It was here that Jean Valjean stood.
As we have just said, on catching sight of that black silhouette standing on guard at the angle of the Rue Droit-Mur and the Rue Petit-Picpus, he recoiled.
There could be no doubt of it. That phantom was lying in wait for him.
What was he to do?
The time for retreating was passed.
That which he had perceived in movement an instant before, in the distant darkness, was Javert and his squad without a doubt.