The Torn Coat-Tail — Les Misérables

In the midst of this prostration, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and a low voice said to him: Half shares. Some person in that gloom. Nothing so closely resembles a dream as despair. Jean Valjean thought that he was dreaming. He had heard no footsteps. He raised his eyes. A man stood before him, clad in a blouse, his feet bare, his shoes in his left hand. He had removed them in order to reach Jean Valjean without allowing his steps to be heard. Jean Valjean did not hesitate. This man was known to him. The man was Thenardier. The situation could not be made worse. Thenardier himself could add nothing to this blackness. Thenardier screwed up his eyes, trying to recognise the other, and did not succeed. Jean Valjean had his back turned to the light, and he was so disfigured, so bemired, so bleeding that he would have been unrecognisable in full noonday. Thenardier, lit by the cellar light from the grating, leaped into Jean Valjean's eyes. The encounter took place between Jean Valjean veiled and Thenardier unmasked. Jean Valjean perceived that Thenardier did not recognise him.

Thenardier was the first to break the silence. How are you going to manage to get out. It is impossible to pick the lock of that gate. Well, half shares then. You have killed that man. That is all right. I have the key. I do not know you, but I want to help you. You must be a friend. Jean Valjean began to comprehend. Thenardier took him for an assassin. Give me my half. I will open the door for you. And half drawing from beneath his tattered blouse a huge key: Do you want to see how a key to liberty is made. Look here. It was Providence appearing in horrible guise. Thenardier offered a rope to boot, for slinging the body into the river with a stone, otherwise it would float. Jean Valjean took the rope. Thenardier talked. Jean Valjean remained mute. The more loquacious Thenardier became, the more mute was Jean Valjean. The river is the true grave. The sewer tells tales. Now let us settle this business. You have seen my key, show me your money. Jean Valjean turned out his soaked pocket: one louis, two five-franc pieces, and five or six large sous. Thenardier felt both men's pockets with the greatest familiarity. While handling Marius's coat, with the skill of a pickpocket, he tore off a strip which he concealed under his blouse. He found no more than the thirty francs. Forgetting his motto, half shares, he took all.

That done, he drew the big key again. Now, my friend, you must leave. It is like the fair here, you pay when you go out. You have paid, now clear out. Thenardier helped Jean Valjean to replace Marius on his shoulders, then he went to the grating on tiptoe, barefooted, looked out, laid his finger on his mouth, and remained in suspense. His inspection finished, he placed the key in the lock. The bolt slipped back and the gate swung open. It neither grated nor squeaked. It moved very softly. This softness was suspicious. It hinted at furtive goings and comings. The sewer was evidently an accomplice of some mysterious band. This taciturn grating was a receiver of stolen goods. Thenardier opened the gate a little way, allowing just sufficient space for Jean Valjean to pass out, closed the grating again, gave the key a double turn, and plunged back into the darkness, without making any more noise than a breath. A moment later, that hideous providence had retreated into the invisibility. Jean Valjean found himself in the open air.