BOOKTHIRD。——MUDBUTTHESOUL
CHAPTERI
THESEWERANDITSSURPRISES
ItwasinthesewersofParisthatJeanValjeanfoundhimself。
StillanotherresemblancebetweenParisandthesea。Asintheocean，thedivermaydisappearthere。
Thetransitionwasanunheard—ofone。Intheveryheartofthecity，JeanValjeanhadescapedfromthecity，and，inthetwinklingofaneye，inthetimerequiredtoliftthecoverandtoreplaceit，hehadpassedfrombroaddaylighttocompleteobscurity，frommiddaytomidnight，fromtumulttosilence，fromthewhirlwindofthunderstothestagnationofthetomb，and，byavicissitudefarmoretremendouseventhanthatoftheRuePolonceau，fromthemostextremeperiltothemostabsoluteobscurity。
Anabruptfallintoacavern；adisappearanceintothesecrettrap—doorofParis；toquitthatstreetwheredeathwasoneveryside，forthatsortofsepulchrewheretherewaslife，wasastrangeinstant。Heremainedforseveralsecondsasthoughbewildered；listening，stupefied。Thewaste—trapofsafetyhadsuddenlyyawnedbeneathhim。Celestialgoodnesshad，inamanner，capturedhimbytreachery。Adorableambuscadesofprovidence！
Only，thewoundedmandidnotstir，andJeanValjeandidnotknowwhetherthatwhichhewascarryinginthatgravewasalivingbeingoradeadcorpse。
Hisfirstsensationwasoneofblindness。Allofasudden，hecouldseenothing。Itseemedtohimtoo，that，inoneinstant，hehadbecomedeaf。Henolongerheardanything。Thefranticstormofmurderwhichhadbeenletlooseafewfeetabovehisheaddidnotreachhim，thankstothethicknessoftheearthwhichseparatedhimfromit，aswehavesaid，otherwisethanfaintlyandindistinctly，andlikearumbling，inthedepths。
Hefeltthatthegroundwassolidunderhisfeet；thatwasall；
butthatwasenough。Heextendedonearmandthentheother，touchedthewallsonbothsides，andperceivedthatthepassagewasnarrow；heslipped，andthusperceivedthatthepavementwaswet。
Hecautiouslyputforwardonefoot，fearingahole，asink，somegulf；
hediscoveredthatthepavingcontinued。Agustoffetidnessinformedhimoftheplaceinwhichhestood。
Afterthelapseofafewminutes，hewasnolongerblind。Alittlelightfellthroughtheman—holethroughwhichhehaddescended，andhiseyesbecameaccustomedtothiscavern。Hebegantodistinguishsomething。
Thepassageinwhichhehadburrowed——nootherwordcanbetterexpressthesituation——waswalledinbehindhim。Itwasoneofthoseblindalleys，whichthespecialjargontermsbranches。
Infrontofhimtherewasanotherwall，awalllikenight。
Thelightoftheair—holediedouttenortwelvepacesfromthepointwhereJeanValjeanstood，andbarelycastawanpalloronafewmetresofthedampwallsofthesewer。Beyond，theopaquenesswasmassive；
topenetratethitherseemedhorrible，anentranceintoitappearedlikeanengulfment。Amancould，however，plungeintothatwalloffoganditwasnecessarysotodo。Hastewasevenrequisite。
ItoccurredtoJeanValjeanthatthegratingwhichhehadcaughtsightofundertheflag—stonesmightalsocatchtheeyeofthesoldiery，andthateverythinghunguponthischance。Theyalsomightdescendintothatwellandsearchit。Therewasnotaminutetobelost。
HehaddepositedMariusontheground，hepickedhimupagain，——
thatistherealwordforit，——placedhimonhisshouldersoncemore，andsetout。Heplungedresolutelyintothegloom。
Thetruthis，thattheywerelesssafethanJeanValjeanfancied。
Perilsofanothersortandnolessseriouswereawaitingthem，perchance。Afterthelightning—chargedwhirlwindofthecombat，thecavernofmiasmasandtraps；afterchaos，thesewer。
JeanValjeanhadfallenfromonecircleofhellintoanother。
Whenhehadadvancedfiftypaces，hewasobligedtohalt。Aproblempresenteditself。Thepassageterminatedinanothergutwhichheencounteredacrosshispath。Theretwowayspresentedthemselves。
Whichshouldhetake？Oughthetoturntotheleftortotheright？
Howwashetofindhisbearingsinthatblacklabyrinth？
Thislabyrinth，towhichwehavealreadycalledthereader’sattention，hasaclue，whichisitsslope。Tofollowtotheslopeistoarriveattheriver。
ThisJeanValjeaninstantlycomprehended。
HesaidtohimselfthathewasprobablyinthesewerdesHalles；
thatifheweretochoosethepathtotheleftandfollowtheslope，hewouldarrive，inlessthanaquarterofanhour，atsomemouthontheSeinebetweenthePontauChangeandthePont—Neuf，thatistosay，hewouldmakehisappearanceinbroaddaylightonthemostdenselypeopledspotinParis。Perhapshewouldcomeoutonsomeman—holeattheintersectionofstreets。Amazementofthepassers—byatbeholdingtwobleedingmenemergefromtheearthattheirfeet。
Arrivalofthepolice，acalltoarmsoftheneighboringpostofguards。Thustheywouldbeseizedbeforetheyhadevengotout。
Itwouldbebettertoplungeintothatlabyrinth，toconfidethemselvestothatblackgloom，andtotrusttoProvidencefortheoutcome。
Heascendedtheincline，andturnedtotheright。
Whenhehadturnedtheangleofthegallery，thedistantglimmerofanair—holedisappeared，thecurtainofobscurityfelluponhimoncemore，andhebecameblindagain。Nevertheless，headvancedasrapidlyaspossible。Marius’twoarmswerepassedroundhisneck，andtheformer’sfeetdraggedbehindhim。Heheldboththesearmswithonehand，andgropedalongthewallwiththeother。Marius’cheektouchedhis，andclungthere，bleeding。
HefeltawarmstreamwhichcamefromMariustricklingdownuponhimandmakingitswayunderhisclothes。Butahumidwarmthnearhisear，whichthemouthofthewoundedmantouched，indicatedrespiration，andconsequently，life。ThepassagealongwhichJeanValjeanwasnowproceedingwasnotsonarrowasthefirst。
JeanValjeanwalkedthroughitwithconsiderabledifficulty。
Therainoftheprecedingdayhadnot，asyet，entirelyrunoff，anditcreatedalittletorrentinthecentreofthebottom，andhewasforcedtohugthewallinordernottohavehisfeetinthewater。
Thusheproceededinthegloom。Heresembledthebeingsofthenightgropingintheinvisibleandlostbeneaththeearthinveinsofshadow。
Still，littlebylittle，whetheritwasthatthedistantair—holesemittedalittlewaveringlightinthisopaquegloom，orwhetherhiseyeshadbecomeaccustomedtotheobscurity，somevaguevisionreturnedtohim，andhebeganoncemoretogainaconfusedidea，nowofthewallwhichhetouched，nowofthevaultbeneathwhichhewaspassing。Thepupildilatesinthedark，andthesouldilatesinmisfortuneandendsbyfindingGodthere。
Itwasnoteasytodirecthiscourse。
Thelineofthesewerre—echoes，sotospeak，thelineofthestreetswhichlieaboveit。ThereweretheninParistwothousandtwohundredstreets。Letthereaderimaginehimselfbeneaththatforestofgloomybrancheswhichiscalledthesewer。
Thesystemofsewersexistingatthatepoch，placedendtoend，wouldhavegivenalengthofelevenleagues。Wehavesaidabove，thattheactualnet—work，thankstothespecialactivityofthelastthirtyyears，wasnolessthansixtyleaguesinextent。
JeanValjeanbeganbycommittingablunder。HethoughtthathewasbeneaththeRueSaint—Denis，anditwasapitythatitwasnotso。
UndertheRueSaint—DenisthereisanoldstonesewerwhichdatesfromLouisXIII。andwhichrunsstraighttothecollectingsewer，calledtheGrandSewer，withbutasingleelbow，ontheright，ontheelevationoftheancientCourdesMiracles，andasinglebranch，theSaint—Martinsewer，whosefourarmsdescribeacross。ButthegutofthePetite—TruanderietheentrancetowhichwasinthevicinityoftheCorinthewine—shophasnevercommunicatedwiththeseweroftheRueSaint—Denis；itendedattheMontmartresewer，anditwasinthisthatJeanValjeanwasentangled。Thereopportunitiesoflosingoneselfabound。TheMontmartresewerisoneofthemostlabyrinthineoftheancientnetwork。Fortunately，JeanValjeanhadleftbehindhimthesewerofthemarketswhosegeometricalplanpresentstheappearanceofamultitudeofparrots’roostspiledontopofeachother；buthehadbeforehimmorethanoneembarrassingencounterandmorethanonestreetcorner——fortheyarestreets——
