CHAPTERIV
　　THEREMARKSOFTHEPRINCIPALTENANT
　　JeanValjeanwasprudentenoughnevertogooutbyday。
　　Everyevening，attwilight，hewalkedforanhourortwo，sometimesalone，oftenwithCosette，seekingthemostdesertedsidealleysoftheboulevard，andenteringchurchesatnightfall。
　　HelikedtogotoSaint—Medard，whichisthenearestchurch。
　　WhenhedidnottakeCosettewithhim，sheremainedwiththeoldwoman；
　　butthechild’sdelightwastogooutwiththegoodman。Shepreferredanhourwithhimtoallherrapturoustete—a—teteswithCatherine。
　　Heheldherhandastheywalked，andsaidsweetthingstoher。
　　ItturnedoutthatCosettewasaverygaylittleperson。
　　Theoldwomanattendedtothehousekeepingandcookingandwenttomarket。
　　Theylivedsoberly，alwayshavingalittlefire，butlikepeopleinverymoderatecircumstances。JeanValjeanhadmadenoalterationsinthefurnitureasitwasthefirstday；hehadmerelyhadtheglassdoorleadingtoCosette’sdressing—roomreplacedbyasoliddoor。
　　Hestillworehisyellowcoat，hisblackbreeches，andhisoldhat。
　　Inthestreet，hewastakenforapoorman。Itsometimeshappenedthatkind—heartedwomenturnedbacktobestowasouonhim。
　　JeanValjeanacceptedthesouwithadeepbow。Italsohappenedoccasionallythatheencounteredsomepoorwretchaskingalms；
　　thenhelookedbehindhimtomakesurethatnoonewasobservinghim，stealthilyapproachedtheunfortunateman，putapieceofmoneyintohishand，oftenasilvercoin，andwalkedrapidlyaway。
　　Thishaditsdisadvantages。Hebegantobeknownintheneighborhoodunderthenameofthebeggarwhogivesalms。
　　Theoldprincipallodger，across—lookingcreature，whowasthoroughlypermeated，sofarasherneighborswereconcerned，withtheinquisitivenesspeculiartoenviouspersons，scrutinizedJeanValjeanagreatdeal，withouthissuspectingthefact。Shewasalittledeaf，whichrenderedhertalkative。Thereremainedtoherfromherpast，twoteeth，——oneabove，theotherbelow，——whichshewascontinuallyknockingagainsteachother。ShehadquestionedCosette，whohadnotbeenabletotellheranything，sincesheknewnothingherselfexceptthatshehadcomefromMontfermeil。Onemorning，thisspysawJeanValjean，withanairwhichstrucktheoldgossipaspeculiar，enteringoneoftheuninhabitedcompartmentsofthehovel。
　　Shefollowedhimwiththestepofanoldcat，andwasabletoobservehimwithoutbeingseen，throughacrackinthedoor，whichwasdirectlyoppositehim。JeanValjeanhadhisbackturnedtowardsthisdoor，bywayofgreatersecurity，nodoubt。Theoldwomansawhimfumbleinhispocketanddrawthenceacase，scissors，andthread；thenhebegantoriptheliningofoneoftheskirtsofhiscoat，andfromtheopeninghetookabitofyellowishpaper，whichheunfolded。
　　Theoldwomanrecognized，withterror，thefactthatitwasabank—billforathousandfrancs。Itwasthesecondorthirdonlythatshehadseeninthecourseofherexistence。Shefledinalarm。
　　Amomentlater，JeanValjeanaccostedher，andaskedhertogoandgetthisthousand—francbillchangedforhim，addingthatitwashisquarterlyincome，whichhehadreceivedthedaybefore。
　　"Where？"thoughttheoldwoman。"Hedidnotgooutuntilsixo’clockintheevening，andthegovernmentbankcertainlyisnotopenatthathour。"Theoldwomanwenttogetthebillchanged，andmentionedhersurmises。Thatthousand—francnote，commentedonandmultiplied，producedavastamountofterrifieddiscussionamongthegossipsoftheRuedesVignesSaint—Marcel。
　　Afewdayslater，itchancedthatJeanValjeanwassawingsomewood，inhisshirt—sleeves，inthecorridor。Theoldwomanwasinthechamber，puttingthingsinorder。Shewasalone。Cosettewasoccupiedinadmiringthewoodasitwassawed。Theoldwomancaughtsightofthecoathangingonanail，andexaminedit。Thelininghadbeensewedupagain。Thegoodwomanfeltofitcarefully，andthoughtsheobservedintheskirtsandreversthicknessesofpaper。
　　Morethousand—francbank—bills，nodoubt！
　　Shealsonoticedthattherewereallsortsofthingsinthepockets。
　　Notonlytheneedles，thread，andscissorswhichshehadseen，butabigpocket—book，averylargeknife，and——asuspiciouscircumstance——
　　severalwigsofvariouscolors。Eachpocketofthiscoathadtheairofbeinginamannerprovidedagainstunexpectedaccidents。
　　Thustheinhabitantsofthehousereachedthelastdaysofwinter。
　　CHAPTERV
　　AFIVE—FRANCPIECEFALLSONTHEGROUNDANDPRODUCESATUMULT
　　NearSaint—Medard’schurchtherewasapoormanwhowasinthehabitofcrouchingonthebrinkofapublicwellwhichhadbeencondemned，andonwhomJeanValjeanwasfondofbestowingcharity。Heneverpassedthismanwithoutgivinghimafewsous。Sometimeshespoketohim。
　　Thosewhoenviedthismendicantsaidthathebelongedtothepolice。
　　Hewasanex—beadleofseventy—five，whowasconstantlymumblinghisprayers。
　　Oneevening，asJeanValjeanwaspassingby，whenhehadnotCosettewithhim，hesawthebeggarinhisusualplace，beneaththelanternwhichhadjustbeenlighted。Themanseemedengagedinprayer，accordingtohiscustom，andwasmuchbentover。JeanValjeansteppeduptohimandplacedhiscustomaryalmsinhishand。
　　Themendicantraisedhiseyessuddenly，staredintentlyatJeanValjean，thendroppedhisheadquickly。Thismovementwaslikeaflashoflightning。JeanValjeanwasseizedwithashudder。
　　Itseemedtohimthathehadjustcaughtsight，bythelightofthestreetlantern，notoftheplacidandbeamingvisageoftheoldbeadle，butofawell—knownandstartlingface。
　　Heexperiencedthesameimpressionthatonewouldhaveonfindingone’sself，allofasudden，facetoface，inthedark，withatiger。
　　Herecoiled，terrified，petrified，daringneithertobreathe，tospeak，toremain，nortoflee，staringatthebeggarwhohaddroppedhishead，whichwasenvelopedinarag，andnolongerappearedtoknowthathewasthere。Atthisstrangemoment，aninstinct——
　　possiblythemysteriousinstinctofself—preservation，——restrainedJeanValjeanfromutteringaword。Thebeggarhadthesamefigure，thesamerags，thesameappearanceashehadeveryday。"Bah！"saidJeanValjean，"Iammad！Iamdreaming！Impossible！"Andhereturnedprofoundlytroubled。
　　Hehardlydaredtoconfess，eventohimself，thatthefacewhichhethoughthehadseenwasthefaceofJavert。
　　Thatnight，onthinkingthematterover，heregrettednothavingquestionedtheman，inordertoforcehimtoraisehisheadasecondtime。
　　Onthefollowingday，atnightfall，hewentback。Thebeggarwasathispost。"Goodday，mygoodman，"saidJeanValjean，resolutely，handinghimasou。Thebeggarraisedhishead，andrepliedinawhiningvoice，"Thanks，mygoodsir。"Itwasunmistakablytheex—beadle。
　　JeanValjeanfeltcompletelyreassured。Hebegantolaugh。
　　"HowthedeucecouldIhavethoughtthatIsawJavertthere？"
　　hethought。"AmIgoingtolosemyeyesightnow？"Andhethoughtnomoreaboutit。
　　Afewdaysafterwards，——itmighthavebeenateighto’clockintheevening，——hewasinhisroom，andengagedinmakingCosettespellaloud，whenheheardthehousedooropenandthenshutagain。
