(Javert and his constables break up the fight. Valjean picks himself up and looks for Cosette, who is with Marius)

JAVERT
Another brawl in the square
Another stink in the air!
Was there a witness to this?

(Marius steps forward)

Well, let him speak to Javert!
M'sieur, the streets are not safe,
But let these vermin beware
We'll see that justice is done!

Look upon this fine collection
Crawled from underneath a stone
This swarm of worms and maggots
Could have picked you to the bone!

I know this man over here
I know his name and his trade
And on your witness, M'sieur,
We'll see him suitably paid.

(Valjean and Cosette have disappeared)

But where's the gentleman gone?
And why on earth did he run?

(Marius runs off to find Cosette)

THENARDIER
You will have a job to catch him
He's the one you should arrest
No more bourgeois when you scratch him
Than that brand upon his chest!

(The constables search for Valjean)

JAVERT
Could it be he's some old jailbird
That the tide now washes in
Heard my name and started running
Had the brand upon his skin
And the girl who stood beside him
When I turned they both had gone
Could he be the man I've hunted?
Could it be he's Jean Valjean?

THENARDIER
In the absence of a victim,
Dear Inspector, may I go?
And remember when you've nicked him,
It was me who told you so!

JAVERT
Let the old man keep on running
I will run him off his feet!

Everyone about your business!
Clear this garbage off the street!