Up to this point it was merely an affair of a misdemeanor.
But here is where Providence intervened.
"The jail being in a bad condition, the examining magistrate finds it convenient to transfer Champmathieu to Arras, where the departmental prison is situated.
In this prison at Arras there is an ex-convict named Brevet, who is detained for I know not what, and who has been appointed turnkey of the house, because of good behavior. Mr. Mayor, no sooner had Champmathieu arrived than Brevet exclaims: `Eh! Why, I know that man!
He is a fagot![4] Take a good look at me, my good man!
You are Jean Valjean!'
`Jean Valjean! who's Jean Valjean?' Champmathieu feigns astonishment.
`Don't play the innocent dodge,' says Brevet.
`You are Jean Valjean!
You have been in the galleys of Toulon; it was twenty years ago; we were there together.' Champmathieu denies it.
Parbleu!
You understand.
The case is investigated.
The thing was well ventilated for me.
This is what they discovered:
This Champmathieu had been, thirty years ago, a pruner of trees in various localities, notably at Faverolles. There all trace of him was lost.
A long time afterwards he was seen again in Auvergne; then in Paris, where he is said to have been a wheelwright, and to have had a daughter, who was a laundress; but that has not been proved.
Now, before going to the galleys for theft, what was Jean Valjean?
A pruner of trees.
Where?