"Hullo，isthatyou，Montparnasse？"saidGavroche。
　　Amanhadjustaccostedthestreeturchin，andthemanwasnootherthanMontparnasseindisguise，withbluespectacles，butrecognizabletoGavroche。
　　"Thebow—wows！"wentonGavroche，"you’vegotahidethecolorofalinseedplaster，andbluespecslikeadoctor。You’reputtingonstyle，’ponmyword！"
　　"Hush！"ejaculatedMontparnasse，"notsoloud。"
　　AndhedrewGavrochehastilyoutofrangeofthelightedshops。
　　Thetwolittleonesfollowedmechanically，holdingeachotherbythehand。
　　Whentheywereensconcedunderthearchofaportecochere，shelteredfromtherainandfromalleyes:——
　　"DoyouknowwhereI’mgoing？"demandedMontparnasse。
　　"TotheAbbeyofAscend—with—Regret，"[36]repliedGavroche。
　　[36]Thescaffold。
　　"Joker！"
　　AndMontparnassewenton:——
　　"I’mgoingtofindBabet。"
　　"Ah！"exclaimedGavroche，"sohernameisBabet。"
　　Montparnasseloweredhisvoice:——
　　"Notshe，he。"
　　"Ah！Babet。"
　　"Yes，Babet。"
　　"Ithoughthewasbuckled。"
　　"Hehasundonethebuckle，"repliedMontparnasse。
　　Andherapidlyrelatedtothegaminhow，onthemorningofthatveryday，Babet，havingbeentransferredtoLaConciergerie，hadmadehisescape，byturningtotheleftinsteadoftotherightin"thepoliceoffice。"
　　Gavrocheexpressedhisadmirationforthisskill。
　　"Whatadentist！"hecried。
　　MontparnasseaddedafewdetailsastoBabet’sflight，andendedwith:——
　　"Oh！That’snotall。"
　　Gavroche，ashelistened，hadseizedacanethatMontparnasseheldinhishand，andmechanicallypulledattheupperpart，andthebladeofadaggermadeitsappearance。
　　"Ah！"heexclaimed，pushingthedaggerbackinhaste，"youhavebroughtalongyourgendarmedisguisedasabourgeois。"
　　Montparnassewinked。
　　"Thedeuce！"resumedGavroche，"soyou’regoingtohaveaboutwiththebobbies？"
　　"Youcan’ttell，"repliedMontparnassewithanindifferentair。
　　"It’salwaysagoodthingtohaveapinaboutone。"
　　Gavrochepersisted:——
　　"Whatareyouuptoto—night？"
　　AgainMontparnassetookagravetone，andsaid，mouthingeverysyllable:"Things。"
　　Andabruptlychangingtheconversation:——
　　"Bytheway！"
　　"What？"
　　"Somethinghappenedt’otherday。Fancy。Imeetabourgeois。
　　Hemakesmeapresentofasermonandhispurse。Iputitinmypocket。
　　Aminutelater，Ifeelinmypocket。There’snothingthere。"
　　"Exceptthesermon，"saidGavroche。
　　"Butyou，"wentonMontparnasse，"whereareyouboundfornow？"
　　Gavrochepointedtohistwoproteges，andsaid:——
　　"I’mgoingtoputtheseinfantstobed。"
　　"Whereaboutsisthebed？"
　　"Atmyhouse。"
　　"Where’syourhouse？"
　　"Atmyhouse。"
　　"Soyouhavealodging？"
　　"Yes，Ihave。"
　　"Andwhereisyourlodging？"
　　"Intheelephant，"saidGavroche。
　　Montparnasse，thoughnotnaturallyinclinedtoastonishment，couldnotrestrainanexclamation。
　　"Intheelephant！"
　　"Well，yes，intheelephant！"retortedGavroche。"Kekcaa？"
　　Thisisanotherwordofthelanguagewhichnoonewrites，andwhicheveryonespeaks。
　　Kekcaasignifies:Questquec’estquecelaa？[What’sthematterwiththat？]
　　Theurchin’sprofoundremarkrecalledMontparnassetocalmnessandgoodsense。HeappearedtoreturntobettersentimentswithregardtoGavroche’slodging。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidhe，"yes，theelephant。Isitcomfortablethere？"
　　"Very，"saidGavroche。"It’sreallybullythere。Thereain’tanydraughts，asthereareunderthebridges。"
　　"Howdoyougetin？"
　　"Oh，Igetin。"
　　"Sothereisahole？"demandedMontparnasse。
　　"Parbleu！Ishouldsayso。Butyoumustn’ttell。It’sbetweentheforelegs。Thebobbieshaven’tseenit。"
　　"Andyouclimbup？Yes，Iunderstand。"
　　"Aturnofthehand，cric，crac，andit’sallover，noonethere。"
　　Afterapause，Gavrocheadded:——
　　"Ishallhavealadderforthesechildren。"
　　Montparnasseburstoutlaughing:——
　　"Wherethedevildidyoupickupthoseyoung’uns？"
　　Gavrocherepliedwithgreatsimplicity:——
　　"Theyaresomebratsthatawig—makermademeapresentof。"
　　Meanwhile，Montparnassehadfallentothinking:——
　　"Yourecognizedmeveryreadily，"hemuttered。
　　Hetookfromhispockettwosmallobjectswhichwerenothingmorethantwoquillswrappedincotton，andthrustoneupeachofhisnostrils。
　　Thisgavehimadifferentnose。
　　"Thatchangesyou，"remarkedGavroche，"youarelesshomelyso，yououghttokeepthemonallthetime。"
　　Montparnassewasahandsomefellow，butGavrochewasatease。
　　"Seriously，"demandedMontparnasse，"howdoyoulikemeso？"
　　Thesoundofhisvoicewasdifferentalso。Inatwinkling，Montparnassehadbecomeunrecognizable。
　　"Oh！DoplayPorrichinelleforus！"exclaimedGavroche。
　　Thetwochildren，whohadnotbeenlisteninguptothispoint，beingoccupiedthemselvesinthrustingtheirfingersuptheirnoses，drewnearatthisname，andstaredatMontparnassewithdawningjoyandadmiration。
　　Unfortunately，Montparnassewastroubled。
　　HelaidhishandonGavroche’sshoulder，andsaidtohim，emphasizinghiswords:"ListentowhatItellyou，boy！ifI
　　wereonthesquarewithmydog，myknife，andmywife，andifyouweretosquandertensousonme，Iwouldn’trefusetowork，butthisisn’tShroveTuesday。"
　　Thisoddphraseproducedasingulareffectonthegamin。
　　Hewheeledroundhastily，dartedhislittlesparklingeyesabouthimwithprofoundattention，andperceivedapolicesergeantstandingwithhisbacktothemafewpacesoff。Gavrocheallowedan:
　　"Ah！good！"toescapehim，butimmediatelysuppressedit，andshakingMontparnasse’shand:——
　　"Well，goodevening，"saidhe，"I’mgoingofftomyelephantwithmybrats。Supposingthatyoushouldneedmesomenight，youcancomeandhuntmeupthere。Ilodgeontheentresol。
　　Thereisnoporter。YouwillinquireforMonsieurGavroche。"
　　"Verygood，"saidMontparnasse。
　　Andtheyparted，MontparnassebetakinghimselfinthedirectionoftheGreve，andGavrochetowardstheBastille。Thelittleoneoffive，draggedalongbyhisbrotherwhowasdraggedbyGavroche，turnedhisheadbackseveraltimestowatch"Porrichinelle"ashewent。
　　TheambiguousphrasebymeansofwhichMontparnassehadwarnedGavrocheofthepresenceofthepoliceman，containednoothertalismanthantheassonancedigrepeatedfiveorsixtimesindifferentforms。
　　Thissyllable，dig，utteredaloneorartisticallymingledwiththewordsofaphrase，means:"Takecare，wecannolongertalkfreely。"
　　Therewasbesides，inMontparnasse’ssentence，aliterarybeautywhichwaslostuponGavroche，thatismondogue，madagueetmadigue，aslangexpressionoftheTemple，whichsignifiesmydog，myknife，andmywife，greatlyinvogueamongclownsandthered—tailsinthegreatcenturywhenMolierewroteandCallotdrew。
