第5章

andkeepaguardonyourtongue。”

Thedooropened，andfourmenentered。OnewasanoldmanwhomI

hadnotseenbefore；intheotherthreeIrecognizedtheworkman-likefootman，andthetwosinisterartisanswhomIhadmetatthehouse-gate。Theyallstarted，guiltilyenough，atseeingme。

"Letmeintroduceyou，"saidthedoctor，takingmebythearm。

"OldFileandYoungFile，MillandScrew——Mr。FrankSoftly。Wehavenicknamesinthisworkshop，Mr。Softly，derivedhumorouslyfromourprofessionaltoolsandmachinery。Whenyouhavebeenherelongenough，youwillgetanickname，too。Gentlemen，"hecontinued，turningtotheworkmen，"thisisanewrecruit，withaknowledgeofchemistrywhichwillbeusefultous。Heisperfectlywellawarethatthenatureofourvocationmakesussuspiciousofallnewcomers，andhe，therefore，desirestogiveyoupracticalproofthatheistobedependedon，bymakinghalf-a-crownimmediately，andsendingthesameup，alongwithourhandiwork，directedinhisownhandwriting，toourestimablecorrespondentsinLondon。Whenyouhaveallseenhimdothisofhisownfreewill，andtherebyputhisownlifeascompletelywithinthepowerofthelawaswehaveputours，youwillknowthatheisreallyoneofus，andwillbeundernoapprehensionsforthefuture。Takegreatpainswithhim，andassoonasheturnsoutatolerablyneatarticle，fromthesimpleflattedplates，underyourinspection，letmeknow。Ishalltakeafewhours"reposeonmycamp-bedinthestudy，andshallbefoundtherewheneveryouwantme。”

Henoddedtousallroundinthemostfriendlymanner，andlefttheroom。

Ilookedwithconsiderablesecretdistrustatthefourgentlemenwhoweretoinstructmeintheartofmakingfalsecoin。YoungFilewastheworkman-likefootman；OldFilewashisfather；MillandScrewwerethetwosinisterartisans。ThemanofthecompanywhoselooksIlikedleastwasScrew。Hehadwickedlittletwinklingeyes——andtheyfollowedmeabouttreacherouslywheneverImoved。"YouandI，Screw，arelikelytoquarrel，"Ithoughttomyself，asItriedvainlytostarehimoutofcountenance。

Ienteredonmynewandfeloniousfunctionsforthwith。Resistancewasuseless，andcallingforhelpwouldhavebeensheerinsanity。

Itwasmidnight；and，evensupposingthewindowshadnotbeenbarred，thehousewasamilefromanyhumanhabitation。

Accordingly，Iabandonedmyselftofatewithmyusualmagnanimity。OnlyletmeendinwinningAlicia，andIamresignedtothelossofwhateversmallshredsandpatchesofrespectabilitystillhangaboutme——suchwasmyphilosophy。I

wishIcouldhavetakenhighermoralgroundwithequallyconsolingresultstomyownfeelings。

Thesameregardforthewell-beingofsocietywhichledmetoabstainfromenteringintoparticularsonthesubjectofOldMaster-making，whenIwasapprenticedtoMr。IshmaelPickup，nowcommandsmetobeequallydiscreetonthekindredsubjectofHalf-Crown-making，undertheauspicesofOldFile，YoungFile，Mill，andScrew。

LetmemerelyrecordthatIwasakindofmachineinthehandsofthesefourskilledworkmen。Imovedfromroomtoroom，andfromprocesstoprocess，thecreatureoftheirdirectingeyesandguidinghands。Icutmyself，Iburnedmyself，Igotspeechlessfromfatigue，andgiddyfromwantofsleep。Inshort，thesunofthenewdaywashighintheheavensbeforeitwasnecessarytodisturbDoctorDulcifer。Ithadabsolutelytakenmealmostaslongtomanufactureahalf-a-crownfeloniouslyasittakesarespectablemantomakeithonestly。Thisissayingagreatdeal；

butitisliterallytrueforallthat。

Lookingquitefreshandrosyafterhisnight"ssleep，thedoctorinspectedmycoinwiththeairofaschoolmasterexaminingalittleboy"sexercise；thenhandedittoOldFiletoputthefinishedtouchesandcorrectthemistakes。Itwasafterwardreturnedtome。Myownhandplaceditinoneoftherouleauxoffalsehalf-crowns；andmyownhandalsodirectedthespuriouscoin，whenithadbeensafelypackedup，toacertainLondondealerwhowastobeonthelookoutforitbythenextnight"smail。Thatdone，myinitiationwassofarcomplete。

"Ihavesentforyourluggage，andpaidyourbillattheinn，"

saidthedoctor；"ofcourseinyourname。YouarenowtoenjoythehospitalitythatIcouldnotextendtoyoubefore。Aroomupstairshasbeenpreparedforyou。Youarenotexactlyinastateofconfinement；but，untilyourstudiesarecompleted，I

thinkyouhadbetternotinterruptthembygoingout。”

"Aprisoner!"Iexclaimedaghast。

"Prisonerisahardword，"answeredthedoctor。"Letussay，aguestundersurveillance。”

"Doyouseriouslymeanthatyouintendtokeepmeshutupinthispartofthehouse，atyourwillandpleasure？"Iinquired，myheartsinkinglowerandlowerateverywordIspoke。

"Itisveryspaciousandairy，"saidthedoctor；"asforthelowerpartofthehouse，youwouldfindnocompanythere，soyoucan"twanttogotoit。”

"Nocompany!"Irepeatedfaintly。

"No。Mydaughterwentawaythismorningforchangeofairandscene，accompaniedbymyhousekeeper。Youlookastonished，mydearsir——letmefranklyexplainmyself。WhileyouweretherespectablesonofDoctorSoftly，andgrandsonofLadyMalkinshaw，Iwasreadyenoughtoletmydaughterassociatewithyou，andshouldnothaveobjectedifyouhadmarriedheroffmyhandsintoahighly-connectedfamily。Now，however，whenyouarenothingbutoneoftheworkmeninmymanufactoryofmoney，yoursocialpositionisseriouslyalteredfortheworse；and，asI

couldnotpossiblythinkofyouforason-in-law，IhaveconsidereditbesttopreventallchanceofyourcommunicatingwithAliciaagain，bysendingherawayfromthishousewhileyouareinit。YouwillbeinituntilIhavecompletedcertainbusinessarrangementsnowinaforwardstateofprogress——afterthat，youmaygoawayifyouplease。Prayrememberthatyouhavetothankyourselfforthepositionyounowstandin；anddomethejusticetoadmitthatmyconducttowardyouisremarkablystraightforward，andperfectlynaturalunderallthecircumstances。”

Thesewordsfairlyoverwhelmedme。Ididnotevenmakeanattempttoanswerthem。Thehardtrialstomycourage，endurance，andphysicalstrength，throughwhichIhadpassedwithinthelasttwelvehours，hadcompletelyexhaustedallmypowersofresistance。Iwentawayspeechlesstomyownroom；andwhenI

foundmyselfalonethere，burstoutcrying。Childish，wasitnot？

WhenIhadbeenrestedandstrengthenedbyafewhours"sleep，I

foundmyselfabletoconfrontthefuturewithtolerablecalmness。

Whatwoulditbebestformetodo？OughtItoattempttomakemyescape？Ididnotdespairofsucceeding；butwhenIbegantothinkoftheconsequencesofsuccess，Ihesitated。Mychiefobjectnowwas，notsomuchtosecuremyownfreedom，astofindmywaytoAlicia。IhadneverbeensodeeplyanddesperatelyinlovewithherasIwasnow，whenIknewshewasseparatedfromme。SupposeIsucceededinescapingfromtheclutchesofDoctorDulcifer——mightInotbecastingmyselfuselesslyontheworld，withoutachanceoffindingasingleclewtotraceherby？

Suppose，ontheotherhand，thatIremainedforthepresentinthered-brickhouse——shouldInotbythatcourseofconductbeputtingmyselfinthebestpositionformakingdiscoveries？

Inthefirstplace，therewasthechancethatAliciamightfindsomesecretmeansofcommunicatingwithmeifIremainedwhereI

was。Inthesecondplace，thedoctorwould，inallprobability，haveoccasiontowritetohisdaughter，orwouldbelikelytoreceivelettersfromher；and，ifIquietedallsuspiciononmyaccount，bydocilebehavior，andkeptmyeyessharplyonthelookout，Imightfindopportunitiesofsurprisingthesecretsofhiswriting-desk。IfeltthatIneedbeundernorestraintsofhonorwithamanwhowaskeepingmeaprisoner，andwhohadmadeanaccompliceofmebythreateningmylife。Accordingly，whileresolvingtoshowoutwardlyanamiablesubmissiontomyfate，I

determinedatthesametimetokeepsecretlyonthewatch，andtotaketheveryfirstchanceofoutwittingDoctorDulciferthatmighthappentopresentitself。WhenwenextmetIwasperfectlyciviltohim。Hewastoowell-bredamannottomatchmeonthecommongroundofcourtesy。

"Permitmetocongratulateyou，"hesaid，"ontheimprovementinyourmannerandappearance。Youarebeginningwell，Francis。Goonasyouhavebegun。”

CHAPTERX。

MYfirstfewdays"experienceinmynewpositionsatisfiedmethatDoctorDulciferpreservedhimselffrombetrayalbyasystemofsurveillanceworthyoftheveryworstdaysoftheHolyInquisitionitself。

