第6章
Iraisedmyhead，andgatheredthebillsandletterstogether，andstoodupamanagain，wonderingatthevariablenessofmyowntemper，atthecuriouselasticityofthattoughestofallthevitalsubstanceswithinus，whichwecallHope。"Sittingandsighingatthefootofthistree，"Ithought，"isnotthewaytofindAlicia，ortosecuremyownsafety。Letmecirculatemybloodandrousemyingenuity，bytakingtotheroadagain。”
BeforeIforcedmywaybacktotheopensideofthehedge，I
thoughtitdesirabletotearupthebillsandletters，forfearofbeingtracedbythemiftheywerefoundintheplantation。ThedeskIleftwhereitwas，therebeingnonameonit。Thenote-paperandpensIpocketed——forlornasmysituationwas，itdidnotauthorizemetowastestationery。Theblotting-paperwasthelastthinglefttodisposeof:twoneatly-foldedsheets，quiteclean，exceptinoneplace，wheretheimpressionofafewlinesofwritingappeared。Iwasabouttoputtheblotting-paperintomypocketafterthepens，whensomethinginthelookofthewritingimpressedonit，stoppedme。
Fourblurredlinesappearedofnotmorethantwoorthreewordseach，runningoutonebeyondanotherregularlyfromlefttoright。Hadthedoctorbeencomposingpoetryandblottingitinaviolenthurry？Atafirstglance，thatwasmorethanIcouldtell。Theorderofthewrittenletters，whatevertheymightbe，wasreversedonthefaceoftheimpressiontakenofthembytheblotting-paper。Iturnedtotheothersideoftheleaf。Theorderoftheletterswasnowright，butthelettersthemselvesweresometimestoofaintlyimpressed，sometimestoomuchblurredtogethertobelegible。Iheldtheleafuptothelight——andtherewasacompletechange:theblurredlettersgrewclearer，theinvisibleconnectinglinesappeared——Icouldreadthewordsfromfirsttolast。
Thewritingmusthavebeenhurried，andithadtoallappearancebeenhurriedlydriedtowardthecornerofaperfectlycleanleafoftheblotting-paper。Aftertwicereading，IfeltsurethatI
hadmadeoutcorrectlythefollowingaddress:
MissGiles，2ZionPlace，Crickgelly，N。Wales。
Itwashardunderthecircumstances，toformanopinionastothehandwriting；butIthoughtIcouldrecognizethecharacterofsomeofthedoctor"sletters，evenintheblottedimpressionofthem。SupposingIwasright，whowasMissGiles？
SomeWelshfriendofthedoctor"s，unknowntome？Probablyenough。ButwhynotAliciaherselfunderanassumedname？Havingsentherfromhometokeepheroutofmyway，itseemednexttoacertaintythatherfatherwouldtakeallpossiblemeasurestopreventmytracingher，andwould，therefore，asacommonactofprecaution，forbidhertotravelunderherownname。Crickgelly，NorthWales，wasassuredlyaveryremoteplacetobanishherto；
butthenthedoctorwasnotamantodothingsbyhalves:heknewthelengthstowhichmycunningandresolutionwerecapableofcarryingme；andhewouldhavebeeninnocentindeedifhehadhiddenhisdaughterfrommeinanyplacewithinreasonabledistanceofBarkingham。Last，andnotleastimportant，MissGilessoundedinmyearsexactlylikeanassumedname。
WasthereeveranywomanabsolutelyandliterallynamedMissGiles？HoweverImayhavealteredmyopiniononthispointsince，mymindwasnotinaconditionatthattimetoadmitthepossibleexistenceofanysuchindividualasamaidenGiles。Before，therefore，Ihadputthepreciousblotting-paperintomypocket，Ihadsatisfiedmyselfthatmyfirstduty，underallthecircumstances，wastoshapemyflightimmediatelytoCrickgelly。
Icouldbecertainofnothing——notevenofidentifyingthedoctor"shandwritingbytheimpressionontheblotting-paper。ButprovidedIkeptclearofBarkingham，itwasallthesametomewhatpartoftheUnitedKingdomIwentto；and，intheabsenceofanyactualclewtoherplaceofresidence，therewasconsolationandencouragementeveninfollowinganimaginarytrace。MyspiritsrosetotheirnaturalheightasIstruckintothehighroadagain，andbeheldacrossthelevelplainthesmoke，chimneys，andchurchspiresofalargemanufacturingtown。ThereIsawthewelcomepromiseofacoach——thehappychanceofmakingmyjourneytoCrickgellyeasyandrapidfromtheveryoutset。
Onmywaytothetown，IwasremindedbythestaringofallthepeopleIpassedontheroad，ofoneimportantconsiderationwhichIhadhithertomostunaccountablyoverlooked——thenecessityofmakingsomeradicalchangeinmypersonalappearance。
IhadnocausetodreadtheBowStreetrunners，fornotoneofthemhadseenme；butIhadthestrongestpossiblereasonsfordistrustingameetingwithmyenemy，Screw。Hewouldcertainlybemadeuseofbytheofficersforthepurposeofidentifyingthecompanionswhomhehadbetrayed；andIhadthebestreasonsintheworldtobelievethathewouldratherassistinthetakingofmethaninthecaptureofalltherestofthecoininggangputtogether——thedoctorhimselfnotexcepted。Mypresentcostumewasofthedandysort——rathershabby，butgayincolorandoutrageousincut。Ihadnotaltereditforanartisan"ssuitinthedoctor"shouse，becauseIneverhadanyintentionofstayingthereadaylongerthanIcouldpossiblyhelp。TheaproninwhichIhadwrappedthewriting-deskwastheonlyapproachIhadmadetowardwearingthehonorableuniformoftheworkingman。
Woulditbewisenowtomakemytransformationcomplete，byaddingtotheapronavelveteenjacketandasealskincap？No:myhandsweretoowhite，mymannerstooinveteratelygentleman-like，forallartisandisguise。Itwouldbesafertoassumeaseriouscharacter——toshaveoffmywhiskers，cropmyhair，buyamodesthatandumbrella，anddressentirelyinblack。AtthefirstslopshopIencounteredinthesuburbsofthetown，Igotacarpet-bagandaclerical-lookingsuit。Atthefirsteasyshaving-shopIpassed，Ihadmyhaircroppedandmywhiskerstakenoff。AfterthatIretreatedagaintothecountry——walkedbacktillIfoundaconvenienthedgedownalaneoffthehighroad——changedmyuppergarmentsbehindit，andemerged，bashful，black，andreverend，withmycottonumbrellatuckedmodestlyundermyarm，myeyesontheground，myheadintheair，andmyhatoffmyforehead。WhenIfoundtwolaborerstouchingtheircapstomeonmywaybacktothetown，Iknewthatitwasallright，andthatImightnowsetthevindictiveeyesofScrewhimselfsafelyatdefiance。