　　Thisstruckhimassingular。Theoldwoman，whowastheonlyinhabitantofthehouseexcepthimself，alwayswenttobedatnightfall，sothatshemightnotburnouthercandles。JeanValjeanmadeasigntoCosettetobequiet。Heheardsomeoneascendingthestairs。
　　Itmightpossiblybetheoldwoman，whomighthavefallenillandhavebeenouttotheapothecary’s。JeanValjeanlistened。
　　Thestepwasheavy，andsoundedlikethatofaman；buttheoldwomanworestoutshoes，andthereisnothingwhichsostronglyresemblesthestepofamanasthatofanoldwoman。Nevertheless，JeanValjeanblewouthiscandle。
　　HehadsentCosettetobed，sayingtoherinalowvoice，"Getintobedverysoftly"；andashekissedherbrow，thestepspaused。
　　JeanValjeanremainedsilent，motionless，withhisbacktowardsthedoor，seatedonthechairfromwhichhehadnotstirred，andholdinghisbreathinthedark。
　　Aftertheexpirationofaratherlonginterval，heturnedround，asheheardnothingmore，and，asheraisedhiseyestowardsthedoorofhischamber，hesawalightthroughthekeyhole。Thislightformedasortofsinisterstarintheblacknessofthedoorandthewall。
　　Therewasevidentlysomeonethere，whowasholdingacandleinhishandandlistening。
　　Severalminuteselapsedthus，andthelightretreated。Butheheardnosoundoffootsteps，whichseemedtoindicatethatthepersonwhohadbeenlisteningatthedoorhadremovedhisshoes。
　　JeanValjeanthrewhimself，alldressedashewas，onhisbed，andcouldnotclosehiseyesallnight。
　　Atdaybreak，justashewasfallingintoadozethroughfatigue，hewasawakenedbythecreakingofadoorwhichopenedonsomeatticattheendofthecorridor，thenheheardthesamemasculinefootstepwhichhadascendedthestairsontheprecedingevening。
　　Thestepwasapproaching。Hesprangoffthebedandappliedhiseyetothekeyhole，whichwastolerablylarge，hopingtoseethepersonwhohadmadehiswaybynightintothehouseandhadlistenedathisdoor，ashepassed。Itwasaman，infact，whopassed，thistimewithoutpausing，infrontofJeanValjean’schamber。Thecorridorwastoodarktoallowoftheperson’sfacebeingdistinguished；
　　butwhenthemanreachedthestaircase，arayoflightfromwithoutmadeitstandoutlikeasilhouette，andJeanValjeanhadacompleteviewofhisback。Themanwasofloftystature，cladinalongfrock—coat，withacudgelunderhisarm。TheformidableneckandshouldersbelongedtoJavert。
　　JeanValjeanmighthaveattemptedtocatchanotherglimpseofhimthroughhiswindowopeningontheboulevard，buthewouldhavebeenobligedtoopenthewindow:hedarednot。
　　Itwasevidentthatthismanhadenteredwithakey，andlikehimself。
　　Whohadgivenhimthatkey？Whatwasthemeaningofthis？
　　Whentheoldwomancametodothework，atseveno’clockinthemorning，JeanValjeancastapenetratingglanceonher，buthedidnotquestionher。Thegoodwomanappearedasusual。
　　Asshesweptupsheremarkedtohim:——
　　"PossiblyMonsieurmayhaveheardsomeonecomeinlastnight？"
　　Atthatage，andonthatboulevard，eighto’clockintheeveningwasthedeadofthenight。
　　"Thatistrue，bytheway，"hereplied，inthemostnaturaltonepossible。"Whowasit？"
　　"Itwasanewlodgerwhohascomeintothehouse，"saidtheoldwoman。
　　"Andwhatishisname？"
　　"Idon’tknowexactly；Dumont，orDaumont，orsomenameofthatsort。"
　　"AndwhoisthisMonsieurDumont？"
　　Theoldwomangazedathimwithherlittlepolecateyes，andanswered:——
　　"Agentlemanofproperty，likeyourself。"
　　Perhapsshehadnoulteriormeaning。JeanValjeanthoughtheperceivedone。
　　Whentheoldwomanhadtakenherdeparture，hedidupahundredfrancswhichhehadinacupboard，intoaroll，andputitinhispocket。
　　Inspiteofalltheprecautionswhichhetookinthisoperationsothathemightnotbeheardrattlingsilver，ahundred—soupieceescapedfromhishandsandrollednoisilyonthefloor。
　　Whendarknesscameon，hedescendedandcarefullyscrutinizedbothsidesoftheboulevard。Hesawnoone。Theboulevardappearedtobeabsolutelydeserted。Itistruethatapersoncanconcealhimselfbehindtrees。
　　Hewentupstairsagain。
　　"Come。"hesaidtoCosette。
　　Hetookherbythehand，andtheybothwentout。
　　BOOKFIFTH。——FORABLACKHUNT，AMUTEPACK
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEZIGZAGSOFSTRATEGY
　　Anobservationherebecomesnecessary，inviewofthepageswhichthereaderisabouttoperuse，andofotherswhichwillbemetwithfurtheron。
　　Theauthorofthisbook，whoregretsthenecessityofmentioninghimself，hasbeenabsentfromParisformanyyears。Parishasbeentransformedsincehequittedit。Anewcityhasarisen，whichis，afterafashion，unknowntohim。ThereisnoneedforhimtosaythathelovesParis:
　　Parisishismind’snatalcity。Inconsequenceofdemolitionsandreconstructions，theParisofhisyouth，thatPariswhichheboreawayreligiouslyinhismemory，isnowaParisofdaysgoneby。
　　HemustbepermittedtospeakofthatParisasthoughitstillexisted。
　　Itispossiblethatwhentheauthorconductshisreaderstoaspotandsays，"Insuchastreettherestandssuchandsuchahouse，"
　　neitherstreetnorhousewillanylongerexistinthatlocality。
　　Readersmayverifythefactsiftheycaretotakethetrouble。
　　Forhisownpart，heisunacquaintedwiththenewParis，andhewriteswiththeoldParisbeforehiseyesinanillusionwhichisprecioustohim。Itisadelighttohimtodreamthattherestilllingersbehindhimsomethingofthatwhichhebeheldwhenhewasinhisowncountry，andthatallhasnotvanished。Solongasyougoandcomeinyournativeland，youimaginethatthosestreetsareamatterofindifferencetoyou；thatthosewindows，thoseroofs，andthosedoorsarenothingtoyou；thatthosewallsarestrangerstoyou；thatthosetreesaremerelythefirstencounteredhaphazard；
　　thatthosehouses，whichyoudonotenter，areuselesstoyou；
　　thatthepavementswhichyoutreadaremerelystones。Lateron，whenyouarenolongerthere，youperceivethatthestreetsaredeartoyou；thatyoumissthoseroofs，thosedoors；andthatthosewallsarenecessarytoyou，thosetreesarewellbelovedbyyou；
　　thatyouenteredthosehouseswhichyouneverentered，everyday，andthatyouhaveleftapartofyourheart，ofyourblood，ofyoursoul，inthosepavements。Allthoseplaceswhichyounolongerbehold，whichyoumayneverbeholdagain，perchance，andwhosememoryyouhavecherished，takeonamelancholycharm，recurtoyourmindwiththemelancholyofanapparition，maketheholylandvisibletoyou，andare，sotospeak，theveryformofFrance，andyoulovethem；andyoucallthemupastheyare，astheywere，andyoupersistinthis，andyouwillsubmittonochange:
　　foryouareattachedtothefigureofyourfatherlandastothefaceofyourmother。
　　Maywe，then，bepermittedtospeakofthepastinthepresent？
　　Thatsaid，webegthereadertotakenoteofit，andwecontinue。
　　JeanValjeaninstantlyquittedtheboulevardandplungedintothestreets，takingthemostintricatelineswhichhecoulddevise，returningonhistrackattimes，tomakesurethathewasnotbeingfollowed。