presentingitselfinthegloomlikeaninterrogationpoint；
first，onhisleft，thevastsewerofthePlatriere，asortofChinesepuzzle，thrustingoutandentanglingitschaosofTsandZsunderthePost—OfficeandundertherotundaoftheWheatMarket，asfarastheSeine，whereitterminatesinaY；secondly，onhisright，thecurvingcorridoroftheRueduCadranwithitsthreeteeth，whicharealsoblindcourts；thirdly，onhisleft，thebranchoftheMail，complicated，almostatitsinception，withasortoffork，andproceedingfromzig—zagtozig—zaguntilitendsinthegrandcryptoftheoutletoftheLouvre，truncatedandramifiedineverydirection；andlastly，theblindalleyofapassageoftheRuedesJeuneurs，withoutcountinglittleductshereandthere，beforereachingthebeltsewer，whichalonecouldconducthimtosomeissuesufficientlydistanttobesafe。
HadJeanValjeanhadanyideaofallthatwehaveherepointedout，hewouldspeedilyhaveperceived，merelybyfeelingthewall，thathewasnotinthesubterraneangalleryoftheRueSaint—Denis。
Insteadoftheancientstone，insteadoftheantiquearchitecture，haughtyandroyaleveninthesewer，withpavementandstringcoursesofgraniteandmortarcostingeighthundredlivresthefathom，hewouldhavefeltunderhishandcontemporarycheapness，economicalexpedients，porousstonefilledwithmortaronaconcretefoundation，whichcoststwohundredfrancsthemetre，andthebourgeoisemasonryknownasapetitsmateriaux——smallstuff；
butofallthisheknewnothing。
Headvancedwithanxiety，butwithcalmness，seeingnothing，knowingnothing，buriedinchance，thatistosay，engulfedinprovidence。
Bydegrees，wewilladmit，acertainhorrorseizeduponhim。
Thegloomwhichenvelopedhimpenetratedhisspirit。Hewalkedinanenigma。Thisaqueductofthesewerisformidable；
itinterlacesinadizzyfashion。ItisamelancholythingtobecaughtinthisParisofshadows。JeanValjeanwasobligedtofindandeventoinventhisroutewithoutseeingit。Inthisunknown，everystepthatheriskedmightbehislast。Howwashetogetout？shouldhefindanissue？shouldhefinditintime？wouldthatcolossalsubterraneanspongewithitsstonecavities，allowitselftobepenetratedandpierced？shouldhethereencountersomeunexpectedknotinthedarkness？shouldhearriveattheinextricableandtheimpassable？wouldMariusdiethereofhemorrhageandheofhunger？shouldtheyendbybothgettinglost，andbyfurnishingtwoskeletonsinanookofthatnight？Hedidnotknow。
Heputallthesequestionstohimselfwithoutreplyingtothem。
TheintestinesofParisformaprecipice。Liketheprophet，hewasinthebellyofthemonster。
Allatonce，hehadasurprise。Atthemostunforeseenmoment，andwithouthavingceasedtowalkinastraightline，heperceivedthathewasnolongerascending；thewateroftherivuletwasbeatingagainsthisheels，insteadofmeetinghimathistoes。
Thesewerwasnowdescending。Why？WasheabouttoarrivesuddenlyattheSeine？Thisdangerwasagreatone，buttheperilofretreatingwasstillgreater。Hecontinuedtoadvance。
ItwasnottowardstheSeinethathewasproceeding。TheridgewhichthesoilofParisformsonitsrightbankemptiesoneofitswater—shedsintotheSeineandtheotherintotheGrandSewer。
Thecrestofthisridgewhichdeterminesthedivisionofthewatersdescribesaverycapriciousline。Theculminatingpoint，whichisthepointofseparationofthecurrents，isintheSainte—Avoyesewer，beyondtheRueMichelle—Comte，intheseweroftheLouvre，neartheboulevards，andintheMontmartresewer，neartheHalles。
ItwasthisculminatingpointthatJeanValjeanhadreached。Hewasdirectinghiscoursetowardsthebeltsewer；hewasontherightpath。
Buthedidnotknowit。
Everytimethatheencounteredabranch，hefeltofitsangles，andifhefoundthattheopeningwhichpresenteditselfwassmallerthanthepassageinwhichhewas，hedidnotenterbutcontinuedhisroute，rightlyjudgingthateverynarrowerwaymustneedsterminateinablindalley，andcouldonlyleadhimfurtherfromhisgoal，thatistosay，theoutlet。Thusheavoidedthequadrupletrapwhichwassetforhiminthedarknessbythefourlabyrinthswhichwehavejustenumerated。
Atacertainmoment，heperceivedthathewasemergingfrombeneaththePariswhichwaspetrifiedbytheuprising，wherethebarricadeshadsuppressedcirculation，andthathewasenteringbeneaththelivingandnormalParis。Overheadhesuddenlyheardanoiseasofthunder，distantbutcontinuous。Itwastherumblingofvehicles。
Hehadbeenwalkingforabouthalfanhour，atleastaccordingtothecalculationwhichhemadeinhisownmind，andhehadnotyetthoughtofrest；hehadmerelychangedthehandwithwhichhewasholdingMarius。Thedarknesswasmoreprofoundthanever，butitsverydepthreassuredhim。
Allatonce，hesawhisshadowinfrontofhim。Itwasoutlinedonafaint，almostindistinctreddishglow，whichvaguelyempurpledtheflooringvaultunderfoot，andthevaultoverhead，andgildedtohisrightandtohisleftthetwoviscouswallsofthepassage。
Stupefied，heturnedround。
Behindhim，intheportionofthepassagewhichhehadjustpassedthrough，atadistancewhichappearedtohimimmense，piercingthedenseobscurity，flamedasortofhorriblestarwhichhadtheairofsurveyinghim。
Itwasthegloomystarofthepolicewhichwasrisinginthesewer。
Intherearofthatstareightortenformsweremovingaboutinaconfusedway，black，upright，indistinct，horrible。
CHAPTERII
EXPLANATION
OnthedayofthesixthofJune，abattueofthesewershadbeenordered。
Itwasfearedthatthevanquishedmighthavetakentothemforrefuge，andPrefectGisquetwastosearchoccultPariswhileGeneralBugeaudsweptpublicParis；adoubleandconnectedoperationwhichexactedadoublestrategyonthepartofthepublicforce，representedabovebythearmyandbelowbythepolice。ThreesquadsofagentsandsewermenexploredthesubterraneandrainofParis，thefirstontherightbank，thesecondontheleftbank，thethirdinthecity。Theagentsofpolicewerearmedwithcarabines，withbludgeons，swordsandpoignards。
ThatwhichwasdirectedatJeanValjeanatthatmoment，wasthelanternofthepatroloftherightbank。
ThispatrolhadjustvisitedthecurvinggalleryandthethreeblindalleyswhichliebeneaththeRueduCadran。Whiletheywerepassingtheirlanternthroughthedepthsoftheseblindalleys，JeanValjeanhadencounteredonhispaththeentrancetothegallery，hadperceivedthatitwasnarrowerthantheprincipalpassageandhadnotpenetratedthither。Hehadpassedon。Thepolice，onemergingfromthegalleryduCadran，hadfanciedthattheyheardthesoundoffootstepsinthedirectionofthebeltsewer。
Theywere，infact，thestepsofJeanValjean。Thesergeantincommandofthepatrolhadraisedhislantern，andthesquadhadbeguntogazeintothemistinthedirectionwhencethesoundproceeded。
ThiswasanindescribablemomentforJeanValjean。
Happily，ifhesawthelanternwell，thelanternsawhimbutill。
Itwaslightandhewasshadow。Hewasveryfaroff，andmingledwiththedarknessoftheplace。Hehuggedthewallandhalted。
Moreover，hedidnotunderstandwhatitwasthatwasmovingbehindhim。