IhadnotthemostdistantnotionwhereIwaswhenIreachedtheHighStreet，andstoppedatTheGreenBullHotelandCoach-office。However，ImanagedtomentionmymodestwishestobeconveyedatonceinthedirectionofWales，withnomorethanabecomingconfusionofmanner。
TheanswerwasnotsoencouragingasIcouldhavewished。ThecoachtoShrewsburyhadleftanhourbefore，andtherewouldbenootherpublicconveyancerunninginmydirectionuntilthenextmorning。Findingmyselfthusobligedtoyieldtoadversecircumstances，Isubmittedresignedly，andbookedaplaceoutsidebythenextday"scoach，inthenameoftheReverendJohnJones。
IthoughtitdesirabletobeatonceunassumingandWelshintheselectionofatravelingname；andthereforeconsideredJohnJonescalculatedtofitme，inmypresentemergency，toahair。
Aftersecuringabedatthehotel，andorderingafrugalcurate"sdinner(bitoffish，twochops，mashedpotatoes，semolinapudding，half-pintofsherry)，Isalliedouttolookatthetown。
Notknowingthenameofit，andnotdaringtoexcitesurprisebyasking，Ifoundtheplacefullofvagueyetmysteriousinterest。
HereIwas，somewhereincentralEngland，justasignorantoflocalitiesasifIhadbeensuddenlydepositedinCentralAfrica。
Mylivelyfancyrevelledinthenewsensation。Iinventedanameforthetown，acodeoflawsfortheinhabitants，productions，antiquities，chalybeatesprings，population，statisticsofcrime，andsoon，whileIwalkedaboutthestreets，lookedinattheshop-windows，andattentivelyexaminedtheMarket-placeandTown-hall。Experiencedtravelers，whohaveexhaustedallnovelties，woulddowelltofollowmyexample；theymaybecertain，foronedayatleast，ofgettingsomefreshideas，andfeelinganewsensation。
Onreturningtodinnerinthecoffee-room，IfoundalltheLondonpapersonthetable。
The_MorningPost_happenedtolieuppermost，soItookitawaytomyownseattooccupythetime，whilemyunpretendingbitoffishwasfrying。Glancinglazilyattheadvertisementsonthefirstpage，tobeginwith，Iwasastonishedbytheappearanceofthefollowinglines，atthetopofacolumn:
"IfF——KS——FTL——Ywillcommunicatewithhisdistressedandalarmedrelatives，Mr。andMrs。B——TT——RB——RY，hewillhearofsomethingtohisadvantage，andmaybeassuredthatallwillbeoncemoreforgiven。A——B——LLAentreatshimtowrite。”
What，inthenameofallthatismostmysterious，doesthismean!
wasmyfirstthoughtafterreadingtheadvertisement。CanLadyMalkinshawhavetakenafreshleaseofthatimpregnablevitaltenement，atthedoorofwhichDeathhasbeenknockingvainlyforsomanyyearspast？(Nothingmorelikely。)WasmyfeloniousconnectionwithDoctorDulcifersuspected？(Itseemedimprobable。)Onething，however，wascertain:Iwasmissed，andtheBatterburyswerenaturallyanxiousaboutme——anxiousenoughtoadvertiseinthepublicpapers。
IdebatedwithmyselfwhetherIshouldanswertheirpatheticappealornot。Ihadallmymoneyaboutme(havingneverletitoutofmyownpossessionduringmystayinthered-brickhouse)，andtherewasplentyofitforthepresent；soIthoughtitbesttoleavethealarmanddistressofmyanxiousrelativesunrelievedforalittlewhilelonger，andtoreturnquietlytotheperusalofthe_MorningPost。_
Fiveminutesofdesultoryreadingbroughtmeunexpectedlytoanexplanationoftheadvertisement，intheshapeofthefollowingparagraph:
"ALARMINGILLNESSOFLADYMALKINSHAW——WeregrettoannouncethatthisvenerableladywasseizedwithanalarmingillnessonSaturdaylast，athermansionintown。Theattacktookthecharacterofafit——ofwhatprecisenaturewehavenotbeenabletolearn。Herladyship"smedicalattendantandnearrelative，DoctorSoftly，wasimmediatelycalledin，andpredictedthemostfatalresults。Freshmedicalattendancewassecured，andherladyship"snearestsurvivingrelatives，Mrs。Softly，andMr。andMrs。Batterbury，ofDuskydalePark，weresummoned。Atthetimeoftheirarrivalherladyship"sconditionwascomatose，herbreathingbeinghighlystertorous。Ifwearerightlyinformed，DoctorSoftlyandtheothermedicalgentlemenpresentgaveitastheiropinionthatifthepulseofthevenerablesuffererdidnotrallyinthecourseofaquarterofauhouratmost，verylamentableresultsmightbeanticipated。Forfourteenminutes，asourreporterwasinformed，nochangetookplace；but，strangetorelate，immediatelyafterwardherladyship"spulseralliedsuddenlyinthemostextraordinarymanner。Shewasobservedtoopenhereyesverywide，andwasheard，tothesurpriseanddelightofallsurroundingthecouch，toaskwhyherladyship"susuallunchofchicken-brothwithaglassofAmontilladosherrywasnotplacedonthetableasusual。Theserefreshmentshavingbeenproduced，underthesanctionofthemedicalgentlemen，theagedpatientpartookofthemwithanappearanceoftheutmostrelish。Sincethishappyalterationforthebetter，herladyship"shealthhas，werejoicetosay，rapidlyimproved；andtheanswernowgiventoallfriendlyandfashionableinquirersis，inthevenerablelady"sownhumorousphraseology，"Muchbetterthancouldbeexpected。""
Welldone，myexcellentgrandmother!myfirm，myunwearied，myundyingfriend!NevercanIsaythatmycaseisdesperatewhileyoucanswallowyourchicken-brothandsipyourAmontilladosherry。ThemomentIwantmoney，IwillwritetoMr。Batterbury，andcutanotherlittlegoldensliceoutofthatpossiblethree-thousand-pound-cake，forwhichhehasalreadysufferedandsacrificedsomuch。Inthemeantime，OvenerableprotectressofthewanderingRogue!letmegratefullydrinkyourhealthinthenastiestandsmallesthalf-pintofsherrythispalateevertasted，ortheseeyeseverbeheld!
