Les Miserables Page #4

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Champmathieu.

He was arrested this fall

for stealing cider apples.

He was jailed in Arras,

where a convict named Brevet

identified him as Jean Valjean.

Champmathieu denied it.

Among other things, we found out

that some 30 years ago,

he was living in Faverolles,

just like Jean Valjean.

So?

So he was indicted.

He stands trial tomorrow.

As a former warder,

I've been called as a witness.

In fact, I have

to leave tonight to testify.

What does the man say?

Oh, he's a crafty one.

Another man would be done for,

but he plays stupid.

He says his name's Champmathieu

and sticks to his story.

But the evidence is against him.

He's as good as condemned.

- You're leaving now?

- Yes, Mr. Mayor.

How long will the trial last?

One session at most.

The verdict will be in by evening.

But I won't wait.

I'll return here as soon as I've testified.

All right. Thank you.

You haven't told me

your decision about -

About what?

My dismissal.

We'll discuss it

when you get back.

I'll continue to exercise

my functions until I'm replaced.

The mayor asks that you sign

a note for him right away.

"Mr. Thnardier,

Please entrust Cosette

to the bearer of this letter.

He will pay you

all expenses due.

Respectfully yours..."

Is this to bring back

my darling Cosette?

Is Mr. Madeleine

going to get her?

When will he be back?

Be good, Fantine.

You mustn't get excited.

I wouldn't want to tell a lie,

but I think Mr. Madeleine

will go for your child himself.

In any case,

it can't be done.

He'll be sentenced

tomorrow night.

I won't have the carriage

before 5:
00 in the morning.

Can my horse manage it?

lmpossible.

If I can get to Amiens,

I can catch the post to Paris -

My coin, mister, please.

Give me back my coin!

My 40-sous coin!

That's all behind me!

They can't hunt me forever.

I'm a different man now.

I'm Mr. Madeleine,

mayor of Montreuil.

I built all these factories.

I did some harm,

I did some good,

but more good than harm.

I have obligations

toward my town.

If God permitted all this...

it means Jean Valjean is dead.

Jean Valjean is dead.

Yes, Jean Valjean is dead.

For three apples

stolen from an orchard,

Champmathieu will be punished

with a three-month sentence.

For the crimes of Jean Valjean,

repeat offender,

he will be imprisoned for life.

What's that?

Who dared to say that?

Jean Valjean is dead!

Dead!

There's nothing left

of Jean Valjean!

He's dead!

What is it?

It's 5:
00, sir.

The carriage is outside.

The carriage?

I'll be right down.

MR. LAFITTE, BANKER

RUE VIVIENNE, PARIS

- He's had his oats?

- Yes, sir.

- A full ration?

- Double.

Can he do 20 leagues in one day?

- Twenty leagues!

He can, but -

- Fine, fine.

Twenty leagues?

Where's he going?

It's the mayor of Montreuil!

He's gone mad!

I fear another attack

during the day.

She could leave us

without seeing her child again?

I'm afraid so.

Mr. Madeleine won't be back

until tomorrow tonight.

If she's still with us,

couldn't the sight of her child?

It's possible.

But still -

My baby?

Did you say Cosette?

Is she coming?

- Yes, Fantine.

But calm down.

Has Mr. Madeleine left yet?

When did he go?

How long have I slept?

Will he bring

my little girl soon?

Tell me he'll be here soon.

Good Sister...

is it true?

Will he be here soon?

You must ask the doctor.

Yes, he'll surely

be back tonight.

Around midnight.

Midnight?

That late?

What time is it?

10:
00 in the morning.

10:
00 in the morning?

He'll be back around midnight?

That's...

that's such a long time.

If I fall asleep,

will you wake me up

when she gets here?

Don't worry.

I'll know anyway.

I'll know when my little girl is here.

- What's coming up?

- The Valjean case.

- I thought there was a child killer.

- That's already over.

The prosecutor is no slouch.

He had his death sentence in 15 minutes.

It's the Valjean case now.

All rise.

The court is in session.

- Is it far to Arras?

- Another league.

No, sir, I'm absolutely certain.

This man's name is not Champmathieu.

He's the ex-convict Jean Valjean.

He served 19 years for theft

and tried to escape four times.

As a warder in Toulon,

I had a lot of trouble with him.

I repeat:

I formally recognize him.

The court thanks Inspector Javert.

You may step down.

The prosecution has the floor.

Gentlemen...

we have here

not only a highwayman,

but, we know now,

an ex-convict,

a hardened criminal.

In a word,

the terrible Jean Valjean,

who has evaded

the law for the past eight years.

- Have my horse ready to leave in an hour.

- An hour?

Do as I say.

The boy will take me to the courthouse.

Poor thing.

You can tell he doesn't do the trotting.

I rest my case.

You will recognize,

gentlemen of the jury,

that you must be

rigorous to be just.

The defense has the floor.

Can't I say nothing?

- You wish to make a declaration?

- Do I ever!

Speak, Champmathieu.

What I got to say is this:

I'm old Champmathieu.

I used to be

a cartwright in Paris.

I worked for Mr. Baloup.

I earned 30 sous a day.

Not a whole lot

when you're 52.

My bosses

took advantage of my age.

On top of which,

I had a daughter who did -

who washed laundry

down at the river.

This gentleman wishes

to sit in on the session.

Show him in.

The poor girl

had never been dancing.

She was a good girl.

A very good girl.

Just ask Mr. Baloup in Paris.

Now you've gone

and got me all mixed up!

Order in the court!

Accused, the evidence

against you is serious

and could entail

grave consequences.

Have you anything

of substance to tell us?

If so, speak.

First of all...

This is counsel's chamber.

That door over there

leads directly

into the courtroom

behind the judge's bench.

Mr. Javert recognized him

on two occasions...

This man is Jean Valjean.

No doubt remains.

Gentlemen, in all good conscience,

you must find him guilty.

Champmathieu never existed.

Mr. Madeleine,

don't abandon me!

Where are you?

Hear me before I go.

My darling Cosette.

Tomorrow she'll have no one.

She'll be all alone.

You promised, Mr. Madeleine.

I entrust her to you.

Have pity on her. Protect her.

Love her.

Love her, Mr. Madeleine.

Do not be taken in,

gentlemen of the jury,

by this man's attitude.

His stupidity is a faade.

His bewilderment fools no one.

You are obviously not

Champmathieu.

You are,

without any doubt,

the convict Jean Valjean,

hiding under the name Jean Mathieu,

Mathieu being your mother's maiden name.

You moved to the Auvergne.

You lived in Faverolles.

And you climbed into the Pierron

orchard and stole their apples!

That's not true!

I didn't steal nothing.

There are days I don't eat.

I found a fallen branch

with apples on it,

and I picked it up.

That's all!

And for that I've been in jail

for three months now.

I picked up something

lying on the ground. That's all!

You say I'm Jean Mathieu,

that I'm Jean Valjean.

Never heard of 'em.

I know Mr. Baloup,

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