ATALEOFTWOCITIESASTORYOFTHEFRENCHREVOLUTIONBYCHARLESDICKENSCONTENTSBOOKTHEFIRST--RECALLEDTOLIFECHAPTERITHEPERIODCHAPTERIITHEMAILCHAPTERIIITHENIGHTSHADOWSCHAPTERIVTHEPREPARATIONCHAPTERVTHEWINE-SHOPCHAPTERVITHESHOEMAKERBOOKTHESECOND--THEGOLDENTHREADCHAPTERIFIVEYEARSLATERCHAPTERIIASIGHTCHAPTERIIIADISAPPOINTMENTCHAPTERIVCONGRATULATORYCHAPTERVTHEJACKALCHAPTERVIHUNDREDSOFPEOPLECHAPTERVIIMONSEIGNEURINTOWNCHAPTERVIIIMONSEIGNEURINTHECOUNTRYCHAPTERIXTHEGORGON'SHEADCHAPTERXTWOPROMISESCHAPTERXIACOMPANIONPICTURECHAPTERXIITHEFELLOWOFDELICACYCHAPTERXIIITHEFELLOWOFNODELICACYCHAPTERXIVTHEHONESTTRADESMANCHAPTERXVKNITTINGCHAPTERXVISTILLKNITTINGCHAPTERXVIIONENIGHTCHAPTERXVIIININEDAYSCHAPTERXIXANOPINIONCHAPTERXXAPLEACHAPTERXXIECHOINGFOOTSTEPSCHAPTERXXIITHESEASTILLRISESCHAPTERXXIIIFIRERISESCHAPTERXXIVDRAWNTOTHELOADSTONEROCKBOOKTHETHIRD--THETRACKOFASTORMCHAPTERIINSECRETCHAPTERIITHEGRINDSTONECHAPTERIIITHESHADOWCHAPTERIVCALMINSTORMCHAPTERVTHEWOOD-SAWYERCHAPTERVITRIUMPHCHAPTERVIIAKNOCKATTHEDOORCHAPTERVIIIAHANDATCARDSCHAPTERIXTHEGAMEMADECHAPTERXTHESUBSTANCEOFTHESHADOWCHAPTERXIDUSKCHAPTERXIIDARKNESSCHAPTERXIIIFIFTY-TWOCHAPTERXIVTHEKNITTINGDONECHAPTERXVTHEFOOTSTEPSDIEOUTFOREVERBOOKTHEFIRST--RECALLEDTOLIFEI.THEPERIODITWASTHEBESTOFTIMES,ITWASTHEWORSTOFTIMES,ITWASTHEAGEOFWISDOM,ITWASTHEAGEOFFOOLISHNESS,ITWASTHEEPOCHOFBELIEF,ITWASTHEEPOCHOFINCREDULITY,ITWASTHESEASONOFLIGHT,ITWASTHESEASONOFDARKNESS,ITWASTHESPRINGOFHOPE,ITWASTHEWINTEROFDESPAIR,WEHADEVERYTHINGBEFOREUS,WEHADNOTHINGBEFOREUS,WEWEREALLGOINGDIRECTTOHEAVEN,WEWEREALLGOINGDIRECTTHEOTHERWAY--INSHORT,THEPERIODWASSOFARLIKETHEPRESENTPERIOD,THATSOMEOFITSNOISIESTAUTHORITIESINSISTEDONITSBEINGRECEIVED,FORGOODORFOREVIL,INTHESUPERLATIVEDEGREEOFCOMPARISONONLY.THEREWEREAKINGWITHALARGEJAWANDAQUEENWITHAPLAINFACE,ONTHETHRONEOFENGLAND;THEREWEREAKINGWITHALARGEJAWANDAQUEENWITHAFAIRFACE,ONTHETHRONEOFFRANCE.INBOTHCOUNTRIESITWASCLEARERTHANCRYSTALTOTHELORDSOFTHESTATEPRESERVESOFLOAVESANDFISHES,THATTHINGSINGENERALWERESETTLEDFOREVER.ITWASTHEYEAROFOURLORDONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDSEVENTY-FIVE.SPIRITUALREVELATIONSWERECONCEDEDTOENGLANDATTHATFAVOUREDPERIOD,ASATTHIS.MRS.SOUTHCOTTHADRECENTLYATTAINEDHERFIVE-AND-TWENTIETHBLESSEDBIRTHDAY,OFWHOMAPROPHETICPRIVATEINTHELIFEGUARDSHADHERALDEDTHESUBLIMEAPPEARANCEBYANNOUNCINGTHATARRANGEMENTSWEREMADEFORTHESWALLOWINGUPOFLONDONANDWESTMINSTER.EVENTHECOCK-LANEGHOSTHADBEENLAIDONLYAROUNDDOZENOFYEARS,AFTERRAPPINGOUTITSMESSAGES,ASTHESPIRITSOFTHISVERYYEARLASTPAST(SUPERNATURALLYDEFICIENTINORIGINALITY)RAPPEDOUTTHEIRS.MEREMESSAGESINTHEEARTHLYORDEROFEVENTSHADLATELYCOMETOTHEENGLISHCROWNANDPEOPLE,FROMACONGRESSOFBRITISHSUBJECTSINAMERICA:WHICH,STRANGETORELATE,HAVEPROVEDMOREIMPORTANTTOTHEHUMANRACETHANANYCOMMUNICATIONSYETRECEIVEDTHROUGHANYOFTHECHICKENSOFTHECOCK-LANEBROOD.FRANCE,LESSFAVOUREDONTHEWHOLEASTOMATTERSSPIRITUALTHANHERSISTEROFTHESHIELDANDTRIDENT,ROLLEDWITHEXCEEDINGSMOOTHNESSDOWNHILL,MAKINGPAPERMONEYANDSPENDINGIT.UNDERTHEGUIDANCEOFHERCHRISTIANPASTORS,SHEENTERTAINEDHERSELF,BESIDES,WITHSUCHHUMANEACHIEVEMENTSASSENTENCINGAYOUTHTOHAVEHISHANDSCUTOFF,HISTONGUETORNOUTWITHPINCERS,ANDHISBODYBURNEDALIVE,BECAUSEHEHADNOTKNEELEDDOWNINTHERAINTODOHONOURTOADIRTYPROCESSIONOFMONKSWHICHPASSEDWITHINHISVIEW,ATADISTANCEOFSOMEFIFTYORSIXTYYARDS.ITISLIKELYENOUGHTHAT,ROOTEDINTHEWOODSOFFRANCEANDNORWAY,THEREWEREGROWINGTREES,WHENTHATSUFFERERWASPUTTODEATH,ALREADYMARKEDBYTHEWOODMAN,FATE,TOCOMEDOWNANDBESAWNINTOBOARDS,TOMAKEACERTAINMOVABLEFRAMEWORKWITHASACKANDAKNIFEINIT,TERRIBLEINHISTORY.ITISLIKELYENOUGHTHATINTHEROUGHOUTHOUSESOFSOMETILLERSOFTHEHEAVYLANDSADJACENTTOPARIS,THEREWERESHELTEREDFROMTHEWEATHERTHATVERYDAY,RUDECARTS,BESPATTEREDWITHRUSTICMIRE,SNUFFEDABOUTBYPIGS,ANDROOSTEDINBYPOULTRY,WHICHTHEFARMER,DEATH,HADALREADYSETAPARTTOBEHISTUMBRILSOFTHEREVOLUTION.BUTTHATWOODMANANDTHATFARMER,THOUGHTHEYWORKUNCEASINGLY,WORKSILENTLY,ANDNOONEHEARDTHEMASTHEYWENTABOUTWITHMUFFLEDTREAD:THERATHER,FORASMUCHASTOENTERTAINANYSUSPICIONTHATTHEYWEREAWAKE,WASTOBEATHEISTICALANDTRAITOROUS.INENGLAND,THEREWASSCARCELYANAMOUNTOFORDERANDPROTECTIONTOJUSTIFYMUCHNATIONALBOASTING.DARINGBURGLARIESBYARMEDMEN,ANDHIGHWAYROBBERIES,TOOKPLACEINTHECAPITALITSELFEVERYNIGHT;FAMILIESWEREPUBLICLYCAUTIONEDNOTTOGOOUTOFTOWNWITHOUTREMOVINGTHEIRFURNITURETOUPHOLSTERERS'WAREHOUSESFORSECURITY;THEHIGHWAYMANINTHEDARKWASACITYTRADESMANINTHELIGHT,AND,BEINGRECOGNISEDANDCHALLENGEDBYHISFELLOW-TRADESMANWHOMHESTOPPEDINHISCHARACTEROF"THECAPTAIN,"GALLANTLYSHOTHIMTHROUGHTHEHEADANDRODEAWAY;THEMAILWASWAYLAIDBYSEVENROBBERS,ANDTHEGUARDSHOTTHREEDEAD,ANDTHENGOTSHOTDEADHIMSELFBYTHEOTHERFOUR,"INCONSEQUENCEOFTHEFAILUREOFHISAMMUNITION:"AFTERWHICHTHEMAILWASROBBEDINPEACE;THATMAGNIFICENTPOTENTATE,THELORDMAYOROFLONDON,WASMADETOSTANDANDDELIVERONTURNHAMGREEN,BYONEHIGHWAYMAN,WHODESPOILEDTHEILLUSTRIOUSCREATUREINSIGHTOFALLHISRETINUE;PRISONERSINLONDONGAOLSFOUGHTBATTLESWITHTHEIRTURNKEYS,ANDTHEMAJESTYOFTHELAWFIREDBLUNDERBUSSESINAMONGTHEM,LOADEDWITHROUNDSOFSHOTANDBALL;THIEVESSNIPPEDOFFDIAMONDCROSSESFROMTHENECKSOFNOBLELORDSATCOURTDRAWING-ROOMS;MUSKETEERSWENTINTOST.GILES'S,TOSEARCHFORCONTRABANDGOODS,ANDTHEMOBFIREDONTHEMUSKETEERS,ANDTHEMUSKETEERSFIREDONTHEMOB,ANDNOBODYTHOUGHTANYOFTHESEOCCURRENCESMUCHOUTOFTHECOMMONWAY.INTHEMIDSTOFTHEM,THEHANGMAN,EVERBUSYANDEVERWORSETHANUSELESS,WASINCONSTANTREQUISITION;NOW,STRINGINGUPLONGROWSOFMISCELLANEOUSCRIMINALS;NOW,HANGINGAHOUSEBREAKERONSATURDAYWHOHADBEENTAKENONTUESDAY;NOW,BURNINGPEOPLEINTHEHANDATNEWGATEBYTHEDOZEN,ANDNOWBURNINGPAMPHLETSATTHEDOOROFWESTMINSTERHALL;TO-DAY,TAKINGTHELIFEOFANATROCIOUSMURDERER,ANDTO-MORROWOFAWRETCHEDPILFERERWHOHADROBBEDAFARMER'SBOYOFSIXPENCE.ALLTHESETHINGS,ANDATHOUSANDLIKETHEM,CAMETOPASSINANDCLOSEUPONTHEDEAROLDYEARONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDSEVENTY-FIVE.ENVIRONEDBYTHEM,WHILETHEWOODMANANDTHEFARMERWORKEDUNHEEDED,THOSETWOOFTHELARGEJAWS,ANDTHOSEOTHERTWOOFTHEPLAINANDTHEFAIRFACES,TRODWITHSTIRENOUGH,ANDCARRIEDTHEIRDIVINERIGHTSWITHAHIGHHAND.THUSDIDTHEYEARONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDSEVENTY-FIVECONDUCTTHEIRGREATNESSES,ANDMYRIADSOFSMALLCREATURES--THECREATURESOFTHISCHRONICLEAMONGTHEREST--ALONGTHEROADSTHATLAYBEFORETHEM.II.THEMAILITWASTHEDOVERROADTHATLAY,ONAFRIDAYNIGHTLATEINNOVEMBER,BEFORETHEFIRSTOFTHEPERSONSWITHWHOMTHISHISTORYHASBUSINESS.THEDOVERROADLAY,ASTOHIM,BEYONDTHEDOVERMAIL,ASITLUMBEREDUPSHOOTER'SHILL.HEWALKEDUPHILLINTHEMIREBYTHESIDEOFTHEMAIL,ASTHERESTOFTHEPASSENGERSDID;NOTBECAUSETHEYHADTHELEASTRELISHFORWALKINGEXERCISE,UNDERTHECIRCUMSTANCES,BUTBECAUSETHEHILL,ANDTHEHARNESS,ANDTHEMUD,ANDTHEMAIL,WEREALLSOHEAVY,THATTHEHORSESHADTHREETIMESALREADYCOMETOASTOP,BESIDESONCEDRAWINGTHECOACHACROSSTHEROAD,WITHTHEMUTINOUSINTENTOFTAKINGITBACKTOBLACKHEATH.REINSANDWHIPANDCOACHMANANDGUARD,HOWEVER,INCOMBINATION,HADREADTHATARTICLEOFWARWHICHFORBADEAPURPOSEOTHERWISESTRONGLYINFAVOUROFTHEARGUMENT,THATSOMEBRUTEANIMALSAREENDUEDWITHREASON;ANDTHETEAMHADCAPITULATEDANDRETURNEDTOTHEIRDUTY.WITHDROOPINGHEADSANDTREMULOUSTAILS,THEYMASHEDTHEIRWAYTHROUGHTHETHICKMUD,FLOUNDERINGANDSTUMBLINGBETWEENWHILES,ASIFTHEYWEREFALLINGTOPIECESATTHELARGERJOINTS.ASOFTENASTHEDRIVERRESTEDTHEMANDBROUGHTTHEMTOASTAND,WITHAWARY"WO-HO!SO-HO-THEN!"THENEARLEADERVIOLENTLYSHOOKHISHEADANDEVERYTHINGUPONIT--LIKEANUNUSUALLYEMPHATICHORSE,DENYINGTHATTHECOACHCOULDBEGOTUPTHEHILL.WHENEVERTHELEADERMADETHISRATTLE,THEPASSENGERSTARTED,ASANERVOUSPASSENGERMIGHT,ANDWASDISTURBEDINMIND.THEREWASASTEAMINGMISTINALLTHEHOLLOWS,ANDITHADROAMEDINITSFORLORNNESSUPTHEHILL,LIKEANEVILSPIRIT,SEEKINGRESTANDFINDINGNONE.ACLAMMYANDINTENSELYCOLDMIST,ITMADEITSSLOWWAYTHROUGHTHEAIRINRIPPLESTHATVISIBLYFOLLOWEDANDOVERSPREADONEANOTHER,ASTHEWAVESOFANUNWHOLESOMESEAMIGHTDO.ITWASDENSEENOUGHTOSHUTOUTEVERYTHINGFROMTHELIGHTOFTHECOACH-LAMPSBUTTHESEITSOWNWORKINGS,ANDAFEWYARDSOFROAD;ANDTHEREEKOFTHELABOURINGHORSESSTEAMEDINTOIT,ASIFTHEYHADMADEITALL.TWOOTHERPASSENGERS,BESIDESTHEONE,WEREPLODDINGUPTHEHILLBYTHESIDEOFTHEMAIL.ALLTHREEWEREWRAPPEDTOTHECHEEKBONESANDOVERTHEEARS,ANDWOREJACK-BOOTS.NOTONEOFTHETHREECOULDHAVESAID,FROMANYTHINGHESAW,WHATEITHEROFTHEOTHERTWOWASLIKE;ANDEACHWASHIDDENUNDERALMOSTASMANYWRAPPERSFROMTHEEYESOFTHEMIND,ASFROMTHEEYESOFTHEBODY,OFHISTWOCOMPANIONS.INTHOSEDAYS,TRAVELLERSWEREVERYSHYOFBEINGCONFIDENTIALONASHORTNOTICE,FORANYBODYONTHEROADMIGHTBEAROBBERORINLEAGUEWITHROBBERS.ASTOTHELATTER,WHENEVERYPOSTING-HOUSEANDALE-HOUSECOULDPRODUCESOMEBODYIN"THECAPTAIN'S"PAY,RANGINGFROMTHELANDLORDTOTHELOWESTSTABLENON-DESCRIPT,ITWASTHELIKELIESTTHINGUPONTHECARDS.SOTHEGUARDOFTHEDOVERMAILTHOUGHTTOHIMSELF,THATFRIDAYNIGHTINNOVEMBER,ONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDSEVENTY-FIVE,LUMBERINGUPSHOOTER'SHILL,ASHESTOODONHISOWNPARTICULARPERCHBEHINDTHEMAIL,BEATINGHISFEET,ANDKEEPINGANEYEANDAHANDONTHEARM-CHESTBEFOREHIM,WHEREALOADEDBLUNDERBUSSLAYATTHETOPOFSIXOREIGHTLOADEDHORSE-PISTOLS,DEPOSITEDONASUBSTRATUMOFCUTLASS.THEDOVERMAILWASINITSUSUALGENIALPOSITIONTHATTHEGUARDSUSPECTEDTHEPASSENGERS,THEPASSENGERSSUSPECTEDONEANOTHERANDTHEGUARD,THEYALLSUSPECTEDEVERYBODYELSE,ANDTHECOACHMANWASSUREOFNOTHINGBUTTHEHORSES;ASTOWHICHCATTLEHECOULDWITHACLEARCONSCIENCEHAVETAKENHISOATHONTHETWOTESTAMENTSTHATTHEYWERENOTFITFORTHEJOURNEY."WO-HO!"SAIDTHECOACHMAN."SO,THEN!ONEMOREPULLANDYOU'REATTHETOPANDBEDAMNEDTOYOU,FORIHAVEHADTROUBLEENOUGHTOGETYOUTOIT!--JOE!""HALLOA!"THEGUARDREPLIED."WHATO'CLOCKDOYOUMAKEIT,JOE?""TENMINUTES,GOOD,PASTELEVEN.""MYBLOOD!"EJACULATEDTHEVEXEDCOACHMAN,"ANDNOTATOPOFSHOOTER'SYET!TST!YAH!GETONWITHYOU!"THEEMPHATICHORSE,CUTSHORTBYTHEWHIPINAMOSTDECIDEDNEGATIVE,MADEADECIDEDSCRAMBLEFORIT,ANDTHETHREEOTHERHORSESFOLLOWEDSUIT.ONCEMORE,THEDOVERMAILSTRUGGLEDON,WITHTHEJACK-BOOTSOFITSPASSENGERSSQUASHINGALONGBYITSSIDE.THEYHADSTOPPEDWHENTHECOACHSTOPPED,ANDTHEYKEPTCLOSECOMPANYWITHIT.IFANYONEOFTHETHREEHADHADTHEHARDIHOODTOPROPOSETOANOTHERTOWALKONALITTLEAHEADINTOTHEMISTANDDARKNESS,HEWOULDHAVEPUTHIMSELFINAFAIRWAYOFGETTINGSHOTINSTANTLYASAHIGHWAYMAN.THELASTBURSTCARRIEDTHEMAILTOTHESUMMITOFTHEHILL.THEHORSESSTOPPEDTOBREATHEAGAIN,ANDTHEGUARDGOTDOWNTOSKIDTHEWHEELFORTHEDESCENT,ANDOPENTHECOACH-DOORTOLETTHEPASSENGERSIN."TST!JOE!"CRIEDTHECOACHMANINAWARNINGVOICE,LOOKINGDOWNFROMHISBOX."WHATDOYOUSAY,TOM?"THEYBOTHLISTENED."ISAYAHORSEATACANTERCOMINGUP,JOE.""_I_SAYAHORSEATAGALLOP,TOM,"RETURNEDTHEGUARD,LEAVINGHISHOLDOFTHEDOOR,ANDMOUNTINGNIMBLYTOHISPLACE."GENTLEMEN!INTHEKING'SNAME,ALLOFYOU!"WITHTHISHURRIEDADJURATION,HECOCKEDHISBLUNDERBUSS,ANDSTOODONTHEOFFENSIVE.THEPASSENGERBOOKEDBYTHISHISTORY,WASONTHECOACH-STEP,GETTINGIN;THETWOOTHERPASSENGERSWERECLOSEBEHINDHIM,ANDABOUTTOFOLLOW.HEREMAINEDONTHESTEP,HALFINTHECOACHANDHALFOUTOF;THEYREMAINEDINTHEROADBELOWHIM.THEYALLLOOKEDFROMTHECOACHMANTOTHEGUARD,ANDFROMTHEGUARDTOTHECOACHMAN,ANDLISTENED.THECOACHMANLOOKEDBACKANDTHEGUARDLOOKEDBACK,ANDEVENTHEEMPHATICLEADERPRICKEDUPHISEARSANDLOOKEDBACK,WITHOUTCONTRADICTING.THESTILLNESSCONSEQUENTONTHECESSATIONOFTHERUMBLINGANDLABOURINGOFTHECOACH,ADDEDTOTHESTILLNESSOFTHENIGHT,MADEITVERYQUIETINDEED.THEPANTINGOFTHEHORSESCOMMUNICATEDATREMULOUSMOTIONTOTHECOACH,ASIFITWEREINASTATEOFAGITATION.THEHEARTSOFTHEPASSENGERSBEATLOUDENOUGHPERHAPSTOBEHEARD;BUTATANYRATE,THEQUIETPAUSEWASAUDIBLYEXPRESSIVEOFPEOPLEOUTOFBREATH,ANDHOLDINGTHEBREATH,ANDHAVINGTHEPULSESQUICKENEDBYEXPECTATION.THESOUNDOFAHORSEATAGALLOPCAMEFASTANDFURIOUSLYUPTHEHILL."SO-HO!"THEGUARDSANGOUT,ASLOUDASHECOULDROAR."YOTHERE!STAND!ISHALLFIRE!"THEPACEWASSUDDENLYCHECKED,AND,WITHMUCHSPLASHINGANDFLOUNDERING,AMAN'SVOICECALLEDFROMTHEMIST,"ISTHATTHEDOVERMAIL?""NEVERYOUMINDWHATITIS!"THEGUARDRETORTED."WHATAREYOU?""