　　Thismanoeuvreispeculiartothehuntedstag。Onsoilwhereanimprintofthetrackmaybeleft，thismanoeuvrepossesses，amongotheradvantages，thatofdeceivingthehuntsmenandthedogs，bythrowingthemonthewrongscent。Invenerythisiscalledfalsere—imbushment。
　　Themoonwasfullthatnight。JeanValjeanwasnotsorryforthis。
　　Themoon，stillveryclosetothehorizon，castgreatmassesoflightandshadowinthestreets。JeanValjeancouldglidealongclosetothehousesonthedarkside，andyetkeepwatchonthelightside。
　　Hedidnot，perhaps，takesufficientlyintoconsiderationthefactthatthedarksideescapedhim。Still，inthedesertedlaneswhichlieneartheRuePoliveau，hethoughthefeltcertainthatnoonewasfollowinghim。
　　Cosettewalkedonwithoutaskinganyquestions。Thesufferingsofthefirstsixyearsofherlifehadinstilledsomethingpassiveintohernature。Moreover，——andthisisaremarktowhichweshallfrequentlyhaveoccasiontorecur，——shehadgrownused，withoutbeingherselfawareofit，tothepeculiaritiesofthisgoodmanandtothefreaksofdestiny。Andthenshewaswithhim，andshefeltsafe。
　　JeanValjeanknewnomorewherehewasgoingthandidCosette。
　　HetrustedinGod，asshetrustedinhim。Itseemedasthoughhealsowereclingingtothehandofsomeonegreaterthanhimself；
　　hethoughthefeltabeingleadinghim，thoughinvisible。
　　However，hehadnosettledidea，noplan，noproject。HewasnotevenabsolutelysurethatitwasJavert，andthenitmighthavebeenJavert，withoutJavertknowingthathewasJeanValjean。Wasnothedisguised？Wasnothebelievedtobedead？Still，queerthingshadbeengoingonforseveraldays。Hewantednomoreofthem。
　　HewasdeterminednottoreturntotheGorbeauhouse。Likethewildanimalchasedfromitslair，hewasseekingaholeinwhichhemighthideuntilhecouldfindonewherehemightdwell。
　　JeanValjeandescribedmanyandvariedlabyrinthsintheMouffetardquarter，whichwasalreadyasleep，asthoughthedisciplineoftheMiddleAgesandtheyokeofthecurfewstillexisted；
　　hecombinedinvariousmanners，withcunningstrategy，theRueCensierandtheRueCopeau，theRueduBattoir—Saint—VictorandtheRueduPuitsl’Ermite。Therearelodginghousesinthislocality，buthedidnotevenenterone，findingnothingwhichsuitedhim。
　　Hehadnodoubtthatifanyonehadchancedtobeuponhistrack，theywouldhavelostit。
　　Aseleveno’clockstruckfromSaint—Etienne—du—Mont，hewastraversingtheRuedePontoise，infrontoftheofficeofthecommissaryofpolice，situatedatNo。14。Afewmomentslater，theinstinctofwhichwehavespokenabovemadehimturnround。
　　Atthatmomenthesawdistinctly，thankstothecommissary’slantern，whichbetrayedthem，threemenwhowerefollowinghimclosely，pass，oneaftertheother，underthatlantern，onthedarksideofthestreet。
　　Oneofthethreeenteredthealleyleadingtothecommissary’shouse。
　　Theonewhomarchedattheirheadstruckhimasdecidedlysuspicious。
　　"Come，child，"hesaidtoCosette；andhemadehastetoquittheRuePontoise。
　　Hetookacircuit，turnedintothePassagedesPatriarches，whichwasclosedonaccountofthehour，strodealongtheRuedel’Epee—de—BoisandtheRuedel’Arbalete，andplungedintotheRuedesPostes。
　　Atthattimetherewasasquareformedbytheintersectionofstreets，wheretheCollegeRollinstandsto—day，andwheretheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveturnsoff。
　　Itisunderstood，ofcourse，thattheRueNeuve—Sainte—Genevieveisanoldstreet，andthataposting—chaisedoesnotpassthroughtheRuedesPostesonceintenyears。InthethirteenthcenturythisRuedesPosteswasinhabitedbypotters，anditsrealnameisRuedesPots。
　　Themooncastalividlightintothisopenspace。JeanValjeanwentintoambushinadoorway，calculatingthatifthemenwerestillfollowinghim，hecouldnotfailtogetagoodlookatthem，astheytraversedthisilluminatedspace。
　　Inpointoffact，threeminuteshadnotelapsedwhenthemenmadetheirappearance。Therewerefourofthemnow。Allweretall，dressedinlong，browncoats，withroundhats，andhugecudgelsintheirhands。Theirgreatstatureandtheirvastfistsrenderedthemnolessalarmingthandidtheirsinisterstridethroughthedarkness。
　　Onewouldhavepronouncedthemfourspectresdisguisedasbourgeois。
　　Theyhaltedinthemiddleofthespaceandformedagroup，likemeninconsultation。Theyhadanairofindecision。TheonewhoappearedtobetheirleaderturnedroundandpointedhastilywithhisrighthandinthedirectionwhichJeanValjeanhadtaken；anotherseemedtoindicatethecontrarydirectionwithconsiderableobstinacy。
　　Atthemomentwhenthefirstmanwheeledround，themoonfellfullinhisface。JeanValjeanrecognizedJavertperfectly。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ITISLUCKYTHATTHEPONTD’AUSTERLITZBEARSCARRIAGES
　　UncertaintywasatanendforJeanValjean:fortunatelyitstilllastedforthemen。Hetookadvantageoftheirhesitation。
　　Itwastimelostforthem，butgainedforhim。Heslippedfromunderthegatewherehehadconcealedhimself，andwentdowntheRuedesPostes，towardstheregionoftheJardindesPlantes。Cosettewasbeginningtobetired。Hetookherinhisarmsandcarriedher。
　　Therewerenopassers—by，andthestreetlanternshadnotbeenlightedonaccountoftherebeingamoon。
　　Heredoubledhispace。
　　InafewstrideshehadreachedtheGobletpotteries，onthefrontofwhichthemoonlightrendereddistinctlylegibletheancientinscription:——
　　DeGobletfilsc’esticilafabrique；[14]
　　Venezchoisirdescruchesetdesbroos，Despotsafleurs，destuyaux，delabrique。
　　AtoutvenantleCoeurvenddesCarreaux。
　　[14]ThisisthefactoryofGobletJunior:
　　Comechooseyourjugsandcrocks，Flower—pots，pipes，bricks。
　　TheHeartsellsDiamondstoeverycomer。
　　HeleftbehindhimtheRuedelaClef，thentheFountainSaint—Victor，skirtedtheJardindesPlantesbythelowerstreets，andreachedthequay。Thereheturnedround。Thequaywasdeserted。Thestreetsweredeserted。Therewasnoonebehindhim。Hedrewalongbreath。
　　HegainedthePontd’Austerlitz。
　　Tollswerestillcollectedthereatthatepoch。
　　Hepresentedhimselfatthetollofficeandhandedoverasou。
　　"Itistwosous，"saidtheoldsoldierinchargeofthebridge。
　　"Youarecarryingachildwhocanwalk。Payfortwo。"
　　Hepaid，vexedthathispassageshouldhavearousedremark。
　　Everyflightshouldbeanimperceptibleslippingaway。
　　AheavycartwascrossingtheSeineatthesametimeashimself，andonitsway，likehim，totherightbank。Thiswasofusetohim。
　　Hecouldtraversethebridgeintheshadowofthecart。
　　TowardsthemiddleoftheBridge，Cosette，whosefeetwerebenumbed，wantedtowalk。Hesetheronthegroundandtookherhandagain。
　　Thebridgeoncecrossed，heperceivedsometimber—yardsonhisright。