　　Twentyyearsago，therewasstilltobeseeninthesouthwestcornerofthePlacedelaBastille，nearthebasinofthecanal，excavatedintheancientditchofthefortress—prison，asingularmonument，whichhasalreadybeeneffacedfromthememoriesofParisians，andwhichdeservedtoleavesometrace，foritwastheideaofa"memberoftheInstitute，theGeneral—in—chiefofthearmyofEgypt。"
　　Wesaymonument，althoughitwasonlyaroughmodel。Butthismodelitself，amarvelloussketch，thegrandioseskeletonofanideaofNapoleon’s，whichsuccessivegustsofwindhavecarriedawayandthrown，oneachoccasion，stillfurtherfromus，hadbecomehistoricalandhadacquiredacertaindefinitenesswhichcontrastedwithitsprovisionalaspect。Itwasanelephantfortyfeethigh，constructedoftimberandmasonry，bearingonitsbackatowerwhichresembledahouse，formerlypaintedgreenbysomedauber，andnowpaintedblackbyheaven，thewind，andtime。Inthisdesertedandunprotectedcorneroftheplace，thebroadbrowofthecolossus，histrunk，histusks，histower，hisenormouscrupper，hisfourfeet，likecolumnsproduced，atnight，underthestarryheavens，asurprisingandterribleform。Itwasasortofsymbolofpopularforce。
　　Itwassombre，mysterious，andimmense。Itwassomemighty，visiblephantom，oneknewnotwhat，standingerectbesidetheinvisiblespectreoftheBastille。
　　Fewstrangersvisitedthisedifice，nopasser—bylookedatit。
　　Itwasfallingintoruins；everyseasontheplasterwhichdetacheditselffromitssidesformedhideouswoundsuponit。"Theaediles，"
　　astheexpressionraninelegantdialect，hadforgotteniteversince1814。Thereitstoodinitscorner，melancholy，sick，crumbling，surroundedbyarottenpalisade，soiledcontinuallybydrunkencoachmen；
　　cracksmeanderedathwartitsbelly，alathprojectedfromitstail，tallgrassflourishedbetweenitslegs；and，astheleveloftheplacehadbeenrisingallarounditforaspaceofthirtyyears，bythatslowandcontinuousmovementwhichinsensiblyelevatesthesoiloflargetowns，itstoodinahollow，anditlookedasthoughthegroundweregivingwaybeneathit。Itwasunclean，despised，repulsive，andsuperb，uglyintheeyesofthebourgeois，melancholyintheeyesofthethinker。Therewassomethingaboutitofthedirtwhichisonthepointofbeingsweptout，andsomethingofthemajestywhichisonthepointofbeingdecapitated。
　　Aswehavesaid，atnight，itsaspectchanged。Nightistherealelementofeverythingthatisdark。Assoonastwilightdescended，theoldelephantbecametransfigured；heassumedatranquilandredoubtableappearanceintheformidableserenityoftheshadows。
　　Beingofthepast，hebelongedtonight；andobscuritywasinkeepingwithhisgrandeur。
　　Thisrough，squat，heavy，hard，austere，almostmisshapen，butassuredlymajesticmonument，stampedwithasortofmagnificentandsavagegravity，hasdisappeared，andlefttoreigninpeace，asortofgiganticstove，ornamentedwithitspipe，whichhasreplacedthesombrefortresswithitsninetowers，verymuchasthebourgeoisiereplacesthefeudalclasses。Itisquitenaturalthatastoveshouldbethesymbolofanepochinwhichapotcontainspower。
　　Thisepochwillpassaway，peoplehavealreadybeguntounderstandthat，iftherecanbeforceinaboiler，therecanbenoforceexceptinthebrain；inotherwords，thatwhichleadsanddragsontheworld，isnotlocomotives，butideas。Harnesslocomotivestoideas，——
　　thatiswelldone；butdonotmistakethehorsefortherider。
　　Atallevents，toreturntothePlacedelaBastille，thearchitectofthiselephantsucceededinmakingagrandthingoutofplaster；
　　thearchitectofthestovehassucceededinmakingaprettythingoutofbronze。
　　Thisstove—pipe，whichhasbeenbaptizedbyasonorousname，andcalledthecolumnofJuly，thismonumentofarevolutionthatmiscarried，wasstillenvelopedin1832，inanimmenseshirtofwoodwork，whichweregret，forourpart，andbyavastplankenclosure，whichcompletedthetaskofisolatingtheelephant。
　　Itwastowardsthiscorneroftheplace，dimlylightedbythereflectionofadistantstreetlamp，thatthegaminguidedhistwo"brats。"
　　Thereadermustpermitustointerruptourselveshereandtoremindhimthatwearedealingwithsimplereality，andthattwentyyearsago，thetribunalswerecalledupontojudge，underthechargeofvagabondage，andmutilationofapublicmonument，achildwhohadbeencaughtasleepinthisveryelephantoftheBastille。
　　Thisfactnoted，weproceed。
　　Onarrivinginthevicinityofthecolossus，Gavrochecomprehendedtheeffectwhichtheinfinitelygreatmightproduceontheinfinitelysmall，andsaid:——
　　"Don’tbescared，infants。"
　　Thenheenteredthroughagapinthefenceintotheelephant’senclosureandhelpedtheyoungonestoclamberthroughthebreach。
　　Thetwochildren，somewhatfrightened，followedGavrochewithoututteringaword，andconfidedthemselvestothislittleProvidenceinragswhichhadgiventhembreadandhadpromisedthemashelter。
　　There，extendedalongthefence，layaladderwhichbydayservedthelaborersintheneighboringtimber—yard。Gavrocheraiseditwithremarkablevigor，andplaceditagainstoneoftheelephant’sforelegs。Nearthepointwheretheladderended，asortofblackholeinthebellyofthecolossuscouldbedistinguished。
　　Gavrochepointedouttheladderandtheholetohisguests，andsaidtothem:——
　　"Climbupandgoin。"
　　Thetwolittleboysexchangedterrifiedglances。
　　"You’reafraid，brats！"exclaimedGavroche。
　　Andheadded:——
　　"Youshallsee！"
　　Heclaspedtheroughlegoftheelephant，andinatwinkling，withoutdeigningtomakeuseoftheladder，hehadreachedtheaperture。Heentereditasanadderslipsthroughacrevice，anddisappearedwithin，andaninstantlater，thetwochildrensawhishead，whichlookedpale，appearvaguely，ontheedgeoftheshadowyhole，likeawanandwhitishspectre。
　　"Well！"heexclaimed，"climbup，young’uns！You’llseehowsnugitishere！Comeup，you！"hesaidtotheelder，"I’lllendyouahand。"
　　Thelittlefellowsnudgedeachother，thegaminfrightenedandinspiredthemwithconfidenceatoneandthesametime，andthen，itwasrainingveryhard。Theelderoneundertooktherisk。
　　Theyounger，onseeinghisbrotherclimbingup，andhimselfleftalonebetweenthepawsofthishugebeast，feltgreatlyinclinedtocry，buthedidnotdare。
　　Theelderladclimbed，withuncertainsteps，uptherungsoftheladder；
　　Gavroche，inthemeanwhile，encouraginghimwithexclamationslikeafencing—mastertohispupils，oramuleteertohismules。
　　"Don’tbeafraid！——That’sit！——Comeon！——Putyourfeetthere！——
　　Giveusyourhandhere！——Boldly！"
　　Andwhenthechildwaswithinreach，heseizedhimsuddenlyandvigorouslybythearm，andpulledhimtowardshim。
　　"Nabbed！"saidhe。