_IS_THATTHEDOVERMAIL?""WHYDOYOUWANTTOKNOW?""IWANTAPASSENGER,IFITIS.""WHATPASSENGER?""MR.JARVISLORRY."OURBOOKEDPASSENGERSHOWEDINAMOMENTTHATITWASHISNAME.THEGUARD,THECOACHMAN,ANDTHETWOOTHERPASSENGERSEYEDHIMDISTRUSTFULLY."KEEPWHEREYOUARE,"THEGUARDCALLEDTOTHEVOICEINTHEMIST,"BECAUSE,IFISHOULDMAKEAMISTAKE,ITCOULDNEVERBESETRIGHTINYOURLIFETIME.GENTLEMANOFTHENAMEOFLORRYANSWERSTRAIGHT.""WHATISTHEMATTER?"ASKEDTHEPASSENGER,THEN,WITHMILDLYQUAVERINGSPEECH."WHOWANTSME?ISITJERRY?"("IDON'TLIKEJERRY'SVOICE,IFITISJERRY,"GROWLEDTHEGUARDTOHIMSELF."HE'SHOARSERTHANSUITSME,ISJERRY.")"YES,MR.LORRY.""WHATISTHEMATTER?""ADESPATCHSENTAFTERYOUFROMOVERYONDER.T.ANDCO.""IKNOWTHISMESSENGER,GUARD,"SAIDMR.LORRY,GETTINGDOWNINTOTHEROAD--ASSISTEDFROMBEHINDMORESWIFTLYTHANPOLITELYBYTHEOTHERTWOPASSENGERS,WHOIMMEDIATELYSCRAMBLEDINTOTHECOACH,SHUTTHEDOOR,ANDPULLEDUPTHEWINDOW."HEMAYCOMECLOSE;THERE'SNOTHINGWRONG.""IHOPETHEREAIN'T,BUTICAN'TMAKESO'NATIONSUREOFTHAT,"SAIDTHEGUARD,INGRUFFSOLILOQUY."HALLOYOU!""WELL!ANDHALLOYOU!"SAIDJERRY,MOREHOARSELYTHANBEFORE."COMEONATAFOOTPACE!D'YEMINDME?ANDIFYOU'VEGOTHOLSTERSTOTHATSADDLEO'YOURN,DON'TLETMESEEYOURHANDGONIGH'EM.FORI'MADEVILATAQUICKMISTAKE,ANDWHENIMAKEONEITTAKESTHEFORMOFLEAD.SONOWLET'SLOOKATYOU."THEFIGURESOFAHORSEANDRIDERCAMESLOWLYTHROUGHTHEEDDYINGMIST,ANDCAMETOTHESIDEOFTHEMAIL,WHERETHEPASSENGERSTOOD.THERIDERSTOOPED,AND,CASTINGUPHISEYESATTHEGUARD,HANDEDTHEPASSENGERASMALLFOLDEDPAPER.THERIDER'SHORSEWASBLOWN,ANDBOTHHORSEANDRIDERWERECOVEREDWITHMUD,FROMTHEHOOFSOFTHEHORSETOTHEHATOFTHEMAN."GUARD!"SAIDTHEPASSENGER,INATONEOFQUIETBUSINESSCONFIDENCE.THEWATCHFULGUARD,WITHHISRIGHTHANDATTHESTOCKOFHISRAISEDBLUNDERBUSS,HISLEFTATTHEBARREL,ANDHISEYEONTHEHORSEMAN,ANSWEREDCURTLY,"SIR.""THEREISNOTHINGTOAPPREHEND.IBELONGTOTELLSON'SBANK.YOUMUSTKNOWTELLSON'SBANKINLONDON.IAMGOINGTOPARISONBUSINESS.ACROWNTODRINK.IMAYREADTHIS?""IFSOBEASYOU'REQUICK,SIR."HEOPENEDITINTHELIGHTOFTHECOACH-LAMPONTHATSIDE,ANDREAD--FIRSTTOHIMSELFANDTHENALOUD:"'WAITATDOVERFORMAM'SELLE.'IT'SNOTLONG,YOUSEE,GUARD.JERRY,SAYTHATMYANSWERWAS,RECALLEDTOLIFE."JERRYSTARTEDINHISSADDLE."THAT'SABLAZINGSTRANGEANSWER,TOO,"SAIDHE,ATHISHOARSEST."TAKETHATMESSAGEBACK,ANDTHEYWILLKNOWTHATIRECEIVEDTHIS,ASWELLASIFIWROTE.MAKETHEBESTOFYOURWAY.GOODNIGHT."WITHTHOSEWORDSTHEPASSENGEROPENEDTHECOACH-DOORANDGOTIN;NOTATALLASSISTEDBYHISFELLOW-PASSENGERS,WHOHADEXPEDITIOUSLYSECRETEDTHEIRWATCHESANDPURSESINTHEIRBOOTS,ANDWERENOWMAKINGAGENERALPRETENCEOFBEINGASLEEP.WITHNOMOREDEFINITEPURPOSETHANTOESCAPETHEHAZARDOFORIGINATINGANYOTHERKINDOFACTION.THECOACHLUMBEREDONAGAIN,WITHHEAVIERWREATHSOFMISTCLOSINGROUNDITASITBEGANTHEDESCENT.THEGUARDSOONREPLACEDHISBLUNDERBUSSINHISARM-CHEST,AND,HAVINGLOOKEDTOTHERESTOFITSCONTENTS,ANDHAVINGLOOKEDTOTHESUPPLEMENTARYPISTOLSTHATHEWOREINHISBELT,LOOKEDTOASMALLERCHESTBENEATHHISSEAT,INWHICHTHEREWEREAFEWSMITH'STOOLS,ACOUPLEOFTORCHES,ANDATINDER-BOX.FORHEWASFURNISHEDWITHTHATCOMPLETENESSTHATIFTHECOACH-LAMPSHADBEENBLOWNANDSTORMEDOUT,WHICHDIDOCCASIONALLYHAPPEN,HEHADONLYTOSHUTHIMSELFUPINSIDE,KEEPTHEFLINTANDSTEELSPARKSWELLOFFTHESTRAW,ANDGETALIGHTWITHTOLERABLESAFETYANDEASE(IFHEWERELUCKY)INFIVEMINUTES."TOM!"SOFTLYOVERTHECOACHROOF."HALLO,JOE.""DIDYOUHEARTHEMESSAGE?""IDID,JOE.""WHATDIDYOUMAKEOFIT,TOM?""NOTHINGATALL,JOE.""THAT'SACOINCIDENCE,TOO,"THEGUARDMUSED,"FORIMADETHESAMEOFITMYSELF."JERRY,LEFTALONEINTHEMISTANDDARKNESS,DISMOUNTEDMEANWHILE,NOTONLYTOEASEHISSPENTHORSE,BUTTOWIPETHEMUDFROMHISFACE,ANDSHAKETHEWETOUTOFHISHAT-BRIM,WHICHMIGHTBECAPABLEOFHOLDINGABOUTHALFAGALLON.AFTERSTANDINGWITHTHEBRIDLEOVERHISHEAVILY-SPLASHEDARM,UNTILTHEWHEELSOFTHEMAILWERENOLONGERWITHINHEARINGANDTHENIGHTWASQUITESTILLAGAIN,HETURNEDTOWALKDOWNTHEHILL."AFTERTHATTHEREGALLOPFROMTEMPLEBAR