Page 929 - les-miserables

the convent; the porter has the key to the door which com-
municates with the church.’
‘When does the porter open that door?’
‘Only to allow the undertaker’s men to enter, when they
come to get the coffin. When the coffin has been taken out,
the door is closed again.’
‘Who nails up the coffin?’
‘I do.’
‘Who spreads the pall over it?’
‘I do.’
‘Are you alone?’
‘Not another man, except the police doctor, can enter the
dead-room. That is even written on the wall.’
‘Could you hide me in that room to-night when every
one is asleep?’
‘No. But I could hide you in a small, dark nook which
opens on the dead-room, where I keep my tools to use for
burials, and of which I have the key.’
‘At what time will the hearse come for the coffin to-mor-
row?’
‘About three o’clock in the afternoon. The burial will take
place at the Vaugirard cemetery a little before nightfall. It is
not very near.’
‘I will remain concealed in your tool-closet all night and
all the morning. And how about food? I shall be hungry.’
‘I will bring you something.’
‘You can come and nail me up in the coffin at two
o’clock.’
Fauchelevent recoiled and cracked his finger-joints.

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