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