Thelackofsleepandfood，andhisemotionshadcausedhimalsotopassintothestateofavisionary。Hebeheldagleam，andaroundthatgleam，forms。Whatwasit？Hedidnotcomprehend。
JeanValjeanhavingpaused，thesoundceased。
Themenofthepatrollistened，andheardnothing，theylookedandsawnothing。Theyheldaconsultation。
ThereexistedatthatepochatthispointoftheMontmartresewerasortofcross—roadscalleddeservice，whichwasafterwardssuppressed，onaccountofthelittleinteriorlakewhichformedthere，swallowingupthetorrentofraininheavystorms。
Thepatrolcouldformaclusterinthisopenspace。JeanValjeansawthesespectresformasortofcircle。Thesebull—dogs’
headsapproachedeachothercloselyandwhisperedtogether。
Theresultofthiscouncilheldbythewatchdogswas，thattheyhadbeenmistaken，thattherehadbeennonoise，thatitwasuselesstogetentangledinthebeltsewer，thatitwouldonlybeawasteoftime，butthattheyoughttohastentowardsSaint—Merry；
thatiftherewasanythingtodo，andany"bousingot"totrackout，itwasinthatquarter。
Fromtimetotime，partiesre—soletheiroldinsults。In1832，thewordbousingotformedtheinterimbetweenthewordjacobin，whichhadbecomeobsolete，andtheworddemagoguewhichhassincerenderedsuchexcellentservice。
Thesergeantgaveorderstoturntotheleft，towardsthewatershedoftheSeine。
Ifithadoccurredtothemtoseparateintotwosquads，andtogoinbothdirections，JeanValjeanwouldhavebeencaptured。
Allhungonthatthread。Itisprobablethattheinstructionsoftheprefecture，foreseeingapossibilityofcombatandinsurgentsinforce，hadforbiddenthepatroltopartcompany。
Thepatrolresumeditsmarch，leavingJeanValjeanbehindit。
Ofallthismovement，JeanValjeanperceivednothing，excepttheeclipseofthelanternwhichsuddenlywheeledround。
Beforetakinghisdeparture，theSergeant，inordertoacquithispoliceman’sconscience，dischargedhisguninthedirectionofJeanValjean。Thedetonationrolledfromechotoechointhecrypt，liketherumblingofthattitanicentrail。AbitofplasterwhichfellintothestreamandsplashedupthewaterafewpacesawayfromJeanValjean，warnedhimthattheballhadstruckthearchoverhishead。
Slowandmeasuredstepsresoundedforsometimeonthetimberwork，graduallydyingawayastheyretreatedtoagreaterdistance；
thegroupofblackformsvanished，aglimmeroflightoscillatedandfloated，communicatingtothevaultareddishglowwhichgrewfainter，thendisappeared；thesilencebecameprofoundoncemore，theobscuritybecamecomplete，blindnessanddeafnessresumedpossessionoftheshadows；andJeanValjean，notdaringtostirasyet，remainedforalongtimeleaningwithhisbackagainstthewall，withstrainingears，anddilatedpupils，watchingthedisappearanceofthatphantompatrol。
CHAPTERIII
THE"SPUN"MAN
Thisjusticemustberenderedtothepoliceofthatperiod，thateveninthemostseriouspublicjunctures，itimperturbablyfulfilleditsdutiesconnectedwiththesewersandsurveillance。
Arevoltwas，initseyes，nopretextforallowingmalefactorstotakethebitintheirownmouths，andforneglectingsocietyforthereasonthatthegovernmentwasinperil。Theordinaryservicewasperformedcorrectlyincompanywiththeextraordinaryservice，andwasnottroubledbythelatter。Inthemidstofanincalculablepoliticaleventalreadybegun，underthepressureofapossiblerevolution，apoliceagent，"spun"athiefwithoutallowinghimselftobedistractedbyinsurrectionandbarricades。
Itwassomethingpreciselyparallelwhichtookplaceontheafternoonofthe6thofJuneonthebanksoftheSeine，ontheslopeoftherightshore，alittlebeyondthePontdesInvalides。
Thereisnolongeranybanktherenow。Theaspectofthelocalityhaschanged。
Onthatbank，twomen，separatedbyacertaindistance，seemedtobewatchingeachotherwhilemutuallyavoidingeachother。Theonewhowasinadvancewastryingtogetaway，theoneintherearwastryingtoovertaketheother。
Itwaslikeagameofcheckersplayedatadistanceandinsilence。
Neitherseemedtobeinanyhurry，andbothwalkedslowly，asthougheachofthemfearedbytoomuchhastetomakehispartnerredoublehispace。
Onewouldhavesaidthatitwasanappetitefollowingitsprey，andpurposelywithoutwearingtheairofdoingso。Thepreywascraftyandonitsguard。
Theproperrelationsbetweenthehuntedpole—catandthehuntingdogwereobserved。Theonewhowasseekingtoescapehadaninsignificantmienandnotanimpressiveappearance；theonewhowasseekingtoseizehimwasrudeofaspect，andmusthavebeenrudetoencounter。
Thefirst，consciousthathewasthemorefeeble，avoidedthesecond；
butheavoidedhiminamannerwhichwasdeeplyfurious；anyonewhocouldhaveobservedhimwouldhavediscernedinhiseyesthesombrehostilityofflight，andallthemenacethatfearcontains。
Theshorewasdeserted；therewerenopassers—by；notevenaboatmannoralighter—manwasintheskiffswhichweremooredhereandthere。
Itwasnoteasytoseethesetwomen，exceptfromthequayopposite，andtoanypersonwhohadscrutinizedthematthatdistance，themanwhowasinadvancewouldhaveappearedlikeabristling，tattered，andequivocalbeing，whowasuneasyandtremblingbeneatharaggedblouse，andtheotherlikeaclassicandofficialpersonage，wearingthefrock—coatofauthoritybuttonedtothechin。
Perchancethereadermightrecognizethesetwomen，ifheweretoseethemcloserathand。
Whatwastheobjectofthesecondman？
Probablytosucceedinclothingthefirstmorewarmly。
Whenamanclothedbythestatepursuesamaninrags，itisinordertomakeofhimamanwhoisalsoclothedbythestate。Only，thewholequestionliesinthecolor。Tobedressedinblueisglorious；
tobedressedinredisdisagreeable。
Thereisapurplefrombelow。
Itisprobablysomeunpleasantnessandsomepurpleofthissortwhichthefirstmanisdesirousofshirking。
Iftheotherallowedhimtowalkon，andhadnotseizedhimasyet，itwas，judgingfromallappearances，inthehopeofseeinghimleaduptosomesignificantmeeting—placeandtosomegroupworthcatching。
Thisdelicateoperationiscalled"spinning。"
Whatrendersthisconjectureentirelyprobableisthatthebuttoned—upman，oncatchingsightfromtheshoreofahackney—coachonthequayasitwaspassingalongempty，madeasigntothedriver；
thedriverunderstood，evidentlyrecognizedthepersonwithwhomhehadtodeal，turnedaboutandbegantofollowthetwomenatthetopofthequay，atafoot—pace。Thiswasnotobservedbytheslouchingandtatteredpersonagewhowasinadvance。
Thehackney—coachrolledalongthetreesoftheChamps—Elysees。
Thebustofthedriver，whipinhand，couldbeseenmovingalongabovetheparapet。
Oneofthesecretinstructionsofthepoliceauthoritiestotheiragentscontainsthisarticle:"Alwayshaveonhandahackney—coach，incaseofemergency。"
Whilethesetwomenweremanoeuvring，eachonhisownside，withirreproachablestrategy，theyapproachedaninclinedplaneonthequaywhichdescendedtotheshore，andwhichpermittedcab—driversarrivingfromPassytocometotheriverandwatertheirhorses。
Thisinclinedplanewassuppressedlateron，forthesakeofsymmetry；
horsesmaydieofthirst，buttheeyeisgratified。
Itisprobablethatthemanintheblousehadintendedtoascendthisinclinedplane，withaviewtomakinghisescapeintotheChamps—Elysees，aplaceornamentedwithtrees，but，inreturn，muchinfestedwithpolicemen，andwheretheothercouldeasilyexerciseviolence。