Iwenttobedthatnightingreatspirits。Myluckseemedtobereturningtome；andIbegantofeelmorethanhopefulofreallydiscoveringmybelovedAliciaatCrickgelly，underthealiasofMissGiles。
ThenextmorningtheRev。JohnJonesdescendedtobreakfastsorosy，bland，andsmiling，thatthechambermaidssimperedashetrippedbytheminthepassage，andthelandladybowedgraciouslyashepassedherparlordoor。Thecoachdroveup，andthereverendgentleman(afterwaitingcharacteristicallyforthewoman"sladder)mountedtohisplaceontheroof，behindthecoachman。Onemansattherewhohadgotupbeforehim——andwhoshouldthatmanbe，butthechiefoftheBowStreetrunners，whohadrashlytriedtotakeDoctorDulciferintocustody!
Therecouldnotbetheleastdoubtofhisidentity；Ishouldhaveknownhisfaceagainamongahundred。HelookedatmeasItookmyplacebyhisside，withonesharpsearchingglance——thenturnedhisheadawaytowardtheroad。Knowingthathehadneverseteyesonmyface(thankstotheconvenientpeepholeatthered-brickhouse)，Ithoughtmymeetingwithhimwaslikelytoberatheradvantageousthanotherwise。Ihadnowanopportunityofwatchingtheproceedingsofoneofourpursuers，atanyrate——andsurelythiswassomethinggained。
"Finemorning，sir，"Isaidpolitely。
"Yes，"herepliedinthegruffestofmonosyllables。
Iwasnotoffended:Icouldmakeallowanceforthefeelingsofamanwhohadbeenlockedupbyhisownprisoner。
"Veryfinemorning，indeed，"Irepeated，soothinglyandcheerfully。
Therunneronlygruntedthistime。Well，well!weallhaveourlittleinfirmities。Idon"tthinktheworseofthemannow，forhavingbeenrudetome，thatmorning，onthetopoftheShrewsburycoach。
Thenextpassengerwhogotupandplacedhimselfbymysidewasaflorid，excitable，confused-lookinggentleman，excessivelytalkativeandfamiliar。Hewasfollowedbyasulkyagriculturalyouthintop-boots——andthen，thecomplementofpassengersonourseatbehindthecoachmanwascomplete。
"Heardthenews，sir？"saidthefloridman，turningtome。
"NotthatIamawareof，"Ianswered。
"It"sthemosttremendousthingthathashappenedthesefiftyyears，"saidthefloridman。"Agangofcoiners，sir，discoveredatBarkingham——inahousetheyusedtocalltheGrange。Allthedreadfullotofbadsilverthat"sbeenabout，they"reatthebottomof。Andtheheadofthegangnottaken!——escaped，sir，likeaghostonthestage，throughatrap-door，afteractuallylockingtherunnersintohisworkshop。TheblacksmithsfromBarkinghamhadtobreakthemout；thewholehousewasfoundfullofirondoors，backstaircases，andallthatsortofthing，justliketheInquisition。Amostrespectableman，theoriginalproprietor!Thinkwhatamisfortunetohavelethishousetoascoundrelwhohasturnedthewholeinsideintotraps，furnaces，andirondoors。Thefellow"sreference，sir，wasactuallyataLondonbank，wherehekeptafirst-rateaccount。Whatistobecomeofsociety？whereisourprotection？Whereareourcharacters，whenweareleftatthemercyofscoundrels？Thetimesareawful——uponmysoul，thetimesweliveinareperfectlyawful!"
