Part 200 (1/2)
”Yes.”
”Knot the two pieces together, we'll fling him the rope, he can fasten it to the wall, and he'll have enough of it to get down with.”
Thenardier ran the risk, and spoke:--
”I am paralyzed with cold.”
”We'll warm you up.”
”I can't budge.”
”Let yourself slide, we'll catch you.”
”My hands are benumbed.”
”Only fasten the rope to the wall.”
”I can't.”
”Then one of us must climb up,” said Montparna.s.se.
”Three stories!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Brujon.
An ancient plaster flue, which had served for a stove that had been used in the shanty in former times, ran along the wall and mounted almost to the very spot where they could see Thenardier. This flue, then much damaged and full of cracks, has since fallen, but the marks of it are still visible.
It was very narrow.
”One might get up by the help of that,” said Montparna.s.se.
”By that flue?” exclaimed Babet, ”a grown-up cove, never! it would take a brat.”
”A brat must be got,” resumed Brujon.
”Where are we to find a young 'un?” said Guelemer.
”Wait,” said Montparna.s.se. ”I've got the very article.”
He opened the gate of the fence very softly, made sure that no one was pa.s.sing along the street, stepped out cautiously, shut the gate behind him, and set off at a run in the direction of the Bastille.
Seven or eight minutes elapsed, eight thousand centuries to Thenardier; Babet, Brujon, and Guelemer did not open their lips; at last the gate opened once more, and Montparna.s.se appeared, breathless, and followed by Gavroche. The rain still rendered the street completely deserted.
Little Gavroche entered the enclosure and gazed at the forms of these ruffians with a tranquil air. The water was dripping from his hair.
Guelemer addressed him:--
”Are you a man, young 'un?”
Gavroche shrugged his shoulders, and replied:--
”A young 'un like me's a man, and men like you are babes.”