　　Thebrathadpassedthroughthecrack。
　　"Now，"saidGavroche，"waitforme。Besogoodastotakeaseat，Monsieur。"
　　Andmakinghiswayoutoftheholeashehadenteredit，heslippeddowntheelephant’slegwiththeagilityofamonkey，landedonhisfeetinthegrass，graspedthechildoffiveroundthebody，andplantedhimfairlyinthemiddleoftheladder，thenhebegantoclimbupbehindhim，shoutingtotheelder:——
　　"I’mgoingtoboosthim，doyoutug。"
　　Andinanotherinstant，thesmallladwaspushed，dragged，pulled，thrust，stuffedintothehole，beforehehadtimetorecoverhimself，andGavroche，enteringbehindhim，andrepulsingtheladderwithakickwhichsentitflatonthegrass，begantoclaphishandsandtocry:——
　　"Hereweare！LongliveGeneralLafayette！"
　　Thisexplosionover，headded:——
　　"Now，young’uns，youareinmyhouse。"
　　Gavrochewasathome，infact。
　　Oh，unforeseenutilityoftheuseless！Charityofgreatthings！
　　Goodnessofgiants！Thishugemonument，whichhadembodiedanideaoftheEmperor’s，hadbecometheboxofastreeturchin。
　　Thebrathadbeenacceptedandshelteredbythecolossus。
　　ThebourgeoisdeckedoutintheirSundayfinerywhopassedtheelephantoftheBastille，werefondofsayingastheyscanneditdisdainfullywiththeirprominenteyes:"What’sthegoodofthat？"
　　Itservedtosavefromthecold，thefrost，thehail，andrain，toshelterfromthewindsofwinter，topreservefromslumberinthemudwhichproducesfever，andfromslumberinthesnowwhichproducesdeath，alittlebeingwhohadnofather，nomother，nobread，noclothes，norefuge。Itservedtoreceivetheinnocentwhomsocietyrepulsed。Itservedtodiminishpubliccrime。
　　Itwasalairopentooneagainstwhomalldoorswereshut。
　　Itseemedasthoughthemiserableoldmastodon，invadedbyverminandoblivion，coveredwithwarts，withmould，andulcers，tottering，worm—eaten，abandoned，condemned，asortofmendicantcolossus，askingalmsinvainwithabenevolentlookinthemidstofthecross—roads，hadtakenpityonthatothermendicant，thepoorpygmy，whoroamedwithoutshoestohisfeet，withoutaroofoverhishead，blowingonhisfingers，cladinrags，fedonrejectedscraps。
　　ThatwaswhattheelephantoftheBastillewasgoodfor。
　　ThisideaofNapoleon，disdainedbymen，hadbeentakenbackbyGod。
　　Thatwhichhadbeenmerelyillustrious，hadbecomeaugust。
　　Inordertorealizehisthought，theEmperorshouldhavehadporphyry，brass，iron，gold，marble；theoldcollectionofplanks，beamsandplastersufficedforGod。TheEmperorhadhadthedreamofagenius；
　　inthatTitanicelephant，armed，prodigious，withtrunkuplifted，bearingitstowerandscatteringonallsidesitsmerryandvivifyingwaters，hewishedtoincarnatethepeople。Godhaddoneagranderthingwithit，hehadlodgedachildthere。
　　TheholethroughwhichGavrochehadenteredwasabreachwhichwashardlyvisiblefromtheoutside，beingconcealed，aswehavestated，beneaththeelephant’sbelly，andsonarrowthatitwasonlycatsandhomelesschildrenwhocouldpassthroughit。
　　"Let’sbegin，"saidGavroche，"bytellingtheporterthatwearenotathome。"
　　Andplungingintothedarknesswiththeassuranceofapersonwhoiswellacquaintedwithhisapartments，hetookaplankandstoppeduptheaperture。
　　AgainGavrocheplungedintotheobscurity。Thechildrenheardthecracklingofthematchthrustintothephosphoricbottle。
　　Thechemicalmatchwasnotyetinexistence；atthatepochtheFumadesteelrepresentedprogress。
　　Asuddenlightmadethemblink；Gavrochehadjustmanagedtoigniteoneofthosebitsofcorddippedinresinwhicharecalledcellarrats。Thecellarrat，whichemittedmoresmokethanlight，renderedtheinterioroftheelephantconfusedlyvisible。
　　Gavroche’stwoguestsglancedaboutthem，andthesensationwhichtheyexperiencedwassomethinglikethatwhichonewouldfeelifshutupinthegreattunofHeidelberg，or，betterstill，likewhatJonahmusthavefeltinthebiblicalbellyofthewhale。
　　Anentireandgiganticskeletonappearedenvelopingthem。Above，alongbrownbeam，whencestartedatregulardistances，massive，archingribs，representedthevertebralcolumnwithitssides，stalactitesofplasterdependedfromthemlikeentrails，andvastspiders’
　　websstretchingfromsidetoside，formeddirtydiaphragms。
　　Hereandthere，inthecorners，werevisiblelargeblackishspotswhichhadtheappearanceofbeingalive，andwhichchangedplacesrapidlywithanabruptandfrightenedmovement。
　　Fragmentswhichhadfallenfromtheelephant’sbackintohisbellyhadfilledupthecavity，sothatitwaspossibletowalkuponitasonafloor。
　　Thesmallerchildnestledupagainsthisbrother，andwhisperedtohim:——
　　"It’sblack。"
　　ThisremarkdrewanexclamationfromGavroche。Thepetrifiedairofthetwobratsrenderedsomeshocknecessary。
　　"What’sthatyouaregabblingaboutthere？"heexclaimed。
　　"Areyouscoffingatme？Areyouturningupyournoses？
　　Doyouwantthetuileries？Areyoubrutes？Come，say！IwarnyouthatIdon’tbelongtotheregimentofsimpletons。Ah，comenow，areyoubratsfromthePope’sestablishment？"
　　Alittleroughnessisgoodincasesoffear。Itisreassuring。
　　ThetwochildrendrewclosetoGavroche。
　　Gavroche，paternallytouchedbythisconfidence，passedfromgravetogentle，andaddressingthesmaller:——
　　"Stupid，"saidhe，accentingtheinsultingword，withacaressingintonation，"it’soutsidethatitisblack。Outsideit’sraining，hereitdoesnotrain；outsideit’scold，herethere’snotanatomofwind；outsidethereareheapsofpeople，herethere’snoone；
　　outsidethereain’teventhemoon，herethere’smycandle，confoundit！"
　　Thetwochildrenbegantolookupontheapartmentwithlessterror；
　　butGavrocheallowedthemnomoretimeforcontemplation。
　　"Quick，"saidhe。
　　Andhepushedthemtowardswhatweareverygladtobeabletocalltheendoftheroom。
　　Therestoodhisbed。
　　Gavroche’sbedwascomplete；thatistosay，ithadamattress，ablanket，andanalcovewithcurtains。
　　Themattresswasastrawmat，theblanketaratherlargestripofgraywoollenstuff，verywarmandalmostnew。Thisiswhatthealcoveconsistedof:——
　　Threeratherlongpoles，thrustintoandconsolidated，withtherubbishwhichformedthefloor，thatistosay，thebellyoftheelephant，twoinfrontandonebehind，andunitedbyaropeattheirsummits，soastoformapyramidalbundle。Thisclustersupportedatrellis—workofbrasswirewhichwassimplyplaceduponit，butartisticallyapplied，andheldbyfasteningsofironwire，sothatitenvelopedallthreeholes。Arowofveryheavystoneskeptthisnetworkdowntothefloorsothatnothingcouldpassunderit。
　　Thisgratingwasnothingelsethanapieceofthebrassscreenswithwhichaviariesarecoveredinmenageries。Gavroche’sbedstoodasinacage，behindthisnet。ThewholeresembledanEsquimauxtent。