Nomanofuseverknewthathewasnotbeingoverlookedathome，orfollowedwhenhewentout，byanotherman。Peepholeswerepiercedinthewallofeachroom，andwewerenevercertain，whileatwork，whoseeyewasobserving，orwhoseearwaslisteninginsecret。Thoughwealllivedtogether，wewereprobablytheleastunitedbodyofmeneverassembledunderoneroof。Bywayofeffectuallykeepingupthewantofunionbetweenus，wewerenotalltrustedalike。IsoondiscoveredthatOldFileandYoungFileweremuchfurtheradvancedinthedoctor"sconfidencethanMill，Screw，ormyself。Therewasalocked-uproom，andacontinually-closeddoorshuttingoffabackstaircase，ofbothofwhichOldFileandYoungFilepossessedkeysthatwereneversomuchastrustedinthepossessionoftherestofus。Therewasalsoatrap-doorintheflooroftheprincipalworkroom，theuseofwhichwasknowntonobodybutthedoctorandhistwoprivilegedmen。Ifwehadnotbeenallnearlyonanequalityinthematterofwages，thesedistinctionswouldhavemadebadbloodamongus。Asitwas，nobodyhavingreasontocomplainofunjustly-diminishedwages，nobodycaredaboutanypreferencesinwhichprofitwasnotinvolved。

Thedoctormusthavegainedagreatdealofmoneybyhisskillasacoiner。Hisprofitsinbusinesscouldneverhaveaveragedlessthanfivehundredpercent；and，todohimjustice，hewasreallyagenerousaswellasarichmaster。

EvenI，asanewhand，was，infairproportion，aswellpaidbytheweekastherest。

We，ofcourse，hadnothingtodowiththepassingoffalsemoney——weonlymanufacturedit(sometimesattherateoffourhundredpounds"worthinaweek)；andleftitscirculationtobemanagedbyourcustomersinLondonandthelargetowns。WhateverwepaidforinBarkinghamwaspaidforinthegenuineMintcoinage。Iusedoftentocomparemyowntrueguineas，half-crownsandshillingswithourimitationsunderthedoctor"ssupervision，andwasalwaysamazedattheresemblance。Ourscientificchiefhaddiscoveredaprocesssomethinglikewhatiscalledelectrotypingnowadays，asIimagine。Hewasveryproudofthis；

buthewasprouderstilloftheringofhismetal，andwithreason:itmusthavebeenaniceearindeedthatcoulddiscoverthefalsetonesinthedoctor"scoinage。

IfIhadbeenthemostscrupulousmanintheworld，Imuststillhavereceivedmywages，fortheverynecessarypurposeofnotappearingtodistinguishmyselfinvidiouslyfrommyfellow-workmen。Uponthewhole，Igotonwellwiththem。OldFileandIstruckupquiteafriendship。YoungFileandMillworkedharmoniouslywithme，butScrewandI(asIhadforeboded)

quarreled。

Thislastmanwasnotongoodtermswithhisfellows，andhadlessofthedoctor"sconfidencethananyoftherestofus。

Naturallynotofasweettemper，hisisolatedpositioninthehousehadsouredhim，andherashlyattemptedtoventhisill-humoronme，asanewcomer。ForsomedaysIborewithhimpatiently；butatlasthegotthebetterofmypowersofendurance；andIgavehimalessoninmanners，oneday，ontheeducationalsystemofGentlemanJones。Hedidnotreturntheblow，orcomplaintothedoctor；heonlylookedatmewickedly，andsaid:"I"llbeevenwithyouforthat，someofthesedays。”I

soonforgotthewordsandthelook。

WithOldFile，asIhavesaid，Ibecamequitefriendly。Exceptingthesecretsofourprison-house，hewasreadyenoughtotalkonsubjectsaboutwhichIwascurious。

Hehadknownhispresentmasterasayoungman，andwasperfectlyfamiliarwithalltheeventsofhiscareer。Fromvariousconversations，atoddsandendsofsparetime，IdiscoveredthatDoctorDulciferhadbegunlifeasafootmaninagentleman"sfamily；thathisyoungmistresshadelopedwithhim，takingawaywithhereveryarticleofvaluethatwasherownpersonalproperty，intheshapeofjewelryanddresses；thattheyhadliveduponthesaleofthesethingsforsometime；andthatthehusband，whenthewife"smeanswereexhausted，hadturnedstrolling-playerforayearortwo。Abandoningthatpursuit，hehadnextbecomeaquack-doctor，firstinaresident，theninavagabondcapacity——takingamedicaldegreeofhisownconferring，andholdingtoitasagoodtravelingtitlefortherestofhislife。Fromthesellingofquackmedicineshehadproceededtotheadulteratingofforeignwines，variedbylucrativeeveningoccupationintheParisgamblinghouses。Onreturningtohisnativeland，hestillcontinuedtoturnhischemicalknowledgetoaccount，bygivinghisservicestothatparticularbranchofourcommercialindustrywhichiscommonlydescribedastheadulterationofcommodities；andfromthishehadgraduallyrisentothemorerefinedpursuitofadulteratinggoldandsilver——or，tousethecommonphraseagain，makingbadmoney。