　　Hedirectedhiscoursethither。Inordertoreachthem，itwasnecessarytoriskhimselfinatolerablylargeunshelteredandilluminatedspace。Hedidnothesitate。Thosewhowereonhistrackhadevidentlylostthescent，andJeanValjeanbelievedhimselftobeoutofdanger。Hunted，yes；followed，no。
　　Alittlestreet，theRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine，openedoutbetweentwotimber—yardsenclosedinwalls。Thisstreetwasdarkandnarrowandseemedmadeexpresslyforhim。Beforeenteringithecastaglancebehindhim，FromthepointwherehestoodhecouldseethewholeextentofthePontd’Austerlitz。
　　Fourshadowswerejustenteringonthebridge。
　　TheseshadowshadtheirbacksturnedtotheJardindesPlantesandwereontheirwaytotherightbank。
　　Thesefourshadowswerethefourmen。
　　JeanValjeanshudderedlikethewildbeastwhichisrecaptured。
　　Onehoperemainedtohim；itwas，thatthemenhadnot，perhaps，steppedonthebridge，andhadnotcaughtsightofhimwhilehewascrossingthelargeilluminatedspace，holdingCosettebythehand。
　　Inthatcase，byplungingintothelittlestreetbeforehim，hemightescape，ifhecouldreachthetimber—yards，themarshes，themarket—gardens，theuninhabitedgroundwhichwasnotbuiltupon。
　　Itseemedtohimthathemightcommithimselftothatsilentlittlestreet。Heenteredit。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　TOWIT，THEPLANOFPARISIN1727
　　Threehundredpacesfurtheron，hearrivedatapointwherethestreetforked。Itseparatedintotwostreets，whichraninaslantingline，onetotheright，andtheothertotheleft。
　　JeanValjeanhadbeforehimwhatresembledthetwobranchesofaY。Whichshouldhechoose？Hedidnothesitate，buttooktheoneontheright。
　　Why？
　　Becausethattotheleftrantowardsasuburb，thatistosay，towardsinhabitedregions，andtherightbranchtowardstheopencountry，thatistosay，towardsdesertedregions。
　　However，theynolongerwalkedveryfast。Cosette’spaceretardedJeanValjean’s。
　　Hetookherupandcarriedheragain。Cosettelaidherheadontheshoulderofthegoodmanandsaidnotaword。
　　Heturnedroundfromtimetotimeandlookedbehindhim。
　　Hetookcaretokeepalwaysonthedarksideofthestreet。
　　Thestreetwasstraightinhisrear。Thefirsttwoorthreetimesthatheturnedroundhesawnothing；thesilencewasprofound，andhecontinuedhismarchsomewhatreassured。Allatonce，onturninground，hethoughtheperceivedintheportionofthestreetwhichhehadjustpassedthrough，faroffintheobscurity，somethingwhichwasmoving。
　　Herushedforwardprecipitatelyratherthanwalked，hopingtofindsomeside—street，tomakehisescapethroughit，andthustobreakhisscentoncemore。
　　Hearrivedatawall。
　　Thiswall，however，didnotabsolutelypreventfurtherprogress；
　　itwasawallwhichborderedatransversestreet，inwhichtheonehehadtakenended。
　　Hereagain，hewasobligedtocometoadecision；shouldhegototherightortotheleft。
　　Heglancedtotheright。Thefragmentarylanewasprolongedbetweenbuildingswhichwereeithershedsorbarns，thenendedatablindalley。Theextremityofthecul—de—sacwasdistinctlyvisible，——
　　aloftywhitewall。
　　Heglancedtotheleft。Onthatsidethelanewasopen，andabouttwohundredpacesfurtheron，ranintoastreetofwhichitwastheaffluent。Onthatsidelaysafety。
　　AtthemomentwhenJeanValjeanwasmeditatingaturntotheleft，inanefforttoreachthestreetwhichhesawattheendofthelane，heperceivedasortofmotionless，blackstatueatthecornerofthelaneandthestreettowardswhichhewasonthepointofdirectinghissteps。
　　Itwassomeone，aman，whohadevidentlyjustbeenpostedthere，andwhowasbarringthepassageandwaiting。
　　JeanValjeanrecoiled。
　　ThepointofPariswhereJeanValjeanfoundhimself，situatedbetweentheFaubourgSaint—AntoineandlaRapee，isoneofthosewhichrecentimprovementshavetransformedfromtoptobottom，——
　　resultingindisfigurementaccordingtosome，andinatransfigurationaccordingtoothers。Themarket—gardens，thetimber—yards，andtheoldbuildingshavebeeneffaced。To—day，therearebrand—new，widestreets，arenas，circuses，hippodromes，railwaystations，andaprison，Mazas，there；progress，asthereadersees，withitsantidote。
　　Halfacenturyago，inthatordinary，populartongue，whichisallcompoundedoftraditions，whichpersistsincallingtheInstitutlesQuatre—Nations，andtheOpera—ComiqueFeydeau，theprecisespotwhitherJeanValjeanhadarrivedwascalledlePetitPicpus。
　　ThePorteSaint—Jacques，thePorteParis，theBarrieredesSergents，thePorcherons，laGaliote，lesCelestins，lesCapucins，leMail，laBourbe，l’ArbredeCracovie，laPetite—Pologne——thesearethenamesofoldPariswhichsurviveamidthenew。Thememoryofthepopulacehoversovertheserelicsofthepast。
　　LePetit—Picpus，which，moreover，hardlyeverhadanyexistence，andneverwasmorethantheoutlineofaquarter，hadnearlythemonkishaspectofaSpanishtown。Theroadswerenotmuchpaved；
　　thestreetswerenotmuchbuiltup。Withtheexceptionofthetwoorthreestreets，ofwhichweshallpresentlyspeak，allwaswallandsolitudethere。Notashop，notavehicle，hardlyacandlelightedhereandthereinthewindows；alllightsextinguishedafterteno’clock。Gardens，convents，timber—yards，marshes；
　　occasionallowlydwellingsandgreatwallsashighasthehouses。
　　Suchwasthisquarterinthelastcentury。TheRevolutionsnubbeditsoundly。Therepublicangovernmentdemolishedandcutthroughit。
　　Rubbishshootswereestablishedthere。Thirtyyearsago，thisquarterwasdisappearingundertheerasingprocessofnewbuildings。
　　To—day，ithasbeenutterlyblottedout。ThePetit—Picpus，ofwhichnoexistingplanhaspreservedatrace，isindicatedwithsufficientclearnessintheplanof1727，publishedatParisbyDenisThierry，RueSaint—Jacques，oppositetheRueduPlatre；
　　andatLyons，byJeanGirin，RueMerciere，atthesignofPrudence。
　　Petit—Picpushad，aswehavejustmentioned，aYofstreets，formedbytheRueduChemin—Vert—Saint—Antoine，whichspreadoutintwobranches，takingontheleftthenameofLittlePicpusStreet，andontherightthenameoftheRuePolonceau。
　　ThetwolimbsoftheYwereconnectedattheapexasbyabar；
　　thisbarwascalledRueDroit—Mur。TheRuePolonceauendedthere；
　　RuePetit—Picpuspassedon，andascendedtowardstheLenoirmarket。
　　ApersoncomingfromtheSeinereachedtheextremityoftheRuePolonceau，andhadonhisrighttheRueDroit—Mur，turningabruptlyatarightangle，infrontofhimthewallofthatstreet，andonhisrightatruncatedprolongationoftheRueDroit—Mur，whichhadnoissueandwascalledtheCul—de—SacGenrot。
　　ItwasherethatJeanValjeanstood。
　　Aswehavejustsaid，oncatchingsightofthatblacksilhouettestandingonguardattheangleoftheRueDroit—MurandtheRuePetit—Picpus，herecoiled。Therecouldbenodoubtofit。
　　Thatphantomwaslyinginwaitforhim。
　　Whatwashetodo？
