Chapter 67 Eleven Shangmadi is even more inexplicable

Indeed it was him.The recorder's light was shining on his face.He held his hat in his hand, and there was no irregularity in his dress, his frock coat was buttoned properly.His face was extremely pale, and his body trembled slightly.His hair was grizzled when he first arrived in Arras, but now it is completely white.He's been here for an hour, and his hair has all turned white. Everyone's heads stood up.The tension was indescribable, and the audience was stunned for a moment.The man's voice was so sad, and he himself was so calm, that at first no one knew what was going on.Everyone was asking in their hearts who made such a cry.No one could have imagined that it was this calm-looking man who uttered such a frightening cry.

The surprise lasted only a few seconds.Before the president and the prosecutor had time to say a word, and before the bailiff and the bailiff had time to make a movement, this man, who was still called M. In front of Shibai and Chenijie. "Don't you know me?" he said. All three of them were at a loss, shaking their heads, indicating that they didn't know him at all.M. Madeleine, turning to the jurors and court officials, said politely: "Gentlemen of the jury, release the accused. Monsieur President, arrest me. It is not he who you want to arrest, but I. I am Jean Valjean."

Everyone held their breath.After the initial alarm, a grave silence followed.All those present at that time were overwhelmed by a sense of religious awe, which happens when extraordinary people do extraordinary things. At this moment, the president's face showed sympathy and sorrow.He lost a wink with the prosecutor, and whispered a few words to the jury consultants.He turned to the audience and asked in a tone that everyone knew: "Is there a doctor here?" The Prosecutor stated: "Gentlemen of the jury, this unexpected, abrupt, and disturbing event has left me with a feeling which I cannot explain, and which you must share. You all know the venerable mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, M. Madeleine, At least I have heard of his name. If there is a doctor in the audience, we agree with the proposal of the President to ask him to come out to the care of M. Madeleine and accompany him back."

M. Madeleine did not let the prosecutor finish.He interrupted him in a very gentle yet very strong tone.The following is his speech, which was written down immediately after leaving the hall by an observer who was present that day, without changing a single word; those who heard these words, it has been almost forty years, still feel that the lingering sound is still there. ears. "I thank you, Mr. Prosecutor, I am not out of my mind. You will know. You are almost on the verge of a great mistake. Release this man quickly, I do my part, I am this unfortunate criminal. I Here's the only one who knows the truth, and I'm telling the truth. God above sees what I'm doing, and that's enough. You can arrest me, now that I'm here. I I used to work hard to do good, I hid behind a name, I made a fortune, I became the mayor; I wanted to go back to the ranks of good people. It doesn’t seem to work. All in all, there are many things I am now I can't say, I don't want to tell you all about my life, but it will be known someday. It's true that I stole from the bishop; Yes. You have been told that Jean Valjean was a very wicked man, and you are right. It may not be entirely his fault. Listen to me, gentlemen, a slut like me should not be. A reproach to God, and no advice to society. But beware, the humiliation, which I tried to avenge, is a pernicious thing. Prisons make prisoners. Here, if you will, Think more from the above. Before I was imprisoned, I was a poor, unintelligent and stupid person in the countryside. Prison changed me. I used to be stupid, but then I was fierce; .In the end, tolerance and kindness saved me, just as cruelty ruined me. But forgive me, you don't understand what I say. In the ashes of my hearth, you can find a man worth four Ten sous in silver, which I robbed little Rilvat seven years ago. I have nothing more to say. Put me in charge. My God! Mr. Prosecutor, you shake your head and say:' Monsieur Madeleine is mad. 'You don't believe me! It hurts me so much. At any rate, you won't condemn this man! What! These people don't recognize me! Javert is not here, he will recognize me. I'm here, him."

No words could express the poignancy and benevolence of his tone. He turned to the three prisoners: "Well, I know you, me! Brevett! Do you remember? . . . " He stopped, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Do you remember that braided tartan suspender you used to wear in prison?" Startled, Bravet looked him from head to toe.He continued: "Schönig, you nicknamed yourself Zhnij. You have deep fire scars all over your right shoulder, because one day you leaned your shoulder on a big pot of red coals and wanted to The letters 'TFP' were wiped out, but not burned. Answer, has this ever happened?"

"I have," Scheneger said. He said to Ghoshbai again: "Beside the crook of your left elbow, Ghoshbai, there is a date in blue letters made of burnt acne. This date is the day the Emperor landed from Cannes, March 1, 1815. Roll up your sleeves." Ghoshbayi rolled up his sleeves, and people around him stretched their necks and stared at his bare arms.One of the bailiffs brought in a lamp, which had the date on it. The unfortunate man turned his face to the audience, and then to the judge, with a smile that those who were there to witness that day still find it hard to recall.It is the smile of the moment of victory, and the smile of the moment of despair.

"You understand now," said he, "that I am Jean Valjean." In this rotunda, there are no longer any judges, no plaintiffs, no bailiffs, only dazed eyes and sad hearts.Everyone can't remember what they are going to do. The prosecutor has forgotten where he was to report and accuse, the judge has forgotten where he was to preside over the trial, and the defendant's defender has forgotten where he was to defend.The most touching thing is that no one asked any questions, and no one carried out the task.The most sublime spectacle captures the hearts of all, and turns all witnesses into spectators.At this time, perhaps no one could understand exactly how he felt, and certainly no one thought that what he saw was a strong radiance, but everyone felt that their hearts had been illuminated.

It was obvious that it was Jean Valjean who stood before them.It is simply radiation of light.The appearance of this person is enough to clarify the case that was still so confusing just now.No need for further explanation, the whole group seemed to be enlightened with lightning speed, and immediately understood and saw clearly at a glance the simple and magnificent history of the man who gave his life to avenge his wrong.All the little things he had experienced, all the hesitation, the little resistance he might have had, all disappeared in this open and aboveboard magnanimity. Although this impression passed in an instant, it was irresistible in that instant.

"I don't want to disturb the court any more," continued Jean Valjean, "and since you will not arrest me, I will go. I have several things to do. The prosecutor knows who I am, and he knows where I am going." He can send someone to arrest me at any time." He walked towards the exit.No one spoke, no one stretched out their arms to stop him.Everyone split to either side.He had an indescribable power at that time, causing the crowd to retreat, and they lined up to let him pass, and he slowly walked through the crowd step by step.No one will ever know who opened the door, but when he walked to the door, the door did open.When he reached the door, he turned and said:

"Mr. Prosecutor, I will wait for your handling." Then he said to the audience: "Everyone of you here, you feel sorry for me, don't you? My God! I feel enviable when I think of what I've just been doing. But I'd rather be these Nothing ever happened." When he goes out, the door closes automatically, just as it opened automatically just now. A man of integrity can always find someone to serve him in the crowd. In less than an hour, the jury's decision dismissed all the charges against Shang Madi. Shang Madi, who was released immediately, was so surprised that he left inexplicably, thinking that the people present were all lunatics, and he didn't understand what he saw at all. What's going on.