AccordingtoOldFile"sstatement，thoughDoctorDulciferhadneveractuallyill-usedhiswife，hehadneverlivedonkindtermswithher:themaincauseoftheestrangementbetweenthem，inlateryears，beingMrs。Dulcifer"sresoluteresistancetoherhusband"splansforemergingfrompoverty，bythesimpleprocessofcoininghisownmoney。Thepoorwomanstillheldfastbysomeoftheprinciplesimpartedtoherinhappierdays；andshewasdevotedlyfondofherdaughter。Atthetimeofhersuddendeath，shewassecretlymakingarrangementstoleavethedoctor，andfindarefugeforherselfandherchildinaforeigncountry，underthecareoftheonefriendofherfamilywhohadnotcastheroff。QuestioningmyinformantaboutAlicianext，Ifoundthatheknewverylittleaboutherrelationswithherfatherinlateryears。Thatshemustlongsincehavediscoveredhimtobenotquitesorespectableamanashelooked，andthatshemightsuspectsomethingwrongwasgoingoninthehouseatthepresenttime，were，inOldFile"sopinion，mattersofcertainty；butthatsheknewanythingpositivelyonthesubjectofherfather"soccupations，heseemedtodoubt。Thedoctorwasnotthesortofmantogivehisdaughter，oranyotherwoman，theslightestchanceofsurprisinghissecrets。

TheseparticularsIgleanedduringonelongmonthofservitudeandimprisonmentinthefatalred-brickhouse。

DuringallthattimenottheslightestintimationreachedmeofAlicia"swhereabouts。Hadsheforgottenme？Icouldnotbelieveit。Unlessthedearbrowneyeswerethefalsesthypocritesintheworld，itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldhaveforgottenme。Wasshewatched？Wereallmeansofcommunicatingwithme，eveninsecret，carefullyremovedfromher？Ilookedoftenerandoftenerintothedoctor"sstudyasthosequestionsoccurredtome；butheneverquitteditwithoutlockingthewriting-deskfirst——heneverleftanypapersscatteredonthetable，andhewasneverabsentfromtheroomatanyspecialtimesandseasonsthatcouldbepreviouslycalculatedupon。Ibegantodespair，andtofeelinmylonelymomentsayearningtorenewthatchildishexperimentofcrying，whichIhavealreadyadvertedto，inthewayofconfession。MoralistswillbegladtohearthatIreallysufferedacutementalmiseryatthistimeofmylife。MystateofdepressionwouldhavegratifiedthemostexactingofMethodists；

andmypenitentfacewouldhavemademyfortuneifIcouldonlyhavebeenexhibitedbyareformatoryassociationontheplatformofExeterHall。

Howmuchlongerwasthistolast？WhithershouldIturnmystepswhenIregainedmyfreedom？InwhatdirectionthroughoutallEnglandshouldIbegintolookforAlicia？

Sleepingandwalking——workingandidling——thosewerenowmyconstantthoughts。Ididmybesttopreparemyselfforeveryemergencythatcouldhappen；Itriedtoarmmyselfbeforehandagainsteverypossibleaccidentthatcouldbefallme。WhileIwasstillhardatworksharpeningmyfacultiesanddiscipliningmyenergiesinthisway，anaccidentbefellthedoctor，onthepossibilityofwhichIhadnotdaredtocalculate，eveninmymosthopefulmoments。

CHAPTERXI。

ONEmorningIwasengagedintheprincipalworkroomwithmyemployer。Wewerealone。OldFileandhissonwereoccupiedinthegarrets。ScrewhadbeensenttoBarkingham，accompanied，ontheusualprecautionaryplan，byMill。TheyhadbeengonenearlyanhourwhenthedoctorsentmeintothenextroomtomoistenandkneadupsomeplasterofParis。WhileIwasengagedinthisoccupation，Isuddenlyheardstrangevoicesinthelargeworkroom。Mycuriositywasinstantlyexcited。Idrewbackthelittleshutterfromthepeepholeinthewall，andlookedthroughit。

Isawfirstmyoldenemy，Screw，withhisvillainousfacemuchpalerthanusual；next，tworespectably-dressedstrangerswhomheappearedtohavebroughtintotheroom；andnexttothemYoungFile，addressinghimselftothedoctor。

"Ibegyourpardon，sir，"saidmyfriend，theworkman-likefootman；"butbeforethesegentlemensayanythingforthemselves，Iwishtoexplain，astheyseemstrangerstoyou，thatIonlylettheminafterIhadheardthemgivethepassword。Myinstructionsaretoletanybodyinonoursideofthedooriftheycangivethepassword。Nooffense，sir，butIwantittobeunderstoodthatIhavedonemyduty。”

"Quiteright，myman，"saidthedoctor，inhisblandestmanner。

"Youmaygobacktoyourwork。”

YoungFilelefttheroom，withascrutinizinglookforthetwostrangersandasuspiciousfrownforScrew。

