Javert was still doubtful about the identity of the assumed Jean Valjean, found to be living under the name of Champmathieu, but he gave his testimony to bring justice to the world. Three of the fellow galley slaves had confirmed the man to be Valjean, why would it be anyone else? Furthermore, he still felt guilt for accusing the mayor of the town of being the runaway criminal.
The inspector wished to remain until the end of the trial, but he had been urgently called back to Montreuil-sur-mer - in an unimportant matter, as he learned when he had arrived. That was enough ruin the rest of the evening for him. Now he was forced to wait for the news from Arras rather than being there to witness the events personally. Due to this, he was still in a foul mood in the morning, as he buttoned up his uniform. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of knocking, and after opening the door he was faced with a young policeman holding a waxed envelope.
"Francis Carreac, Monsieur Inspector. I bring a message from the court in Arras."
Javert forgot that his jacket was still unbuttoned. He briefly took notice of the look of surprise on the boy's face as he snatched the letter from his hands and broke the seal. Before he could read the contents of the envelope, the messenger spoke:
"Monsieur, the events at the court took an unexpected turn. Monsieur Madeleine, present there during the trial, was recognised to be the fugitive Jean Valjean."
"Monsieur le Maire?", he asked as the letter dropped from his hands. He collected himself quickly and picked it up, glancing at the boy. "Was he arrested? Where is he now?"
"That is the problem, monsieur. He returned to Montreuil-sur-Mer as a free man. When the trial came to an end with Champmathieu pronounced to be innocent, I was commanded to deliver the arrest warrant."
With no further comment, Javert opened the letter. Indeed, it contained an order, a short notification from the authorities commanding him to find Jean Valjean and bring him to justice. He read the message a few times, then calmly thanked the messenger and sent him away.
Only when the doors closed, the letter got crumpled in a clenched fist. So Madeleine, the kind-hearted Madeleine, really is Valjean? And then Javert was not wrong when he denounced him at the Prefecture? For the past eight years the man was on his very doorstep, in fact on the doorsteps of so many people, yet none but him noted the similarities?
"I knew it. I knew it!" he pounded the table.
How dare he! Who is that man?! He broke his parole, disappeared, then earned a fortune?! He thought that the respect he gained as Madeleine will save Valjean when the truth gets revealed? Not a chance.
Javert straightened his back and took a deep breath. There have been rumors lately, saying that every day the mayor has been visiting the hospital to see the woman that he had recently saved from being arrested. This shall be the first place for him to check.
Faster than usually he completed his uniform and left the building. He did not notice the crookedly buttoned up jacket - a sign of agitation that he has not experienced for a long time. Even when he denounced the mayor he felt calmer than now. At last the time has come, the moment when he can finally do his job properly and bring the outlaw to justice.
He took two armed policemen to wait at the door of the hospital. Armed with a heavy cane, he entered the building on his own. One of the nurses led him upstairs, not surprised to see the police. Monsieur Madeleine was often accompanied by some gendarmes.
"There is a severely ill woman here, monsieur, please do behave quietly," the nurse said before leaving.
Javert did not answer. Carefully, he pushed the door, holding the cane behind his back, quietly sliding into the room.
Valjean was kneeling next to the woman's bed, as if he was praying, with his side turned towards the door. Fantine was laying down with her face turned to the imposter mayor, muttering something with joy. However, as Javert noticed, Valjean kept his eyes closed and gave no response - he was not sure if the man was even listening. He was not aware that someone has entered the room until the woman turned her head towards the door, her eyes suddenly displaying fear rather than joy. Her sudden silence must have disturbed Valjean, as he opened his eyes and looked at her. Slowly, with a noticeable strain, she sat up and her skinny hand gripped the blanket. Her sudden behaviour startled the mayor.
"Good God! What ails you, Fantine?" he exclaimed.
She made no reply. The sole sight of the inspector terrified her enough to take her voice away. Javert felt pride that his presence prompts such response from the criminals - undoubtedly, this woman was one. It meant that he was doing his job well and that he gained a sort of respect, even if it was based on fear of judgement of their deeds. The woman touched Valjean's shoulder, making a gesture telling him to look at the entrance. He turned his head to notice Javert in the half-open door.
When the gaze of the man known as monsieur Madeleine crossed his own, Javert noticed that the other felt a kind of respect, even fear. He smiled proudly in his mind. Yet there was no smile on his face. There was happiness, the only kind of happiness that he had felt for a long time, the biggest joy of a policeman - to find a long-hunted outlaw, to be able to imprison him, so that he cannot do damage to the society again. Fantine covered her face with her hands with horror.
"Monsieur Madeleine, save me!"
Jean Valjean stood up and spoke to her in a gentle, calm voice:
"Be at ease; it is not for you that he is come," he said, then turned to Javert. "I know what you want."
"Be quick about it!"
His voice tore through the air like a dagger. He exclaimed this nearly with euphoria, with an agitation that could not be hidden. He did not show the arrest warrant. They both knew that he had it.
Javert seemed confident. He wanted to finish it quickly, but for the first time since he started working for the police he was not precisely sure what to do. To him, Jean Valjean was a fugitive prisoner, a dangerous criminal of whom he could expect anything, given that he ended up on the position of a mayor. That is why he limited himself to simply calling "be quick about it!" and casting a sharp gaze - a gaze that paralyzed Fantine two months ago, yet had no effect on Valjean. Instead, the sick woman lifted her head, hearing this. Still, the presence of the mayor - false mayor, that she did not know - soothed her. What is there for her to fear if he is here?