,OLDLADY,IWON'TTRUSTYOURFORE-LEGSTILLIGETYOUONTHELEVEL,"SAIDTHISHOARSEMESSENGER,GLANCINGATHISMARE."'RECALLEDTOLIFE.'THAT'SABLAZINGSTRANGEMESSAGE.MUCHOFTHATWOULDN'TDOFORYOU,JERRY!ISAY,JERRY!YOU'DBEINABLAZINGBADWAY,IFRECALLINGTOLIFEWASTOCOMEINTOFASHION,JERRY!"III.THENIGHTSHADOWSAWONDERFULFACTTOREFLECTUPON,THATEVERYHUMANCREATUREISCONSTITUTEDTOBETHATPROFOUNDSECRETANDMYSTERYTOEVERYOTHER.ASOLEMNCONSIDERATION,WHENIENTERAGREATCITYBYNIGHT,THATEVERYONEOFTHOSEDARKLYCLUSTEREDHOUSESENCLOSESITSOWNSECRET;THATEVERYROOMINEVERYONEOFTHEMENCLOSESITSOWNSECRET;THATEVERYBEATINGHEARTINTHEHUNDREDSOFTHOUSANDSOFBREASTSTHERE,IS,INSOMEOFITSIMAGININGS,ASECRETTOTHEHEARTNEARESTIT!SOMETHINGOFTHEAWFULNESS,EVENOFDEATHITSELF,ISREFERABLETOTHIS.NOMORECANITURNTHELEAVESOFTHISDEARBOOKTHATILOVED,ANDVAINLYHOPEINTIMETOREADITALL.NOMORECANILOOKINTOTHEDEPTHSOFTHISUNFATHOMABLEWATER,WHEREIN,ASMOMENTARYLIGHTSGLANCEDINTOIT,IHAVEHADGLIMPSESOFBURIEDTREASUREANDOTHERTHINGSSUBMERGED.ITWASAPPOINTEDTHATTHEBOOKSHOULDSHUTWITHASPRING,FOREVERANDFOREVER,WHENIHADREADBUTAPAGE.ITWASAPPOINTEDTHATTHEWATERSHOULDBELOCKEDINANETERNALFROST,WHENTHELIGHTWASPLAYINGONITSSURFACE,ANDISTOODINIGNORANCEONTHESHORE.MYFRIENDISDEAD,MYNEIGHBOURISDEAD,MYLOVE,THEDARLINGOFMYSOUL,ISDEAD;ITISTHEINEXORABLECONSOLIDATIONANDPERPETUATIONOFTHESECRETTHATWASALWAYSINTHATINDIVIDUALITY,ANDWHICHISHALLCARRYINMINETOMYLIFE'SEND.INANYOFTHEBURIAL-PLACESOFTHISCITYTHROUGHWHICHIPASS,ISTHEREASLEEPERMOREINSCRUTABLETHANITSBUSYINHABITANTSARE,INTHEIRINNERMOSTPERSONALITY,TOME,ORTHANIAMTOTHEM?ASTOTHIS,HISNATURALANDNOTTOBEALIENATEDINHERITANCE,THEMESSENGERONHORSEBACKHADEXACTLYTHESAMEPOSSESSIONSASTHEKING,THEFIRSTMINISTEROFSTATE,ORTHERICHESTMERCHANTINLONDON.SOWITHTHETHREEPASSENGERSSHUTUPINTHENARROWCOMPASSOFONELUMBERINGOLDMAILCOACH;THEYWEREMYSTERIESTOONEANOTHER,ASCOMPLETEASIFEACHHADBEENINHISOWNCOACHANDSIX,ORHISOWNCOACHANDSIXTY,WITHTHEBREADTHOFACOUNTYBETWEENHIMANDTHENEXT.THEMESSENGERRODEBACKATANEASYTROT,STOPPINGPRETTYOFTENATALE-HOUSESBYTHEWAYTODRINK,BUTEVINCINGATENDENCYTOKEEPHISOWNCOUNSEL,ANDTOKEEPHISHATCOCKEDOVERHISEYES.HEHADEYESTHATASSORTEDVERYWELLWITHTHATDECORATION,BEINGOFASURFACEBLACK,WITHNODEPTHINTHECOLOURORFORM,ANDMUCHTOONEARTOGETHER--ASIFTHEYWEREAFRAIDOFBEINGFOUNDOUTINSOMETHING,SINGLY,IFTHEYKEPTTOOFARAPART.THEYHADASINISTEREXPRESSION,UNDERANOLDCOCKED-HATLIKEATHREE-CORNEREDSPITTOON,ANDOVERAGREATMUFFLERFORTHECHINANDTHROAT,WHICHDESCENDEDNEARLYTOTHEWEARER'SKNEES.WHENHESTOPPEDFORDRINK,HEMOVEDTHISMUFFLERWITHHISLEFTHAND,ONLYWHILEHEPOUREDHISLIQUORINWITHHISRIGHT;ASSOONASTHATWASDONE,HEMUFFLEDAGAIN."NO,JERRY,NO!"SAIDTHEMESSENGER,HARPINGONONETHEMEASHERODE."ITWOULDN'TDOFORYOU,JERRY.JERRY,YOUHONESTTRADESMAN,ITWOULDN'TSUIT_YOUR_LINEOFBUSINESS!RECALLED--!BUSTMEIFIDON'TTHINKHE'DBEENADRINKING!"HISMESSAGEPERPLEXEDHISMINDTOTHATDEGREETHATHEWASFAIN,SEVERALTIMES,TOTAKEOFFHISHATTOSCRATCHHISHEAD.EXCEPTONTHECROWN,WHICHWASRAGGEDLYBALD,HEHADSTIFF,BLACKHAIR,STANDINGJAGGEDLYALLOVERIT,ANDGROWINGDOWNHILLALMOSTTOHISBROAD,BLUNTNOSE.ITWASSOLIKESMITH'SWORK,SOMUCHMORELIKETHETOPOFASTRONGLYSPIKEDWALLTHANAHEADOFHAIR,THATTHEBESTOFPLAYERSATLEAP-FROGMIGHTHAVEDECLINEDHIM,ASTHEMOSTDANGEROUSMANINTHEWORLDTOGOOVER.WHILEHETROTTEDBACKWITHTHEMESSAGEHEWASTODELIVERTOTHENIGHTWATCHMANINHISBOXATTHEDOOROFTELLSON'SBANK,BYTEMPLEBAR,WHOWASTODELIVERITTOGREATERAUTHORITIESWITHIN,THESHADOWSOFTHENIGHTTOOKSUCHSHAPESTOHIMASAROSEOUTOFTHEMESSAGE,ANDTOOKSUCHSHAPESTOTHEMAREASAROSEOUTOF_HER_PRIVATETOPICSOFUNEASINESS.THEYSEEMEDTOBENUMEROUS,FORSHESHIEDATEVERYSHADOWONTHEROAD.WHATTIME,THEMAIL-COACHLUMBERED,JOLTED,RATTLED,ANDBUMPEDUPONITSTEDIOUSWAY,WITHITSTHREEFELLOW-INSCRUTABLESINSIDE.TOWHOM,LIKEWISE,THESHADOWSOFTHENIGHTREVEALEDTHEMSELVES,INTHEFORMSTHEIRDOZINGEYESANDWANDERINGTHOUGHTSSUGGESTED.TELLSON'SBANKHADARUNUPONITINTHEMAIL.ASTHEBANKPASSENGER--WITHANARMDRAWNTHROUGHTHELEATHERNSTRAP,WHICHDIDWHATLAYINITTOKEEPHIMFROMPOUNDINGAGAINSTTHENEXTPASSENGER,ANDDRIVINGHIMINTOHISCORNER,WHENEVERTHECOACHGOTASPECIALJOLT--NODDEDINHISPLACE,WITHHALF-SHUTEYES,THELITTLECOACH-WINDOWS,ANDTHECOACH-LAMPDIMLYGLEAMINGTHROUGHTHEM,ANDTHEBULKYBUNDLEOFOPPOSITEPASSENGER,BECAMETHEBANK,ANDDIDAGREATSTROKEOFBUSINESS.THERATTLEOFTHEHARNESSWASTHECHINKOFMONEY,ANDMOREDRAFTSWEREHONOUREDINFIVEMINUTESTHANEVENTELLSON'S,WITHALLITSFOREIGNANDHOMECONNECTION,EVERPAIDINTHRICETHETIME.THENTHESTRONG-ROOMSUNDERGROUND,ATTELLSON'S,WITHSUCHOFTHEIRVALUABLESTORESANDSECRETSASWEREKNOWNTOTHEPASSENGER(ANDITWASNOTALITTLETHATHEKNEWABOUTTHEM),OPENEDBEFOREHIM,ANDHEWENTINAMONGTHEMWITHTHEGREATKEYSANDTHEFEEBLY-BURNINGCANDLE,ANDFOUNDTHEMSAFE,ANDSTRONG,ANDSOUND,ANDSTILL,JUSTASHEHADLASTSEENTHEM.BUT,THOUGHTHEBANKWASALMOSTALWAYSWITHHIM,ANDTHOUGHTHECOACH(INACONFUSEDWAY,LIKETHEPRESENCEOFPAINUNDERANOPIATE)WASALWAYSWITHHIM,THEREWASANOTHERCURRENTOFIMPRESSIONTHATNEVERCEASEDTORUN,ALLTHROUGHTHENIGHT.HEWASONHISWAYTODIGSOMEONEOUTOFAGRAVE.NOW,WHICHOFTHEMULTITUDEOFFACESTHATSHOWEDTHEMSELVESBEFOREHIMWASTHETRUEFACEOFTHEBURIEDPERSON,THESHADOWSOFTHENIGHTDIDNOTINDICATE;BUTTHEYWEREALLTHEFACESOFAMANOFFIVE-AND-FORTYBYYEARS,ANDTHEYDIFFEREDPRINCIPALLYINTHEPASSIONSTHEYEXPRESSED,ANDINTHEGHASTLINESSOFTHEIRWORNANDWASTEDSTATE.PRIDE,CONTEMPT,DEFIANCE,STUBBORNNESS,SUBMISSION,LAMENTATION,SUCCEEDEDONEANOTHER;SODIDVARIETIESOFSUNKENCHEEK,CADAVEROUSCOLOUR,EMACIATEDHANDSANDFIGURES.B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TTENEDHISFLAXENWIGUPONHISHEADWITHBOTHHANDS(WHICHWASMOSTUNNECESSARY,FORNOTHINGCOULDBEFLATTERTHANITSSHININGSURFACEWASBEFORE),ANDRESUMEDHISFORMERATTITUDE."SOFAR,MISS(ASYOUHAVEREMARKED),THISISTHESTORYOFYOURREGRETTEDFATHER.NOWCOMESTHEDIFFERENCE.IFYOURFATHERHADNOTDIEDWHENHEDID--DON'TBEFRIGHTENED!HOWYOUSTART!"SHEDID,INDEED,START.ANDSHECAUGHTHISWRISTWITHBOTHHERHANDS."PRAY,"SAIDMR.LORRY,INASOOTHINGTONE,BRINGINGHISLEFTHANDFROMTHEBACKOFTHECHAIRTOLAYITONTHESUPPLICATORYFINGERSTHATCLASPEDHIMINSOVIOLENTATREMBLE:"PRAYCONTROLYOURAGITATION--AMATTEROFBUSINESS.ASIWASSAYING--"HERLOOKSODISCOMPOSEDHIMTHATHESTOPPED,WANDERED,ANDBEGANANEW:"ASIWASSAYING;IFMONSIEURMANETTEHADNOTDIED;IFHEHADSUDDENLYANDSILENTLYDISAPPEARED;IFHEHADBEENSPIRITEDAWAY;IFITHADNOTBEENDIFFICULTTOGUESSTOWHATDREADFULPLACE,THOUGHNOARTCOULDTRACEHIM;IFHEHADANENEMYINSOMECOMPATRIOTWHOCOULDEXERCISEAPRIVILEGETHATIINMYOWNTIMEHAVEKNOWNTHEBOLDESTPEOPLEAFRAIDTOSPEAKOFINAWHISPER,ACROSSTHEWATERTHERE;FORINSTANCE,THEPRIVILEGEOFFILLINGUPBLANKFORMSFORTHECONSIGNMENTOFANYONETOTHEOBLIVIONOFAPRISONFORANYLENGTHOFTIME;IFHISWIFEHADIMPLOREDTHEKING,THEQUEEN,THECOURT,THECLERGY,FORANYTIDINGSOFHIM,ANDALLQUITEINVAIN;--THENTHEHISTORYOFYOURFATHERWOULDHAVEBEENTHEHISTORYOFTHISUNFORTUNATEGENTLEMAN,THEDOCTOROFBEAUVAIS.""IENTREATYOUTOTELLMEMORE,SIR.""IWILL.IAMGOINGTO.YOUCANBEARIT?""ICANBEARANYTHINGBUTTHEUNCERTAINTYYOULEAVEMEINATTHISMOMENT.""YOUSPEAKCOLLECTEDLY,ANDYOU--_ARE_COLLECTED.THAT'SGOOD!"(THOUGHHISMANNERWASLESSSATISFIEDTHANHISWORDS.)"AMATTEROFBUSINESS.REGARDITASAMATTEROFBUSINESS--BUSINESSTHATMUSTBEDONE.NOWIFTHISDOCTOR'SWIFE,THOUGHALADYOFGREATCOURAGEANDSPIRIT,HADSUFFEREDSOINTENSELYFROMTHISCAUSEBEFOREHERLITTLECHILDWASBORN--""THELITTLECHILDWASADAUGHTER,SIR.""ADAUGHTER.A-A-MATTEROFBUSINESS--DON'TBEDISTRESSED.MISS,IFTHEPOORLADYHADSUFFEREDSOINTENSELYBEFOREHERLITTLECHILDWASBORN,THATSHECAMETOTHEDETERMINATIONOFSPARINGTHEPOORCHILDTHEINHERITANCEOFANYPARTOFTHEAGONYSHEHADKNOWNTHEPAINSOF,BYREARINGHERINTHEBELIEFTHATHERFATHERWASDEAD--NO,DON'TKNEEL!INHEAVEN'SNAMEWHYSHOULDYOUKNEELTOME!""FORTHETRUTH.ODEAR,GOOD,COMPASSIONATESIR,FORTHETRUTH!""A--AMATTEROFBUSINESS.YOUCONFUSEME,ANDHOWCANITRANSACTBUSINESSIFIAMCONFUSED?LETUSBECLEAR-HEADED.IFYOUCOULDKINDLYMENTIONNOW,FORINSTANCE,WHATNINETIMESNINEPENCEARE,ORHOWMANYSHILLINGSINTWENTYGUINEAS,ITWOULDBESOENCOURAGING.ISHOULDBESOMUCHMOREATMYEASEABOUTYOURSTATEOFMIND."WITHOUTDIRECTLYANSWERINGTOTHISAPPEAL,SHESATSOSTILLWHENHEHADVERYGENTLYRAISEDHER,ANDTHEHANDSTHATHADNOTCEASEDTOCLASPHISWRISTSWERESOMUCHMORESTEADYTHANTHEYHADBEEN,THATSHECOMMUNICATEDSOMEREASSURANCETOMR.JARVISLORRY."THAT'SRIGHT,THAT'SRIGHT.COURAGE!BUSINESS!YOUHAVEBUSINESSBEFOREYOU;USEFULBUSINESS.MISSMANETTE,YOURMOTHERTOOKTHISCOURSEWITHYOU.ANDWHENSHEDIED--IBELIEVEBROKEN-HEARTED--HAVINGNEVERSLACKENEDHERUNAVAILINGSEARCHFORYOURFATHER,SHELEFTYOU,ATTWOYEARSOLD,TOGROWTOBEBLOOMING,BEAUTIFUL,ANDHAPPY,WITHOUTTHEDARKCLOUDUPONYOUOFLIVINGINUNCERTAINTYWHETHERYOURFATHERSOONWOREHISHEARTOUTINPRISON,ORWASTEDTHERETHROUGHMANYLINGERINGYEARS."ASHESAIDTHEWORDSHELOOKEDDOWN,WITHANADMIRINGPITY,ONTHEFLOWINGGOLDENHAIR;ASIFHEPICTUREDTOHIMSELFTHATITMIGHTHAVEBEENALREADYTINGEDWITHGREY."YOUKNOWTHATYOURPARENTSHADNOGREATPOSSESSION,ANDTHATWHATTHEYHADWASSECUREDTOYOURMOTHERANDTOYOU.THEREHASBEENNONEWDISCOVERY,OFMONEY,OROFANYOTHERPROPERTY;BUT--"HEFELTHISWRISTHELDCLOSER,ANDHESTOPPED.THEEXPRESSIONINTHEFOREHEAD,WHICHHADSOPARTICULARLYATTRACTEDHISNOTICE,ANDWHICHWASNOWIMMOVABLE,HADDEEPENEDINTOONEOFPAINANDHORROR."BUTHEHASBEEN--BEENFOUND.HEISALIVE.GREATLYCHANGED,ITISTOOPROBABLE;ALMOSTAWRECK,ITISPOSSIBLE;THOUGHWEWILLHOPETHEBEST.STILL,ALIVE.YOURFATHERHASBEENTAKENTOTHEHOUSEOFANOLDSERVANTINPARIS,ANDWEAREGOINGTHERE:I,TOIDENTIFYHIMIFICAN:YOU,TORESTOREHIMTOLIFE,LOVE,DUTY,REST,COMFORT."ASHIVERRANTHROUGHHERFRAME,ANDFROMITTHROUGHHIS.SHESAID,INALOW,DISTINCT,AWE-STRICKENVOICE,ASIFSHEWERESAYINGITINADREAM,"IAMGOINGTOSEEHISGHOST!ITWILLBEHISGHOST--NOTHIM!"MR.LORRYQUIETLYCHAFEDTHEHANDSTHATHELDHISARM."THERE,THERE,THERE!SEENOW,SEENOW!THEBESTANDTHEWORSTAREKNOWNTOYOU,NOW.YOUAREWELLONYOURWAYTOTHEPOORWRONGEDGENTLEMAN,AND,WITHAFAIRSEAVOYAGE,ANDAFAIRLANDJOURNEY,YOUWILLBESOONATHISDEARSIDE."SHEREPEATEDINTHESAMETONE,SUNKTOAWHISPER,"IHAVEBEENFREE,IHAVEBEENHAPPY,YETHISGHOSTHASNEVERHAUNTEDME!""ONLYONETHINGMORE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,LAYINGSTRESSUPONITASAWHOLESOMEMEANSOFENFORCINGHERATTENTION:"HEHASBEENFOUNDUNDERANOTHERNAME;HISOWN,LONGFORGOTTENORLONGCONCEALED.ITWOULDBEWORSETHANUSELESSNOWTOINQUIREWHICH;WORSETHANUSELESSTOSEEKTOKNOWWHETHERHEHASBEENFORYEARSOVERLOOKED,ORALWAYSDESIGNEDLYHELDPRISONER.ITWOULDBEWORSETHANUSELESSNOWTOMAKEANYINQUIRIES,BECAUSEITWOULDBEDANGEROUS.BETTERNOTTOMENTIONTHESUBJECT,ANYWHEREORINANYWAY,ANDTOREMOVEHIM--FORAWHILEATALLEVENTS--OUTOFFRANCE.EVENI,SAFEASANENGLISHMAN,ANDEVENTELLSON'S,IMPORTANTASTHEYARETOFRENCHCREDIT,AVOIDALLNAMINGOFTHEMATTER.ICARRYABOUTME,NOTASCRAPOFWRITINGOPENLYREFERRINGTOIT.THISISASECRETSERVICEALTOGETHER.MYCREDENTIALS,ENTRIES,ANDMEMORANDA,AREALLCOMPREHENDEDINTHEONELINE,'RECALLEDTOLIFE;'WHICHMAYMEANANYTHING.BUTWHATISTHEMATTER!SHEDOESN'TNOTICEAWORD!MISSMANETTE!"PERFECTLYSTILLANDSILENT,ANDNOTEVENFALLENBACKINHERCHAIR,SHESATUNDERHISHAND,UTTERLYINSENSIBLE;WITHHEREYESOPENANDFIXEDUPONHIM,ANDWITHTHATLASTEXPRESSIONLOOKINGASIFITWERECARVEDORBRANDEDINTOHERFOREHEAD.SOCLOSEWASHERHOLDUPONHISARM,THATHEFEAREDTODETACHHIMSELFLESTHESHOULDHURTHER;THEREFOREHECALLEDOUTLOUDLYFORASSISTANCEWITHOUTMOVING.AWILD-LOOKINGWOMAN,WHOMEVENINHISAGITATION,MR.LORRYOBSERVEDTOBEALLOFAREDCOLOUR,ANDTOHAVEREDHAIR,ANDTOBEDRESSEDINSOMEEXTRAORDINARYTIGHT-FITTINGFASHION,ANDTOHAVEONHERHEADAMOSTWONDERFULBONNETLIKEAGRENADIERWOODENMEASURE,ANDGOODMEASURETOO,ORAGREATSTILTONCHEESE,CAMERUNNINGINTOTHEROOMINADVANCEOFTHEINNSERVANTS,ANDSOONSETTLEDTHEQUESTIONOFHISDETACHMENTFROMTHEPOORYOUNGLADY,BYLAYINGABRAWNYHANDUPONHISCHEST,ANDSENDINGHIMFLYINGBACKAGAINSTTHENEARESTWALL.