"Allowustointroduceourselves，"begantheelderofthetwostrangers。

"Pardonmeforamoment，"interposedthedoctor。"WhereisMill？"

headded，turningtoScrew。

"DoingourerrandsatBarkingham，"answeredScrew，turningpalerthanever。

"Wehappenedtomeetyourtwomen，andtoaskthemthewaytoyourhouse，"saidthestrangerwhohadjustspoken。"Thisman，withacautionthatdoeshiminfinitecredit，requiredtoknowourbusinessbeforehetoldus。Wemanagedtointroducethepassword——"Happy-go-lucky"——intoouranswer。Thisofcoursequietedsuspicion；andhe，atourrequest，guidedushere，leavinghisfellow-workman，ashehasjusttoldyou，todoallerrandsatBarkingham。”

Whilethesewordswerebeingspoken，IsawScrew"seyeswanderingdiscontentedlyandamazedlyroundtheroom。Hehadleftmeinitwiththedoctorbeforehewentout:washedisappointedatnotfindingmeinitonhisreturn？

Whilethisthoughtwaspassingthroughmymind，thestrangerresumedhisexplanations。

"Wearehere，"hesaid，"asagentsappointedtotransactprivatebusiness，outofLondon，forMr。Manasseh，withwhomyouhavedealings，Ithink？"

"Certainly，"saidthedoctor，withasmile。

"Andwhoowesyoualittleaccount，whichweareappointedtosettle。”

"Justso!"remarkedthedoctor，pleasantlyrubbinghishandsoneovertheother。"Mygoodfriend，Mr。Manasseh，doesnotliketotrustthepost，Isuppose？Verygladtomakeyouracquaintance，gentlemen。Haveyougotthelittlememorandumaboutyou？"

"Yes；butwethinkthereisaslightinaccuracyinit。Haveyouanyobjectiontoletusrefertoyourledger？"

"Nottheleastintheworld。Screw，godownintomyprivatelaboratory，openthetable-drawernearestthewindow，andbringupalockedbook，withaparchmentcover，whichyouwillfindinit。”

AsScrewobeyedIsawalookpassbetweenhimandthetwostrangerswhichmademebegintofeelalittleuneasy。Ithoughtthedoctornoticedittoo；buthepreservedhiscountenance，asusual，inastateofthemostunruffledcomposure。

"Whatatimethatfellowisgone!"heexclaimedgayly。"PerhapsI

hadbettergoandgetthebookmyself。”

Thetwostrangershadbeengraduallylesseningthedistancebetweenthedoctorandthemselves，eversinceScrewhadlefttheroom。Thelastwordswerebarelyoutofhismouth，beforetheybothspranguponhim，andpinionedhisarmswiththeirhands。

"Steady，myfinefellow，"saidMr。Manasseh"sheadagent。"It"snogo。WeareBowStreetrunners，andwe"vegotyouforcoining。”

"Notadoubtofit，"saidthedoctor，withthemostsuperbcoolness。"Youneedn"tholdme。I"mnotfoolenoughtoresistwhenI"mfairlycaught。”

"Waittillwe"vesearchedyou；andthenwe"lltalkaboutthat，"

saidtherunner。*

Thedoctorsubmittedtothesearchingwiththepatienceofamartyr。Nooffensiveweaponbeingfoundinhispockets，theyallowedhimtositdownunmolestedinthenearestchair。

"Screw，Isuppose？"saidthedoctor，lookinginquiringlyattheofficers。

"Exactly，"saidtheprincipalmanofthetwo。"Wehavebeensecretlycorrespondingwithhimforweekspast。Wehavenabbedthemanwhowentoutwithhim，andgothimsafeatBarkingham。

Don"texpectScrewbackwiththeledger。Assoonashehasmadesurethattherestofyouareinthehouse，heistofetchanothermanortwoofourBowStreetlot，whoarewaitingoutsidetilltheyhearfromus。Weonlywantanoldmanandayoungone，andathirdpalofyourswhoisagentlemanborn，tomakearegularclearanceinthehouse。Whenwehaveoncegotyouall，itwillbetheprettiestcapturethat"severbeenmadesinceIwasintheforce。”

WhatthedoctoransweredtothisIcannotsay。Justastheofficerhaddonespeaking，IheardfootstepsapproachingtheroominwhichIwaslistening。WasScrewlookingforme？Iinstantlyclosedthepeepholeandgotbehindthedoor。Itopenedbackuponme，and，sureenough，Screwenteredcautiously。

Anemptyoldwardrobestoodoppositethedoor。EvidentlysuspectingthatImighthavetakenthealarmandconcealedmyselfinsideit，heapproacheditontiptoe。OntiptoealsoIfollowedhim；and，justashishandswereonthewardrobedoor，myhandswereonhisthroat。Hewasalittleman，andnomatchforme。I

easilyandgentlylaidhimonhisback，inavoicelessandhalf-suffocatedstate——throwingmyselfrightoverhim，tokeephislegsquiet。WhenIsawhisfacegettingblack，andhissmalleyesgrowinglargelyglobular，Iletgowithonehand，crammedmyemptyplasterofParisbag，whichlaycloseby，intohismouth，tieditfast，securedhishandsandfeet，andthenlefthimperfectlyharmless，whileItookcounselwithmyselfhowbesttosecuremyownsafety。

