# Embryonic Formation of Crimes in the Incubation of Prisons explained — Les Misérables > Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. ## What happens This chapter details the aftermath of Javert's raid on the Gorbeau hovel, focusing on the escape of several criminals and the intricate communication network within the prison system. Javert's triumph is incomplete as the main prisoner escapes, Montparnasse gets away, and Claquesous vanishes en route to prison. The narrative follows Brujon, a prisoner in La Force, who orchestrates a plot via secret messages (postilions) to Babet about an affair in the Rue Plumet. The message is passed through a chain of women—including Magnon and Éponine—but ultimately leads to a dead end ("biscuit"), though it sets other events in motion. ## Themes in this chapter ### Justice vs. Law The chapter highlights the tension between legal authority (Javert) and the criminal underworld, where justice is subverted by escapes and police connivance. ### The Human Condition and Fate The intricate web of prison communications and the miscarriage of Brujon's plot illustrate how human actions and fate intertwine, often leading to unintended consequences. ## Character check-ins ### Javert Javert's triumph at Gorbeau is incomplete; he fails to capture the main prisoner, Montparnasse escapes, and Claquesous disappears during transport. ### Montparnasse Montparnasse escapes Javert by leading Éponine away from the boulevard, preferring her company over the criminal enterprise. ### Éponine Éponine is seized by Javert and sent to Les Madelonettes, but later released; she then delivers a message from Magnon to investigate the Rue Plumet. ### Thénardier Thénardier is referenced indirectly through his daughters and his connection to Magnon, who has relations with him. ### Azelma Azelma is imprisoned with Éponine at Les Madelonettes and later released alongside her. ### The Magnon Magnon acts as a go-between, transmitting Brujon's note from the Salpêtrière to Éponine, and later receives a biscuit indicating the plan is abandoned. ### Brujon Brujon, a cunning prisoner in La Force, writes a secret note about an affair in the Rue Plumet and sends it via a postilion to Babet. ### Babet Babet, one of the heads of Patron Minette, receives Brujon's note in solitary confinement and later reports back that the plan is a 'biscuit' (nothing to be done). ## Key lines > The assassinated man who flees is more suspicious than the assassin, and it is probable that this personage, who had been so precious a capture for the ruffians, would be no less fine a prize for the authorities. A victim who escapes is considered more suspicious than the attacker, and the man who got away from the criminals would be just as valuable to the police. _Reflects Javert's frustration at losing the main prisoner._ > Often when we think we are knotting one thread, we are tying quite another. We often believe we are connecting one thing, but we are actually linking something else entirely. _Summarizes the unintended consequences of Brujon's plot._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-embryonic-formation-of-crimes-in-the-incubation-of-prisons - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters