"Dismissed," said Javert.
"Very good, dismissed. I do not understand it."
"You shall do so, sir."
Javert heaved a deep sigh, and continued still coldly and sadly,—
"Six weeks ago, M. le Maire, after the scene about that girl, I was furious, and denounced you."
"Denounced me?"
"To the Prefect of Police at Paris."
M. Madeleine, who did not laugh much oftener than Javert, burst into a laugh.
"As a Mayor who had encroached on the police?"
"As an ex-galley slave."