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