"And I, Monsieur le Maire, do not know what I am seeing."
"In that case, be content with obeying."
"I obey my duty; my duty orders that this woman should go to prison for six months."
M. Madeleine answered gently,—
"Listen to this carefully; she will not go for a single day."
On hearing these decided words, Javert ventured to look fixedly at the Mayor, and said to him, though still with a respectful accent,—
"I bitterly regret being compelled to resist you. Monsieur le Maire, it is the first time in my life, but you will deign to let me observe that I am within the limits of my authority. As you wish it, sir, I will confine myself to the affair with the gentleman. I was present; this girl attacked M. Bamatabois, who is an elector and owner of that fine three-storied house, built of hewn stone, which forms the corner of the Esplanade. Well, there are things in this world! However this may be, M. le Maire, this is a matter of the street police which concerns me, and I intend to punish the woman Fantine."
M. Madeleine upon this folded his arms, and said in a stern voice, which no one in the town had ever heard before,—
"The affair to which you allude belongs to the Borough police; and by the terms of articles nine, eleven, fifteen, and sixty-six of the Criminal Code, I try it. I order that this woman be set at liberty."
Javert tried a final effort.