"Pray，sir，isthereanychanceofcatchingthiscoiner？"I
inquiredinnocently。
"Ihopeso，sir；forthesakeofoutragedsociety，Ihopeso，"
saidtheexcitableman。"They"veprintedhandbillsatBarkingham，offeringarewardfortakinghim。Iwaswithmyfriendthemayor，earlythismorning，andsawthemissued。"Mr。Mayor，"saysI，"I"mgoingWest——givemeafewcopies——letmehelptocirculatethem——forthesakeofoutragedsociety，letmehelptocirculatethem。Heretheyare——takeafew，sir，fordistribution。You"llseethesearethreeotherfellowstobecaughtbesidestheprincipalrascal——oneofthemascampbelongingtoarespectablefamily。Oh!whattimes!Takethreecopies，andpraycirculatetheminthreeinfluentialquarters。Perhapsthatgentlemannextyouwouldlikeafew。Willyoutakethree，sir？"
"No，Iwon"t，"saidtheBowStreetrunnerdoggedly。"Noryetoneof"em——andit"smyopinionthatthecoining-gangwouldbenabbedallthesooner，ifyouwastogiveoverhelpingthelawtocatchthem。”
Thisanswerproducedavehementexpostulationfrommyexcitableneighbor，towhichIpaidlittleattention，beingbetterengagedinreadingthehandbill。
Itdescribedthedoctor"spersonalappearancewithremarkableaccuracy，andcautionedpersonsinseaporttownstobeonthelookoutforhim。OldFile，YoungFile，andmyselfwerealldishonorablymentionedtogetherinasecondparagraph，asrunawaysofinferiorimportanceNotawordwassaidinthehandbilltoshowthattheauthoritiesatBarkinghamevensomuchassuspectedthedirectioninwhichanyoneofushadescaped。
Thiswouldhavebeenveryencouraging，butforthepresenceoftherunnerbymyside，whichlookedasifBowStreethaditssuspicions，howeverinnocentBarkinghammightbe。
CouldthedoctorhavedirectedhisflighttowardCrickgelly？I
trembledinternallyasthequestionsuggesteditselftome。
SurelyhewouldpreferwritingtoMissGilestojoinhimwhenhegottoasafeplaceofrefuge，ratherthanencumberhimselfwiththeyoungladybeforehewaswelloutofreachofthefar-stretchingarmofthelaw。Thisseemedinfinitelythemostnaturalcourseofconduct。Still，therewastherunnertravelingtowardWales——andnotcertainlywithoutaspecialmotive。Iputthehandbillsinmypocket，andlistenedforanyhintswhichmightcreepoutinhistalk；butheperverselykeptsilent。Themoremyexcitableneighbortriedtodisputewithhim，themorecontemptuouslyherefusedtobreaksilence。IbegantofeelvehementlyimpatientforourarrivalatShrewsbury；forthereonlycouldIhopetodiscoversomethingmoreofmyformidablefellow-traveler"splans。
Thecoachstoppedfordinner；andsomeofourpassengersleftus，theexcitablemanwiththehandbillsamongthenumber。Igotdown，andstoodonthedoorstepoftheinn，pretendingtobelookingaboutme，butinrealitywatchingthemovementsoftherunner。
Rathertomysurprise，Isawhimgotothedoorofthecoachandspeaktooneoftheinsidepassengers。Afterashortconversation，ofwhichIcouldnothearoneword，therunnerleftthecoachdoorandenteredtheinn，calledforaglassofbrandyandwater，andtookitouttohisfriend，whohadnotleftthevehicle。Thefriendbentforwardtoreceiveitatthewindow。I
caughtaglimpseofhisface，andfeltmykneestrembleunderme——itwasScrewhimself!
Screw，paleandhaggard-looking，evidentlynotyetrecoveredfromtheeffectofmygriponhisthroat!Screw，inattendanceontherunner，travelinginsidethecoachinthecharacterofaninvalid。HemustbegoingthisjourneytohelptheBowStreetofficerstoidentifysomeoneofourscatteredgangofwhomtheywereinpursuit。Itcouldnotbethedoctor——therunnercoulddiscoverhimwithoutassistancefromanybody。Whymightitnotbeme？
Ibegantothinkwhetheritwouldbebesttotrustboldlyinmydisguise，andmyluckypositionoutsidethecoach，orwhetherI
shouldabandonmyfellow-passengersimmediately。Itwasnoteasytosettleatoncewhichcoursewasthesafest——soItriedtheeffectoflookingatmytwoalternativesfromanotherpointofview。ShouldIriskeverything，andgoonresolutelytoCrickgelly，onthechanceofdiscoveringthatAliciaandMissGileswereoneandthesameperson——orshouldIgiveuponthespottheonlyprospectoffindingmylostmistress，anddirectmyattentionentirelytothebusinessoflookingaftermyownsafety？
AsthelatteralternativepracticallyresolveditselfintothesimplequestionofwhetherIshouldactlikeamanwhowasinlove，orlikeamanwhowasnot，mynaturalinstinctssettledthedifficultyinnotime。Iboldlyimitatedtheexampleofmyfellow-passengers，andwentintodinner，determinedtogoonafterwardtoCrickgelly，thoughallBowStreetshouldbefollowingatmyheels。
CHAPTERXIII。
SECUREasItriedtofeelinmychangeofcostume，mycroppedhair，andmywhiskerlesscheeks，Ikeptwellawayfromthecoach-window，whenthedinnerattheinnwasoverandthepassengerswerecalledtotaketheirplacesagain。Thusfar——thankstothestrengthofmygrasponhisneck，whichhadlefthimtooweaktobeanoutsidepassenger——Screwhadcertainlynotseenme；and，ifIplayedmycardsproperly，therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldseemebeforewegottoourdestination。
ThroughouttherestofthejourneyIobservedthestrictestcaution，andfortunesecondedmyefforts。ItwasdarkwhenwegottoShrewsbury。OnleavingthecoachIwasenabled，undercoverofthenight，tokeepasharpwatchontheproceedingsofScrewandhisBowStreetally。Theydidnotputupatthehotel，butwalkedawaytoapublichouse。There，myclericalcharacterobligedmetoleavethematthedoor。
