462 Les Miserables
own interests, I summon you for the last time to explain
yourself clearly on two points. In the first place, did you or
did you not climb the wall of the Pierron orchard, break the
branch, and steal the apples; that is to say, commit the crime
of breaking in and theft? In the second place, are you the
discharged convict, Jean Valjean— yes or no?’
The prisoner shook his head with a capable air, like a
man who has thoroughly understood, and who knows what
answer he is going to make. He opened his mouth, turned
towards the President, and said:—
‘In the first place—‘
Then he stared at his cap, stared at the ceiling, and held
his peace.
‘Prisoner,’ said the district-attorney, in a severe voice;
‘pay attention. You are not answering anything that has
been asked of you. Your embarrassment condemns you. It is
evident that your name is not Champmathieu; that you are
the convict, Jean Valjean, concealed first under the name of
Jean Mathieu, which was the name of his mother; that you
went to Auvergne; that you were born at Faverolles, where
you were a pruner of trees. It is evident that you have been
guilty of entering, and of the theft of ripe apples from the
Pierron orchard. The gentlemen of the jury will form their
own opinion.’
The prisoner had finally resumed his seat; he arose
abruptly when the district-attorney had finished, and
exclaimed:—
‘You are very wicked; that you are! This what I wanted to
say; I could not find words for it at first. I have stolen noth-