 In 1828, Vidocq, already saved one of the workers in his paper factory by lifting a heavy cart on his shoulders as Valjean does.Hugo's description of Valjean rescuing a sailor on the "Orion" drew almost word for word on a friend's letter describing such an incident.On 22 February 1846, when he had begun work on the novel, Hugo witnessed the arrest of a bread thief while a Duchess and her child watched the scene pitilessly from their coach.