　　Thetimeforretreatingwaspassed。Thatwhichhehadperceivedinmovementaninstantbefore，inthedistantdarkness，wasJavertandhissquadwithoutadoubt。JavertwasprobablyalreadyatthecommencementofthestreetatwhoseendJeanValjeanstood。
　　Javert，toallappearances，wasacquaintedwiththislittlelabyrinth，andhadtakenhisprecautionsbysendingoneofhismentoguardtheexit。Thesesurmises，whichsocloselyresembledproofs，whirledsuddenly，likeahandfulofdustcaughtupbyanunexpectedgustofwind，throughJeanValjean’smournfulbrain。
　　HeexaminedtheCul—de—SacGenrot；therehewascutoff。
　　HeexaminedtheRuePetit—Picpus；therestoodasentinel。Hesawthatblackformstandingoutinreliefagainstthewhitepavement，illuminatedbythemoon；toadvancewastofallintothisman’shands；
　　toretreatwastoflinghimselfintoJavert’sarms。JeanValjeanfelthimselfcaught，asinanet，whichwasslowlycontracting；
　　hegazedheavenwardindespair。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEGROPINGSOFFLIGHT
　　Inordertounderstandwhatfollows，itisrequisitetoformanexactideaoftheDroit—Murlane，and，inparticular，oftheanglewhichoneleavesontheleftwhenoneemergesfromtheRuePolonceauintothislane。Droit—Murlanewasalmostentirelyborderedontheright，asfarastheRuePetit—Picpus，byhousesofmeanaspect；
　　ontheleftbyasolitarybuildingofsevereoutlines，composedofnumerouspartswhichgrewgraduallyhigherbyastoryortwoastheyapproachedtheRuePetit—Picpusside；sothatthisbuilding，whichwasveryloftyontheRuePetit—Picpusside，wastolerablylowonthesideadjoiningtheRuePolonceau。There，attheangleofwhichwehavespoken，itdescendedtosuchadegreethatitconsistedofmerelyawall。ThiswalldidnotabutdirectlyontheStreet；
　　itformedadeeplyretreatingniche，concealedbyitstwocornersfromtwoobserverswhomighthavebeen，oneintheRuePolonceau，theotherintheRueDroit—Mur。
　　Beginningwiththeseanglesoftheniche，thewallextendedalongtheRuePolonceauasfarasahousewhichborethenumber49，andalongtheRueDroit—Mur，wherethefragmentwasmuchshorter，asfarasthegloomybuildingwhichwehavementionedandwhosegableitintersected，thusforminganotherretreatingangleinthestreet。
　　Thisgablewassombreofaspect；onlyonewindowwasvisible，or，tospeakmorecorrectly，twoshutterscoveredwithasheetofzincandkeptconstantlyclosed。
　　Thestateoftheplacesofwhichweareheregivingadescriptionisrigorouslyexact，andwillcertainlyawakenaveryprecisememoryinthemindofoldinhabitantsofthequarter。
　　Thenichewasentirelyfilledbyathingwhichresembledacolossalandwretcheddoor；itwasavast，formlessassemblageofperpendicularplanks，theupperonesbeingbroaderthanthelower，boundtogetherbylongtransversestripsofiron。
　　Atonesidetherewasacarriagegateoftheordinarydimensions，andwhichhadevidentlynotbeencutmorethanfiftyyearspreviously。
　　Alinden—treeshoweditscrestabovetheniche，andthewallwascoveredwithivyonthesideoftheRuePolonceau。
　　IntheimminentperilinwhichJeanValjeanfoundhimself，thissombrebuildinghadaboutitasolitaryanduninhabitedlookwhichtemptedhim。Heranhiseyesrapidlyoverit；hesaidtohimself，thatifhecouldcontrivetogetinsideit，hemightsavehimself。
　　Firstheconceivedanidea，thenahope。
　　Inthecentralportionofthefrontofthisbuilding，ontheRueDroit—Murside，therewereatallthewindowsofthedifferentstoriesancientcisternpipesoflead。Thevariousbranchesofthepipeswhichledfromonecentralpipetoalltheselittlebasinssketchedoutasortoftreeonthefront。Theseramificationsofpipeswiththeirhundredelbowsimitatedthoseoldleaflessvine—stockswhichwritheoverthefrontsofoldfarm—houses。
　　Thisoddespalier，withitsbranchesofleadandiron，wasthefirstthingthatstruckJeanValjean。HeseatedCosettewithherbackagainstastonepost，withaninjunctiontobesilent，andrantothespotwheretheconduittouchedthepavement。
　　Perhapstherewassomewayofclimbingupbyitandenteringthehouse。
　　Butthepipewasdilapidatedandpastservice，andhardlyhungtoitsfastenings。Moreover，allthewindowsofthissilentdwellingweregratedwithheavyironbars，eventheatticwindowsintheroof。
　　Andthen，themoonfellfulluponthatfacade，andthemanwhowaswatchingatthecornerofthestreetwouldhaveseenJeanValjeanintheactofclimbing。Andfinally，whatwastobedonewithCosette？
　　Howwasshetobedrawnuptothetopofathree—storyhouse？
　　Hegaveupallideaofclimbingbymeansofthedrain—pipe，andcrawledalongthewalltogetbackintotheRuePolonceau。
　　WhenhereachedtheslantofthewallwherehehadleftCosette，henoticedthatnoonecouldseehimthere。Aswehavejustexplained，hewasconcealedfromalleyes，nomatterfromwhichdirectiontheywereapproaching；besidesthis，hewasintheshadow。
　　Finally，thereweretwodoors；perhapstheymightbeforced。
　　Thewallabovewhichhesawthelinden—treeandtheivyevidentlyabuttedonagardenwherehecould，atleast，hidehimself，althoughtherewereasyetnoleavesonthetrees，andspendtheremainderofthenight。
　　Timewaspassing；hemustactquickly。
　　Hefeltoverthecarriagedoor，andimmediatelyrecognizedthefactthatitwasimpracticableoutsideandin。
　　Heapproachedtheotherdoorwithmorehope；itwasfrightfullydecrepit；
　　itsveryimmensityrendereditlesssolid；theplankswererotten；
　　theironbands——therewereonlythreeofthem——wererusted。Itseemedasthoughitmightbepossibletopiercethisworm—eatenbarrier。
　　Onexaminingithefoundthatthedoorwasnotadoor；ithadneitherhinges，cross—bars，lock，norfissureinthemiddle；
　　theironbandstraverseditfromsidetosidewithoutanybreak。
　　Throughthecrevicesintheplankshecaughtaviewofunhewnslabsandblocksofstoneroughlycementedtogether，whichpassers—bymightstillhaveseentheretenyearsago。Hewasforcedtoacknowledgewithconsternationthatthisapparentdoorwassimplythewoodendecorationofabuildingagainstwhichitwasplaced。
　　Itwaseasytotearoffaplank；butthen，onefoundone’sselffacetofacewithawall。
　　CHAPTERV
　　WHICHWOULDBEIMPOSSIBLEWITHGASLANTERNS
　　Atthatmomentaheavyandmeasuredsoundbegantobeaudibleatsomedistance。JeanValjeanriskedaglanceroundthecornerofthestreet。Sevenoreightsoldiers，drawnupinaplatoon，hadjustdebouchedintotheRuePolonceau。Hesawthegleamoftheirbayonets。Theywereadvancingtowardshim；thesesoldiers，atwhoseheadhedistinguishedJavert’stallfigure，advancedslowlyandcautiously。Theyhaltedfrequently；itwasplainthattheyweresearchingallthenooksofthewallsandalltheembrasuresofthedoorsandalleys。
　　ThiswassomepatrolthatJaverthadencountered——therecouldbenomistakeastothissurmise——andwhoseaidhehaddemanded。
　　Javert’stwoacolytesweremarchingintheirranks。
　　Attherateatwhichtheyweremarching，andinconsiderationofthehaltswhichtheyweremaking，itwouldtakethemaboutaquarterofanhourtoreachthespotwhereJeanValjeanstood。
