And half drawing a heavy key from under his ragged blouse, he added,—
"Would you like to see how the key to liberty is made? Look here."
Jean Valjean was so dazed that he doubted whether what he saw was real. It was Providence appearing in a horrible form, and the good angel issuing from the ground in the shape of Thénardier. The latter thrust his hand into a wide pocket hidden under his blouse, drew out a rope, and handed it to Jean Valjean.
"There," he said, "I give you the rope into the bargain."
"What am I to do with the rope?"
"You also want a stone, but you will find that outside, as there is a heap of them."
"What am I to do with a stone?"
"Why, you ass, as you are going to throw the stiff into the river, you want a rope and a stone, or else the body will float on the water."
Jean Valjean took the rope mechanically, and Thénardier snapped his fingers as if a sudden idea had occurred to him.
"Hilloh, mate! how did you manage to get through that slough? I did not dare venture into it. Peuh! you do not smell pleasant."