ThispointonthequayisnotveryfardistantfromthehousebroughttoParisfromMoretin1824，byColonelBrack，anddesignatedas"thehouseofFrancoisI。"Aguardhouseissituatedcloseathand。
Tothegreatsurpriseofhiswatcher，themanwhowasbeingtrackeddidnotmountbytheinclinedplaneforwatering。Hecontinuedtoadvancealongthequayontheshore。
Hispositionwasvisiblybecomingcritical。
Whatwasheintendingtodo，ifnottothrowhimselfintotheSeine？
Henceforth，thereexistednomeansofascendingtothequay；
therewasnootherinclinedplane，nostaircase；andtheywerenearthespot，markedbythebendintheSeinetowardsthePontdeJena，wherethebank，growingconstantlynarrower，endedinaslendertongue，andwaslostinthewater。Therehewouldinevitablyfindhimselfblockedbetweentheperpendicularwallonhisright，theriveronhisleftandinfrontofhim，andtheauthoritiesonhisheels。
Itistruethatthisterminationoftheshorewashiddenfromsightbyaheapofrubbishsixorsevenfeetinheight，producedbysomedemolitionorother。Butdidthismanhopetoconcealhimselfeffectuallybehindthatheapofrubbish，whichoneneedbutskirt？
Theexpedientwouldhavebeenpuerile。Hecertainlywasnotdreamingofsuchathing。Theinnocenceofthievesdoesnotextendtothatpoint。
Thepileofrubbishformedasortofprojectionatthewater’sedge，whichwasprolongedinapromontoryasfarasthewallofthequay。
Themanwhowasbeingfollowedarrivedatthislittlemoundandwentroundit，sothatheceasedtobeseenbytheother。
Thelatter，ashedidnotsee，couldnotbeseen；hetookadvantageofthisfacttoabandonalldissimulationandtowalkveryrapidly。
Inafewmoments，hehadreachedtherubbishheapandpassedroundit。
Therehehaltedinsheeramazement。Themanwhomhehadbeenpursuingwasnolongerthere。
Totaleclipseofthemanintheblouse。
Theshore，beginningwiththerubbishheap，wasonlyaboutthirtypaceslong，thenitplungedintothewaterwhichbeatagainstthewallofthequay。ThefugitivecouldnothavethrownhimselfintotheSeinewithoutbeingseenbythemanwhowasfollowinghim。
Whathadbecomeofhim？
Themaninthebuttoned—upcoatwalkedtotheextremityoftheshore，andremainedthereinthoughtforamoment，hisfistsclenched，hiseyessearching。Allatoncehesmotehisbrow。Hehadjustperceived，atthepointwherethelandcametoanendandthewaterbegan，alargeirongrating，low，arched，garnishedwithaheavylockandwiththreemassivehinges。Thisgrating，asortofdoorpiercedatthebaseofthequay，openedontheriveraswellasontheshore。Ablackishstreampassedunderit。
ThisstreamdischargedintotheSeine。
Beyondtheheavy，rustyironbars，asortofdarkandvaultedcorridorcouldbedescried。Themanfoldedhisarmsandstaredatthegratingwithanairofreproach。
Asthisgazedidnotsuffice，hetriedtothrustitaside；heshookit，itresistedsolidly。Itisprobablethatithadjustbeenopened，althoughnosoundhadbeenheard，asingularcircumstanceinsorustyagrating；butitiscertainthatithadbeenclosedagain。
Thisindicatedthatthemanbeforewhomthatdoorhadjustopenedhadnotahookbutakey。
Thisevidencesuddenlyburstuponthemindofthemanwhowastryingtomovethegrating，andevokedfromhimthisindignantejaculation:
"Thatistoomuch！Agovernmentkey！"
Then，immediatelyregaininghiscomposure，heexpressedawholeworldofinteriorideasbythisoutburstofmonosyllablesaccentedalmostironically:"Come！Come！Come！Come！"
Thatsaid，andinthehopeofsomethingorother，eitherthatheshouldseethemanemergeorothermenenter，hepostedhimselfonthewatchbehindaheapofrubbish，withthepatientrageofapointer。
Thehackney—coach，whichregulatedallitsmovementsonhis，had，initsturn，haltedonthequayabovehim，closetotheparapet。
Thecoachman，foreseeingaprolongedwait，encasedhishorses’
muzzlesinthebagofoatswhichisdampatthebottom，andwhichissofamiliartoParisians，towhom，beitsaidinparenthesis，theGovernmentsometimesappliesit。Therarepassers—byonthePontdeJenaturnedtheirheads，beforetheypursuedtheirway，totakeamomentaryglanceatthesetwomotionlessitemsinthelandscape，themanontheshore，thecarriageonthequay。
CHAPTERIV
HEALSOBEARSHISCROSS
JeanValjeanhadresumedhismarchandhadnotagainpaused。
Thismarchbecamemoreandmorelaborious。Thelevelofthesevaultsvaries；theaverageheightisaboutfivefeet，sixinches，andhasbeencalculatedforthestatureofaman；
JeanValjeanwasforcedtobendover，inordernottostrikeMariusagainstthevault；ateverystephehadtobend，thentorise，andtofeelincessantlyofthewall。Themoistureofthestones，andtheviscousnatureofthetimberframeworkfurnishedbutpoorsupportstowhichtocling，eitherforhandorfoot。Hestumbledalonginthehideousdung—heapofthecity。Theintermittentgleamsfromtheair—holesonlyappearedatverylongintervals，andweresowanthatthefullsunlightseemedlikethelightofthemoon；
alltherestwasmist，miasma，opaqueness，blackness。JeanValjeanwasbothhungryandthirsty；especiallythirsty；andthis，likethesea，wasaplacefullofwaterwhereamancannotdrink。Hisstrength，whichwasprodigious，asthereaderknows，andwhichhadbeenbutlittledecreasedbyage，thankstohischasteandsoberlife，begantogiveway，nevertheless。Fatiguebegantogainonhim；
andashisstrengthdecreased，itmadetheweightofhisburdenincrease。Marius，whowas，perhaps，dead，weighedhimdownasinertbodiesweigh。JeanValjeanheldhiminsuchamannerthathischestwasnotoppressed，andsothatrespirationcouldproceedaswellaspossible。Betweenhislegshefelttherapidglidingoftherats。
Oneofthemwasfrightenedtosuchadegreethathebithim。
Fromtimetotime，abreathoffreshairreachedhimthroughthevent—holesofthemouthsofthesewer，andre—animatedhim。
Itmighthavebeenthreehourspastmiddaywhenhereachedthebelt—sewer。
Hewas，atfirst，astonishedatthissuddenwidening。Hefoundhimself，allatonce，inagallerywherehisoutstretchedhandscouldnotreachthetwowalls，andbeneathavaultwhichhisheaddidnottouch。
TheGrandSeweris，infact，eightfeetwideandsevenfeethigh。
AtthepointwheretheMontmartresewerjoinstheGrandSewer，twoothersubterraneangalleries，thatoftheRuedeProvence，andthatoftheAbattoir，formasquare。Betweenthesefourways，alesssagaciousmanwouldhaveremainedundecided。JeanValjeanselectedthebroadest，thatistosay，thebelt—sewer。Butherethequestionagaincameup——shouldhedescendorascend？
Hethoughtthatthesituationrequiredhaste，andthathemustnowgaintheSeineatanyrisk。Inotherterms，hemustdescend。
Heturnedtotheleft。
Itwaswellthathedidso，foritisanerrortosupposethatthebelt—sewerhastwooutlets，theoneinthedirectionofBercy，theothertowardsPassy，andthatitis，asitsnameindicates，thesubterraneangirdleoftheParisontherightbank。TheGrandSewer，whichis，itmustberemembered，nothingelsethantheoldbrookofMenilmontant，terminates，ifoneascendsit，inablindsack，thatistosay，atitsancientpointofdeparturewhichwasitssource，atthefootoftheknollofMenilmontant。ThereisnodirectcommunicationwiththebranchwhichcollectsthewatersofParisbeginningwiththeQuartierPopincourt，andwhichfallsintotheSeinethroughtheAmelotsewerabovetheancientIsleLouviers。
Thisbranch，whichcompletesthecollectingsewer，isseparatedfromit，undertheRueMenilmontantitself，byapilewhichmarksthedividingpointofthewaters，betweenupstreamanddownstream。
IfJeanValjeanhadascendedthegalleryhewouldhavearrived，afterathousandefforts，andbrokendownwithfatigue，andinanexpiringcondition，inthegloom，atawall。Hewouldhavebeenlost。