Ireturnedtothehotel，tomakeinquiriesaboutconveyances。
TheanswersinformedmethatCrickgellywasalittlefishing-village，andthattherewasnocoachdirecttoit，butthattwocoachesrunningtotwosmallWelshtownssituatedatnearlyequaldistancesfrommydestination，oneithersideofit，wouldpassthroughShrewsburythenextmorning。Thewaiteradded，thatIcouldbookaplace——conditionally——byeitherofthesevehicles；andthat，astheywerealwayswell-filled，Ihadbetterbequickinmakingmychoicebetweenthem。Mattershadnowarrivedatsuchapass，thatnothingwasleftformebuttotrusttochance。IfIwaitedtillthemorningtoseewhetherScrewandtheBowStreetrunnertraveledinmydirection，andtofindout，incasetheydid，whichcoachtheytook，Ishouldberunningtheriskoflosingaplaceformyself，andsodelayingmyjourneyforanotherday。Thiswasnottobethoughtof。Itoldthewaitertobookmeaplaceinwhichcoachhepleased。ThetwowerecalledrespectivelyTheHummingBee，andTheRedCrossKnight。Thewaiterchosethelatter。
Sleepwasnotmuchinmywaythatnight。IrosealmostasearlyasBootshimself——breakfasted——thensatatthecoffee-roomwindowlookingoutanxiouslyforthetwocoaches。
Nobodyseemedtoagreewhichwouldpassfirst。EachoftheinnservantsofwhomIinquiredmadeitamatterofpartisanship，andbackedhisfavoritecoachwiththemostconsummateassurance。Atlast，Iheardtheguard"shornandtheclatterofthehorses"
hoofs。Updroveacoach——Ilookedoutcautiously——itwastheHummingBee。Threeoutsideplaceswerevacant；onebehindthecoachman；twoonthedickey。Thefirstwastakenimmediatelybyafarmer，thesecond——tomyunspeakabledisgustandterror——wassecuredbytheinevitableBowStreetrunner；who，assoonashewasup，helpedtheweaklyScrewintothethirdplace，byhisside。TheyweregoingtoCrickgelly；notadoubtofit，now。
IgrewmadwithimpatienceforthearrivaloftheRedCrossKnight。Half-an-hourpassed——fortyminutes——andthenIheardanotherhornandanotherclatter——andtheRedCrossKnightrattleduptothehoteldooratfullspeed。Whatifthereshouldbenovacantplaceforme!Irantothedoorwithasinkingheart。Outside，thecoachwasdeclaredtobefull。
"Thereisoneinsideplace，"saidthewaiter，"ifyoudon"tmindpayingthe——"
Beforehecouldsaytherest，Iwasoccupyingthatoneinsideplace。Iremembernothingofthejourneyfromthetimeweleftthehoteldoor，exceptthatitwasfearfullylong。AtsomehourofthedaywithwhichIwasnotacquainted(formywatchhadstoppedforwantofwindingup)，Iwassetdowninacleanlittlestreetofaprimlittletown(thenameofwhichIneverthoughtofasking)，andwastoldthatthecoachneverwentanyfurther。
Nopost-chaisewastobehad。WithincredibledifficultyIgotfirstagig，thenamantodriveit；and，last，aponytodrawit。Wehobbledawaycrazilyfromtheinndoor。IthoughtofScrewandtheBowStreetrunnerapproachingCrickgelly，fromtheirpointofthecompass，perhapsatthefullspeedofagoodpost-chaise——Ithoughtofthat，andwouldhavegivenallthemoneyinmypocketfortwohours"useofafastroad-hack。
Judgingbythetimeweoccupiedinmakingthejourney，andalittlealsobymyownimpatience，IshouldsaythatCrickgellymusthavebeenatleasttwentymilesdistantfromthetownwhereItookthegig。Thesunwassetting，whenwefirstheard，throughtheeveningstillness，thesoundofthesurfontheseashore。Thetwilightwasfallingasweenteredthelittlefishingvillage，andletourunfortunateponystop，forthelasttime，atasmallinndoor。
ThefirstquestionIaskedofthelandlordwas，whethertwogentlemen(friendsofmine，ofcourse，whomIexpectedtomeet)
haddrivenintoCrickgelly，alittlewhilebeforeme。Thereplywasinthenegative；andthesenseofreliefitproducedseemedtorestmeatonce，bodyandmind，aftermylongandanxiousjourney。EitherIhadbeatenthespiesontheroad，ortheywerenotboundtoCrickgelly。Anyway，Ihadfirstpossessionofthefieldofaction。Ipaidthemanwhohaddrivenme，andaskedmywaytoZionPlace。Mydirectionsweresimple——Ihadonlytogothroughthevillage，andIshouldfindZionPlaceattheotherendofit。
Thevillagehadaverystrongsmell，andacurioushabitofbuildingboatsinthestreetbetweenintervalsofdetachedcottages；ahelpless，muddy，fishylittleplace。Iwalkedthroughitrapidly；turnedinlandafewhundredyards；ascendedsomerisingground；anddiscerned，inthedimtwilight，foursmalllonesomevillasstandinginpairs，withashedandasaw-pitononeside，andafewshellsofunfinishedhousesontheother。
SomemadlyspeculativebuilderwasevidentlytryingtoturnCrickgellyintoawatering-place。
ImadeoutNumberTwo，anddiscoveredthebell-handlewithdifficulty，itwasgrowingsodark。Aservant-maid——corporeallyenormous；but，asIsoonfound，inatotallyundevelopedstate，mentally——openedthedoor。
"DoesMissGileslivehere？"Iasked。
"Don"tseenovisitors，"answeredthelargemaiden。""T"otheronetrieditandhadtogoaway。Yougo，too。”
""T"othorone？"Irepeated。"Anothervisitor？Andwhendidhecall？"
"Betterthananhourago。”
"Wastherenobodywithhim？"
"No。Don"tseenovisitors。Hewent。Yougo，too"
Justassherepeatedthatexasperatingformulaofwords，adooropenedattheendofthepassage。Myvoicehadevidentlyreachedtheearsofsomebodyinthebackparlor。WhothepersonwasI
couldnotsee，butIheardtherustleofawoman"sdress。Mysituationwasgrowingdesperate，mysuspicionswerearoused——I
determinedtoriskeverything——andIcalledsoftlyinthedirectionoftheopendoor，"Alicia!"
