Les Misérables, Book 8: The Wicked Poor Man, Chapter 14 summary

What happens

1. Marius visits the police office and tells the acting inspector about the trap planned for six that evening.
2. The inspector recognizes the house and connects Marius’s account with Patron-Minette and several suspected criminals.
3. He rejects hiding officers inside because their presence could frighten the criminals into abandoning the plan.
4. He takes Marius’s key and gives him two loaded pistols, ordering him to watch secretly and fire when intervention becomes necessary.
5. After confirming the time, the inspector tells Marius to ask for Inspector Javert if he needs help.

In this chapter

What to notice

Javert places responsibility for the signal on Marius. His instructions make the timing of intervention depend on Marius’s judgment.

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