Ishouldhavemademyescapeatonce；butforwhatIheardtheofficersayaboutthemenwhowerewaitingoutside。Weretheywaitingnearoratadistance？Weretheyonthewatchatthefrontorthebackofthehouse？Ithoughtithighlydesirabletogivemyselfachanceofascertainingtheirwhereaboutsfromthetalkoftheofficersinthenextroom，beforeIriskedthepossibilityofrunningrightintotheirclutchesontheoutersideofthedoor。

Icautiouslyopenedthepeepholeoncemore。

ThedoctorappearedtobestillonthemostfriendlytermswithhisvigilantguardiansfromBowStreet。

"Haveyouanyobjectiontomyringingforsomelunch，beforewearealltakenofftoLondontogether？"Iheardhimaskinhismostcheerfultones。"Aglassofwineandabitofbreadandcheesewon"tdoyouanyharm，gentlemen，ifyouareashungryasIam。”

"Ifyouwanttoeatanddrink，orderthevictualsatonce，"

repliedoneoftherunners，sulkily。"Wedon"thappentowantanythingourselves。”

"Sorryforit，"saidthedoctor。"IhavesomeofthebestoldMadeirainEngland。”

"Likeenough，"retortedtheofficersarcastically。"Butyouseewearenotquitesuchfoolsaswelook；andwehaveheardofsuchathing，inourtime，ashocussedwine。”

"Ofie!fie!"exclaimedthedoctormerrily。"RememberhowwellI

ambehavingmyself，anddon"twoundmyfeelingsbysuspectingmeofsuchshockingtreacheryasthat!"

Hemovedtoacorneroftheroombehindhim，andtouchedaknobinthewallwhichIhadneverbeforeobserved。Abellrangdirectly，whichhadanewtoneinittomyears。

"Toobad，"saidthedoctor，turningroundagaintotherunners；

"reallytoobad，gentlemen，tosuspectmeofthat!"

Shakinghisheaddeprecatingly，hemovedbacktothecorner，pulledasidesomethinginthewall，disclosedthemouthofapipewhichwasaperfectnoveltytome，andcalleddownit。

"Moses!"

ItwasthefirsttimeIhadheardthatnameinthehouse。

"WhoisMoses？"inquiredtheofficersbothtogether，advancingonhimsuspiciously。

"Onlymyservant，"answeredthedoctor。Heturnedoncemoretothepipe，andcalleddownit:

"BringuptheStiltonCheese，andabottleoftheOldMadeira。”

ThecheesewehadinuseatthattimewasofpurelyDutchextraction。IrememberedPort，Sherry，andClaretinmypalmydinner-daysatthedoctor"sfamily-table；butcertainlynotOldMadeira。Perhapsheselfishlykepthisbestwineandhischoicestcheeseforhisownconsumption。

"Sam，"saidoneoftherunnerstotheother，"youlooktoourcivilfriendhere，andI"llgrabMoseswhenhebringsupthelunch。”

"Wouldyouliketoseewhattheoperationofcoiningis，whilemymanisgettingthelunchready？"saidthedoctor。"Itmaybeofusetomeatthetrial，ifyoucantestifythatIaffordedyoueveryfacilityforfindingoutanythingyoumightwanttoknow。

Onlymentionmypoliteanxietytomakethingseasyandinstructivefromtheveryfirst，andImaygetrecommendedtomercy。Seehere——thisqueer-lookingmachine，gentlemen(fromwhichtwoofmymenderivetheirnicknames)，iswhatwecallaMill-and-Screw。”

Hebegantoexplainthemachinewiththemannerandtoneofalectureratascientificinstitution。Inspiteofthemselves，theofficersburstoutlaughing。IlookedroundatScrewasthedoctorgotdeeperintohisexplanations。Thetraitorwasrollinghiswickedeyeshorriblyatme。Theypresentedsoshockingasight，thatIlookedawayagain。WhatwasItodonext？Theminutesweregettingon，andIhadnotheardawordyet，throughthepeephole，onthesubjectofthereserveofBowStreetrunnersoutside。Woulditnotbebesttoriskeverything，andgetawayatoncebythebackofthehouse？

JustasIhadresolvedonventuringtheworst，andmakingmyescapeforthwith，Iheardtheofficersinterruptthedoctor"slecture。

"Yourlunchisalongtimecoming，"saidoneofthem。

"Mosesislazy，"answeredthedoctor；"andtheMadeiraisinaremotepartofthecellar。ShallIringagain？"

"Hangyourringingagain!"growledtherunner，impatiently。"I

don"tunderstandwhyourreservemenarenothereyet。Supposeyougoandgivethemawhistle，Sam。”