　　Itwasafrightfulmoment。AfewminutesonlyseparatedJeanValjeanfromthatterribleprecipicewhichyawnedbeforehimforthethirdtime。Andthegalleysnowmeantnotonlythegalleys，butCosettelosttohimforever；thatistosay，aliferesemblingtheinteriorofatomb。
　　Therewasbutonethingwhichwaspossible。
　　JeanValjeanhadthispeculiarity，thathecarried，asonemightsay，twobeggar’spouches:inonehekepthissaintlythoughts；
　　intheothertheredoubtabletalentsofaconvict。Herummagedintheoneortheother，accordingtocircumstances。
　　Amonghisotherresources，thankstohisnumerousescapesfromtheprisonatToulon，hewas，asitwillberemembered，apastmasterintheincredibleartofcrawlingupwithoutladderorclimbing—irons，bysheermuscularforce，byleaningonthenapeofhisneck，hisshoulders，hiships，andhisknees，byhelpinghimselfontherareprojectionsofthestone，intherightangleofawall，ashighasthesixthstory，ifneedbe；
　　anartwhichhasrenderedsocelebratedandsoalarmingthatcornerofthewalloftheConciergerieofParisbywhichBattemolle，condemnedtodeath，madehisescapetwentyyearsago。
　　JeanValjeanmeasuredwithhiseyesthewallabovewhichheespiedthelinden；itwasabouteighteenfeetinheight。Theanglewhichitformedwiththegableofthelargebuildingwasfilled，atitslowerextremity，byamassofmasonryofatriangularshape，probablyintendedtopreservethattooconvenientcornerfromtherubbishofthosedirtycreaturescalledthepassers—by。ThispracticeoffillingupcornersofthewallismuchinuseinParis。
　　Thismasswasaboutfivefeetinheight；thespaceabovethesummitofthismasswhichitwasnecessarytoclimbwasnotmorethanfourteenfeet。
　　Thewallwassurmountedbyaflatstonewithoutacoping。
　　Cosettewasthedifficulty，forshedidnotknowhowtoclimbawall。
　　Shouldheabandonher？JeanValjeandidnotoncethinkofthat。
　　Itwasimpossibletocarryher。Aman’swholestrengthisrequiredtosuccessfullycarryoutthesesingularascents。Theleastburdenwoulddisturbhiscentreofgravityandpullhimdownwards。
　　Aropewouldhavebeenrequired；JeanValjeanhadnone。Wherewashetogetaropeatmidnight，intheRuePolonceau？Certainly，ifJeanValjeanhadhadakingdom，hewouldhavegivenitforaropeatthatmoment。
　　Allextremesituationshavetheirlightningflasheswhichsometimesdazzle，sometimesilluminateus。
　　JeanValjean’sdespairingglancefellonthestreetlantern—postoftheblindalleyGenrot。
　　Atthatepochtherewerenogas—jetsinthestreetsofParis。
　　Atnightfalllanternsplacedatregulardistanceswerelighted；
　　theywereascendedanddescendedbymeansofarope，whichtraversedthestreetfromsidetoside，andwasadjustedinagrooveofthepost。
　　Thepulleyoverwhichthisroperanwasfastenedunderneaththelanterninalittleironbox，thekeytowhichwaskeptbythelamp—lighter，andtheropeitselfwasprotectedbyametalcase。
　　JeanValjean，withtheenergyofasupremestruggle，crossedthestreetatonebound，enteredtheblindalley，brokethelatchofthelittleboxwiththepointofhisknife，andaninstantlaterhewasbesideCosetteoncemore。Hehadarope。Thesegloomyinventorsofexpedientsworkrapidlywhentheyarefightingagainstfatality。
　　Wehavealreadyexplainedthatthelanternshadnotbeenlightedthatnight。ThelanternintheCul—de—SacGenrotwasthusnaturallyextinct，liketherest；andonecouldpassdirectlyunderitwithoutevennoticingthatitwasnolongerinitsplace。
　　Nevertheless，thehour，theplace，thedarkness，JeanValjean’sabsorption，hissingulargestures，hisgoingsandcomings，allhadbeguntorenderCosetteuneasy。Anyotherchildthanshewouldhavegivenventtoloudshriekslongbefore。ShecontentedherselfwithpluckingJeanValjeanbytheskirtofhiscoat。Theycouldhearthesoundofthepatrol’sapproachevermoreandmoredistinctly。
　　"Father，"saidshe，inaverylowvoice，"Iamafraid。Whoiscomingyonder？"
　　"Hush！"repliedtheunhappyman；"itisMadameThenardier。"
　　Cosetteshuddered。Headded:——
　　"Saynothing。Don’tinterferewithme。Ifyoucryout，ifyouweep，theThenardierislyinginwaitforyou。Sheiscomingtotakeyouback。"
　　Then，withouthaste，butwithoutmakingauselessmovement，withfirmandcurtprecision，themoreremarkableatamomentwhenthepatrolandJavertmightcomeuponhimatanymoment，heundidhiscravat，passeditroundCosette’sbodyunderthearmpits，takingcarethatitshouldnothurtthechild，fastenedthiscravattooneendoftherope，bymeansofthatknotwhichseafaringmencalla"swallowknot，"tooktheotherendoftheropeinhisteeth，pulledoffhisshoesandstockings，whichhethrewoverthewall，steppeduponthemassofmasonry，andbegantoraisehimselfintheangleofthewallandthegablewithasmuchsolidityandcertaintyasthoughhehadtheroundsofaladderunderhisfeetandelbows。
　　Halfaminutehadnotelapsedwhenhewasrestingonhiskneesonthewall。
　　Cosettegazedathiminstupidamazement，withoututteringaword。
　　JeanValjean’sinjunction，andthenameofMadameThenardier，hadchilledherblood。
　　AllatoncesheheardJeanValjean’svoicecryingtoher，thoughinaverylowtone:——
　　"Putyourbackagainstthewall。"
　　Sheobeyed。
　　"Don’tsayaword，anddon’tbealarmed，"wentonJeanValjean。
　　Andshefeltherselfliftedfromtheground。
　　Beforeshehadtimetorecoverherself，shewasonthetopofthewall。
　　JeanValjeangraspedher，putheronhisback，tookhertwotinyhandsinhislargelefthand，laydownflatonhisstomachandcrawledalongontopofthewallasfarasthecant。Ashehadguessed，therestoodabuildingwhoseroofstartedfromthetopofthewoodenbarricadeanddescendedtowithinaveryshortdistanceoftheground，withagentleslopewhichgrazedthelinden—tree。Aluckycircumstance，forthewallwasmuchhigheronthissidethanonthestreetside。
　　JeanValjeancouldonlyseethegroundatagreatdepthbelowhim。
　　Hehadjustreachedtheslopeoftheroof，andhadnotyetleftthecrestofthewall，whenaviolentuproarannouncedthearrivalofthepatrol。ThethunderingvoiceofJavertwasaudible:——
　　"Searchtheblindalley！TheRueDroit—Murisguarded！soistheRuePetit—Picpus。I’llanswerforitthatheisintheblindalley。"
　　ThesoldiersrushedintotheGenrotalley。
　　JeanValjeanallowedhimselftoslidedowntheroof，stillholdingfasttoCosette，reachedthelinden—tree，andleapedtotheground。
　　Whetherfromterrororcourage，Cosettehadnotbreathedasound，thoughherhandswerealittleabraded。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　THEBEGINNINGOFANENIGMA
　　JeanValjeanfoundhimselfinasortofgardenwhichwasveryvastandofsingularaspect；oneofthosemelancholygardenswhichseemmadetobelookedatinwinterandatnight。Thisgardenwasoblonginshape，withanalleyoflargepoplarsatthefurtherend，tolerablytallforesttreesinthecorners，andanunshadedspaceinthecentre，wherecouldbeseenaverylarge，solitarytree，thenseveralfruit—trees，gnarledandbristlinglikebushes，bedsofvegetables，amelonpatch，whoseglassframessparkledinthemoonlight，andanoldwell。