　　Thistrellis—worktooktheplaceofcurtains。
　　Gavrochemovedasidethestoneswhichfastenedthenetdowninfront，andthetwofoldsofthenetwhichlappedovereachotherfellapart。
　　"Downonallfours，brats！"saidGavroche。
　　Hemadehisguestsenterthecagewithgreatprecaution，thenhecrawledinafterthem，pulledthestonestogether，andclosedtheopeninghermeticallyagain。
　　Allthreehadstretchedoutonthemat。Gavrochestillhadthecellarratinhishand。
　　"Now，"saidhe，"gotosleep！I’mgoingtosuppressthecandelabra。"
　　"Monsieur，"theelderofthebrothersaskedGavroche，pointingtothenetting，"what’sthatfor？"
　　"That，"answeredGavrochegravely，"isfortherats。Gotosleep！"
　　Nevertheless，hefeltobligedtoaddafewwordsofinstructionforthebenefitoftheseyoungcreatures，andhecontinued:——
　　"It’sathingfromtheJardindesPlantes。It’susedforfierceanimals。
　　There’sawholeshopfulofthemthere。Allyou’vegottodoistoclimboverawall，crawlthroughawindow，andpassthroughadoor。
　　Youcangetasmuchasyouwant。"
　　Ashespoke，hewrappedtheyoungeroneupbodilyinafoldoftheblanket，andthelittleonemurmured:——
　　"Oh！howgoodthatis！It’swarm！"
　　Gavrochecastapleasedeyeontheblanket。
　　"That’sfromtheJardindesPlantes，too，"saidhe。"Itookthatfromthemonkeys。"
　　And，pointingouttotheeldestthematonwhichhewaslying，averythickandadmirablymademat，headded:——
　　"Thatbelongedtothegiraffe。"
　　Afterapausehewenton:——
　　"Thebeastshadallthesethings。Itookthemawayfromthem。
　　Itdidn’ttroublethem。Itoldthem:`It’sfortheelephant。’"
　　Hepaused，andthenresumed:——
　　"Youcrawloverthewallsandyoudon’tcareastrawforthegovernment。
　　Sotherenow！"
　　Thetwochildrengazedwithtimidandstupefiedrespectonthisintrepidandingeniousbeing，avagabondlikethemselves，isolatedlikethemselves，fraillikethemselves，whohadsomethingadmirableandall—powerfulabouthim，whoseemedsupernaturaltothem，andwhosephysiognomywascomposedofallthegrimacesofanoldmountebank，mingledwiththemostingenuousandcharmingsmiles。
　　"Monsieur，"venturedtheeldertimidly，"youarenotafraidofthepolice，then？"
　　Gavrochecontentedhimselfwithreplying:——
　　"Brat！Nobodysays`police，’theysay`bobbies。’"
　　Thesmallerhadhiseyeswideopen，buthesaidnothing。
　　Ashewasontheedgeofthemat，theelderbeinginthemiddle，Gavrochetuckedtheblanketroundhimasamothermighthavedone，andheightenedthematunderhisheadwitholdrags，insuchawayastoformapillowforthechild。Thenheturnedtotheelder:——
　　"Hey！We’rejollycomfortablehere，ain’twe？"
　　"Ah，yes！"repliedtheelder，gazingatGavrochewiththeexpressionofasavedangel。
　　Thetwopoorlittlechildrenwhohadbeensoakedthrough，begantogrowwarmoncemore。
　　"Ah，bytheway，"continuedGavroche，"whatwereyoubawlingabout？"
　　Andpointingoutthelittleonetohisbrother:——
　　"Amitelikethat，I’venothingtosayabout，buttheideaofabigfellowlikeyoucrying！It’sidiotic；youlookedlikeacalf。"
　　"Gracious，repliedthechild，"wehavenolodging。"
　　"Bother！"retortedGavroche，"youdon’tsay`lodgings，’yousay`crib。’"
　　"Andthen，wewereafraidofbeingalonelikethatatnight。"
　　"Youdon’tsay`night，’yousay`darkmans。’"
　　"Thankyou，sir，"saidthechild。
　　"Listen，"wentonGavroche，"youmustneverbawlagainoveranything。
　　I’lltakecareofyou。Youshallseewhatfunwe’llhave。
　　Insummer，we’llgototheGlacierewithNavet，oneofmypals，we’llbatheintheGare，we’llrunstarknakedinfrontoftheraftsonthebridgeatAusterlitz，——thatmakesthelaundressesraging。
　　Theyscream，theygetmad，andifyouonlyknewhowridiculoustheyare！
　　We’llgoandseetheman—skeleton。AndthenI’lltakeyoutotheplay。
　　I’lltakeyoutoseeFrederickLemaitre。Ihavetickets，Iknowsomeoftheactors，Ievenplayedinapieceonce。Therewerealotofusfellers，andweranunderacloth，andthatmadethesea。
　　I’llgetyouanengagementatmytheatre。We’llgotoseethesavages。
　　Theyain’treal，thosesavagesain’t。Theywearpinktightsthatgoallinwrinkles，andyoucanseewheretheirelbowshavebeendarnedwithwhite。Then，we’llgototheOpera。We’llgetinwiththehiredapplauders。TheOperaclaqueiswellmanaged。
　　Iwouldn’tassociatewiththeclaqueontheboulevard。AttheOpera，justfancy！someofthempaytwentysous，butthey’reninnies。
　　They’recalleddishclouts。Andthenwe’llgotoseetheguillotinework。
　　I’llshowyoutheexecutioner。HelivesintheRuedesMarais。
　　MonsieurSanson。Hehasaletter—boxathisdoor。Ah！we’llhavefamousfun！"
　　AtthatmomentadropofwaxfellonGavroche’sfinger，andrecalledhimtotherealitiesoflife。
　　"Thedeuce！"saidhe，"there’sthewickgivingout。Attention！
　　Ican’tspendmorethanasouamonthonmylighting。Whenabodygoestobed，hemustsleep。Wehaven’tthetimetoreadM。PauldeKock’sromances。Andbesides，thelightmightpassthroughthecracksoftheporte—cochere，andallthebobbiesneedtodoistoseeit。"
　　"Andthen，"remarkedtheeldertimidly，——healonedaredtalktoGavroche，andreplytohim，"asparkmightfallinthestraw，andwemustlookoutandnotburnthehousedown。"
　　"Peopledon’tsay`burnthehousedown，’"remarkedGavroche，"theysay`blazethecrib。’"
　　Thestormincreasedinviolence，andtheheavydownpourbeatuponthebackofthecolossusamidclapsofthunder。
　　"You’retakenin，rain！"saidGavroche。"Itamusesmetohearthedecanterrundownthelegsofthehouse。Winterisastupid；
　　itwastesitsmerchandise，itlosesitslabor，itcan’twetus，andthatmakesitkickuparow，oldwater—carrierthatitis。"
　　Thisallusiontothethunder，alltheconsequencesofwhichGavroche，inhischaracterofaphilosopherofthenineteenthcentury，accepted，wasfollowedbyabroadflashoflightning，sodazzlingthatahintofitenteredthebellyoftheelephantthroughthecrack。
　　Almostatthesameinstant，thethunderrumbledwithgreatfury。
　　Thetwolittlecreaturesutteredashriek，andstartedupsoeagerlythatthenetworkcamenearbeingdisplaced，butGavrocheturnedhisboldfacetothem，andtookadvantageoftheclapofthundertoburstintoalaugh。
　　"Calmdown，children。Don’ttoppleovertheedifice。That’sfine，first—classthunder；allright。That’snoslouchofastreakoflightning。BravoforthegoodGod！Deucetakeit！It’salmostasgoodasitisattheAmbigu。"
　　Thatsaid，herestoredorderinthenetting，pushedthetwochildrengentlydownonthebed，pressedtheirknees，inordertostretchthemoutatfulllength，andexclaimed:——
　　"SincethegoodGodislightinghiscandle，Icanblowoutmine。
　　Now，babes，now，myyounghumans，youmustshutyourpeepers。
