Les Misérables, Book 5: For a Black Hunt, a Mute Pack, Chapter 10 summary

What happens

1. Javert joins the Paris police and accepts a newspaper report that Jean Valjean is dead.
2. A report about Cosette leads him to Montfermeil, where Thénardier claims that her grandfather collects her.
3. Reports of a charitable stranger revive Javert’s suspicions, and he disguises himself as a beggar to investigate.
4. Javert watches the Gorbeau house, follows Jean Valjean and Cosette, and finally confirms his suspect’s identity under tavern light.
5. He gathers more men and blocks escape routes, but delays the arrest because he enjoys his apparent control.
6. Jean Valjean disappears, and a cut lantern rope directs Javert’s unsuccessful search toward gardens and wasteland.

In this chapter

What to notice

The predator image reverses Javert’s confidence. His carefully arranged enclosure fails precisely when he expects to complete the capture.

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