Incaseofnecessity，byretracinghisstepsalittleway，andenteringthepassageoftheFilles—du—Calvaire，onconditionthathedidnothesitateatthesubterraneancrossingoftheCarrefourBoucherat，andbytakingthecorridorSaint—Louis，thentheSaint—Gillesgutontheleft，thenturningtotherightandavoidingtheSaint—Sebastiangallery，hemighthavereachedtheAmelotsewer，andthence，providedthathedidnotgoastrayinthesortofFwhichliesundertheBastille，hemighthaveattainedtheoutletontheSeineneartheArsenal。
Butinordertodothis，hemusthavebeenthoroughlyfamiliarwiththeenormousmadreporeofthesewerinallitsramificationsandinallitsopenings。Now，wemustagaininsistthatheknewnothingofthatfrightfuldrainwhichhewastraversing；
andhadanyoneaskedhiminwhathewas，hewouldhaveanswered:
"Inthenight。"
Hisinstinctservedhimwell。Todescendwas，infact，possiblesafety。
HeleftonhisrightthetwonarrowpassageswhichbranchoutintheformofaclawundertheRueLaffitteandtheRueSaint—Georgesandthelong，bifurcatedcorridoroftheChausseed’Antin。
Alittlebeyondanaffluent，whichwas，probably，theMadeleinebranch，hehalted。Hewasextremelyweary。Apassablylargeair—hole，probablytheman—holeintheRued’Anjou，furnishedalightthatwasalmostvivid。
JeanValjean，withthegentlenessofmovementwhichabrotherwouldexercisetowardshiswoundedbrother，depositedMariusonthebanquetteofthesewer。Marius’blood—stainedfaceappearedunderthewanlightoftheair—holeliketheashesatthebottomofatomb。
Hiseyeswereclosed，hishairwasplastereddownonhistempleslikeapainter’sbrushesdriedinredwash；hishandshunglimpanddead。Aclotofbloodhadcollectedintheknotofhiscravat；
hislimbswerecold，andbloodwasclottedatthecornersofhismouth；hisshirthadthrustitselfintohiswounds，theclothofhiscoatwaschafingtheyawninggashesinthelivingflesh。
JeanValjean，pushingasidethegarmentswiththetipsofhisfingers，laidhishanduponMarius’breast；hisheartwasstillbeating。
JeanValjeantoreuphisshirt，bandagedtheyoungman’swoundsaswellashewasableandstoppedtheflowingblood；thenbendingoverMarius，whostilllayunconsciousandalmostwithoutbreathing，inthathalflight，hegazedathimwithinexpressiblehatred。
OndisarrangingMarius’garments，hehadfoundtwothingsinhispockets，therollwhichhadbeenforgottenthereontheprecedingevening，andMarius’pocketbook。Heatetherollandopenedthepocketbook。
OnthefirstpagehefoundthefourlineswrittenbyMarius。
Thereaderwillrecallthem:
"MynameisMariusPontmercy。Carrymybodytomygrandfather，M。Gillenormand，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6，intheMarais。"
JeanValjeanreadthesefourlinesbythelightoftheair—hole，andremainedforamomentasthoughabsorbedinthought，repeatinginalowtone:"RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，number6，MonsieurGillenormand。"HereplacedthepocketbookinMarius’
pocket。Hehadeaten，hisstrengthhadreturnedtohim；hetookMariusuponcemoreuponhisback，placedthelatter’sheadcarefullyonhisrightshoulder，andresumedhisdescentofthesewer。
TheGrandSewer，directedaccordingtothecourseofthevalleyofMenilmontant，isabouttwoleagueslong。Itispavedthroughoutanotableportionofitsextent。
ThistorchofthenamesofthestreetsofParis，withwhichweareilluminatingforthereaderJeanValjean’ssubterraneanmarch，JeanValjeanhimselfdidnotpossess。Nothingtoldhimwhatzoneofthecityhewastraversing，norwhatwayhehadmade。
Onlythegrowingpallorofthepoolsoflightwhichheencounteredfromtimetotimeindicatedtohimthatthesunwaswithdrawingfromthepavement，andthatthedaywouldsoonbeover；andtherollingofvehiclesoverhead，havingbecomeintermittentinsteadofcontinuous，thenhavingalmostceased，heconcludedthathewasnolongerundercentralParis，andthathewasapproachingsomesolitaryregion，inthevicinityoftheouterboulevards，ortheextremeouterquays。
Wheretherearefewerhousesandstreets，thesewerhasfewerair—holes。
ThegloomdeepenedaroundJeanValjean。Nevertheless，hecontinuedtoadvance，gropinghiswayinthedark。
Suddenlythisdarknessbecameterrible。
CHAPTERV
INTHECASEOFSANDASINTHATOFWOMAN，THEREISAFINENESSWHICH
ISTREACHEROUS
Hefeltthathewasenteringthewater，andthathenolongerhadapavementunderhisfeet，butonlymud。
Itsometimeshappens，thatoncertainshoresofBretagneorScotlandaman，eitheratravellerorafisherman，whilewalkingatlowtideonthebeachfarfromshore，suddenlynoticesthatforseveralminutespast，hehasbeenwalkingwithsomedifficulty。
Thebeachunderfootislikepitch；hissolesstickfasttoit；
itisnolongersand，itisbird—lime。Thestrandisperfectlydry，butateverystepthathetakes，assoonasthefootisraised，theprintisfilledwithwater。Theeye，however，hasperceivednochange；theimmensebeachissmoothandtranquil，allthesandhasthesameaspect，nothingdistinguishesthesoilthatissolidfromthatwhichisnotsolid；thejoyouslittlecloudofsand—licecontinuestoleaptumultuouslyunderthefeetofthepasser—by。
Themanpursueshisway，hewalkson，turnstowardstheland，endeavorstoapproachtheshore。Heisnotuneasy。Uneasyaboutwhat？
Onlyheisconsciousthattheheavinessofhisfeetseemstobeincreasingateverystepthathetakes。Allatoncehesinksin。
Hesinksintwoorthreeinches。Decidedly，heisnotontherightroad；
hehaltstogethisbearings。Suddenlyheglancesathisfeet；
hisfeethavedisappeared。Thesandhascoveredthem。Hedrawshisfeetoutofthesand，hetriestoretracehissteps，heturnsback，hesinksinmoredeeplythanbefore。Thesandisuptohisankles，hetearshimselffreefromitandflingshimselftotheleft，thesandreachestomid—leg，heflingshimselftotheright，thesandcomesuptohisknees。Then，withindescribableterror，herecognizesthefactthatheiscaughtinaquicksand，andthathehasbeneathhimthatfrightfulmediuminwhichneithermancanwalknorfishcanswim。Heflingsawayhisburden，ifhehaveone，helightenshimself，likeashipindistress；itistoolate，thesandisabovehisknees。
Heshouts，hewaveshishat，orhishandkerchief，thesandcontinuallygainsonhim；ifthebeachisdeserted，ifthelandistoofaraway，ifthebankofsandistooill—famed，thereisnoherointheneighborhood，allisover，heiscondemnedtobeengulfed。
Heiscondemnedtothatterribleinterment，long，infallible，implacable，whichitisimpossibletoeitherretardorhasten，whichlastsforhours，whichwillnotcometoanend，whichseizesyouerect，free，intheflushofhealth，whichdragsyoudownbythefeet，which，ateveryeffortthatyouattempt，ateveryshoutthatyouutter，drawsyoualittlelower，whichhastheairofpunishingyouforyourresistancebyaredoubledgrasp，whichforcesamantoreturnslowlytoearth，whileleavinghimtimetosurveythehorizon，thetrees，theverdantcountry，thesmokeofthevillagesontheplain，thesailsoftheshipsonthesea，thebirdswhichflyandsing，thesunandthesky。Thisengulfmentisthesepulchrewhichassumesatide，andwhichmountsfromthedepthsoftheearthtowardsalivingman。Eachminuteisaninexorablelayer—outofthedead。
Thewretchedmantriestositdown，toliedown，toclimb；
everymovementthathemakesburieshimdeeper；hestraightenshimselfup，hesinks；hefeelsthatheisbeingswallowedup；
