Page 2204 - les-miserables

At the entrance to the Rue de l’Homme Arme, the car-
riage halted, the way being too narrow to admit of the
entrance of vehicles. Javert and Jean Valjean alighted.
The coachman humbly represented to ‘monsieur
l’Inspecteur,’ that the Utrecht velvet of his carriage was all
spotted with the blood of the assassinated man, and with
mire from the assassin. That is the way he understood it. He
added that an indemnity was due him. At the same time,
drawing his certificate book from his pocket, he begged the
inspector to have the goodness to write him ‘a bit of an at-
testation.’
Javert thrust aside the book which the coachman held
out to him, and said:
‘How much do you want, including your time of waiting
and the drive?’
‘It comes to seven hours and a quarter,’ replied the man,
‘and my velvet was perfectly new. Eighty francs, Mr. Inspec-
tor.’
Javert drew four napoleons from his pocket and dis-
missed the carriage.
Jean Valjean fancied that it was Javert’s intention to con-
duct him on foot to the post of the Blancs-Manteaux or to
the post of the Archives, both of which are close at hand.
They entered the street. It was deserted as usual. Javert
followed Jean Valjean. They reached No. 7. Jean Valjean
knocked. The door opened.
‘It is well,’ said Javert. ‘Go up stairs.’
He added with a strange expression, and as though he
were exerting an effort in speaking in this manner:

2204 Les Miserables