第18章

`Ithinkyoumaytakethatliberty,"theDoctoranswered,smiling.

`Forgracioussake,don"ttalkaboutLiberty;wehavequiteenoughofthat,"saidMissPross.

`Hush,dear!Again?"Lucieremonstrated.

`Well,mysweet,"saidMissPross,noddingherheademphatically,`theshortandthelongofitis,thatIamasubjectofHisMostGraciousMajestyKingGeorgetheThird;"MissProsscurtseyedatthename;`andassuch,mymaximis,Confoundtheirpolitics,Frustratetheirknavishtricks,Onhimourhopeswefix,GodsavetheKing!"

Mr.Cruncher,inanaccessofloyalty,growlinglyrepeatedthewordsafterMissPross,likesomebodyatchurch.

`IamgladyouhavesomuchoftheEnglishmaninyou,thoughIwishyouhadnevertakenthatcoldinyourvoice,"saidMissPross,approvingly.`Butthequestion,DoctorManette.Isthere"——itwasthegoodcreature"swaytoaffecttomakelightofanythingthatwasagreatanxietywiththemall,andtocomeatitinthischancemanner——"isthereanyprospectyet,ofourgettingoutofthisplace?"

`Ifearnotyet.ItwouldbedangerousforCharlesyet."

`Heigh-ho-hum!"saidMissPross,cheerfullyrepressingasighassheglancedatherdarling"sgoldenhairinthelightofthefire,`thenwemusthavepatienceandwait:that"sall.Wemustholdupourheadsandfightlow,asmybrotherSolomonusedtosay.Now,Mr.Cruncher!——Don"tyoumove,Ladybird!"

Theywentout,leavingLucie,andherhusband,herfather,andthechild,byabrightfire.Mr.LorrywasexpectedbackpresentlyfromtheBankingHouse.MissProsshadlightedthelamp,buthadputitasideinacorner,thattheymightenjoythefire-lightundisturbed.LittleLuciesatbyhergrandfatherwithherhandsclaspedthroughhisarm:andhe,inatonenotrisingmuchaboveawhisper,begantotellherastoryofagreatandpowerfulFairywhohadopenedaprison-wallandletoutacaptivewhohadoncedonetheFairyaservice.Allwassubduedandquiet,andLuciewasmoreateasethanshehadbeen.

`Whatisthat?"shecried,allatonce.

`Mydear!"saidherfather,stoppinginhisstory,andlayinghishandonhers,`commandyourself.Whatadisorderedstateyouarein!Theleastthing——nothing——startlesyou!You,yourfather"sdaughter!"

`Ithought,myfather,"saidLucie,excusingherself,withapalefaceandinafalteringvoice,`thatIheardstrangefeetuponthestairs."

`Mylove,thestaircaseisasstillasDeath."Ashesaidtheword,ablowwasstruckuponthedoor.

`Ohfather,father.Whatcanthisbe!HideCharles.Savehim!"

`Mychild,"saidtheDoctor,rising,andlayinghishanduponhershoulder,`Ihavesavedhim.Whatweaknessisthis,mydear!Letmegotothedoor."

Hetookthelampinhishand,crossedthetwointerveningouterrooms,andopenedit.Arudeclatteringoffeetoverthefloor,andfourroughmeninredcaps,armedwithsabresandpistols,enteredtheroom.

`TheCitizenEvrémonde,calledDarnay,"saidthefirst.`Whoseekshim?"answeredDarnay.

`Iseekhim.Weseekhim.Iknowyou,Evrémonde;IsawyoubeforetheTribunalto-day.YouareagaintheprisoneroftheRepublic."

Thefoursurroundedhim,wherehestoodwithhiswifeandchildclingingtohim.

`TellmehowandwhyamIagainaprisoner?"

`ItisenoughthatyoureturnstraighttotheConciergerie,andwillknowto-morrow.Youaresummonedforto-morrow."

Dr.Manette,whomthisvisitationhadsoturnedintostone,thathestoodwiththelampinhishand,asifhewereastatuemadetoholdit,movedafterthesewordswerespoken,putthelampdown,andconfrontingthespeaker,andtakinghim,notungently,bytheloosefrontofhisredwoollenshirt,said:

`Youknowhim,youhavesaid.Doyouknowme?"

`Yes,Iknowyou,CitizenDoctor."

`Weallknowyou,CitizenDoctor,"saidtheotherthree.

Helookedabstractedlyfromonetoanother,andsaid,inalowervoice,afterapause:

`Willyouanswerhisquestiontomethen?Howdoesthishappen?"

`CitizenDoctor,"saidthefirst,reluctantly,`hehasbeendenouncedtotheSectionofSaintAntoine.Thiscitizen,"pointingoutthesecondwhohadentered,`isfromSaintAntoine."

Thecitizenhereindicatednoddedhishead,andadded:`HeisaccusedbySaintAntoine."

`Ofwhat?"askedtheDoctor.