　　Hereandtherestoodstonebencheswhichseemedblackwithmoss。
　　Thealleyswereborderedwithgloomyandveryerectlittleshrubs。
　　Thegrasshadhalftakenpossessionofthem，andagreenmouldcoveredtherest。
　　JeanValjeanhadbesidehimthebuildingwhoseroofhadservedhimasameansofdescent，apileoffagots，and，behindthefagots，directlyagainstthewall，astonestatue，whosemutilatedfacewasnolongeranythingmorethanashapelessmaskwhichloomedvaguelythroughthegloom。
　　Thebuildingwasasortofruin，wheredismantledchambersweredistinguishable，oneofwhich，muchencumbered，seemedtoserveasashed。
　　ThelargebuildingoftheRueDroit—Mur，whichhadawingontheRuePetit—Picpus，turnedtwofacades，atrightangles，towardsthisgarden。
　　Theseinteriorfacadeswereevenmoretragicthantheexterior。
　　Allthewindowsweregrated。Notagleamoflightwasvisibleatanyoneofthem。Theupperstoryhadscuttleslikeprisons。
　　Oneofthosefacadescastitsshadowontheother，whichfelloverthegardenlikeanimmenseblackpall。
　　Nootherhousewasvisible。Thebottomofthegardenwaslostinmistanddarkness。Nevertheless，wallscouldbeconfusedlymadeout，whichintersectedasthoughthereweremorecultivatedlandbeyond，andthelowroofsoftheRuePolonceau。
　　Nothingmorewildandsolitarythanthisgardencouldbeimagined。
　　Therewasnooneinit，whichwasquitenaturalinviewofthehour；
　　butitdidnotseemasthoughthisspotweremadeforanyonetowalkin，eveninbroaddaylight。
　　JeanValjean’sfirstcarehadbeentogetholdofhisshoesandputthemonagain，thentostepundertheshedwithCosette。
　　Amanwhoisfleeingneverthinkshimselfsufficientlyhidden。
　　Thechild，whosethoughtswerestillontheThenardier，sharedhisinstinctforwithdrawingfromsightasmuchaspossible。
　　Cosettetrembledandpressedclosetohim。Theyheardthetumultuousnoiseofthepatrolsearchingtheblindalleyandthestreets；
　　theblowsoftheirgun—stocksagainstthestones；Javert’sappealstothepolicespieswhomhehadposted，andhisimprecationsmingledwithwordswhichcouldnotbedistinguished。
　　Attheexpirationofaquarterofanhouritseemedasthoughthatspeciesofstormyroarwerebecomingmoredistant。JeanValjeanheldhisbreath。
　　HehadlaidhishandlightlyonCosette’smouth。
　　However，thesolitudeinwhichhestoodwassostrangelycalm，thatthisfrightfuluproar，closeandfuriousasitwas，didnotdisturbhimbysomuchastheshadowofamisgiving。
　　ItseemedasthoughthosewallshadbeenbuiltofthedeafstonesofwhichtheScripturesspeak。
　　Allatonce，inthemidstofthisprofoundcalm，afreshsoundarose；
　　asoundascelestial，divine，ineffable，ravishing，astheotherhadbeenhorrible。Itwasahymnwhichissuedfromthegloom，adazzlingburstofprayerandharmonyintheobscureandalarmingsilenceofthenight；women’svoices，butvoicescomposedatoneandthesametimeofthepureaccentsofvirginsandtheinnocentaccentsofchildren，——
　　voiceswhicharenotoftheearth，andwhichresemblethosethatthenewborninfantstillhears，andwhichthedyingmanhearsalready。
　　Thissongproceededfromthegloomyedificewhichtoweredabovethegarden。Atthemomentwhenthehubbubofdemonsretreated，onewouldhavesaidthatachoirofangelswasapproachingthroughthegloom。
　　CosetteandJeanValjeanfellontheirknees。
　　Theyknewnotwhatitwas，theyknewnotwheretheywere；butbothofthem，themanandthechild，thepenitentandtheinnocent，feltthattheymustkneel。
　　Thesevoiceshadthisstrangecharacteristic，thattheydidnotpreventthebuildingfromseemingtobedeserted。
　　Itwasasupernaturalchantinanuninhabitedhouse。
　　Whilethesevoicesweresinging，JeanValjeanthoughtofnothing。
　　Henolongerbeheldthenight；hebeheldabluesky。Itseemedtohimthathefeltthosewingswhichweallhavewithinus，unfolding。
　　Thesongdiedaway。Itmayhavelastedalongtime。JeanValjeancouldnothavetold。Hoursofecstasyarenevermorethanamoment。
　　Allfellsilentagain。Therewasnolongeranythinginthestreet；
　　therewasnothinginthegarden。Thatwhichhadmenaced，thatwhichhadreassuredhim，——allhadvanished。Thebreezeswayedafewdryweedsonthecrestofthewall，andtheygaveoutafaint，sweet，melancholysound。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　CONTINUATIONOFTHEENIGMA
　　Thenightwindhadrisen，whichindicatedthatitmustbebetweenoneandtwoo’clockinthemorning。PoorCosettesaidnothing。
　　Asshehadseatedherselfbesidehimandleanedherheadagainsthim，JeanValjeanhadfanciedthatshewasasleep。Hebentdownandlookedather。Cosette’seyeswerewideopen，andherthoughtfulairpainedJeanValjean。
　　Shewasstilltrembling。
　　"Areyousleepy？"saidJeanValjean。
　　"Iamverycold，"shereplied。
　　Amomentlatersheresumed:——
　　"Isshestillthere？"
　　"Who？"saidJeanValjean。
　　"MadameThenardier。"
　　JeanValjeanhadalreadyforgottenthemeanswhichhehademployedtomakeCosettekeepsilent。
　　"Ah！"saidhe，"sheisgone。Youneedfearnothingfurther。"
　　Thechildsighedasthoughaloadhadbeenliftedfromherbreast。
　　Thegroundwasdamp，theshedopenonallsides，thebreezegrewmorekeeneveryinstant。ThegoodmantookoffhiscoatandwrappeditroundCosette。
　　"Areyoulesscoldnow？"saidhe。
　　"Oh，yes，father。"
　　"Well，waitformeamoment。Iwillsoonbeback。"
　　Hequittedtheruinandcreptalongthelargebuilding，seekingabettershelter。Hecameacrossdoors，buttheywereclosed。
　　Therewerebarsatallthewindowsofthegroundfloor。
　　Justafterhehadturnedtheinnerangleoftheedifice，heobservedthathewascomingtosomearchedwindows，whereheperceivedalight。
　　Hestoodontiptoeandpeepedthroughoneofthesewindows。
　　Theyallopenedonatolerablyvasthall，pavedwithlargeflagstones，cutupbyarcadesandpillars，whereonlyatinylightandgreatshadowswerevisible。Thelightcamefromataperwhichwasburninginonecorner。Theapartmentwasdeserted，andnothingwasstirringinit。Nevertheless，bydintofgazingintentlyhethoughtheperceivedonthegroundsomethingwhichappearedtobecoveredwithawinding—sheet，andwhichresembledahumanform。
　　Thisformwaslyingfacedownward，flatonthepavement，withthearmsextendedintheformofacross，intheimmobilityofdeath。
　　Onewouldhavesaid，judgingfromasortofserpentwhichundulatedoverthefloor，thatthissinisterformhadaroperounditsneck。
　　Thewholechamberwasbathedinthatmistofplaceswhicharesparelyilluminated，whichaddstohorror。
　　JeanValjeanoftensaidafterwards，that，althoughmanyfunerealspectreshadcrossedhispathinlife，hehadneverbeheldanythingmoreblood—curdlingandterriblethanthatenigmaticalformaccomplishingsomeinexplicablemysteryinthatgloomyplace，andbeheldthusatnight。Itwasalarmingtosupposethatthatthingwasperhapsdead；
　　andstillmorealarmingtothinkthatitwasperhapsalive。
