Page 1383 - les-miserables
P. 1383
CHAPTER XXI
ONE SHOULD ALWAYS
BEGIN BY ARRESTING
THE VICTIMS
At nightfall, Javert had posted his men and had gone
into ambush himself between the trees of the Rue de la Bar-
rieredes-Gobelins which faced the Gorbeau house, on the
other side of the boulevard. He had begun operations by
opening ‘his pockets,’ and dropping into it the two young
girls who were charged with keeping a watch on the ap-
proaches to the den. But he had only ‘caged’ Azelma. As for
Eponine, she was not at her post, she had disappeared, and
he had not been able to seize her. Then Javert had made a
point and had bent his ear to waiting for the signal agreed
upon. The comings and goings of the fiacres had greatly agi-
tated him. At last, he had grown impatient, and, sure that
there was a nest there, sure of being in ‘luck,’ having recog-
nized many of the ruffians who had entered, he had finally
decided to go upstairs without waiting for the pistol-shot.
It will be remembered that he had Marius’ pass-key.
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