"Idon"thalflikeleavingyou，"returnedSam。"Thislearnedgentlemanhereisratherashiftysortofchap；anditstrikesmethattwoofusisn"tabittoomuchtowatchhim。”

"What"sthat？"exclaimedSam"scomrade，suspiciously。

Acrashofbrokencrockeryinthelowerpartofthehousehadfollowedthatlastwordofthecautiousofficer"sspeech。

Naturally，Icoulddrawnospecialinferencefromthesound；but，forallthat，itfilledmewithabreathlessinterestandsuspicion，whichheldmeirresistiblyatthepeephole——thoughthemomentbeforeIhadmadeupmymindtoflyfromthehouse。

"Mosesisawkwardaswellaslazy，"saidthedoctor。"Hehasdroppedthetray!Oh，dear，dearme!hehascertainlydroppedthetray。”

"Let"stakeourlearnedfrienddownstairsbetweenus，"suggestedSam。"Ishan"tbeeasytillwe"vegothimoutofthehouse。”

"AndIshan"tbeeasyifwedon"thandcuffhimbeforeweleavetheroom，"returnedtheother。

"Rudeconduct，gentlemen——afterallthathaspassed，remarkablyrudeconduct，"saidthedoctor。"MayI，atleast，getmyhatwhilemyhandsareatliberty？Ithangsonthatpegoppositetous。”Hemovedtowarditafewstepsintothemiddleoftheroomwhilehespoke。

"Stop!"saidSam；"I"llgetyourhatforyou。We"llseeifthere"sanythinginsideitornot，beforeyouputiton。”

Thedoctorstoodstockstill，likeasoldierattheword，Halt。

"AndI"llgetthehandcuffs，"saidtheotherrunner，searchinghiscoat-pockets。

Thedoctorbowedtohimassentinglyandforgivingly。

"Onlyobligemewithmyhat，andIshallbequitereadyforyou，"

hesaid——pausedforonemoment，thenrepeatedthewords，"Quiteready，"inaloudertone——andinstantlydisappearedthroughthefloor!

Isawthetwoofficersrushfromoppositeendsoftheroomtoagreatopeninginthemiddleofit。Thetrap-dooronwhichthedoctorhadbeenstanding，andonwhichhehaddescended，closedupwithabangatthesamemoment；andafriendlyvoicefromthelowerregionscalledoutgayly，"Good-by!"

Theofficersnextmadeforthedooroftheroom。Ithadbeenlockedfromtheotherside。Astheytorefuriouslyatthehandle，therollofthewheelsofthedoctor"sgigsoundedonthedriveinfrontofthehouse；andthefriendlyvoicecalledoutoncemore，"Good-by!"

Iwaitedjustlongenoughtoseethebaffledofficersunbarringthewindowshuttersforthepurposeofgivingthealarm，beforeI

closedthepeephole，andwithafarewelllookatthedistortedfaceofmyprostrateenemy，Screw，lefttheroom。

Thedoctor"sstudy-doorwasopenasIpasseditonmywaydownstairs。Thelockedwriting-desk，whichprobablycontainedtheonlyclewtoAlicia"sretreatthatIwaslikelytofind，wasinitsusualplaceonthetable。Therewasnotimetobreakitopenonthespot。Irolleditupinmyapron，tookitoffbodilyundermyarm，anddescendedtotheirondooronthestaircase。JustasIwaswithinsightofit，itwasopenedfromthelandingontheotherside。Iturnedtorunupstairsagain，whenafamiliarvoicecried，"Stop!"andlookinground，IbeheldYoungFile。

"Allright!"hesaid。"Father"soffwiththegovernorinthegig，andtherunnersinhidingoutsideareinfullcryafterthem。IfBowStreetcangetwithinpistol-shotofthebloodmare，allI

cansayis，IgiveBowStreetfullleavetofireawaywithbothbarrels!Where"sScrew？"

"Gaggedbymeinthecasting-room。”

"Welldone，you!Gotallyourthings，Isee，underyourarm？WaittwosecondswhileIgrabmymoney。Nevermindtherumpusupstairs——there"snobodyoutsidetohelpthem；andthegate"slocked，iftherewas。”

Hedartedpastmeupthestairs。Icouldheartheimprisonedofficersshoutingforhelpfromthetopwindows。Theirreservemenmusthavebeenfaraway，bythistime，inpursuitofthegig；

andtherewasnotmuchchanceoftheirgettingusefulhelpfromanystraycountrymanwhomightbepassingalongtheroad，exceptinthewayofsendingamessagetoBarkingham。Anyhowweweresureofahalfhourtoescapein，attheveryleast。

"Nowthen，"saidYoungFile，rejoiningme；"let"sbeoffbythebackwaythroughtheplantations。HowcameyoutolayyourluckyhandsonScrew？"hecontinued，whenwehadpassedthroughtheirondoor，andhadcloseditafterus。

