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