Avoiceanswered，"Goodheavens!Frank？"Itwas_her_voice。Shehadrecognizedmine。Ipushedpastthebigservant；intwostepsIwasattheendofthepassage；inonemoreIwasinthebackparlor。
Shewasthere，standingalonebythesideofatable。Seeingmychangedcostumeandalteredface，sheturneddeadlypale，andstretchedherhandbehindhermechanically，asiftotakeholdofachair。Icaughtherinmyarms；butIwasafraidtokissher——shetrembledsowhenIonlytouchedher。
"Frank!"shesaid，drawingherheadback。"Whatisit？Howdidyoufindout？Formercy"ssakewhatdoesitmean？"
"Itmeans，love，thatI"vecometotakecareofyoufortherestofyourlifeandmine，ifyouwillonlyletme。Don"ttremble——there"snothingtobeafraidof!Onlycomposeyourself，andI"lltellyouwhyIamhereinthisstrangedisguise。Come，come，Alicia!——don"tlooklikethatatme。YoucalledmeFrankjustnow，forthefirsttime。Wouldyouhavedonethat，ifyouhaddislikedmeorforgottenme？"
Isawhercolorbeginningtocomeback——theoldbrightglowreturningtothedearduskycheeks。IfIhadnotseenthemsonearme，Imighthaveexercisedsomeself-control——asitwas，I
lostmypresenceofmindentirely，andkissedher。
Shedrewherselfawayhalf-frightened，half-confused——certainlynotoffended，and，apparently，notverylikelytofaint——whichwasmorethanIcouldhavesaidofherwhenIfirstenteredtheroom。Beforeshehadtimetoreflectontheperilandawkwardnessofourposition，Ipressedthefirstnecessaryquestionsonherrapidly，oneaftertheother。
"WhereisMrs。Baggs？"Iaskedfirst。
Mrs。Baggswasthehousekeeper。
Aliciapointedtotheclosedfolding-doors。"Inthefrontparlor；
asleeponthesofa。”
"Haveyouanysuspicionwhothestrangerwaswhocalledmorethananhourago？"
"None。Theservanttoldhimwesawnovisitors，andhewentaway，withoutleavinghisname。”
"Haveyouheardfromyourfather？"
Shebegantoturnpaleagain，butcontrolledherselfbravely，andansweredinawhisper:
"Mrs。Baggshadashortnotefromhimthismorning。Itwasnotdated；anditonlysaidcircumstanceshadhappenedwhichobligedhimtoleavehomesuddenly，andthatweweretowaitheretillbewroteagain，mostlikelyinafewdays。”
"Now，Alicia，"Isaid，aslightlyasIcould，"Ihavethehighestpossibleopinionofyourcourage，good-sense，andself-control；
andIshallexpectyoutokeepupyourreputationinmyeyes，whileyouarelisteningtowhatIhavetotellyou。”
Sayingthesewords，Itookherbythehandandmadehersitclosebyme；then，breakingittoherasgentlyandgraduallyaspossible，Itoldherallthathadhappenedatthered-brickhousesincetheeveningwhensheleftthedinner-table，andweexchangedourpartinglookatthedining-roomdoor。
Itwasalmostasgreatatrialtometospeakasitwastohertohear。Shesufferedsoviolently，feltsuchevidentmiseryofshameandterror，whileIwasrelatingthestrangeeventswhichhadoccurredinherabsence，thatIonceortwicestoppedinalarm，andalmostrepentedmyboldnessintellingherthetruth。
However，fair-dealingwithher，cruelasitmightseematthetime，wasthebestandsafestcourseforthefuture。HowcouldI
expecthertoputallhertrustinmeifIbeganbydeceivingher——ifIfellintoprevaricationsandexcusesattheveryoutsetofourrenewalofintercourse？Iwentondesperatelytotheend，takingahopefulviewofthemosthopelesscircumstances，andmakingmynarrativeasmercifullyshortaspossible。
WhenIhaddone，thepoorgirl，intheextremityofherforlornnessanddistress，forgotallthelittlemaidenlyconventionalitiesandyoung-lady-likerestraintsofeverydaylife——and，inaburstofnaturalgriefandhonestconfidinghelplessness，hidherfaceonmybosom，andcriedthereasifshewereachildagain，andIwasthemothertowhomshehadbeenusedtolookforcomfort。
Imadenoattempttostophertears——theywerethesafestandbestventfortheviolentagitationunderwhichshewassuffering。Isaidnothing；words，atsuchatimeasthat，wouldonlyhaveaggravatedherdistress。AllthequestionsIhadtoask；alltheproposalsIhadtomake，must，Ifelt，beputoff——nomatteratwhatrisk——untilsomelaterandclamerhour。
