Page 1384 - les-miserables

He had arrived just in the nick of time.
The terrified ruffians flung themselves on the arms
which they had abandoned in all the corners at the moment
of flight. In less than a second, these seven men, horrible to
behold, had grouped themselves in an attitude of defence,
one with his meat-axe, another with his key, another with
his bludgeon, the rest with shears, pincers, and hammers.
Thenardier had his knife in his fist. The Thenardier woman
snatched up an enormous paving-stone which lay in the an-
gle of the window and served her daughters as an ottoman.
Javert put on his hat again, and advanced a couple of pac-
es into the room, with arms folded, his cane under one arm,
his sword in its sheath.
‘Halt there,’ said he. ‘You shall not go out by the window,
you shall go through the door. It’s less unhealthy. There are
seven of you, there are fifteen of us. Don’t let’s fall to collar-
ing each other like men of Auvergne.’
Bigrenaille drew out a pistol which he had kept con-
cealed under his blouse, and put it in Thenardier’s hand,
whispering in the latter’s ear:—
‘It’s Javert. I don’t dare fire at that man. Do you dare?’
‘Parbleu!’ replied Thenardier.
‘Well, then, fire.’
Thenardier took the pistol and aimed at Javert.
Javert, who was only three paces from him, stared
intently at him and contented himself with saying:—
‘Come now, don’t fire. You’ll miss fire.’
Thenardier pulled the trigger. The pistol missed fire.
‘Didn’t I tell you so!’ ejaculated Javert.

1384 Les Miserables