 Thénardier attempts to blackmail Marius with what he knows of Valjean, but in doing so, he inadvertently corrects Marius's misconceptions about Valjean and reveals all of the good he has done.He tries to convince Marius that Valjean is actually a murderer, and presents the piece of coat he tore off as evidence.Stunned, Marius recognizes the fabric as part of his own coat and realizes that it was Valjean who rescued him from the barricade.