heshrieks，implores，criestotheclouds，wringshishands，growsdesperate。Beholdhiminthesanduptohisbelly，thesandreachestohisbreast，heisonlyabustnow。Heupliftshishands，uttersfuriousgroans，clencheshisnailsonthebeach，triestoclingfasttothatashes，supportshimselfonhiselbowsinordertoraisehimselffromthatsoftsheath，andsobsfrantically；
thesandmountshigher。Thesandhasreachedhisshoulders，thesandreachestohisthroat；onlyhisfaceisvisiblenow。Hismouthcriesaloud，thesandfillsit；silence。Hiseyesstillgazeforth，thesandclosesthem，night。Thenhisbrowdecreases，alittlehairquiversabovethesand；ahandprojects，piercesthesurfaceofthebeach，wavesanddisappears。Sinisterobliterationofaman。
Sometimesariderisengulfedwithhishorse；sometimesthecarterisswallowedupwithhiscart；allfoundersinthatstrand。
Itisshipwreckelsewherethaninthewater。Itistheearthdrowningaman。Theearth，permeatedwiththeocean，becomesapitfall。
Itpresentsitselfintheguiseofaplain，andityawnslikeawave。
Theabyssissubjecttothesetreacheries。
Thismelancholyfate，alwayspossibleoncertainseabeaches，wasalsopossible，thirtyyearsago，inthesewersofParis。
Beforetheimportantworks，undertakenin1833，thesubterraneandrainofPariswassubjecttothesesuddenslides。
Thewaterfilteredintocertainsubjacentstrata，whichwereparticularlyfriable；thefoot—way，whichwasofflag—stones，asintheancientsewers，orofcementonconcrete，asinthenewgalleries，havingnolongeranunderpinning，gaveway。
Afoldinaflooringofthissortmeansacrack，meanscrumbling。
Theframeworkcrumbledawayforacertainlength。Thiscrevice，thehiatusofagulfofmire，wascalledafontis，inthespecialtongue。
Whatisafontis？Itisthequicksandsoftheseashoresuddenlyencounteredunderthesurfaceoftheearth；itisthebeachofMontSaint—Michelinasewer。Thesoakedsoilisinastateoffusion，asitwere；allitsmoleculesareinsuspensioninsoftmedium；
itisnotearthanditisnotwater。Thedepthissometimesverygreat。Nothingcanbemoreformidablethansuchanencounter。
Ifthewaterpredominates，deathisprompt，themanisswallowedup；
ifearthpredominates，deathisslow。
Cananyonepicturetohimselfsuchadeath？Ifbeingswallowedbytheearthisterribleontheseashore，whatisitinacess—pool？
Insteadoftheopenair，thebroaddaylight，theclearhorizon，thosevastsounds，thosefreecloudswhencerainslife，insteadofthosebarksdescriedinthedistance，ofthathopeunderallsortsofforms，ofprobablepassers—by，ofsuccorpossibleuptotheverylastmoment，——insteadofallthis，deafness，blindness，ablackvault，theinsideofatombalreadyprepared，deathinthemirebeneathacover！slowsuffocationbyfilth，astoneboxwhereasphyxiaopensitsclawinthemireandclutchesyoubythethroat；
fetidnessmingledwiththedeath—rattle；slimeinsteadofthestrand，sulfurettedhydrogeninplaceofthehurricane，dunginplaceoftheocean！Andtoshout，tognashone’steeth，andtowrithe，andtostruggle，andtoagonize，withthatenormouscitywhichknowsnothingofitall，overone’shead！
Inexpressibleisthehorrorofdyingthus！Deathsometimesredeemshisatrocitybyacertainterribledignity。Onthefuneralpile，inshipwreck，onecanbegreat；intheflamesasinthefoam，asuperbattitudeispossible；onetherebecomestransfiguredasoneperishes。
Butnothere。Deathisfilthy。Itishumiliatingtoexpire。
Thesupremefloatingvisionsareabject。Mudissynonymouswithshame。
Itispetty，ugly，infamous。TodieinabuttofMalvoisie，likeClarence，ispermissible；intheditchofascavenger，likeEscoubleau，ishorrible。Tostrugglethereinishideous；
atthesametimethatoneisgoingthroughthedeathagony，oneisflounderingabout。Thereareshadowsenoughforhell，andmireenoughtorenderitnothingbutaslough，andthedyingmanknowsnotwhetherheisonthepointofbecomingaspectreorafrog。
Everywhereelsethesepulchreissinister；hereitisdeformed。
Thedepthofthefontisvaried，aswellastheirlengthandtheirdensity，accordingtothemoreorlessbadqualityofthesub—soil。Sometimesafontiswasthreeorfourfeetdeep，sometimeseightorten；
sometimesthebottomwasunfathomable。Herethemirewasalmostsolid，therealmostliquid。IntheLunierefontis，itwouldhavetakenamanadaytodisappear，whilehewouldhavebeendevouredinfiveminutesbythePhilippeauxslough。Themirebearsupmoreorless，accordingtoitsdensity。Achildcanescapewhereamanwillperish。
Thefirstlawofsafetyistogetridofeverysortofload。
Everysewermanwhofeltthegroundgivingwaybeneathhimbeganbyflingingawayhissackoftools，orhisback—basket，orhishod。
Thefontiswereduetodifferentcauses:thefriabilityofthesoil；
somelandslipatadepthbeyondthereachofman；theviolentsummerrains；theincessantfloodingofwinter；long，drizzlingshowers。
Sometimestheweightofthesurroundinghousesonamarlyorsandysoilforcedoutthevaultsofthesubterraneangalleriesandcausedthemtobendaside，oritchancedthataflooringvaultburstandsplitunderthiscrushingthrust。Inthismanner，theheapingupoftheParthenon，obliterated，acenturyago，aportionofthevaultsofSaint—Genevievehill。Whenasewerwasbrokeninunderthepressureofthehouses，themischiefwassometimesbetrayedinthestreetabovebyasortofspace，liketheteethofasaw，betweenthepaving—stones；thiscrevicewasdevelopedinanundulatinglinethroughouttheentirelengthofthecrackedvault，andthen，theevilbeingvisible，theremedycouldbepromptlyapplied。
Italsofrequentlyhappened，thattheinteriorravageswerenotrevealedbyanyexternalscar，andinthatcase，woetothesewermen。
Whentheyenteredwithoutprecautionintothesewer，theywereliabletobelost。Ancientregistersmakementionofseveralscavengerswhowereburiedinfontisinthismanner。Theygivemanynames；
amongothers，thatofthesewermanwhowasswallowedupinaquagmireundertheman—holeoftheRueCareme—Prenant，acertainBlaisePoutrain；
thisBlaisePoutrainwasthebrotherofNicholasPoutrain，whowasthelastgrave—diggerofthecemeterycalledtheCharnierdesInnocents，in1785，theepochwhenthatcemeteryexpired。
TherewasalsothatyoungandcharmingVicomted’Escoubleau，ofwhomwehavejustspoken，oneoftheheroesofthesiegeofLerida，wheretheydeliveredtheassaultinsilkstockings，withviolinsattheirhead。
D’Escoubleau，surprisedonenightathiscousin’s，theDuchessdeSourdis’，wasdrownedinaquagmireoftheBeautreillissewer，inwhichhehadtakenrefugeinordertoescapefromtheDuke。
MadamedeSourdis，wheninformedofhisdeath，demandedhersmelling—bottle，andforgottoweep，throughsnifflingathersalts。
Insuchcases，thereisnolovewhichholdsfast；thesewerextinguishesit。HerorefusestowashthebodyofLeander。
ThisbestopshernoseinthepresenceofPyramusandsays:"Phew！"
CHAPTERVI
THEFONTIS
JeanValjeanfoundhimselfinthepresenceofafontis。
ThissortofquagmirewascommonatthatperiodinthesubsoiloftheChamps—Elysees，difficulttohandleinthehydraulicworksandabadpreservativeofthesubterraneanconstructions，onaccountofitsexcessivefluidity。ThisfluidityexceedseventheinconsistencyofthesandsoftheQuartierSaint—Georges，whichcouldonlybeconqueredbyastoneconstructiononaconcretefoundation，andtheclayeystrata，infectedwithgas，oftheQuartierdesMartyrs，whicharesoliquidthattheonlywayinwhichapassagewaseffectedunderthegallerydesMartyrswasbymeansofacast—ironpipe。When，in1836，theoldstonesewerbeneaththeFaubourgSaint—Honore，inwhichwenowseeJeanValjean，wasdemolishedforthepurposeofreconstructingit，thequicksand，whichformsthesubsoiloftheChamps—ElyseesasfarastheSeine，presentedsuchanobstacle，thattheoperationlastednearlysixmonths，tothegreatclamorofthedwellersontheriverside，particularlythosewhohadhotelsandcarriages。Theworkwasmorethanunhealthy；itwasdangerous。Itistruethattheyhadfourmonthsandahalfofrain，andthreefloodsoftheSeine。