`CitizenDoctor,"saidthefirst,withhisformerreluctance,`asknomore.IftheRepublicdemandssacrificesfromyou,withoutdoubtyouasagoodpatriotwillbehappytomakethem.TheRepublicgoesbeforeall.ThePeopleissupreme.Evrémonde,wearepressed."

`Oneword,"theDoctorentreated.`Willyoutellmewhodenouncedhim?"

`Itisagainstrule,"answeredthefirst;`butyoucanaskHimofSaintAntoinehere."

TheDoctorturnedhiseyesuponthatman.Whomoveduneasilyonhisfeet,rubbedhisbeardalittle,andatlengthsaid:

`Well!Trulyitisagainstrule.Butheisdenounced-andgravely-bytheCitizenandCitizenessDefarge.Andbyoneother.

`Whatother?"

`Doyouask,CitizenDoctor?"

`Yes."

`Then,"saidheofSaintAntoine,withastrangelook,`youwillbeansweredto-morrow.Now,Iamdumb!"

CHAPTERVIII

AHandatCards

HAPPILYunconsciousofthenewcalamityathome,MissProssthreadedherwayalongthenarrowstreetsandcrossedtheriverbythebridgeofthePont-Neufreckoninginhermindthenumberofindispensablepurchasesshehadtomake.Mr.Cruncher,withthebasket,walkedatherside.Theybothlookedtotherightandtotheleftintomostoftheshopstheypassed,hadawaryeyeforallgregariousassemblagesofpeople,andturnedoutoftheirroadtoavoidanyveryexcitedgroupoftalkers.Itwasarawevening,andthemistyriver,blurredtotheeyewithblazinglightsandtotheearwithharshnoises,showedwherethebargeswerestationedinwhichthesmithsworked,makinggunsfortheArmyoftheRepublic.WoetothemanwhoplayedtrickswiththatArmy,orgotundeservedpromotioninit!Betterforhimthathisbeardhadnevergrown,fortheNationalRazorshavedhimclose.

Havingpurchasedafewsmallarticlesofgrocery,andameasureofoilforthelamp,MissProssbethoughtherselfofthewinetheywanted.Afterpeepingintoseveralwine-shops,shestoppedatthesignofTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity,notfarfromtheNationalPalace,once(andtwice)theTuileries,wheretheaspectofthingsrathertookherfancy.Ithadaquieterlookthananyotherplaceofthesamedescriptiontheyhadpassed,and,thoughredwithpatrioticcaps,wasnotsoredastherest.SoundingMr.Cruncher,andfindinghimofheropinion,MissProssresortedtoTheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity,attendedbyhercavalier.

Slightlyobservantofthesmokylights;ofthepeople,pipeinmouth,playingwithlimpcardsandyellowdominoes;oftheonebare-breasted,bare-armed,soot-begrimedworkmanreadingajournalaloud,andoftheotherslisteningtohim;oftheweaponsworn,orlaidasidetoberesumed;ofthetwoorthreecustomersfallenforwardasleep,whointhepopularhigh-shoulderedshaggyblackspencerlooked,inthatattitude,likeslumberingbearsordogs;thetwooutlandishcustomersapproachedthecounter,andshowedwhattheywanted.

Astheirwinewasmeasuringout,amanpartedfromanothermaninacomer,androsetodepart.Ingoing,hehadtofaceMissPross.Nosoonerdidhefaceher,thanMissProssutteredascream,andclappedherhands.

Inamoment,thewholecompanywereontheirfeet.Thatsomebodywasassassinatedbysomebodyvindicatingadifferenceofopinionwasthelikeliestoccurrence.Everybodylookedtoseesomebodyfall,butonlysawamanandawomanstandingstaringateachother;themanwithalltheoutwardaspectofaFrenchmanandathoroughRepublicansthewoman,evidentlyEnglish.

Whatwassaidinthisdisappointinganti-climax,bythedisciplesoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity,exceptthatitwassomethingveryvolubleandloud,wouldhavebeenassomuchHebreworChaldeantoMissProssandherprotector,thoughtheyhadbeenallears.But,theyhadnoearsforanythingintheirsurprise.For,itmustberecorded,thatnotonlywasMissProsslostinamazementandagitation,but,Mr.Cruncher——thoughitseemedonhisownseparateandindividualaccount——wasinastateofthegreatestwonder.

`Whatisthematter?"saidthemanwhohadcausedMissProsstoscream;speakinginavexed,abruptvoice(thoughinalowtone),andinEnglish.

`Oh,Solomon,dearSolomon!"criedMissPross,clappingherhandsagain.`Alternotsettingeyesuponyouorhearingofyouforsolongatime,doIfindyouhere!"

Don"tcallmeSolomon.Doyouwanttobethedeathofme?"askedtheman,inafurtive,frightenedway.

`Brother,brother!"criedMissPross,burstingintotears.`HaveIeverbeensohardwithyouthatyouaskmesuchacruelquestion?"

Thenholdyourmeddlesometongue,"saidSolomon,`andcomeout,ifyouwanttospeaktome.Payforyourwine,andcomeout.Who"sthisman?"