"Tellmefirsthowthedoctormanagedtomakeaholeinthefloorjustinthenickoftime。”

"What!didyouseethetrapsprung？"

"Isaweverything。”

"Thedevilyoudid!Hadyouanynotionthatsignalsweregoingon，allthewhileyouwereonthewatch？Wehavearegularsetofthemincaseofaccidents。It"sarulethatfather，andme，andthedoctorarenevertobeintheworkroomtogether——soastokeeponeofusalwaysatlibertytoactonthesignals——Whereareyougoingto？"

"Onlytogetthegardener"sladdertohelpusoverthewall。Goon。”

"Thefirstsignalisaprivatebell——thatmeans，_Listenatthepipe。_Thenextisacalldownthepipefor"Moses"——thatmeans，_Danger!Lockthedoor。_"StiltonCheese"means，_PuttheMareto；_and"OldMadeira"_Standbythetrap。_Thetrapworksinthatlocked-uproomyounevergotinto；andwhenourhandsareonthemachinery，weareawkwardenoughtohavealittleaccidentwiththeluncheontray。"QuiteReady"isthesignaltolowerthetrap，whichwedointheregulartheater-fashion。Weloweredthedoctorsmartlyenough，asyousaw，andgotoutbythebackstaircase。Fatherwentinthegig，andIletthemoutandlockedthegatesafterthem。NowyouknowasmuchasI"vegotbreathtotellyou。”

Wescaledthewalleasilybythehelpoftheladder。Whenweweredownontheotherside，YoungFilesuggestedthatthesafestcourseforuswastoseparate，andforeachtotakehisownway。

Weshookhandsandparted。Hewentsouthward，towardLondon，andIwentwestward，towardthesea-coast，withDoctorDulcifer"spreciouswriting-desksafeundermyarm——

*The"BowStreetrunners"ofthosedayswerethepredecessorsofthedetectivepoliceofthepresenttime。

CHAPTERXII。

FORacoupleofhoursIwalkedonbriskly，carelessinwhatdirectionIwent，solongasIkeptmybackturnedonBarkingham。

BythetimeIhadputsevenmilesofground，accordingtomycalculations，betweenmeandthered-brickhouse，Ibegantolookuponthedoctor"swriting-deskratherinthelightofanincumbrance，anddeterminedtoexamineitwithoutfurtherdelay。

AccordinglyIpickedupthefirstlargestoneIcouldfindintheroad，crossedacommon，burstthroughahedge，andcametoahalt，ontheotherside，inathickwood。Here，findingmyselfwellscreenedfrompublicview，Ibrokeopenthedeskwiththehelpofthestone，andbegantolookoverthecontents。

TomyunspeakabledisappointmentIfoundbutfewpapersofanykindtoexamine。Thedeskwasbeautifullyfittedwithallthenecessarymaterialsforkeepingupalargecorrespondence；buttherewerenotmorethanhalfadozenlettersinitaltogether。

Fourwereonbusinessmatters，andtheothertwowereofafriendlynature，referringtopersonsandthingsinwhichIdidnotfeelthesmallestinterest。Ifoundbesideshalfadozenbillsreceipted(thedoctorwasamirrorofpunctualityinthepaymentoftradesmen)，noteandletter-paperofthefinestquality，clarifiedpens，aprettylittlepin-cushion，twosmallaccount-booksfilledwiththeneatestentries，andsomeleavesofblotting-paper。Nothingelse；absolutelynothingelse，inthetreacherouswriting-deskonwhichIhadimplicitlyreliedtoguidemetoAlicia"shiding-place。

Igroanedinsheerwretchednessoverthedestructionofallmydearestplansandhopes。IftheBowStreetrunnershadcomeintotheplantationjustasIhadcompletedtheriflingofthedeskI

thinkIshouldhaveletthemtakemewithoutmakingtheslightesteffortatescape。Asitwas，nolivingsoulappearedwithinsightofme。Imusthavesatatthefootofatreeforfullhalfanhour，withthedoctor"suselessbillsandlettersbeforeme，withmyheadinmyhands，andwithallmyenergiesofbodyandmindutterlycrushedbydespair。

Attheendofthehalfhour，thenaturalrestlessnessofmyfacultiesbegantomakeitselffelt。

Whatevermaybesaidaboutitinbooks，noemotioninthisworldeverdid，oreverwill，lastforlongtogether。Thestrongfeelingmayreturnoverandoveragain；butitmusthaveitsconstantintervalsofchangeorrepose。Inreallifethebitterestgriefdoggedlytakesitsrestanddriesitseyes；theheaviestdespairsinkstoacertainlevel，andstopstheretogivehopeachanceofrising，inspiteofus。Eventhejoyofanunexpectedmeetingisalwaysanimperfectsensation，foritneverlastslongenoughtojustifyoursecretanticipations——ourhappinessdwindlestomereevery-daycontentmentbeforewehavehalfdonewithit。