ThefontiswhichJeanValjeanhadencounteredwascausedbythedownpouroftheprecedingday。Thepavement，badlysustainedbythesubjacentsand，hadgivenwayandhadproducedastoppageofthewater。Infiltrationhadtakenplace，asliphadfollowed。
Thedislocatedbottomhadsunkintotheooze。Towhatextent？
Impossibletosay。Theobscuritywasmoredensetherethanelsewhere。
Itwasapitofmireinacavernofnight。
JeanValjeanfeltthepavementvanishingbeneathhisfeet。
Heenteredthisslime。Therewaswateronthesurface，slimeatthebottom。Hemustpassit。Toretracehisstepswasimpossible。
Mariuswasdying，andJeanValjeanexhausted。Besides，wherewashetogo？JeanValjeanadvanced。Moreover，thepitseemed，forthefirstfewsteps，nottobeverydeep。Butinproportionasheadvanced，hisfeetplungeddeeper。Soonhehadtheslimeuptohiscalvesandwaterabovehisknees。Hewalkedon，raisingMariusinhisarms，asfarabovethewaterashecould。
Themirenowreachedtohisknees，andthewatertohiswaist。
Hecouldnolongerretreat。Thismud，denseenoughforoneman，couldnot，obviously，upholdtwo。MariusandJeanValjeanwouldhavestoodachanceofextricatingthemselvessingly。JeanValjeancontinuedtoadvance，supportingthedyingman，whowas，perhaps，acorpse。
Thewatercameuptohisarm—pits；hefeltthathewassinking；
itwasonlywithdifficultythathecouldmoveinthedepthofoozewhichhehadnowreached。Thedensity，whichwashissupport，wasalsoanobstacle。HestillheldMariusonhigh，andwithanunheard—ofexpenditureofforce，headvancedstill；buthewassinking。
HehadonlyhisheadabovethewaternowandhistwoarmsholdingupMarius。Intheoldpaintingsofthedelugethereisamotherholdingherchildthus。
Hesankstilldeeper，heturnedhisfacetotherear，toescapethewater，andinorderthathemightbeabletobreathe；
anyonewhohadseenhiminthatgloomwouldhavethoughtthatwhathebeheldwasamaskfloatingontheshadows；hecaughtafaintglimpseabovehimofthedroopingheadandlividfaceofMarius；
hemadeadesperateeffortandlaunchedhisfootforward；hisfootstrucksomethingsolid；apointofsupport。Itwashightime。
Hestraightenedhimselfup，androotedhimselfuponthatpointofsupportwithasortoffury。Thisproduceduponhimtheeffectofthefirststepinastaircaseleadingbacktolife。
Thepointofsupport，thusencounteredinthemireatthesuprememoment，wasthebeginningoftheotherwater—shedofthepavement，whichhadbentbuthadnotgivenway，andwhichhadcurvedunderthewaterlikeaplankandinasinglepiece。Wellbuiltpavementsformavaultandpossessthissortoffirmness。Thisfragmentofthevaulting，partlysubmerged，butsolid，wasaveritableinclinedplane，and，onceonthisplane，hewassafe。JeanValjeanmountedthisinclinedplaneandreachedtheothersideofthequagmire。
Asheemergedfromthewater，hecameincontactwithastoneandfelluponhisknees。Hereflectedthatthiswasbutjust，andheremainedthereforsometime，withhissoulabsorbedinwordsaddressedtoGod。
Herosetohisfeet，shivering，chilled，foul—smelling，bowedbeneaththedyingmanwhomhewasdraggingafterhim，alldrippingwithslime，andhissoulfilledwithastrangelight。
CHAPTERVII
ONESOMETIMESRUNSAGROUNDWHENONEFANCIESTHATONEISDISEMBARKING
Hesetoutonhiswayoncemore。
However，althoughhehadnotlefthislifeinthefontis，heseemedtohavelefthisstrengthbehindhimthere。Thatsupremeefforthadexhaustedhim。Hislassitudewasnowsuchthathewasobligedtopauseforbreatheverythreeorfoursteps，andleanagainstthewall。OncehewasforcedtoseathimselfonthebanquetteinordertoalterMarius’position，andhethoughtthatheshouldhavetoremainthere。Butifhisvigorwasdead，hisenergywasnot。
Heroseagain。
Hewalkedondesperately，almostfast，proceededthusforahundredpaces，almostwithoutdrawingbreath，andsuddenlycameincontactwiththewall。Hehadreachedanelbowofthesewer，and，arrivingattheturnwithheadbentdown，hehadstruckthewall。
Heraisedhiseyes，andattheextremityofthevault，far，veryfarawayinfrontofhim，heperceivedalight。Thistimeitwasnotthatterriblelight；itwasgood，whitelight。Itwasdaylight。
JeanValjeansawtheoutlet。
Adamnedsoul，who，inthemidstofthefurnace，shouldsuddenlyperceivetheoutletofGehenna，wouldexperiencewhatJeanValjeanfelt。
Itwouldflywildlywiththestumpsofitsburnedwingstowardsthatradiantportal。JeanValjeanwasnolongerconsciousoffatigue，henolongerfeltMarius’weight，hefoundhislegsoncemoreofsteel，heranratherthanwalked。Asheapproached，theoutletbecamemoreandmoredistinctlydefined。Itwasapointedarch，lowerthanthevault，whichgraduallynarrowed，andnarrowerthanthegallery，whichclosedinasthevaultgrewlower。
Thetunnelendedliketheinteriorofafunnel；afaultyconstruction，imitatedfromthewicketsofpenitentiaries，logicalinaprison，illogicalinasewer，andwhichhassincebeencorrected。
JeanValjeanreachedtheoutlet。
Therehehalted。
Itcertainlywastheoutlet，buthecouldnotgetout。
Thearchwasclosedbyaheavygrating，andthegrating，which，toallappearance，rarelyswungonitsrustyhinges，wasclampedtoitsstonejambbyathicklock，which，redwithrust，seemedlikeanenormousbrick。Thekeyholecouldbeseen，andtherobustlatch，deeplysunkintheironstaple。Thedoorwasplainlydouble—locked。
ItwasoneofthoseprisonlockswhicholdPariswassofondoflavishing。
Beyondthegratingwastheopenair，theriver，thedaylight，theshore，verynarrowbutsufficientforescape。Thedistantquays，Paris，thatgulfinwhichonesoeasilyhidesoneself，thebroadhorizon，liberty。Ontheright，downstream，thebridgeofJenawasdiscernible，ontheleft，upstream，thebridgeoftheInvalides；theplacewouldhavebeenapropitiousoneinwhichtoawaitthenightandtoescape。ItwasoneofthemostsolitarypointsinParis；theshorewhichfacestheGrand—Caillou。
Flieswereenteringandemergingthroughthebarsofthegrating。
Itmighthavebeenhalf—pasteighto’clockintheevening。
Thedaywasdeclining。
JeanValjeanlaidMariusdownalongthewall，onthedryportionofthevaulting，thenhewenttothegratingandclenchedbothfistsroundthebars；theshockwhichhegaveitwasfrenzied，butitdidnotmove。Thegratingdidnotstir。JeanValjeanseizedthebarsoneaftertheother，inthehopethathemightbeabletotearawaytheleastsolid，andtomakeofitaleverwherewithtoraisethedoorortobreakthelock。Notabarstirred。
Theteethofatigerarenotmorefirmlyfixedintheirsockets。
Nolever；nopryingpossible。Theobstaclewasinvincible。
Therewasnomeansofopeningthegate。
Musthethenstopthere？Whatwashetodo？Whatwastobecomeofhim？Hehadnotthestrengthtoretracehissteps，torecommencethejourneywhichhehadalreadytaken。Besides，howwashetoagaintraversethatquagmirewhencehehadonlyextricatedhimselfasbyamiracle？Andafterthequagmire，wastherenotthepolicepatrol，whichassuredlycouldnotbetwiceavoided？
Andthen，whitherwashetogo？Whatdirectionshouldhepursue？