　　It’sverybadnottosleep。It’llmakeyouswallowthestrainer，or，astheysay，infashionablesociety，stinkinthegullet。
　　Wrapyourselfupwellinthehide！I’mgoingtoputoutthelight。
　　Areyouready？"
　　"Yes，"murmuredtheelder，"I’mallright。Iseemtohavefeathersundermyhead。"
　　"Peopledon’tsay`head，’"criedGavroche，"theysay`nut’。"
　　Thetwochildrennestledclosetoeachother，Gavrochefinishedarrangingthemonthemat，drewtheblanketuptotheirveryears，thenrepeated，forthethirdtime，hisinjunctioninthehieraticaltongue:——
　　"Shutyourpeepers！"
　　Andhesnuffedouthistinylight。
　　Hardlyhadthelightbeenextinguished，whenapeculiartremblingbegantoaffectthenettingunderwhichthethreechildrenlay。
　　Itconsistedofamultitudeofdullscratcheswhichproducedametallicsound，asifclawsandteethweregnawingatthecopperwire。
　　Thiswasaccompaniedbyallsortsoflittlepiercingcries。
　　Thelittlefive—year—oldboy，onhearingthishubbuboverhead，andchilledwithterror，joggedhisbrother’selbow；buttheelderbrotherhadalreadyshuthispeepers，asGavrochehadordered。
　　Thenthelittleone，whocouldnolongercontrolhisterror，questionedGavroche，butinaverylowtone，andwithbatedbreath:——
　　"Sir？"
　　"Hey？"saidGavroche，whohadjustclosedhiseyes。
　　"Whatisthat？"
　　"It’stherats，"repliedGavroche。
　　Andhelaidhisheaddownonthematagain。
　　Therats，infact，whoswarmedbythousandsinthecarcassoftheelephant，andwhowerethelivingblackspotswhichwehavealreadymentioned，hadbeenheldinawebytheflameofthecandle，solongasithadbeenlighted；butassoonasthecavern，whichwasthesameastheircity，hadreturnedtodarkness，scentingwhatthegoodstory—tellerPerraultcalls"freshmeat，"
　　theyhadhurledthemselvesinthrongsonGavroche’stent，hadclimbedtothetopofit，andhadbeguntobitethemeshesasthoughseekingtopiercethisnew—fangledtrap。
　　Stillthelittleonecouldnotsleep。
　　"Sir？"hebeganagain。
　　"Hey？"saidGavroche。
　　"Whatarerats？"
　　"Theyaremice。"
　　Thisexplanationreassuredthechildalittle。Hehadseenwhitemiceinthecourseofhislife，andhewasnotafraidofthem。
　　Nevertheless，helifteduphisvoiceoncemore。
　　"Sir？"
　　"Hey？"saidGavrocheagain。
　　"Whydon’tyouhaveacat？"
　　"Ididhaveone，"repliedGavroche，"Ibroughtonehere，buttheyateher。"
　　Thissecondexplanationundidtheworkofthefirst，andthelittlefellowbegantotrembleagain。
　　ThedialoguebetweenhimandGavrochebeganagainforthefourthtime:——
　　"Monsieur？"
　　"Hey？"
　　"Whowasitthatwaseaten？"
　　"Thecat。"
　　"Andwhoatethecat？"
　　"Therats。"
　　"Themice？"
　　"Yes，therats。"
　　Thechild，inconsternation，dismayedatthethoughtofmicewhichatecats，pursued:——
　　"Sir，wouldthosemiceeatus？"
　　"Wouldn’ttheyjust！"ejaculatedGavroche。
　　Thechild’sterrorhadreacheditsclimax。ButGavrocheadded:——
　　"Don’tbeafraid。Theycan’tgetin。Andbesides，I’mhere！
　　Here，catchholdofmyhand。Holdyourtongueandshutyourpeepers！"
　　AtthesametimeGavrochegraspedthelittlefellow’shandacrosshisbrother。Thechildpressedthehandclosetohim，andfeltreassured。Courageandstrengthhavethesemysteriouswaysofcommunicatingthemselves。Silencereignedroundthemoncemore，thesoundoftheirvoiceshadfrightenedofftherats；
　　attheexpirationofafewminutes，theycameragingback，butinvain，thethreelittlefellowswerefastasleepandheardnothingmore。
　　Thehoursofthenightfledaway。DarknesscoveredthevastPlacedelaBastille。Awintrygale，whichmingledwiththerain，blewingusts，thepatrolsearchedallthedoorways，alleys，enclosures，andobscurenooks，andintheirsearchfornocturnalvagabondstheypassedinsilencebeforetheelephant；
　　themonster，erect，motionless，staringopen—eyedintotheshadows，hadtheappearanceofdreaminghappilyoverhisgooddeed；
　　andshelteredfromheavenandfrommenthethreepoorsleepingchildren。
　　Inordertounderstandwhatisabouttofollow，thereadermustremember，that，atthatepoch，theBastilleguard—housewassituatedattheotherendofthesquare，andthatwhattookplaceinthevicinityoftheelephantcouldneitherbeseennorheardbythesentinel。
　　Towardstheendofthathourwhichimmediatelyprecedesthedawn，amanturnedfromtheRueSaint—Antoineatarun，madethecircuitoftheenclosureofthecolumnofJuly，andglidedbetweenthepalingsuntilhewasunderneaththebellyoftheelephant。
　　Ifanylighthadilluminatedthatman，itmighthavebeendivinedfromthethoroughmannerinwhichhewassoakedthathehadpassedthenightintherain。Arrivedbeneaththeelephant，heutteredapeculiarcry，whichdidnotbelongtoanyhumantongue，andwhichaparoquetalonecouldhaveimitated。Twiceherepeatedthiscry，ofwhoseorthographythefollowingbarelyconveysanidea:——
　　"Kirikikiou！"
　　Atthesecondcry，aclear，young，merryvoicerespondedfromthebellyoftheelephant:——
　　"Yes！"
　　Almostimmediately，theplankwhichclosedtheholewasdrawnaside，andgavepassagetoachildwhodescendedtheelephant’sleg，andfellbrisklyneartheman。ItwasGavroche。ThemanwasMontparnasse。
　　AsforhiscryofKirikikiou，——thatwas，doubtless，whatthechildhadmeant，whenhesaid:——
　　"YouwillaskforMonsieurGavroche。"
　　Onhearingit，hehadwakedwithastart，hadcrawledoutofhis"alcove，"pushingapartthenettingalittle，andcarefullydrawingittogetheragain，thenhehadopenedthetrap，anddescended。
　　Themanandthechildrecognizedeachothersilentlyamidthegloom:
　　Montparnasseconfinedhimselftotheremark:——
　　"Weneedyou。Come，lendusahand。"
　　Theladaskedfornofurtherenlightenment。
　　"I’mwithyou，"saidhe。
　　AndbothtooktheirwaytowardstheRueSaint—Antoine，whenceMontparnassehademerged，windingrapidlythroughthelongfileofmarket—gardeners’cartswhichdescendtowardsthemarketsatthathour。
　　Themarket—gardeners，crouching，half—asleep，intheirwagons，amidthesaladsandvegetables，envelopedtotheirveryeyesintheirmufflersonaccountofthebeatingrain，didnotevenglanceatthesestrangepedestrians。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THEVICISSITUDESOFFLIGHT
　　ThisiswhathadtakenplacethatsamenightattheLaForce:——
　　AnescapehadbeenplannedbetweenBabet，Brujon，Guelemer，andThenardier，althoughThenardierwasincloseconfinement。
　　Babethadarrangedthematterforhisownbenefit，onthesameday，asthereaderhasseenfromMontparnasse’saccounttoGavroche。
　　Montparnassewastohelpthemfromoutside。
