，whohastilydrewnear，andshowedherthelinewrittenonthesheetofpaper，thenheaddedinasubduedvoice:——
　　"Quick！Theladder！Let’sleavethebaconinthemousetrapanddecamp！"
　　"Withoutcuttingthatman’sthroat？"asked，theThenardierwoman。
　　"Wehaven’tthetime。"
　　"Throughwhat？"resumedBigrenaille。
　　"Throughthewindow，"repliedThenardier。"SincePoninehasthrownthestonethroughthewindow，itindicatesthatthehouseisnotwatchedonthatside。"
　　Themaskwiththeventriloquist’svoicedepositedhishugekeyonthefloor，raisedbotharmsintheair，andopenedandclenchedhisfists，threetimesrapidlywithoututteringaword。
　　Thiswasthesignallikethesignalforclearingthedecksforactiononboardship。
　　Theruffianswhowereholdingtheprisonerreleasedhim；inthetwinklingofaneyetheropeladderwasunrolledoutsidethewindow，andsolidlyfastenedtothesillbythetwoironhooks。
　　Theprisonerpaidnoattentiontowhatwasgoingonaroundhim。
　　Heseemedtobedreamingorpraying。
　　Assoonastheladderwasarranged，Thenardiercried:
　　"Come！thebourgeoisefirst！"
　　Andherushedheadlongtothewindow。
　　Butjustashewasabouttothrowhislegover，Bigrenailleseizedhimroughlybythecollar。
　　"Notmuch，comenow，youolddog，afterus！"
　　"Afterus！"yelledtheruffians。
　　"Youarechildren，"saidThenardier，"wearelosingtime。
　　Thepoliceareonourheels。"
　　"Well，saidtheruffians，"let’sdrawlotstoseewhoshallgodownfirst。"
　　Thenardierexclaimed:——
　　"Areyoumad！Areyoucrazy！Whatapackofboobies！Youwanttowastetime，doyou？Drawlots，doyou？Byawetfinger，byashortstraw！Withwrittennames！Thrownintoahat！——"
　　"Wouldyoulikemyhat？"criedavoiceonthethreshold。
　　Allwheeledround。ItwasJavert。
　　Hehadhishatinhishand，andwasholdingitouttothemwithasmile。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　ONESHOULDALWAYSBEGINBYARRESTINGTHEVICTIMS
　　Atnightfall，JaverthadpostedhismenandhadgoneintoambushhimselfbetweenthetreesoftheRuedelaBarrieredes—GobelinswhichfacedtheGorbeauhouse，ontheothersideoftheboulevard。
　　Hehadbegunoperationsbyopening"hispockets，"anddroppingintoitthetwoyounggirlswhowerechargedwithkeepingawatchontheapproachestotheden。Buthehadonly"caged"Azelma。
　　AsforEponine，shewasnotatherpost，shehaddisappeared，andhehadnotbeenabletoseizeher。ThenJaverthadmadeapointandhadbenthiseartowaitingforthesignalagreedupon。
　　Thecomingsandgoingsofthefiacreshadgreatlyagitatedhim。
　　Atlast，hehadgrownimpatient，and，surethattherewasanestthere，sureofbeingin"luck，"havingrecognizedmanyoftheruffianswhohadentered，hehadfinallydecidedtogoupstairswithoutwaitingforthepistol—shot。
　　ItwillberememberedthathehadMarius’pass—key。
　　Hehadarrivedjustinthenickoftime。
　　Theterrifiedruffiansflungthemselvesonthearmswhichtheyhadabandonedinallthecornersatthemomentofflight。Inlessthanasecond，thesesevenmen，horribletobehold，hadgroupedthemselvesinanattitudeofdefence，onewithhismeat—axe，anotherwithhiskey，anotherwithhisbludgeon，therestwithshears，pincers，andhammers。Thenardierhadhisknifeinhisfist。
　　TheThenardierwomansnatchedupanenormouspaving—stonewhichlayintheangleofthewindowandservedherdaughtersasanottoman。
　　Javertputonhishatagain，andadvancedacoupleofpacesintotheroom，witharmsfolded，hiscaneunderonearm，hisswordinitssheath。
　　"Haltthere，"saidhe。"Youshallnotgooutbythewindow，youshallgothroughthedoor。It’slessunhealthy。Therearesevenofyou，therearefifteenofus。Don’tlet’sfalltocollaringeachotherlikemenofAuvergne。"
　　Bigrenailledrewoutapistolwhichhehadkeptconcealedunderhisblouse，andputitinThenardier’shand，whisperinginthelatter’sear:——
　　"It’sJavert。Idon’tdarefireatthatman。Doyoudare？"
　　"Parbleu！"repliedThenardier。
　　"Well，then，fire。"
　　ThenardiertookthepistolandaimedatJavert。
　　Javert，whowasonlythreepacesfromhim，staredintentlyathimandcontentedhimselfwithsaying:——
　　"Comenow，don’tfire。You’llmissfire。"
　　Thenardierpulledthetrigger。Thepistolmissedfire。
　　"Didn’tItellyouso！"ejaculatedJavert。
　　BigrenailleflunghisbludgeonatJavert’sfeet。
　　"You’retheemperorofthefiends！Isurrender。"
　　"Andyou？"Javertaskedtherestoftheruffians。
　　Theyreplied:——
　　"Sodowe。"
　　Javertbeganagaincalmly:——
　　"That’sright，that’sgood，Isaidso，youarenicefellows。
　　"Ionlyaskonething，"saidBigrenaille，"andthatis，thatI
　　maynotbedeniedtobaccowhileIaminconfinement。"
　　"Granted，"saidJavert。
　　Andturningroundandcallingbehindhim:——
　　"Comeinnow！"
　　Asquadofpolicemen，swordinhand，andagentsarmedwithbludgeonsandcudgels，rushedinatJavert’ssummons。Theypinionedtheruffians。
　　Thisthrongofmen，sparelylightedbythesinglecandle，filledthedenwithshadows。