Therewesattogether，withonelongunsnuffedcandlelightingussmokily；withthediscordantly-grotesquesoundofthehousekeeper"ssnoringinthefrontroom，minglingwiththesobsoftheweepinggirlonmybosom。Noothernoise，greatorsmall，insidethehouseoroutofit，wasaudible。Thesummernightlookedblackandcloudythroughthelittlebackwindow。
Iwasnotmucheasierinmymind，nowthatthetrialofbreakingmybadnewstoAliciawasover。Thatstrangerwhohadcalledatthehouseanhourbeforeme，weighedonmyspirits。ItcouldnothavebeenDoctorDulcifer。Hewouldhavegainedadmission。CoulditbetheBowStreetrunner，orScrew？Ihadlostsightofthem，itistrue；buthadtheylostsightofme？
Alicia"sgriefgraduallyexhausteditself。Shefeeblyraisedherhead，and，turningitawayfromme，hidherface。Isawthatshewasnotfitfortalkingyet，andbeggedhertogoupstairstothedrawing-roomandliedownalittle。Shelookedapprehensivelytowardthefolding-doorsthatshutusofffromthefrontparlor。
"LeaveMrs。Baggstome，"Isaid。"Iwanttohaveafewwordswithher；and，assoonasyouaregone，I"llmakenoiseenoughheretowakeher。”
Alicialookedatmeinquiringlyandamazedly。Ididnotspeakagain。Timewasnowofterribleimportancetous——Igentlyledhertothedoor。
CHAPTERXIV。
AssoonasIwasalone，Itookfrommypocketoneofthehandbillswhichmyexcitablefellow-travelerhadpresentedtome，soastohaveitreadyforMrs。Baggsthemomentwestoodfacetoface。Armedwiththisominousletterofintroduction，Ikickedachairdownagainstthefolding-doors，bywayofgivingapreliminaryknocktoarousethehousekeeper"sattention。Theplanwasimmediatelysuccessful。Mrs。Baggsopenedthedoorsofcommunicationviolently。Aslightsmellofspiritsenteredtheroom，andwasfollowedclosebythehousekeeperherself，withanindignantfaceandadisorderedhead-dress。
"Whatdoyoumean，sir？Howdareyou——"shebegan；thenstoppedaghast，lookingatmeinspeechlessastonishment。
"Ihavebeenobligedtomakeaslightalterationinmypersonalappearance，ma"am，"Isaid。"ButIamstillFrankSoftly。”
"Don"ttalktomeaboutpersonalappearances，sir，"criedMrs。
Baggsrecovering。"Whatdoyoumeanbybeinghere？Leavethehouseimmediately。Ishallwritetothedoctor，Mr。Softly，thisverynight。”
"Hehasnoaddressyoucandirectto，"Irejoined。"Ifyoudon"tbelieveme，readthat。”Igaveherthehandbillwithoutanotherwordofpreface。
Mrs。Baggslookedatit——lostinaninstantsomeofthefinecolorplentifullydiffusedoverherfacebysleepandspirits——satdowninthenearestchairwithathumpthatseemedtothreatentheveryfoundationsofNumberTwo，ZionPlace——andstaredmehardintheface；themostspeechlessandhelplesselderlyfemaleIeverbeheld。
"Takeplentyoftimetocomposeyourselfma"am，"Isaid。"Ifyoudon"tseethedoctoragainsoon，underthegallows，youwillprobablynothavethepleasureofmeetingwithhimforsomeconsiderabletime。”
Mrs。Baggssmotebothherhandsdistractedlyonherknees，andwhisperedadevoutejaculationtoherselfsoftly。
"Allowmetodealwithyou，ma"am，asawomanoftheworld，"I
wenton。"Ifyouwillgivemehalf-an-hour"shearing，IwillexplaintoyouhowIcometoknowwhatIdo；howIgothere；andwhatIhavetoproposetoMissAliciaandtoyou。”
"Ifyouhavethefeelingsofaman，sir，"saidMrs。Baggs，shakingherheadandraisinghereyestoheaven，"youwillrememberthatIhavenerves，andwillnotpresumeuponthem。”
Astheoldladyutteredthelastwords，IthoughtIsawhereyesturnfromheaven，andtaketheearthlydirectionofthesofainthefrontparlor。Itstruckmealsothatherlipslookedratherdry。UponthesetwohintsIspoke。
"MightIsuggestsomelittlestimulant？"Iasked，withrespectfulearnestness。"Ihaveheardmygrandmother(LadyMalkinshaw)saythat，"adropintimesavesnine。""
"Youwillfinditunderthesofapillow，"saidMrs。Baggs，withsuddenbriskness。""Adropintimesavesnine"——mysentiments，ifImayputmyselfonaparwithherladyship。Theliqueur-glass，Mr。Softly，isinthebackgammon-board。Ihopeherladyshipwaswellthelasttimeyouheardfromher？Suffersfromhernerves，doesshe？Likeme，again。Inthebackgammon-board。
Oh，thisnews，thisawfulnews!"
