Two Sides Staring Down the Abyss

Valjean was a late sleeper, partly out of nature, and partly out of a forced vigilance gained from his years in the galleys. Long after he'd sent Gavroche to bed, he sat at the table in his room, writing.

Suddenly, three hurried knocks sounded on the door. "What is it?" Valjean asked, not looking up from his work.

"Monsieur, let us in. We've had a terrible fright!" Cosette begged from outside. Her voice was unusually high, which got Valjean worried.

Valjean got up and unlocked his door. "What happened?" he asked warily as he looked at the two shaken women. He almost stepped back as Fantine let out a sob and practically collapsed on him.

"Robbers at night," Fantine gasped almost insensibly as she clung to Valjean. 'We were on our way home when this man held a knife to my throat. Good thing an inspector came by and saw us. But that knife on my throat! I thought we were done for---" she rambled on as Valjean and Cosette half-carried her into the flat.

"Maman, we're safe now," Cosette said when Fantine finished her harangue and Valjean set down a glass of water on the nearest table.

"But all the same! I never knew that inspector in a greatcoat could help..." Fantine said after taking a gulp of water.

Valjean went white momentarily. "That man who attacked you...non, Cosette, you tell me...did you have a look at his face?"

Cosette wrung her hands. "He was wearing black, and his face was pale. He had dark hair and a rose in his pocket."

Valjean nodded, hoping that his anxiety would be masked. "I have an errand to see to right away. I'll bring you back to your flat first," he said, collecting his hat and coat.

Fantine kissed his hand. "You're too kind Monsieur!"

Valjean stiffened at the sudden gesture. "We have to go, Fantine," he said matter-of-factly as he opened the door.

0000

at the Thenardiers' residence

Eponine was vaguely aware of when Azelma got out of bed and slipped out of their room. Minutes later, out of curiosity, the young woman threw on a dressing gown and tiptoed down the hallway towards the staircase. She saw Azelma seated on the topmost step, listening with her hands on her knees.

"Who's down there?" Eponine mouthed.

'Papa and that man Valjean," Azelma said. "Montparnasse is in prison."

"What?" Eponine shrieked before Azelma clapped a hand over her mouth.

"He tried to rob someone in Les Halles," Azelma explained before her sister got out of her grip. "Ponine, you knew it was bound to happen."

"Oh I told him to be careful! I told him all the time before!" Eponine hissed, clenching her fists with frustration.

"Before you saw how handsome that Monsieur Pontmercy was becoming," Azelma pointed out.

Eponine's cheeks burned with shame. "Parnasse is my friend, so that's why I care for him. I don't know what---"

"You act like he's more than that," Azelma said calmly. "And you do the same to Monsieur Pontmercy even though we all know perfectly who he adores. And on top of that, you're engaged to Monsieur Enjolras, so when will you make up your mind?"

"Oh believe me, I would have had it differently," Eponine said, sinking against the hallway wall. "I've got to find a way to help him."

"Your fiance won't approve."

"What of Papa? He needs Montparnasse's help."

"You know Papa; he only does what's useful. Do you think he cared when Vroche ran off?" Azelma said.

Eponine swallowed hard. "You're right. I'll have to do this on my own then," she said, gathering her dressing gown more closely around her. Despite Azelma's attempt to hold her back, she went down the stairs just as Valjean was about to leave the house.

"Valjean! Valjean!" she called to him.

Valjean turned to look at her. "Mademoiselle Thenardier," he said cordially.

Eponine straightened up. "Tell me about Montparnasse. Tell me everything, so I can do what I can for him," she said quickly.

Valjean paused. 'Why?" he asked.

"It's a matter of personal importance." Eponine said curtly.

Valjean smiled pitifully. "He's at La Force. He's being held for what they called armed robbery."

Eponine's face fell. "I can't get him out so easily then," she murmured before fleeing upstairs.

Valjean stepped out into the night and walked on down the street, pretending to see nothing from his downcast eyes, but in truth, nothing escaped his gaze. He saw from afar then the burly man standing in his path.

"Come, we have things to maquiller," Claquesous said in a deliberately scratchy voice.

"About time. The little fee is upset," Valjean said. "The daron won't do anything."

Claquesous thrust a poleax into Valjean's hands. "La Force. In an hour."