　　Hehadthecouragetoplasterhisfacetotheglass，andtowatchwhetherthethingwouldmove。Inspiteofhisremainingthuswhatseemedtohimaverylongtime，theoutstretchedformmadenomovement。
　　Allatoncehefelthimselfoverpoweredbyaninexpressibleterror，andhefled。Hebegantoruntowardstheshed，notdaringtolookbehindhim。Itseemedtohim，thatifheturnedhishead，heshouldseethatformfollowinghimwithgreatstridesandwavingitsarms。
　　Hereachedtheruinalloutofbreath。Hiskneesweregivingwaybeneathhim；theperspirationwaspouringfromhim。
　　Wherewashe？WhocouldeverhaveimaginedanythinglikethatsortofsepulchreinthemidstofParis！Whatwasthisstrangehouse？
　　Anedificefullofnocturnalmystery，callingtosoulsthroughthedarknesswiththevoiceofangels，andwhentheycame，offeringthemabruptlythatterriblevision；promisingtoopentheradiantportalsofheaven，andthenopeningthehorriblegatesofthetomb！Anditactuallywasanedifice，ahouse，whichboreanumberonthestreet！
　　Itwasnotadream！Hehadtotouchthestonestoconvincehimselfthatsuchwasthefact。
　　Cold，anxiety，uneasiness，theemotionsofthenight，hadgivenhimagenuinefever，andalltheseideaswereclashingtogetherinhisbrain。
　　HesteppeduptoCosette。Shewasasleep。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEENIGMABECOMESDOUBLYMYSTERIOUS
　　Thechildhadlaidherheadonastoneandfallenasleep。
　　Hesatdownbesideherandbegantothink。Littlebylittle，ashegazedather，hegrewcalmandregainedpossessionofhisfreedomofmind。
　　Heclearlyperceivedthistruth，thefoundationofhislifehenceforth，thatsolongasshewasthere，solongashehadhernearhim，heshouldneednothingexceptforher，heshouldfearnothingexceptforher。Hewasnotevenconsciousthathewasverycold，sincehehadtakenoffhiscoattocoverher。
　　Nevertheless，athwartthisreveryintowhichhehadfallenhehadheardforsometimeapeculiarnoise。Itwaslikethetinklingofabell。Thissoundproceededfromthegarden。Itcouldbehearddistinctlythoughfaintly。Itresembledthefaint，vaguemusicproducedbythebellsofcattleatnightinthepastures。
　　ThisnoisemadeValjeanturnround。
　　Helookedandsawthattherewassomeoneinthegarden。
　　Abeingresemblingamanwaswalkingamidthebell—glassesofthemelonbeds，rising，stooping，halting，withregularmovements，asthoughheweredraggingorspreadingoutsomethingontheground。
　　Thispersonappearedtolimp。
　　JeanValjeanshudderedwiththecontinualtremoroftheunhappy。
　　Forthemeverythingishostileandsuspicious。Theydistrustthedaybecauseitenablespeopletoseethem，andthenightbecauseitaidsinsurprisingthem。Alittlewhilebeforehehadshiveredbecausethegardenwasdeserted，andnowheshiveredbecausetherewassomeonethere。
　　Hefellbackfromchimericalterrorstorealterrors。HesaidtohimselfthatJavertandthespieshad，perhaps，nottakentheirdeparture；thattheyhad，nodoubt，leftpeopleonthewatchinthestreet；thatifthismanshoulddiscoverhiminthegarden，hewouldcryoutforhelpagainstthievesanddeliverhimup。
　　HetookthesleepingCosettegentlyinhisarmsandcarriedherbehindaheapofoldfurniture，whichwasoutofuse，inthemostremotecorneroftheshed。Cosettedidnotstir。
　　Fromthatpointhescrutinizedtheappearanceofthebeinginthemelonpatch。Thestrangethingaboutitwas，thatthesoundofthebellfollowedeachofthisman’smovements。Whenthemanapproached，thesoundapproached；whenthemanretreated，thesoundretreated；
　　ifhemadeanyhastygesture，atremoloaccompaniedthegesture；
　　whenhehalted，thesoundceased。Itappearedevidentthatthebellwasattachedtothatman；butwhatcouldthatsignify？
　　Whowasthismanwhohadabellsuspendedabouthimlikearamoranox？
　　Asheputthesequestionstohimself，hetouchedCosette’shands。
　　Theywereicycold。
　　"Ah！goodGod！"hecried。
　　Hespoketoherinalowvoice:——
　　"Cosette！"
　　Shedidnotopenhereyes。
　　Heshookhervigorously。
　　Shedidnotwake。
　　"Isshedead？"hesaidtohimself，andsprangtohisfeet，quiveringfromheadtofoot。
　　Themostfrightfulthoughtsrushedpell—mellthroughhismind。
　　Therearemomentswhenhideoussurmisesassailuslikeacohortoffuries，andviolentlyforcethepartitionsofourbrains。
　　Whenthoseweloveareinquestion，ourprudenceinventseverysortofmadness。Herememberedthatsleepintheopenaironacoldnightmaybefatal。
　　Cosettewaspale，andhadfallenatfulllengthonthegroundathisfeet，withoutamovement。
　　Helistenedtoherbreathing:shestillbreathed，butwitharespirationwhichseemedtohimweakandonthepointofextinction。
　　Howwashetowarmherbacktolife？Howwashetorouseher？
　　Allthatwasnotconnectedwiththisvanishedfromhisthoughts。
　　Herushedwildlyfromtheruin。
　　ItwasabsolutelynecessarythatCosetteshouldbeinbedandbesideafireinlessthanaquarterofanhour。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THEMANWITHTHEBELL
　　Hewalkedstraightuptothemanwhomhesawinthegarden。
　　Hehadtakeninhishandtherollofsilverwhichwasinthepocketofhiswaistcoat。
　　Theman’sheadwasbentdown，andhedidnotseehimapproaching。
　　InafewstridesJeanValjeanstoodbesidehim。
　　JeanValjeanaccostedhimwiththecry:——
　　"Onehundredfrancs！"
　　Themangaveastartandraisedhiseyes。
　　"Youcanearnahundredfrancs，"wentonJeanValjean，"ifyouwillgrantmeshelterforthisnight。"
　　ThemoonshonefulluponJeanValjean’sterrifiedcountenance。
　　"What！soitisyou，FatherMadeleine！"saidtheman。
　　Thatname，thuspronounced，atthatobscurehour，inthatunknownspot，bythatstrangeman，madeJeanValjeanstartback。
　　Hehadexpectedanythingbutthat。Thepersonwhothusaddressedhimwasabentandlameoldman，dressedalmostlikeapeasant，whoworeonhisleftkneealeatherknee—cap，whencehungamoderatelylargebell。Hisface，whichwasintheshadow，wasnotdistinguishable。
　　However，thegoodmanhadremovedhiscap，andexclaimed，tremblingallover:——
　　"Ah，goodGod！Howcomeyouhere，FatherMadeleine？Wheredidyouenter？Dieu—Jesus！Didyoufallfromheaven？Thereisnotroubleaboutthat:ifeveryoudofall，itwillbefromthere。
　　Andwhatastateyouarein！Youhavenocravat；youhavenohat；
　　youhavenocoat！Doyouknow，youwouldhavefrightenedanyonewhodidnotknowyou？Nocoat！LordGod！Arethesaintsgoingmadnowadays？Buthowdidyougetinhere？"
　　Hiswordstumbledovereachother。Thegoodmantalkedwitharusticvolubility，inwhichtherewasnothingalarming。Allthiswasutteredwithamixtureofstupefactionandnaivekindliness。
　　"Whoareyou？andwhathouseisthis？"demandedJeanValjean。
　　"Ah！pardieu，thisistoomuch！"exclaimedtheoldman。
　　"Iamthepersonforwhomyougottheplacehere，andthishouseistheonewhereyouhadmeplaced。What！Youdon’trecognizeme？"
　　"No，"saidJeanValjean；"andhowhappensitthatyouknowme？"
　　"Yousavedmylife，"saidtheman。