Ifoundthebottleofbrandyintheplaceindicated，butnoliqueur-glassinthebackgammon-board。Therewas，however，awine-glass，accidentallyleftonachairbythesofa。Mrs。BaggsdidnotseemtonoticethedifferencewhenIbroughtitintothebackroomandfilleditwithbrandy。
"Takeatoothfulyourself，"saidMrs。Baggs，lightlytossingoffthedraminamoment。""Adropintime"——Ican"thelprepeatingit，it"ssonicelyexpressed。Still，withsubmissiontoherladyship"sbetterjudgment，Mr。Softly，thequestionseemsnowtoarise，whether，ifonedropintimesavesnine，twodropsintimemaynotsaveeighteen。”HereMrs。Baggsforgothernervesandwinked。Ireturnedthewinkandfilledtheglassasecondtime。
"Oh，thisnews，thisawfulnews!"saidMrs。Baggs，rememberinghernervesagain。
JustthenIthoughtIheardfootstepsinfrontofthehouse，but，listeningmoreattentively，foundthatithadbeguntorain，andthatIhadbeendeceivedbythepatteringofthefirstheavydropsagainstthewindows。However，thebaresuspicionthatthesamestrangerwhohadcalledalreadymightbewatchingthehousenow，wasenoughtostartlemeveryseriously，andtosuggesttheabsolutenecessityofoccupyingnomoreprecioustimeinpayingattentiontothevagariesofMrs。Baggs"nerves。ItwasalsoofsomeimportancethatIshouldspeaktoherwhileshewassoberenoughtounderstandwhatImeantinageneralway。
FeelingconvincedthatshewasinimminentdangerofbecomingdownrightdrunkifIgaveheranotherglass，Ikeptmyhandonthebottle，andforthwithtoldmystoryoveragaininaveryabridgedandunceremoniousform，andwithoutallowingheronemomentofleisureforcommentonmynarrative，whetheritmightbeoftheweeping，winking，drinking，groaning，orejaculatingkind。AsIhadanticipated，whenIcametoaconclusion，andconsequentlyallowedheranopportunityofsayingafewwords，sheaffectedtobeextremelyshockedandsurprisedathearingofthenatureofhermaster"spursuits，andreproachedmeintermsofthemostvehementandvirtuousindignationforincurringtheguiltofabettingthem，eventhoughIhaddonesofromtheveryexcusablemotiveofsavingmyownlife。Havingalivelysenseofthehumorous，Iwasnecessarilyratheramusedbythis；butI
begantogetalittlesurprisedaswell，whenwedivergedtothesubjectofthedoctor"sescape，onfindingthatMrs。Baggsviewedthefactofhisrunningawaytosomehiding-placeofhisowninthelightofapersonalinsulttohisfaithfulandattachedhousekeeper。
"Itshowsawantofconfidenceinme，"saidtheoldlady，"whichImayforgive，butcanneverforget。ThesacrificesIhavemadeforthatungratefulmanarenottobetoldinwords。Theverymorninghesentusawayhere，whatdidIdo？PackedupthemomenthesaidGo。Ihadmypreservestopot，andthekitchenchimneytobeswept，andthelockofmyboxhamperedintothebargain。Otherwomeninmyplacewouldhavegrumbled——Igotupdirectly，aslivelyasanygirlofeighteenyouliketomention。Sayshe，"I
wantAliciatakenoutofyoungSoftly"sway，andyoumustdoit。"——SaysI，"Thisverymorning，sir？"——Sayshe，"Thisverymorning。"——SaysI，"Whereto？"——Sayshe，"Asfaroffaseveryoucango；coastofWales——Crickgelly。Iwon"ttrusthernearer；
youngSoftly"stoocunning，andshe"stoofondofhim。"——"Anymoreorders，sir？"saysI——"Yes；takesomefancyname——Simkins，Johnson，Giles，Jones，James，"sayshe，"whatyoulikebutDulcifer；forthatscampSoftlywillmoveheavenandearthtotraceher。"——"Whatelse？"saysI——"Nothing，butlooksharp，"
sayshe；"andmindonething，thatsheseesnovisitors，andpostsnoletters。"Beforethoselastwordshadbeenoutofhiswickedlipsanhour，wewereoff。AnicejobIhadtogetheraway——anicejobtostopherfromwritingletterstoyou——anicejobtokeepherhere。ButIdidit；Ifollowedmyorderslikeaslaveinaplantationwithawhipathisbareback。I"vehadrheumatics，weaklegs，badnights，andmissinthesulks——allfromobeyingthedoctor"sorders。Andwhatismyreward？Heturnscoiner，andrunsawaywithoutawordtomebeforehand，andwritesmeatrumperynote，withoutadatetoit，withoutafarthingofmoneyinit，tellingmenothing!Lookatmyconfidenceinhim，andthenlookatthewayhe"streatedmeinreturn。Whatwoman"snervescanstandthat？Don"tkeepfidgetingwiththebottle!Passitthisway，Mr。Softly，oryou"llbreakit，anddrivemedistracted。”
"Hehasnoexcuse，ma"am，"Isaid。"Butwillyouallowmetochangethesubject，asIampressedfortime？YouappeartobesowellacquaintedwiththefavorableopinionwhichMissAliciaandIentertainofeachother，thatIhopeitwillbenofreshshocktoyournerves，ifIinformyou，inplainwords，thatIhavecometoCrickgellytomarryher。”
"Marryher!marry——Ifyoudon"tleaveofffidgetingwiththebottle，Mr。Softly，andchangethesubjectdirectly，Ishallringthebell。”
"Hearmeout，ma"am，andthenringifyoulike。Ifyoupersist，however，inconsideringyourselfstilltheconfidentialservantofafelonwhoisnowflyingforhislife，andifyoudeclineallowingtheyoungladytoactasshewishes，Iwillnotbesorudeastohintthat——assheisofage——shemaywalkoutofthishousewithme，whenevershelikes，withoutyourhavingthepowertopreventher；but，Iwillpolitelyaskinstead，whatyouwouldproposetodowithher，inthestraitenedpositionastomoneyinwhichsheandyouarelikelytobeplaced？Youcan"tfindherfathertogiveherto；and，ifyoucould，whowouldbethebestprotectorforher？Thedoctor，whoistheprincipalcriminalintheeyeofthelaw，orI，whoamonlytheunwillingaccomplice？
HeisknowntotheBowStreetrunners——Iamnot。Thereisarewardforthetakingofhim，andnoneforthetakingofme。Hehasnorespectablerelativesandfriends，Ihaveplenty。Everywaymychancesarethebest；andconsequentlyIam，everyway，thefittestpersontotrustherto。Don"tyouseethat？"
Mrs。Baggsdidnotimmediatelyanswer。Shesnatchedthebottleoutofmyhands——drankoffanotherdram，shookherheadatme，andejaculatedlamentably:"Mynerves，mynerves!whataheartofstonehemusthavetopresumeonmypoornerves!"
"Givemeoneminutemore，"Iwenton。"IproposetotakeyouandAliciato-morrowmorningtoScotland。Praydon"tgroan!Ionlysuggestthejourneywithamatrimonialobject。InScotland，Mrs。