An Inspector Pays a Visit

Rue des Filles du Calvaire

"It is a vague lead, but it is better than nothing" Javert thought as he knocked on the door of M. Gillenormand's house. He looked through his notes again to ensure that he was at the right address.

After some time the door opened slightly to reveal Cosette. "Good evening, Monsieur Inspecteur. How may I help you?" she asked warily.

"Mademoiselle, I am looking for Monsieur Marius Pontmercy," Javert said. "Has he been here recently?"

Cosette shook her head. "I haven't seen him since this morning, M'sieur. Is he in trouble?"

Javert tried to prevent any expression from forming on his face. "Non, mademoiselle," he replied. "She probably knows him too well..." he remarked to himself.

Some footsteps sounded in the passage. "Cosette, who are you talking to?" Fantine asked from inside.

"An Inspector, Maman. He's looking for Marius," Cosette said.

"Silly, he doesn't live here," Fantine said chidingly. She peered out at Javert and her eyes darkened. "We will tell you if we see him, M'sieur," she said before shutting the door.

Javert stood at the doorstep, stunned at having the door closed on him so abruptly, and by such a familiar face. "All the same, I will keep watch," he muttered before retreating back in the street.
Back inside, Fantine let out a sigh of relief. "Cosette, what were you doing?" she said as she locked the door again.

"I couldn't just leave him at the door, Maman," Cosette said in an undertone. "Wait, who's in the kitchen with Marius?"

"Mademoiselle Thenardier and her younger brother," Fantine said, wringing her hands. "Did Monsieur Thenardier say when he'd be back for his children?"

"In five minutes," Cosette said, her eyes glancing at the clock. She went to the kitchen door and opened it. "Marius, it's safe now."

"Merci, Cosette," Marius said, emerging from his hiding place in a broom cabinet. Eponine, who was seated at the kitchen table, put down the novel she was reading while Gavroche polished off the last of a cream cake that Fantine had given to him earlier in the evening.

"Marius, are you sure you do not want to stay with my family?" Eponine said crossly.

"I'm afraid I cannot. My friends are looking for me," Marius said as he began fixing his disheveled clothing.

"The police are watching Monsieur Enjolras' apartment, I'm sure,"

"We're going elsewhere."

Eponine rolled her eyes. "Can you tell me?"

"No," Marius said curtly.

Cosette listened to all of this quietly, all the while fighting to keep from bursting out into a fit of giggling. "It was a good thing you came here to hide, Gavroche," she said to Eponine's brother.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Gavroche asked, licking his fingers.

"What for? Maman will be looking for you," Eponine pointed out.

"Non, she won't," Gavroche said, grinning cheekily. "I say, I can go with you, Monsieur Pontmercy. Navet's with your friends, I remember. Ruffians must stick together."

Cosette nodded to Marius. "If it's fine with your friends. M. Gillenormand would have a fit to see him here, as much as we like your company," she said.

"Not as much as he would if he found me here," Marius said wryly.

Cosette touched his arm briefly as she went out to the front door again. She smiled at Fantine and Marius. "Monsieur Thenardier is here!"

"Finally," Eponine said, dusting off her dress a she stood up. "A bien tot, Cosette," she said icily, flouncing out of the kitchen. "Are you coming, Marius?" she called over her shoulder.

"My apologies, but I think I'm better off walking. My lodgings are not in the same quartier as yours," Marius said cordially.

Eponine sighed. "Gavroche?"

"See you in the morning,"

"You're a stubborn brat."

"Well, I do like my running," Gavroche said, drawing himself up to his full height.

Eponine bit her lip. "Gavroche, you can just...I don't want you in trouble, petit. Really. You don't have to talk to Maman. Just go straight to bed, and she won't bother you."

Gavroche frowned. "Fine, but if the trumpets come again, I'm off to the march!" he said defiantly, going out ahead of his sister.

Fantine watched them leave before she shook her head. "You youngsters. How much you all like to do!" she remarked.

"Maman, nothing is the same as it used to be," Cosette said.

Marius bowed dignifiedly. "I'll see you tomorrow, ladies?"

"Marius, be careful!" Cosette begged.

"You won't have to get me out of jail this time, cherie," Marius said, dropping his voice. He put on his hat and smiled at her somberely before heading out the back door into the night.

Cosette collapsed in a chair. "I'm so scared for him."

Fantine nodded concernedly as she lit a candle. "All we can do is pray, Cosette. And God do the rest and help us keep our silence,"