`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.'