　　Brujon，afterhavingpassedamonthinthepunishmentcell，hadhadtime，inthefirstplace，toweavearope，inthesecond，tomatureaplan。Informertimes，thosesevereplaceswherethedisciplineoftheprisondeliverstheconvictintohisownhands，werecomposedoffourstonewalls，astoneceiling，aflaggedpavement，acampbed，agratedwindow，andadoorlinedwithiron，andwerecalleddungeons；butthedungeonwasjudgedtobetooterrible；
　　nowadaystheyarecomposedofanirondoor，agratedwindow，acampbed，aflaggedpavement，fourstonewalls，andastoneceiling，andarecalledchambersofpunishment。Alittlelightpenetratestowardsmid—day。Theinconvenientpointaboutthesechamberswhich，asthereadersees，arenotdungeons，isthattheyallowthepersonswhoshouldbeatworktothink。
　　SoBrujonmeditated，andheemergedfromthechamberofpunishmentwitharope。AshehadthenameofbeingverydangerousintheCharlemagnecourtyard，hewasplacedintheNewBuilding。
　　ThefirstthinghefoundintheNewBuildingwasGuelemer，thesecondwasanail；Guelemer，thatistosay，crime；anail，thatistosay，liberty。Brujon，ofwhomitishightimethatthereadershouldhaveacompleteidea，was，withanappearanceofdelicatehealthandaprofoundlypremeditatedlanguor，apolished，intelligentsprig，andathief，whohadacaressingglance，andanatrocioussmile。
　　Hisglanceresultedfromhiswill，andhissmilefromhisnature。
　　Hisfirststudiesinhisarthadbeendirectedtoroofs。Hehadmadegreatprogressintheindustryofthemenwhotearofflead，whoplundertheroofsanddespoiltheguttersbytheprocesscalleddoublepickings。
　　Thecircumstancewhichputthefinishingtouchonthemomentpeculiarlyfavorableforanattemptatescape，wasthattherooferswerere—layingandre—jointing，atthatverymoment，aportionoftheslatesontheprison。TheSaint—BernardcourtyardwasnolongerabsolutelyisolatedfromtheCharlemagneandtheSaint—Louiscourts。
　　Upabovetherewerescaffoldingsandladders；inotherwords，bridgesandstairsinthedirectionofliberty。
　　TheNewBuilding，whichwasthemostcrackedanddecrepitthingtobeseenanywhereintheworld，wastheweakpointintheprison。
　　Thewallswereeatenbysaltpetretosuchanextentthattheauthoritieshadbeenobligedtolinethevaultsofthedormitorieswithasheathingofwood，becausestoneswereinthehabitofbecomingdetachedandfallingontheprisonersintheirbeds。
　　Inspiteofthisantiquity，theauthoritiescommittedtheerrorofconfiningintheNewBuildingthemosttroublesomeprisoners，ofplacingthere"thehardcases，"astheysayinprisonparlance。
　　TheNewBuildingcontainedfourdormitories，oneabovetheother，andatopstorywhichwascalledtheBel—Air（FineAir）。Alargechimney—flue，probablyfromsomeancientkitchenoftheDukesdelaForce，startedfromthegroundfloor，traversedallfourstories，cutthedormitories，whereitfiguredasaflattenedpillar，intotwoportions，andfinallypiercedtheroof。
　　GuelemerandBrujonwereinthesamedormitory。Theyhadbeenplaced，bywayofprecaution，onthelowerstory。Chanceordainedthattheheadsoftheirbedsshouldrestagainstthechimney。
　　ThenardierwasdirectlyovertheirheadsinthetopstoryknownasFine—Air。ThepedestrianwhohaltsontheRueCulture—Sainte—Catherine，afterpassingthebarracksofthefiremen，infrontoftheporte—cochereofthebathingestablishment，beholdsayardfullofflowersandshrubsinwoodenboxes，attheextremityofwhichspreadsoutalittlewhiterotundawithtwowings，brightenedupwithgreenshutters，thebucolicdreamofJeanJacques。
　　Notmorethantenyearsago，thereroseabovethatrotundaanenormousblack，hideous，barewallbywhichitwasbackedup。
　　ThiswastheouterwallofLaForce。
　　Thiswall，besidethatrotunda，wasMiltonviewedthroughBerquin。
　　Loftyasitwas，thiswallwasovertoppedbyastillblackerroof，whichcouldbeseenbeyond。ThiswastheroofoftheNewBuilding。
　　Thereonecoulddescryfourdormer—windows，guardedwithbars；
　　theywerethewindowsoftheFine—Air。
　　Achimneypiercedtheroof；thiswasthechimneywhichtraversedthedormitories。
　　TheBel—Air，thattopstoryoftheNewBuilding，wasasortoflargehall，withaMansardroof，guardedwithtriplegratingsanddoubledoorsofsheetiron，whichwerestuddedwithenormousbolts。
　　Whenoneenteredfromthenorthend，onehadonone’sleftthefourdormer—windows，onone’sright，facingthewindows，atregularintervals，foursquare，tolerablyvastcages，separatedbynarrowpassages，builtofmasonrytoabouttheheightoftheelbow，andtherest，uptotheroof，ofironbars。
　　Thenardierhadbeeninsolitaryconfinementinoneofthesecagessincethenightofthe3dofFebruary。Noonewaseverabletodiscoverhow，andbywhatconnivance，hesucceededinprocuring，andsecretingabottleofwine，invented，soitissaid，byDesrues，withwhichanarcoticismixed，andwhichthebandoftheEndormeurs，orSleep—compellers，renderedfamous。
　　Thereare，inmanyprisons，treacherousemployees，half—jailers，half—thieves，whoassistinescapes，whoselltothepoliceanunfaithfulservice，andwhoturnapennywhenevertheycan。
　　Onthatsamenight，then，whenLittleGavrochepickedupthetwolostchildren，BrujonandGuelemer，whoknewthatBabet，whohadescapedthatmorning，waswaitingfortheminthestreetaswellasMontparnasse，rosesoftly，andwiththenailwhichBrujonhadfound，begantopiercethechimneyagainstwhichtheirbedsstood。
　　TherubbishfellonBrujon’sbed，sothattheywerenotheard。
　　Showersmingledwiththundershookthedoorsontheirhinges，andcreatedintheprisonaterribleandopportuneuproar。
　　Thoseoftheprisonerswhowoke，pretendedtofallasleepagain，andleftGuelemerandBrujontotheirowndevices。Brujonwasadroit；
　　Guelemerwasvigorous。Beforeanysoundhadreachedthewatcher，whowassleepinginthegratedcellwhichopenedintothedormitory，thewallhad，beenpierced，thechimneyscaled，theirongratingwhichbarredtheupperorificeoftheflueforced，andthetworedoubtableruffianswereontheroof。Thewindandrainredoubled，theroofwasslippery。
　　"Whatagoodnighttolegit！"saidBrujon。
　　Anabysssixfeetbroadandeightyfeetdeepseparatedthemfromthesurroundingwall。Atthebottomofthisabyss，theycouldseethemusketofasentinelgleamingthroughthegloom。
　　TheyfastenedoneendoftheropewhichBrujonhadspuninhisdungeontothestumpsoftheironbarswhichtheyhadjustwrenchedoff，flungtheotherovertheouterwall，crossedtheabyssatonebound，clungtothecopingofthewall，gotastrideofit，letthemselvesslip，oneaftertheother，alongtherope，uponalittleroofwhichtouchesthebath—house，pulledtheirropeafterthem，jumpeddownintothecourtyardofthebath—house，traversedit，pushedopentheporter’swicket，besidewhichhunghisrope，pulledthis，openedtheporte—cochere，andfoundthemselvesinthestreet。
