`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,onceandtwicetheTuileries,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,abruptvoicethoughinalowtone,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,withafarmoregrudgingcondescensionandpatronagethanliecouldhaveshowniftheirrelativemeritsandpositionshadbeenreversedwhichisinvariablythecase,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,andfillinghisglasswhichfortunatelywasasmalloneagain.`Can\'t——be.SpokegoodFrench.Yetlikeaforeigner,Ithought?\'
`Provincial,\'saidthespy.
`No.Foreign!\'criedCarton,strikinghisopenhandonthetable,asalightbrokeclearlyonhismind.`Cly!Disguised,butthesameman.WehadthatmanbeforeusattheOldBailey.\'
`Now,thereyouarehasty,sir,\'saidBarsad,withasmilethatgavehisaquilinenoseanextrainclinationtooneside;`thereyoureallygivemeanadvantageoveryou.ClywhoIwillunreservedlyadmit,atthisdistanceoftime,wasapartnerofminehasbeendeadseveralyears.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,andwotwithprivatewatchmenallawariciousandallinit,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\'tsayitisforIwillnotprewaricatetoyou,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.\'