MissPross,shakingherlovinganddejectedhadatherbynomeansaffectionatebrother,saidthroughhertears,`Mr.Cruncher."

`Lethimcomeouttoo,"saidSolomon.`Doeshethinkmeaghost?"

Apparently,Mr.Cruncherdid,tojudgefromhislooks.Hesaidnotaword,however,andMissPross,exploringthedepthsofherreticulethroughhertearswithgreatdifficulty,paidforherwine.Asshedidso,SolomonturnedtothefollowersoftheGoodRepublicanBrutusofAntiquity,andofferedafewwordsofexplanationintheFrenchlanguage,whichcausedthemalltorelapseintotheirformerplacesandpursuits.

`Now,"saidSolomon,stoppingatthedarkstreetcorner,`whatdoyouwant?"

`Howdreadfullyunkindinabrothernothinghaseverturnedmyloveawayfrom!"criedMissPross,`togivemesuchagreeting,andshowmenoaffection."

`There.Con-foundit!There,"saidSolomon,makingadabatMissPross"slipswithhisown.`Nowareyoucontent?"

MissProssonlyshookherheadandweptinsilence.

`Ifyouexpectmetobesurprised,"saidherbrotherSolomon,`Iamnotsurprised;Iknewyouwerehere;Iknowofmostpeoplewhoarehere.Ifyoureallydon"twanttoendangermyexistence——whichIhalfbelieveyoudo——goyourwaysassoonaspossible,andletmegomine.Iambusy.Iamanofficial."

`MyEnglishbrotherSolomon,"mournedMissPross,castinguphertear-fraughteyes,`thathadthemakingsinhimofoneofthebestandgreatestofmeninhisnativecountry,anofficialamongforeigners,andsuchforeigners!Iwouldalmostsoonerhaveseenthedearboylyinginhis——"

`Isaidso!"criedherbrother,interrupting.`Iknewit.Youwanttobethedeathofme.IshallberenderedSuspected,bymyownsister.JustasIamgettingon!"

`ThegraciousandmercifulHeavensforbid!"criedMissPross.`FarratherwouldIneverseeyouagain,dearSolomon,thoughIhaveeverlovedyoutruly,andevershall.Saybutoneaffectionatewordtome,andtellmethereisnothingangryorestrangedbetweenus,andIwilldetainyounolonger."

GoodMissPross!Asiftheestrangementbetweenthemhadcomeofanyculpabilityofhers.AsifMr.Lorryhadnotknownitforafact,yearsago,inthequietcornerinSoho,thatthispreciousbrotherhadspenthermoneyandlefther!

Hewassayingtheaffectionateword,however,withafarmoregrudgingcondescensionandpatronagethanliecouldhaveshowniftheirrelativemeritsandpositionshadbeenreversed(whichisinvariablythecase,alltheworldover),whenMr.Cruncher,touchinghimontheshoulder,hoarselyandunexpectedlyinterposedwiththefollowingsingularquestion:

`Isay!MightIaskthefavour?AstowhetheryournameisJohnSolomon,orSolomonJohn?"

Theofficialturnedtowardshimwithsuddendistrust.Hehadnotpreviouslyutteredaword.

`Come!"saidMr.Cruncher.`Speakout,youknow."(Which,bytheway,wasmorethanhecoulddohimself.)`JohnSolomon,orSolomonJohn?ShecallsyouSolomon,andshemustknow,beingyoursister.AndIknowyou"reJohn,youknow.Whichofthetwogoesfirst?AndregardingthatnameofPross,likewise.Thatwarn"tyournameoverthewater.

`Whatdoyoumean?"

`Well,Idon"tknowallImean,,forIcan"tcalltomindMatyournamewas,overthewater.

`No.ButI"llswearitwasanameoftwosyllables."

`Indeed?"

`Yes.T"otherone"swasonesyllable.Iknowyou.Youwa,aspy-witnessattheBailey.What,inthenameoftheFatherofLies,ownfathertoyourselfwasyoucalledatthattime?"

`Barsad,"saidanothervoice,strikingin.

`That"sthenameforathousandpound!"criedJerry.

Thespeakerwhostruckin,wasSydneyCarton.Hehadhishandsbehindhimundertheskirtsofhisriding-coat,andhestoodatMr.Cruncher"selbowasnegligentlyashemighthavestoodattheOldBaileyitself.

`Don"tbealarmed,mydearMissPross.IarrivedatMr.Lorry"s,tohissurprise,yesterdayevening;weagreedthatIwouldnotpresentmyselfelsewhereuntilallwaswell,orunlessIcouldbeuseful;Ipresentmyselfhere,tobegalittletalkwithyourbrother.IwishyouhadabetteremployedbrotherthanMr.Barsad.IwishforyoursakeMr.BarsadwasnotaSheepofthePrisons.