　　Three—quartersofanhourhadnotelapsedsincetheyhadriseninbedinthedark，nailinhand，andtheirprojectintheirheads。
　　AfewmomentslatertheyhadjoinedBabetandMontparnasse，whowereprowlingabouttheneighborhood。
　　Theyhadbrokentheirropeinpullingitafterthem，andabitofitremainedattachedtothechimneyontheroof。Theyhadsustainednootherdamage，however，thanthatofscratchingnearlyalltheskinofftheirhands。
　　Thatnight，Thenardierwaswarned，withoutanyonebeingabletoexplainhow，andwasnotasleep。
　　Towardsoneo’clockinthemorning，thenightbeingverydark，hesawtwoshadowspassalongtheroof，intherainandsqualls，infrontofthedormer—windowwhichwasoppositehiscage。
　　Onehaltedatthewindow，longenoughtodartinaglance。
　　ThiswasBrujon。
　　Thenardierrecognizedhim，andunderstood。Thiswasenough。
　　Thenardier，ratedasaburglar，anddetainedasameasureofprecautionunderthechargeoforganizinganocturnalambush，witharmedforce，waskeptinsight。Thesentry，whowasrelievedeverytwohours，marchedupanddowninfrontofhiscagewithloadedmusket。
　　TheFine—Airwaslightedbyaskylight。Theprisonerhadonhisfeetfettersweighingfiftypounds。Everyday，atfouro’clockintheafternoon，ajailer，escortedbytwodogs，——thiswasstillinvogueatthattime，——enteredhiscage，depositedbesidehisbedaloafofblackbreadweighingtwopounds，ajugofwater，abowlfilledwithratherthinbouillon，inwhichswamafewMayaganbeans，inspectedhisironsandtappedthebars。Thismanandhisdogsmadetwovisitsduringthenight。
　　Thenardierhadobtainedpermissiontokeepasortofironboltwhichheusedtospikehisbreadintoacrackinthewall，"inordertopreserveitfromtherats，"ashesaid。AsThenardierwaskeptinsight，noobjectionhadbeenmadetothisspike。Still，itwasrememberedafterwards，thatoneofthejailershadsaid:
　　"Itwouldbebettertolethimhaveonlyawoodenspike。"
　　Attwoo’clockinthemorning，thesentinel，whowasanoldsoldier，wasrelieved，andreplacedbyaconscript。Afewmomentslater，themanwiththedogspaidhisvisit，andwentoffwithoutnoticinganything，except，possibly，theexcessiveyouthand"therusticair"ofthe"rawrecruit。"Twohoursafterwards，atfouro’clock，whentheycametorelievetheconscript，hewasfoundasleeponthefloor，lyinglikealognearThenardier’scage。
　　AsforThenardier，hewasnolongerthere。Therewasaholeintheceilingofhiscage，and，aboveit，anotherholeintheroof。
　　Oneoftheplanksofhisbedhadbeenwrenchedoff，andprobablycarriedawaywithhim，asitwasnotfound。Theyalsoseizedinhiscellahalf—emptybottlewhichcontainedtheremainsofthestupefyingwinewithwhichthesoldierhadbeendrugged。
　　Thesoldier’sbayonethaddisappeared。
　　Atthemomentwhenthisdiscoverywasmade，itwasassumedthatThenardierwasoutofreach。Thetruthis，thathewasnolongerintheNewBuilding，butthathewasstillingreatdanger。
　　Thenardier，onreachingtheroofoftheNewBuilding，hadfoundtheremainsofBrujon’sropehangingtothebarsoftheuppertrapofthechimney，but，asthisbrokenfragmentwasmuchtooshort，hehadnotbeenabletoescapebytheouterwall，asBrujonandGuelemerhaddone。
　　WhenoneturnsfromtheRuedesBalletsintotheRueduRoi—de—Sicile，onealmostimmediatelyencountersarepulsiveruin。
　　Therestoodonthatspot，inthelastcentury，ahouseofwhichonlythebackwallnowremains，aregularwallofmasonry，whichrisestotheheightofthethirdstorybetweentheadjoiningbuildings。
　　Thisruincanberecognizedbytwolargesquarewindowswhicharestilltobeseenthere；themiddleone，thatnearesttherightgable，isbarredwithaworm—eatenbeamadjustedlikeaprop。Throughthesewindowstherewasformerlyvisiblealoftyandlugubriouswall，whichwasafragmentoftheouterwallofLaForce。
　　Theemptyspaceonthestreetleftbythedemolishedhouseishalf—filledbyafenceofrottenboards，shoredupbyfivestoneposts。
　　Inthisrecessliesconcealedalittleshantywhichleansagainsttheportionoftheruinwhichhasremainedstanding。Thefencehasagate，which，afewyearsago，wasfastenedonlybyalatch。
　　ItwasthecrestofthisruinthatThenardierhadsucceededinreaching，alittleafteroneo’clockinthemorning。
　　Howhadhegotthere？Thatiswhatnoonehaseverbeenabletoexplainorunderstand。Thelightningmust，atthesametime，havehinderedandhelpedhim。Hadhemadeuseoftheladdersandscaffoldingsoftheslaterstogetfromrooftoroof，fromenclosuretoenclosure，fromcompartmenttocompartment，tothebuildingsoftheCharlemagnecourt，thentothebuildingsoftheSaint—Louiscourt，totheouterwall，andthencetothehutontheRueduRoi—de—Sicile？Butinthatitinerarythereexistedbreakswhichseemedtorenderitanimpossibility。HadheplacedtheplankfromhisbedlikeabridgefromtheroofoftheFine—Airtotheouterwall，andcrawledflat，onhisbellyonthecopingoftheouterwallthewholedistanceroundtheprisonasfarasthehut？
　　ButtheouterwallofLaForceformedacrenellatedandunequalline；
　　itmountedanddescended，itdroppedatthefiremen’sbarracks，itrosetowardsthebath—house，itwascutintwainbybuildings，itwasnotevenofthesameheightontheHotelLamoignonasontheRuePavee；everywhereoccurredfallsandrightangles；andthen，thesentinelsmusthaveespiedthedarkformofthefugitive；hence，theroutetakenbyThenardierstillremainsratherinexplicable。
　　Intwomanners，flightwasimpossible。HadThenardier，spurredonbythatthirstforlibertywhichchangesprecipicesintoditches，ironbarsintowattlesofosier，aleglessmanintoanathlete，agoutymanintoabird，stupidityintoinstinct，instinctintointelligence，andintelligenceintogenius，hadThenardierinventedathirdmode？
　　Noonehaseverfoundout。
　　Themarvelsofescapecannotalwaysbeaccountedfor。Themanwhomakeshisescape，werepeat，isinspired；thereissomethingofthestarandofthelightninginthemysteriousgleamofflight；
　　theefforttowardsdeliveranceisnolesssurprisingthantheflighttowardsthesublime，andonesaysoftheescapedthief:
　　"Howdidhecontrivetoscalethatwall？"inthesamewaythatonesaysofCorneille:"Wheredidhefindthemeansofdying？"
　　Atallevents，drippingwithperspiration，drenchedwithrain，withhisclotheshanginginribbons，hishandsflayed，hiselbowsbleeding，hiskneestorn，Thenardierhadreachedwhatchildren，intheirfigurativelanguage，calltheedgeofthewalloftheruin，therehehadstretchedhimselfoutatfulllength，andtherehisstrengthhadfailedhim。Asteepescarpmentthreestorieshighseparatedhimfromthepavementofthestreet。
　　Theropewhichhehadwastooshort。
