750 Les Miserables
CHAPTER V
A FIVE-FRANC PIECE FALLS
ON THE GROUND AND
PRODUCES A TUMULT
Near Saint-Medard’s church there was a poor man who
was in the habit of crouching on the brink of a public well
which had been condemned, and on whom Jean Valjean
was fond of bestowing charity. He never passed this man
without giving him a few sous. Sometimes he spoke to him.
Those who envied this mendicant said that he belonged to
the police. He was an ex-beadle of seventy-five, who was
constantly mumbling his prayers.
One evening, as Jean Valjean was passing by, when he
had not Cosette with him, he saw the beggar in his usual
place, beneath the lantern which had just been lighted. The
man seemed engaged in prayer, according to his custom,
and was much bent over. Jean Valjean stepped up to him
and placed his customary alms in his hand. The mendicant
raised his eyes suddenly, stared intently at Jean Valjean,
then dropped his head quickly. This movement was like a