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.\'