　　Therehewaited，pale，exhausted，desperatewithallthedespairwhichhehadundergone，stillhiddenbythenight，buttellinghimselfthatthedaywasonthepointofdawning，alarmedattheideaofhearingtheneighboringclockofSaint—Paulstrikefourwithinafewminutes，anhourwhenthesentinelwasrelievedandwhenthelatterwouldbefoundasleepunderthepiercedroof，staringinhorrorataterribledepth，atthelightofthestreetlanterns，thewet，blackpavement，thatpavementlongedforyetfrightful，whichmeantdeath，andwhichmeantliberty。
　　Heaskedhimselfwhetherhisthreeaccomplicesinflighthadsucceeded，iftheyhadheardhim，andiftheywouldcometohisassistance。
　　Helistened。Withtheexceptionofthepatrol，noonehadpassedthroughthestreetsincehehadbeenthere。Nearlythewholeofthedescentofthemarket—gardenersfromMontreuil，fromCharonne，fromVincennes，andfromBercytothemarketswasaccomplishedthroughtheRueSaint—Antoine。
　　Fouro’clockstruck。Thenardiershuddered。Afewmomentslater，thatterrifiedandconfuseduproarwhichfollowsthediscoveryofanescapebrokeforthintheprison。Thesoundofdoorsopeningandshutting，thecreakingofgratingsontheirhinges，atumultintheguard—house，thehoarseshoutsoftheturnkeys，theshockofmusket—buttsonthepavementofthecourts，reachedhisears。
　　Lightsascendedanddescendedpastthegratedwindowsofthedormitories，atorchranalongtheridge—poleofthetopstoryoftheNewBuilding，thefiremenbelonginginthebarracksontherighthadbeensummoned。
　　Theirhelmets，whichthetorchlightedupintherain，wentandcamealongtheroofs。Atthesametime，ThenardierperceivedinthedirectionoftheBastilleawanwhitenesslightinguptheedgeoftheskyindolefulwise。
　　Hewasontopofawalltenincheswide，stretchedoutundertheheavyrains，withtwogulfstorightandleft，unabletostir，subjecttothegiddinessofapossiblefall，andtothehorrorofacertainarrest，andhisthoughts，likethependulumofaclock，swungfromoneoftheseideastotheother:"DeadifIfall，caughtifIstay。"Inthemidstofthisanguish，hesuddenlysaw，thestreetbeingstilldark，amanwhowasglidingalongthewallsandcomingfromtheRuePavee，haltintherecessabovewhichThenardierwas，asitwere，suspended。Herethismanwasjoinedbyasecond，whowalkedwiththesamecaution，thenbyathird，thenbyafourth。Whenthesemenwerere—united，oneofthemliftedthelatchofthegateinthefence，andallfourenteredtheenclosureinwhichtheshantystood。TheyhalteddirectlyunderThenardier。
　　Thesemenhadevidentlychosenthisvacantspaceinorderthattheymightconsultwithoutbeingseenbythepassers—byorbythesentinelwhoguardsthewicketofLaForceafewpacesdistant。
　　Itmustbeadded，thattherainkeptthissentinelblockedinhisbox。Thenardier，notbeingabletodistinguishtheirvisages，lentaneartotheirwordswiththedesperateattentionofawretchwhofeelshimselflost。
　　Thenardiersawsomethingresemblingagleamofhopeflashbeforehiseyes，——thesemenconversedinslang。
　　Thefirstsaidinalowbutdistinctvoice:——
　　"Let’scut。Whatareweuptohere？"
　　Thesecondreplied:"It’sraininghardenoughtoputouttheverydevil’sfire。Andthebobbieswillbealonginstanter。
　　There’sasoldieronguardyonder。Weshallgetnabbedhere。"
　　Thesetwowords，icigoandicicaille，bothofwhichmeanici，andwhichbelong，thefirsttotheslangofthebarriers，thesecondtotheslangoftheTemple，wereflashesoflightforThenardier。
　　BytheicigoherecognizedBrujon，whowasaprowlerofthebarriers，bytheicicailleheknewBabet，who，amonghisothertrades，hadbeenanold—clothesbrokerattheTemple。
　　TheantiqueslangofthegreatcenturyisnolongerspokenexceptintheTemple，andBabetwasreallytheonlypersonwhospokeitinallitspurity。Haditnotbeenfortheicicaille，Thenardierwouldnothaverecognizedhim，forhehadentirelychangedhisvoice。
　　Inthemeanwhile，thethirdmanhadintervened。
　　"There’snohurryyet，let’swaitabit。Howdoweknowthathedoesn’tstandinneedofus？"
　　Bythis，whichwasnothingbutFrench，ThenardierrecognizedMontparnasse，whomadeitapointinhiselegancetounderstandallslangsandtospeaknoneofthem。
　　Asforthefourth，heheldhispeace，buthishugeshouldersbetrayedhim。Thenardierdidnothesitate。ItwasGuelemer。
　　Brujonrepliedalmostimpetuouslybutstillinalowtone:——
　　"Whatareyoujabberingabout？Thetavern—keeperhasn’tmanagedtocuthisstick。Hedon’ttumbletotheracket，thathedon’t！
　　Youhavetobeaprettyknowingcovetotearupyourshirt，cutupyoursheettomakearope，punchholesindoors，getupfalsepapers，makefalsekeys，fileyourirons，hangoutyourcord，hideyourself，anddisguiseyourself！Theoldfellowhasn’tmanagedtoplayit，hedoesn’tunderstandhowtoworkthebusiness。"
　　Babetadded，stillinthatclassicalslangwhichwasspokenbyPoulaillerandCartouche，andwhichistothebold，new，highlycoloredandriskyargotusedbyBrujonwhatthelanguageofRacineistothelanguageofAndreChenier:——
　　"Yourtavern—keepermusthavebeennabbedintheact。Youhavetobeknowing。He’sonlyagreenhorn。Hemusthavelethimselfbetakeninbyabobby，perhapsevenbyasheepwhoplayeditonhimashispal。Listen，Montparnasse，doyouhearthoseshoutsintheprison？
　　Youhaveseenallthoselights。He’srecaptured，there！He’llgetoffwithtwentyyears。Iain’tafraid，Iain’tacoward，butthereain’tanythingmoretodo，orotherwisethey’dleadusadance。Don’tgetmad，comewithus，let’sgodrinkabottleofoldwinetogether。"
　　"Onedoesn’tdesertone’sfriendsinascrape，"grumbledMontparnasse。
　　"Itellyouhe’snabbed！"retortedBrujon。"Atthepresentmoment，theinn—keeperain’tworthaha’penny。Wecan’tdonothingforhim。
　　Let’sbeoff。EveryminuteIthinkabobbyhasgotmeinhisfist。"
　　Montparnassenolongerofferedmorethanafeebleresistance；
　　thefactis，thatthesefourmen，withthefidelityofruffianswhoneverabandoneachother，hadprowledallnightlongaboutLaForce，greataswastheirperil，inthehopeofseeingThenardiermakehisappearanceonthetopofsomewall。Butthenight，whichwasreallygrowingtoofine，——forthedownpourwassuchastorenderallthestreetsdeserted，——thecoldwhichwasoverpoweringthem，theirsoakedgarments，theirhole—riddenshoes，thealarmingnoisewhichhadjustburstforthintheprison，thehourswhichhadelapsed，thepatrolwhichtheyhadencountered，thehopewhichwasvanishing，allurgedthemtobeataretreat。Montparnassehimself，whowas，perhaps，almostThenardier’sson—in—law，yielded。Amomentmore，andtheywouldbegone。ThenardierwaspantingonhiswallliketheshipwreckedsufferersoftheMeduseontheirraftwhentheybeheldthevesselwhichhadappearedinsightvanishonthehorizon。
　　Hedarednotcalltothem；acrymightbeheardandruineverything。