Sheepwasacantwordofthetimeforaspy,underthegaolers.Thespy,whowaspale,turnedpaler,andaskedhimhowhedared——

`I"lltellyou,"saidSydney.`Ilightedonyou,Mr.Barsad,comingoutoftheprisonoftheConciergeriewhileIwascontemplatingthewalls,anhourormoreago.Youhaveafacetoberemembered,andIrememberfaceswell.Madecuriousbyseeingyouinthatconnection,andhavingareason,towhichyouarenostranger,forassociatingyouwiththemisfortunesofafriendnowveryunfortunate,Iwalkedinyourdirection.Iwalkedintothewine-shophere,closeafteryou,andsatnearyou.Ihadnodifficultyindeducingfromyourunreservedconversation,andtherumouropenlygoingaboutamongyouradmirers,thenatureofyourcalling.Andgradually,whatIhaddoneatrandom,seemedtoshapeitselfintoapurpose,Mr.Barsad."

`Whatpurpose?"thespyasked.

`Itwouldbetroublesome,andmightbedangerous,toexplaininthestreet.Couldyoufavourme,inconfidence,withsomeminutesofyourcompany——attheofficeofTellson"sBank,forinstance?"

`Underathreat?"

`Oh!DidIsaythat?"

`Then,whyshouldIgothere?"

`Really,Mr.Barsad,Ican"tsay,ifyoucan"t."

`Doyoumeanthatyouwon"tsay,sir?"thespyirresolutelyasked.

`Youapprehendmeveryclearly,Mr.Barsad.Iwon"t."

Carton"snegligentrecklessnessofmannercamepowerfullyinaidofhisquicknessandskill,insuchabusinessashehadinhissecretmind,andwithsuchamanashehadtodowith.Hispractisedeyesawit,andmadethemostofit.

`Now,Itoldyouso,"saidthespy,castingareproachfullookathissister;`ifanytroublecomesofthis,it"syourdoing."

`Come,come,Mr.Barsad!"exclaimedSydney.`Don"tbeungrateful.Butformygreatrespectforyoursister,ImightnothaveledupsopleasantlytoalittleproposalthatIwishtomakeforourmutualsatisfaction.DoyougowithmetotheBank?"

`I"llhearwhatyouhavegottosay.Yes,I`llgowithyou."

`Iproposethatwefirstconductyoursistersafelytothecornerofherownstreet.Letmetakeyourarm,MissPross.Thisisnotagoodcity,atthistime,foryoutobeoutin,unprotected;andasyourescortknowsMr.Barsad,IwillinvitehimtoMr.Lorry"swithus.Areweready?Comethen!"

MissProssrecalledsoonafterwards,andtotheendofherliferemembered,thatasshepressedherhandsonSydney"sarmandlookedupinhisface,imploringhimtodonohurttoSolomon,therewasabracedpurposeinthearmandakindofinspirationintheeyes,whichnotonlycontradictedhislightmanner,butchangedandraisedtheman.Shewastoomuchoccupiedthenwithfearsforthebrotherwhosolittledeservedheraffection,andwithSydney"sfriendlyreassurances,adequatelytoheedwhatsheobserved.

Theyleftheratthecornerofthestreet,andCartonledthewaytoMr.Lorry"s,whichwaswithinafewminutes"walk.JohnBarsad,orSolomonPross,walkedathisside.

Mr.Lorryhadjustfinishedhisdinner,andwassittingbeforeacheerylittlelogortwooffire——perhapslookingintotheirblazeforthepictureofthatyoungerelderlygentlemanfromTellson"s,whohadlookedintotheredcoalsattheRoyalGeorgeatDover,nowagoodmanyyearsago.Heturnedhisheadastheyentered,andshowedthesurprisewithwhichhesawastranger.

`MissPross"sbrother,sir,"saidSydney.`Mr.Barsad."

`Barsad?"repeatedtheoldgentleman,`Barsad?Ihaveanassociationwiththename-andwiththeface."

`Itoldyouyouhadaremarkableface,Mr.Barsad,"observedCarton,coolly`Praysitdown."

AshetookachairhimselfhesuppliedthelinkthatMr.Lorrywanted,bysayingtohimwithafrown,`Witnessatthattrial."Mr.Lorryimmediatelyremembered,andregardedhisnewvisitorwithanundisguisedlookofabhorrence.

`Mr.BarsadhasbeenrecognisedbyMissProssastheaffectionatebrotheryouhaveheardof"saidSydney,`andhasacknowledgedtherelationship.Ipasstoworsenews.Darnayhasbeenarrestedagain."

Struckwithconsternation,theoldgentlemanexclaimed,`WhatdoyoutellmeIlefthimsafeandfreewithinthesetwohours,andamabouttoreturntohim!"

`Arrestedforallthat.Whenwasitdone,Mr.Barsad?"

`Justnow,ifatall."

`Mr.Barsadisthebestauthoritypossible,sir,"saidSydney,`andIhaveitfromMr.Barsad"scommunicationtoafriendandbrotherSheepoverabottleofwine,thatthearresthastakenplace.Heleftthemessengersatthegate,andsawthemadmittedbytheporter.Thereisnoearthlydoubtthatheisretaken."

Mr.Lorry"sbusinesseyereadinthespeaker"sfacethatitwaslossoftimetodwelluponthepoint.Confused,butsensiblethatsomethingmightdependonhispresenceofmind,hecommandedhimselfandwassilentlyattentive.