Tofollowtheinclinewouldnotconducthimtohisgoal。Ifheweretoreachanotheroutlet，hewouldfinditobstructedbyaplugoragrating。Everyoutletwas，undoubtedly，closedinthatmanner。
Chancehadunsealedthegratingthroughwhichhehadentered，butitwasevidentthatalltheothersewermouthswerebarred。
Hehadonlysucceededinescapingintoaprison。
Allwasover。EverythingthatJeanValjeanhaddonewasuseless。
Exhaustionhadendedinfailure。
Theywerebothcaughtintheimmenseandgloomywebofdeath，andJeanValjeanfelttheterriblespiderrunningalongthoseblackstrandsandquiveringintheshadows。Heturnedhisbacktothegrating，andfelluponthepavement，hurledtoearthratherthanseated，closetoMarius，whostillmadenomovement，andwithhisheadbentbetweenhisknees。Thiswasthelastdropofanguish。
Ofwhatwashethinkingduringthisprofounddepression？
NeitherofhimselfnorofMarius。HewasthinkingofCosette。
CHAPTERVIII
THETORNCOAT—TAIL
Inthemidstofthisprostration，ahandwaslaidonhisshoulder，andalowvoicesaidtohim:
"Halfshares。"
Somepersoninthatgloom？Nothingsocloselyresemblesadreamasdespair。JeanValjeanthoughtthathewasdreaming。
Hehadheardnofootsteps。Wasitpossible？Heraisedhiseyes。
Amanstoodbeforehim。
Thismanwascladinablouse；hisfeetwerebare；heheldhisshoesinhislefthand；hehadevidentlyremovedtheminordertoreachJeanValjean，withoutallowinghisstepstobeheard。
JeanValjeandidnothesitateforaninstant。Unexpectedaswasthisencounter，thismanwasknowntohim。ThemanwasThenardier。
Althoughawakened，sotospeak，withastart，JeanValjean，accustomedtoalarms，andsteeledtounforeseenshocksthatmustbepromptlyparried，instantlyregainedpossessionofhispresenceofmind。Moreover，thesituationcouldnotbemadeworse，acertaindegreeofdistressisnolongercapableofacrescendo，andThenardierhimselfcouldaddnothingtothisblacknessofthisnight。
Amomentarypauseensued。
Thenardier，raisinghisrighthandtoalevelwithhisforehead，formedwithitashade，thenhebroughthiseyelashestogether，byscrewinguphiseyes，amotionwhich，inconnectionwithaslightcontractionofthemouth，characterizesthesagaciousattentionofamanwhoisendeavoringtorecognizeanotherman。Hedidnotsucceed。
JeanValjean，aswehavejuststated，hadhisbackturnedtothelight，andhewas，moreover，sodisfigured，sobemired，sobleedingthathewouldhavebeenunrecognizableinfullnoonday。Onthecontrary，illuminatedbythelightfromthegrating，acellarlight，itistrue，livid，yetpreciseinitslividness，Thenardier，astheenergeticpopularmetaphorexpressesit，immediately"leapedinto"
JeanValjean’seyes。ThisinequalityofconditionssufficedtoassuresomeadvantagetoJeanValjeaninthatmysteriousduelwhichwasonthepointofbeginningbetweenthetwosituationsandthetwomen。TheencountertookplacebetweenJeanValjeanveiledandThenardierunmasked。
JeanValjeanimmediatelyperceivedthatThenardierdidnotrecognizehim。
Theysurveyedeachotherforamomentinthathalf—gloom，asthoughtakingeachother’smeasure。Thenardierwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
"Howareyougoingtomanagetogetout？"
JeanValjeanmadenoreply。Thenardiercontinued:
"It’simpossibletopickthelockofthatgate。Butstillyoumustgetoutofthis。"
"Thatistrue，"saidJeanValjean。
"Well，halfsharesthen。"
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"
"Youhavekilledthatman；that’sallright。Ihavethekey。"
ThenardierpointedtoMarius。Hewenton:
"Idon’tknowyou，butIwanttohelpyou。Youmustbeafriend。"
JeanValjeanbegantocomprehend。Thenardiertookhimforanassassin。
Thenardierresumed:
"Listen，comrade。Youdidn’tkillthatmanwithoutlookingtoseewhathehadinhispockets。Givememyhalf。I’llopenthedoorforyou。"
Andhalfdrawingfrombeneathhistatteredblouseahugekey，headded:
"Doyouwanttoseehowakeytolibertyismade？Lookhere。"
JeanValjean"remainedstupid"——theexpressionbelongstotheelderCorneille——tosuchadegreethathedoubtedwhetherwhathebeheldwasreal。Itwasprovidenceappearinginhorribleguise，andhisgoodangelspringingfromtheearthintheformofThenardier。
Thenardierthrusthisfistintoalargepocketconcealedunderhisblouse，drewoutaropeandofferedittoJeanValjean。
"Holdon，"saidhe，"I’llgiveyoutheropetoboot。"
"Whatistheropefor？"
"Youwillneedastonealso，butyoucanfindoneoutside。
There’saheapofrubbish。"
"WhatamItodowithastone？"
"Idiot，you’llwanttoslingthatstiffintotheriver，you’llneedastoneandarope，otherwiseitwouldfloatonthewater。"
JeanValjeantooktherope。Thereisnoonewhodoesnotoccasionallyacceptinthismechanicalway。
Thenardiersnappedhisfingersasthoughanideahadsuddenlyoccurredtohim。
"Ah，seehere，comrade，howdidyoucontrivetogetoutofthatsloughyonder？Ihaven’tdaredtoriskmyselfinit。Phew！youdon’tsmellgood。"
Afterapauseheadded:
"I’maskingyouquestions，butyou’reperfectlyrightnottoanswer。
It’sanapprenticeshipagainstthatcursedquarterofanhourbeforetheexaminingmagistrate。Andthen，whenyoudon’ttalkatall，yourunnoriskoftalkingtooloud。That’snomatter，asIcan’tseeyourfaceandasIdon’tknowyourname，youarewronginsupposingthatIdon’tknowwhoyouareandwhatyouwant。Itwig。
You’vebrokenupthatgentlemanabit；nowyouwanttotuckhimawaysomewhere。Theriver，thatgreathideroffolly，iswhatyouwant。
I’llgetyououtofyourscrape。Helpingagoodfellowinapinchiswhatsuitsmetoahair。"
WhileexpressinghisapprovalofJeanValjean’ssilence，heendeavoredtoforcehimtotalk。Hejostledhisshoulderinanattempttocatchasightofhisprofile，andheexclaimed，without，however，raisinghistone:
"Aproposofthatquagmire，you’reaheartyanimal。Whydidn’tyoutossthemaninthere？"
JeanValjeanpreservedsilence。
Thenardierresumed，pushingtheragwhichservedhimasacravattothelevelofhisAdam’sapple，agesturewhichcompletesthecapableairofaseriousman:
"Afterall，youactedwisely。Theworkmen，whentheycometo—morrowtostopupthathole，wouldcertainlyhavefoundthestiffabandonedthere，anditmighthavebeenpossible，threadbythread，strawbystraw，topickupthescentandreachyou。Someonehaspassedthroughthesewer。Who？Wheredidhegetout？Washeseentocomeout？
Thepolicearefullofcleverness。Theseweristreacherousandtellstalesofyou。Suchafindisararity，itattractsattention，veryfewpeoplemakeuseofthesewersfortheiraffairs，whiletheriverbelongstoeverybody。Theriveristhetruegrave。
AttheendofamonththeyfishupyourmaninthenetsatSaint—Cloud。Well，whatdoesonecareforthat？It’scarrion！
Whokilledthatman？Paris。Andjusticemakesnoinquiries。
Youhavedonewell。"
ThemoreloquaciousThenardierbecame，themoremutewasJeanValjean。
AgainThenardiershookhimbytheshoulder。
"Nowlet’ssettlethisbusiness。Let’sgoshares。Youhaveseenmykey，showmeyourmoney。"
Thenardierwashaggard，fierce，suspicious，rathermenacing，yetamicable。
Therewasonesingularcircumstance；Thenardier’smannerswerenotsimple；hehadnottheairofbeingwhollyathisease；
whileaffectinganairofmystery，hespokelow；fromtimetotimehelaidhisfingeronhismouth，andmuttered，"hush！"Itwasdifficulttodivinewhy。Therewasnoonethereexceptthemselves。
JeanValjeanthoughtthatotherruffiansmightpossiblybeconcealedinsomenook，notveryfaroff，andthatThenardierdidnotcaretosharewiththem。
Thenardierresumed:
"Let’ssettleup。Howmuchdidthestiffhaveinhisbags？"
JeanValjeansearchedhispockets。