Page 2072 - les-miserables

Javert was not easily astonished. Still, master of himself
though he was, he could not repress a start. He remained
open-mouthed and motionless.
Jean Valjean continued:
‘I do not think that I shall escape from this place. But if,
by chance, I do, I live, under the name of Fauchelevent, in
the Rue de l’Homme Arme, No. 7.’
Javert snarled like a tiger, which made him half open one
corner of his mouth, and he muttered between his teeth:
‘Have a care.’
‘Go,’ said Jean Valjean.
Javert began again:
‘Thou saidst Fauchelevent, Rue de l’Homme Arme?’
‘Number 7.’
Javert repeated in a low voice:—‘Number 7.’
He buttoned up his coat once more, resumed the military
stiffness between his shoulders, made a half turn, folded his
arms and, supporting his chin on one of his hands, he set
out in the direction of the Halles. Jean Valjean followed him
with his eyes:
A few minutes later, Javert turned round and shouted to
Jean Valjean:
‘You annoy me. Kill me, rather.’
Javert himself did not notice that he no longer addressed
Jean Valjean as ‘thou.’
‘Be off with you,’ said Jean Valjean.
Javert retreated slowly. A moment later he turned the
corner of the Rue des Precheurs.
When Javert had disappeared, Jean Valjean fired his pis-

2072 Les Miserables