`Now,Itrust,"saidSydneytohim,`thatthenameandinfluenceofDoctorManettemaystandhiminasgoodsteadto-morrowyousaidhewouldbebeforetheTribunalagainto-morrow,Mr.Barsad?——"

`Yes;Ibelieveso."

`——Inasgoodsteadto-morrowasto-day.Butitmaynotbeso.Iowntoyou,Iamshaken,Mr.Lorry,byDoctorManette"snothavinghadthepowertopreventthisarrest.

`Hemaynothaveknownofitbeforehand,"saidMr.Lorry.`Butthatverycircumstancewouldbealarming,whenwerememberhowidentifiedheiswithhisson-in-law."

`That"strue,"Mr.Lorryacknowledged,withhistroubledhandathischin,andhistroubledeyesonCarton.

`Inshort,"saidSydney,`thisisadesperatetime,whendesperategamesareplayedfordesperatestakes.LettheDoctorplaythewinninggame;Iwillplaythelosingone.Noman"slifehereisworthpurchase.Anyonecarriedhomebythepeopleto-day,maybecondemnedto-morrow.Now,thestakeIhaveresolvedtoplayfor,incaseoftheworst,isafriendintheConciergerie.AndthefriendIpurposetomyselftowin,isMr.Barsad."

`Youneedhavegoodcards,sir,"saidthespy.

`I"llrunthemover.I"llseewhatIhold——Mr.Lorry,youknowwhatabruteIam;Iwishyou"dgivemealittlebrandy."

Itwasputbeforehim,andhedrankoffaglassful——rankoffanotherglassful——pushedthebottlethoughtfullyaway.

`Mr.Barsad,"hewentone`inthetoneofonewhoreallywaslookingoverahandatcards:`Sheepoftheprisons,emissaryofRepublicancommittees,nowturnkey,nowprisoner,alwaysspyandsecretinformer,somuchthemorevaluablehereforbeingEnglishthatanEnglishmanislessopentosuspicionofsubornationinthosecharactersthanaFrenchman,representshimselftohisemployersunderafalsename.That"saverygoodcard.Mr.Barsad,nowintheemployoftherepublicanFrenchgovernment,wasformer!yintheemployofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment,theenemyofFranceandfreedom.That"sanexcellentcard.Inferenceclearasdayinthisregionofsuspicion,thatMr.Barsad,stillinthepayofthearistocraticEnglishgovernment,isthespyofPitt,thetreacherousfoeoftheRepubliccrouchinginitsbosom,theEnglishtraitorandagentofallmischiefsomuchspokenofandsodifficulttofind.That"sacardnottobebeaten.Haveyoufollowedmyhand,Mr.Barsad?"

`Notto`understandyourplay,"returnedthespy,somewhatuneasily.

`IplaymyAce,DenunciationofMr.BarsadtothenearestSectionCommittee.Lookoveryourhand,Mr.Barsad,andseewhatyouhave.Don"thurry."

Hedrewthebottlenear,pouredoutanotherglassfulofbrandy,anddrankitoff.Hesawthatthespywasfearfulofhisdrinkinghimselfintoafitstatefortheimmediatedenunciationofhim.Seeingit,hepouredoutanddrankanotherglassful.

Lookoveryourhandcarefully,Mr.Barsad.Taketime."Itwasapoorerhandthanhesuspected.Mr.BarsadsawlosingcardsinitthatSydneyCartonknewnothingof.ThrownoutofhishonourableemploymentinEngland,throughtoomuchunsuccessfulhardswearingthere——notbecausehewasnotwantedthere:ourEnglishreasonsforvauntingoursuperioritytosecrecyandspiesareofverymoderndate——heknewthathehadcrossedtheChannel,andacceptedserviceinFrance:first,asatempterandaneavesdropperamonghisowncountrymenthere:gradually,asatempterandaneavesdropperamongthenatives.HeknewthatundertheoverthrowngovernmenthehadbeenaspyuponSaintAntoineandDefarge"swine-shop;hadreceivedfromthewatchfulpolicesuchheadsofinformationconcerningDoctorManette"simprisonment,release,andhistory,asshouldservehimforanintroductiontofamiliarconversationwiththeDefarges;andtriedthemonMadameDefarge,andhadbrokendownwiththemsignally.Healwaysrememberedwithfearandtrembling,thatthatterriblewomanhadknittedwhenhetalkedwithher,andhadlookedominouslyathimasherfingersmoved.Hehadsinceseenher,intheSectionofSaintAntoine,overandoveragainproduceherknittedregisters,anddenouncepeoplewhoselivestheguillotinethensurelyswallowedup.Heknew,aseveryoneemployedashewasdid,thathewasneversafe;thatflightwasimpossible;thathewastiedfastundertheshadowoftheaxe;andthatinspiteofhisutmosttergiversationandtreacheryinfurtheranceofthereigningterror,awordmightbringitdownuponhim.Oncedenounced,andonsuchgravegroundsashadjustnowbeensuggestedtohismind,heforesawthatthedreadfulwomanofwhoseunrelentingcharacterhehadseenmanyproofs,wouldproduceagainsthimthatfatalregister,andwouldquashhislastchanceoflife.Besidesthatallsecretmenaremensoonterrified,hereweresurelycardsenoughofoneblacksuit,tojustifytheholderingrowingratherlividasheturnedthemover.

