"A widow,"[37] said Babet.
[37] Argot of the Temple.
"My tortouse!"[38] said Brujon.
[38] Argot of the barriers.
"The tavern-keeper is there," said Montparnasse.
They raised their eyes.
Thenardier thrust out his head a very little.
"Quick!" said Montparnasse, "have you the other end of the rope, Brujon?"
"Yes."
"Knot the two pieces together, we''ll fling him the rope, he can fasten it to the wall, and he''ll have enough of it to get down with."
Thenardier ran the risk, and spoke:--
"I am paralyzed with cold."◢思◢兔◢網◢
"We''ll warm you up."
"I can''t budge."
"Let yourself slide, we''ll catch you."
"My hands are benumbed."
"Only fasten the rope to the wall."
"I can''t."
"Then one of us must climb up," said Montparnasse.
"Three stories!" ejaculated Brujon.
An ancient plaster flue, which had served for a stove that had been used in the shanty in former times, ran along the wall and mounted almost to the very spot where they could see Thenardier. This flue, then much damaged and full of cracks, has since fallen, but the marks of it are still visible.
It was very narrow.
"One might get up by the help of that," said Montparnasse.
"By that flue?" exclaimed Babet, "a grown-up cove, never! it would take a brat."
"A br