One would have to be a terrible man to do such a thing as lift a cart like that on his back."
Then, gazing fixedly at M. Madeleine, he went on, emphasizing every word that he uttered:--
"Monsieur Madeleine, I have never known but one man capable of doing what you ask."
Madeleine shuddered.
Javert added, with an air of indifference, but without removing his eyes from Madeleine:--
"He was a convict."
"Ah!" said Madeleine.
"In the galleys at Toulon."
Madeleine turned pale.
Meanwhile, the cart continued to sink slowly.
Father Fauchelevent rattled in the throat, and shrieked:--
"I am strangling!
My ribs are breaking! a screw! something!
Ah!"
Madeleine glanced about him.
"Is there, then, no one who wishes to earn twenty louis and save the life of this poor old man?"
No one stirred.
Javert resumed:--
"I have never known but one man who could take the place of a screw, and he was that convict."
"Ah!