`Youscarcelyseemtolikeyourhand,"saidSydney,withthegreatestcomposure.`Doyouplay?"

`Ithink,sir,"saidthespy,inthemeanestmanner,asheturnedtoMr.Lorry,`Imayappealtoagentlemanofyouryearsandbenevolence,toputittothisothergentleman,somuchyourjunior,whetherhecanunderanycircumstancesreconcileittohisstationtoplaythatAceofwhichhehasspoken.IadmitthatIamaspy,andthatitisconsideredadiscreditablestation——thoughitmustbefilledbysomebody;butthisgentlemanisnospy,andwhyshouldhesodemeanhimselfastomakehimselfone?"

`IplaymyAce,Mr.Barsad,"saidCarton,takingtheansweronhimself,andlookingathiswatch,`withoutanyscrupleinaveryfewminutes."

`Ishouldhavehoped,gentlemenboth,"saidthespy,alwaysstrivingtohookMr.Lorryintothediscussion,`thatyourrespectformysister——"

`Icouldnotbettertestifymyrespectforyoursisterthanbyfinallyrelievingherofherbrother,"saidSydneyCarton.

`Youthinknot,sir?"

`Ihavethoroughlymadeupmymindaboutit."

Thesmoothmannerofthespy,curiouslyindissonancewithhisostentatiouslyroughdress,andprobablywithhisusualdemeanour,receivedsuchacheckfromtheinscrutabilityofCarton,——whowasamysterytowiserandhonestermenthanhe,——thatitfalteredhereandfailedhim.Whilehewasataloss,Cartonsaid,resuminghisformerairofcontemplatingcards:

`Andindeed,nowIthinkagain,IhaveastrongimpressionthatIhaveanothergoodcardhere,notyetenumerated.Thatfriendandfellow-Sheep,whospokeofhimselfaspasturinginthecountryprisons;whowashe?"

`French.Youdon"tknowhim,"saidthespyquickly.

`French,eh!"repeatedCarton,musing,andnotappearingtonoticehimatall,thoughheechoedhisword.`Well;hemaybe."

`Is,Iassureyou,"saidthespy;`thoughit"snotimportant."`Thoughit"snotimportant,"repeatedCartoninthesamemechanicalway——"thoughit"snotimportantNo,it"snotimportant.No.YetIknowtheface."

`Ithinknot.Iamsurenot.Itcan"tbe,"saidthespy.

`It——can"t——be,"mutteredSydneyCarton,retrospectively,andfillinghisglass(whichfortunatelywasasmallone)again.`Can"t——be.SpokegoodFrench.Yetlikeaforeigner,Ithought?"

`Provincial,"saidthespy.

`No.Foreign!"criedCarton,strikinghisopenhandonthetable,asalightbrokeclearlyonhismind.`Cly!Disguised,butthesameman.WehadthatmanbeforeusattheOldBailey."

`Now,thereyouarehasty,sir,"saidBarsad,withasmilethatgavehisaquilinenoseanextrainclinationtooneside;`thereyoureallygivemeanadvantageoveryou.Cly(whoIwillunreservedlyadmit,atthisdistanceoftime,wasapartnerofmine)hasbeendeadseveralyears.Iattendedhiminhislastillness.HewasburiedinLondon,atthechurchofSaintPancras-in-the-Fields.Hisunpopularitywiththeblackguardmultitudeatthemomentpreventedmyfollowinghisremains,butIhelpedtolayhiminhiscoffin."

Here,Mr.Lorrybecameaware,fromwherehesat,ofamostremarkablegoblinshadowonthewall.Tracingittoitssource,hediscoveredittobecausedbyasuddenextraordinaryrisingandstiffeningofalltherisenandstiffhaironMr.Cruncher"shead.

`Letusbereasonable,"saidthespy,`andletusbefair.Toshowyouhowmistakenyouare,andwhatanunfoundedassumptionyoursis,IwilllaybeforeyouacertificateofCly"sburial,whichIhappentohavecarriedinmypocket-book,"withahurriedhandheproducedandopenedit,`eversince.Thereitis.Oh,lookatit,lookatit!Youmaytakeitinyourhand;it"snoforgery."

Here,Mr.Lorryperceivedthereflectiononthewalltoelongate,andMr.Cruncherroseandsteppedforward.Hishaircouldnothavebeenmoreviolentlyonend,ifithadbeenthatmomentdressedbytheCowwiththecrumpledhorninthehousethatJackbuilt.

Unseenbythespy,Mr.Cruncherstoodathisside,andtouchedhimontheshoulderlikeaghostlybailiff.

`ThatthereRogerCly,master,"saidMr.Cruncher,withataciturnandiron-boundvisage.`Soyoubuthiminhiscoffin?"

`Idid."

`Whotookhimoutofit?"

Barsadleanedbackinhischair,andstammered,`Whatdoyoumean?"

`Imean,"saidMr.Cruncher,`thathewarn"tneverinit.No!Nothe!I"llhavemyheadtookoff,ifhewaseverinit."

Thespylookedroundatthetwogentlemen;theybothlookedinunspeakableastonishmentatJerry.

`Itellyou,"saidJerry,`thatyouburiedpaving-stonesandearthinthattherecoffin.Don"tgoandtellmethatyouburiedCly.Itwasatakein.Meandtwomoreknowsit."

`Howdoyouknowit?"

`What"sthattoyou?Ecod!"growledMr.Cruncher,`it"syouIhavegotaoldgrudgeagain,isit,withyourshamefulimpositionsupontradesmen!I"dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea."

SydneyCarton,who,withMr.Lorry,hadbeenlostinamazementatthisturnofthebusiness,hererequestedMr.Crunchertomoderateandexplainhimself.

`Atanothertime,sir,"hereturned,evasively,`thepresenttimeisill-conwenientforexplainin".WhatIstandto,is,thatheknowswellwotthatthereClywasneverinthattherecoffin.Lethimsayliewas,insomuchasawordofonesyllable,andI"lleithercatchholdofhisthroatandchokehimforhalfaguinea;"Mr.Cruncherdweltuponthisasquitealiberaloffer;`orI"lloutandannouncehim."

`Humph!Iseeonething,"saidCarton.`Iholdanothercard,Mr.Barsad.Impossible,hereinragingParis,withSuspicionfillingtheair,foryoutooutlivedenunciation,whenyouareincommunicationwithanotheraristocraticspyofthesameantecedentsasyourselfwho,moreover,hasthemysteryabouthimofhavingfeigneddeathandcometolifeagain!Aplotintheprisons,oftheforeigneragainsttheRepublic.Astrongcard——acertainGuillotinecard!Doyouplay?"

`No!"returnedthespy.`Ithrowup.Iconfessthatweweresounpopularwiththeoutrageousmob,thatIonlygotawayfromEnglandattheriskofbeingduckedtodeath,andthatClywassoferretedupanddown,thatheneverwouldhavegotawayatallbut[orthatsham.Thoughhowthismanknowsitwasasham,isawonderofwonderstome."

`Neveryoutroubleyourheadaboutthisman,"retortedthecontentiousMr.Cruncher;`you"llhavetroubleenoughwithgivingyourattentiontothatgentleman.Andlookhere!Oncemore!"——Mr.Crunchercouldnotberestrainedfrommakingratheranostentatiousparadeofhisliberality——`I"dcatchholdofyourthroatandchokeyouforhalfaguinea."

TheSheepoftheprisonsturnedfromhimtoSydneyCarton,andsaid,withmoredecision,`Ithascometoapoint.Igoondutysoon,andcan"toverstaymytime.Youtoldmeyouhadaproposal;whatisit?Now,itisofnouseaskingtoomuchofme.Askmetodoanythinginmyoffice,puttingmyheadingreatextradanger,andIhadbettertrustmylifetothechancesofarefusalthanthechancesofconsent.Inshort,Ishouldmakethatchoice.Youtalkofdesperation.Wearealldesperatehere.Remember!ImaydenounceyouifIthinkproper,andIcanswearmywaythroughstonewalls,andsocanothers.Now,whatdoyouwantwithme?"

`Notverymuch.YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?"

`Itellyouonceforall,thereisnosuchthingasanescapepossible,"saidthespy,firmly.

`WhyneedyoutellmewhatIhavenotasked?YouareaturnkeyattheConciergerie?"

`Iamsometimes."

`Youcanbewhenyouchoose."

`IcanpassinandoutwhenIchoose."

`SydneyCartonfilledanotherglasswithbrandy,poureditslowlyoutuponthehearth,andwatcheditasitdropped.Itbeingallspent,hesaid,rising:

`Sofar,wehavespokenbeforethesetwo,becauseitwasaswellthatthemeritsofthecardsshouldnotrestsolelybetweenyouandme.Comeintothedarkroomhere,andletushaveonefinalwordalone."

CHAPTERIX

TheGameMade

WHILESydneyCartonandtheSheepoftheprisonswereintheadjoiningdarkroom,speakingsolowthatnotasoundwasheard,Mr.LorrylookedatJerryinconsiderabledoubtandmistrust.Thathonesttradesman"smannerofreceivingthelook,didnotinspireconfidence;hechangedthelegonwhichherested,asoftenasifhehadfiftyofthoselimbs,andweretryingthemall;heexaminedhisfinger-nailswithaveryquestionableclosenessofattention;andwheneverMr.Lorry"seyecaughthis,hewastakenwiththatpeculiarkindofshortcoughrequiringthehollowofahandbeforeit,whichisseldom,ifever,knowntobeaninfirmityattendantonperfectopennessofcharacter.

`Jerry,"saidMr.Lorry.`Comehere."

Mr.Crunchercameforwardsideways,withoneofhisshouldersinadvanceofhim.

`Whathaveyoubeen,besidesamessenger?"

Aftersomecogitation,accompaniedwithanintentlookathispatron,Mr.Cruncherconceivedtheluminousideaofreplying,`Agricultooralcharacter."

`Mymindmisgivesmemuch,"saidMr.Lorry,angrilyshakingaforefingerathim,`thatyouhaveusedtherespectableandgreathouseofTellson"sasablind,andthatyouhavehadanunlawfuloccupationofaninfamousdescription.Ifyouhave,don"texpectmetobefriendyouwhenyougetbacktoEngland.Ifyouhave,don"texpectmetokeepyoursecret.Tellson"sshallnotbeimposedupon."

`Ihope,sir,"pleadedtheabashedMr.Cruncher,`thatagentlemanlikeyourselfwotI"vehadthehonourofoddjobbingtillI"mgreyatit,wouldthinktwiceaboutharmingofme,evenifitwos,——soIdon"tsayitis,butevenifitwos.Andwhichitistobetookintoaccountthatifitwos,itwouldn"t,eventhen,beallo"oneside.There"dbetwosidestoit.Theremightbemedicaldoctorsatthepresenthour,apickinguptheirguineaswhereahonesttradesmandon"tpickuphisfardens——fardens!no,noryethishalffardens——halffardens!no,noryethisquarter——abankingawaylikesmokeatTellson"s,andacockingtheirmedicaleyesatthattradesmanonthesly,agoinginandgoingouttotheirowncarriages——ah!equallylikesmoke,ifnotmoreso.Well,that"udbeimposing,too,onTellson"s.Foryoucannotsarsethegooseandnotthegander.Andhere"sMrs.Cruncher,orleastwayswosintheOldEnglandtimes,andwouldbeto-morrow,ifcausegiven,afloppin"againthebusinesstothatdegreeasisruinatingstarkruinating!Whereasthemmedicaldoctors"wivesdon"tflop——catch"ematit!Or,iftheyflop,theirfloppingsgoesinfavourofmorepatients,andhowcanyourightlyhaveonewithoutthet"other?Then,wotwithundertakers,andwotwithparishclerks,andwotwithsextons,andwotwithprivatewatchmen(allawariciousandallinit),amanwouldn"tgetmuchbyit,evenifitwosso.Andwotlittleamandidget,wouldneverprosperwithhim,Mr.Lorry.He"dneverhavenogoodofit;he"dwantallalongtobeoutoftheline,ifhecouldseehiswayout,beingoncein——evenifitwosso."

`Ugh!"criedMr.Lorry,ratherrelenting,nevertheless.`Iamshockedatthesightofyou."

`Now,whatIwouldhumblyoffertoyou,sir,"pursuedMr.Cruncher,`evenifitwosso,whichIdon"tsayitis——"

`Don"tprevaricate,"saidMr.Lorry.

`No,Iwillnot,sir,"returnedMr.Cruncher,asifnothingwerefurtherfromhisthoughtsorpractice——`whichIdon"tsayitis——wotIwouldhumblyoffertoyou,sir,wouldbethis.Uponthattherestool,atthatthereBar,setsthatthereboyofmine,broughtupandgroweduptobeaman,wotwillerrandyou,messageyou,general-light-jobyou,tillyourheelsiswhereyourheadis,ifsuchshouldbeyourwishes.Ifitwosso,whichIstilldon"tsayitis(forIwillnotprewaricatetoyou,sir),letthatthereboykeephisfather"splace,andtakecareofhismother;don"tblowuponthatboy"sfather——donotdoit,sir——andletthatfathergointothelineofthereg"lardiggin",andmakeamendsforwhathewouldhaveun-dug——ifitwosso——bydiggin"of"eminwithawill,andwithconwictionsrespectin"thefutur"keepin"of"emsafe.That,Mr.Lorry,"saidMr.Cruncher,wipinghisforeheadwithhisarm,asanannouncementthathehadarrivedattheperorationofhisdiscourse,`iswotIwouldrespectfullyoffertoyou,sir.Amandon"tseeallthishereagoin"ondreadfulroundhim,inthewayofSubjectswithoutheads,dearme,plentifulenoughfurtobringthepricedowntoporterageandhardlythat,withouthavin"hisseriousthoughtsofthings.Andtheseherewouldbemine,ifitwosso,entreatin"ofyoufurtobearinmindthatwotIsaidjustnow,IupandsaidinthegoodcausewhenImighthavekep"itback."

`Thatatleastistrue,"saidMr.Lorry.`Saynomorenow.ItmaybethatIshallyetstandyourfriend,ifyoudeserveit,and,repentinaction——notinwords.Iwantnomore

Mr.Cruncherknuckledhisforehead,asSydneyCartonandthespyreturnedfromthedarkroom.`Adieu,Mr.Barsad,"saidtheformer;`ourarrangementthusmade,youhavenothingtofearfromme."