("IREALLYTHINKTHISMUSTBEAMAN!"WASMR.LORRY'SBREATHLESSREFLECTION,SIMULTANEOUSLYWITHHISCOMINGAGAINSTTHEWALL.)"WHY,LOOKATYOUALL!"BAWLEDTHISFIGURE,ADDRESSINGTHEINNSERVANTS."WHYDON'TYOUGOANDFETCHTHINGS,INSTEADOFSTANDINGTHERESTARINGATME?IAMNOTSOMUCHTOLOOKAT,AMI?WHYDON'TYOUGOANDFETCHTHINGS?I'LLLETYOUKNOW,IFYOUDON'TBRINGSMELLING-SALTS,COLDWATER,ANDVINEGAR,QUICK,IWILL."THEREWASANIMMEDIATEDISPERSALFORTHESERESTORATIVES,ANDSHESOFTLYLAIDTHEPATIENTONASOFA,ANDTENDEDHERWITHGREATSKILLANDGENTLENESS:CALLINGHER"MYPRECIOUS!"AND"MYBIRD!"ANDSPREADINGHERGOLDENHAIRASIDEOVERHERSHOULDERSWITHGREATPRIDEANDCARE."ANDYOUINBROWN!"SHESAID,INDIGNANTLYTURNINGTOMR.LORRY;"COULDN'TYOUTELLHERWHATYOUHADTOTELLHER,WITHOUTFRIGHTENINGHERTODEATH?LOOKATHER,WITHHERPRETTYPALEFACEANDHERCOLDHANDS.DOYOUCALL_THAT_BEINGABANKER?"MR.LORRYWASSOEXCEEDINGLYDISCONCERTEDBYAQUESTIONSOHARDTOANSWER,THATHECOULDONLYLOOKON,ATADISTANCE,WITHMUCHFEEBLERSYMPATHYANDHUMILITY,WHILETHESTRONGWOMAN,HAVINGBANISHEDTHEINNSERVANTSUNDERTHEMYSTERIOUSPENALTYOF"LETTINGTHEMKNOW"SOMETHINGNOTMENTIONEDIFTHEYSTAYEDTHERE,STARING,RECOVEREDHERCHARGEBYAREGULARSERIESOFGRADATIONS,ANDCOAXEDHERTOLAYHERDROOPINGHEADUPONHERSHOULDER."IHOPESHEWILLDOWELLNOW,"SAIDMR.LORRY."NOTHANKSTOYOUINBROWN,IFSHEDOES.MYDARLINGPRETTY!""IHOPE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,AFTERANOTHERPAUSEOFFEEBLESYMPATHYANDHUMILITY,"THATYOUACCOMPANYMISSMANETTETOFRANCE?""ALIKELYTHING,TOO!"REPLIEDTHESTRONGWOMAN."IFITWASEVERINTENDEDTHATISHOULDGOACROSSSALTWATER,DOYOUSUPPOSEPROVIDENCEWOULDHAVECASTMYLOTINANISLAND?"THISBEINGANOTHERQUESTIONHARDTOANSWER,MR.JARVISLORRYWITHDREWTOCONSIDERIT.V.THEWINE-SHOPALARGECASKOFWINEHADBEENDROPPEDANDBROKEN,INTHESTREET.THEACCIDENTHADHAPPENEDINGETTINGITOUTOFACART;THECASKHADTUMBLEDOUTWITHARUN,THEHOOPSHADBURST,ANDITLAYONTHESTONESJUSTOUTSIDETHEDOOROFTHEWINE-SHOP,SHATTEREDLIKEAWALNUT-SHELL.ALLTHEPEOPLEWITHINREACHHADSUSPENDEDTHEIRBUSINESS,ORTHEIRIDLENESS,TORUNTOTHESPOTANDDRINKTHEWINE.THEROUGH,IRREGULARSTONESOFTHESTREET,POINTINGEVERYWAY,ANDDESIGNED,ONEMIGHTHAVETHOUGHT,EXPRESSLYTOLAMEALLLIVINGCREATURESTHATAPPROACHEDTHEM,HADDAMMEDITINTOLITTLEPOOLS;THESEWERESURROUNDED,EACHBYITSOWNJOSTLINGGROUPORCROWD,ACCORDINGTOITSSIZE.SOMEMENKNEELEDDOWN,MADESCOOPSOFTHEIRTWOHANDSJOINED,ANDSIPPED,ORTRIEDTOHELPWOMEN,WHOBENTOVERTHEIRSHOULDERS,TOSIP,BEFORETHEWINEHADALLRUNOUTBETWEENTHEIRFINGERS.OTHERS,MENANDWOMEN,DIPPEDINTHEPUDDLESWITHLITTLEMUGSOFMUTILATEDEARTHENWARE,OREVENWITHHANDKERCHIEFSFROMWOMEN'SHEADS,WHICHWERESQUEEZEDDRYINTOINFANTS'MOUTHS;OTHERSMADESMALLMUD-EMBANKMENTS,TOSTEMTHEWINEASITRAN;OTHERS,DIRECTEDBYLOOKERS-ONUPATHIGHWINDOWS,DARTEDHEREANDTHERE,TOCUTOFFLITTLESTREAMSOFWINETHATSTARTEDAWAYINNEWDIRECTIONS;OTHERSDEVOTEDTHEMSELVESTOTHESODDENANDLEE-DYEDPIECESOFTHECASK,LICKING,ANDEVENCHAMPINGTHEMOISTERWINE-ROTTEDFRAGMENTSWITHEAGERRELISH.THEREWASNODRAINAGETOCARRYOFFTHEWINE,ANDNOTONLYDIDITALLGETTAKENUP,BUTSOMUCHMUDGOTTAKENUPALONGWITHIT,THATTHEREMIGHTHAVEBEENASCAVENGERINTHESTREET,IFANYBODYACQUAINTEDWITHITCOULDHAVEBELIEVEDINSUCHAMIRACULOUSPRESENCE.ASHRILLSOUNDOFLAUGHTERANDOFAMUSEDVOICES--VOICESOFMEN,WOMEN,ANDCHILDREN--RESOUNDEDINTHESTREETWHILETHISWINEGAMELASTED.THEREWASLITTLEROUGHNESSINTHESPORT,ANDMUCHPLAYFULNESS.THEREWASASPECIALCOMPANIONSHIPINIT,ANOBSERVABLEINCLINATIONONTHEPARTOFEVERYONETOJOINSOMEOTHERONE,WHICHLED,ESPECIALLYAMONGTHELUCKIERORLIGHTER-HEARTED,TOFROLICSOMEEMBRACES,DRINKINGOFHEALTHS,SHAKINGOFHANDS,ANDEVENJOININGOFHANDSANDDANCING,ADOZENTOGETHER.WHENTHEWINEWASGONE,ANDTHEPLACESWHEREITHADBEENMOSTABUNDANTWERERAKEDINTOAGRIDIRON-PATTERNBYFINGERS,THESEDEMONSTRATIONSCEASED,ASSUDDENLYASTHEYHADBROKENOUT.THEMANWHOHADLEFTHISSAWSTICKINGINTHEFIREWOODHEWASCUTTING,SETITINMOTIONAGAIN;THEWOMENWHOHADLEFTONADOOR-STEPTHELITTLEPOTOFHOTASHES,ATWHICHSHEHADBEENTRYINGTOSOFTENTHEPAININHEROWNSTARVEDFINGERSANDTOES,ORINTHOSEOFHERCHILD,RETURNEDTOIT;MENWITHBAREARMS,MATTEDLOCKS,ANDCADAVEROUSFACES,WHOHADEMERGEDINTOTHEWINTERLIGHTFROMCELLARS,MOVEDAWAY,TODESCENDAGAIN;ANDAGLOOMGATHEREDONTHESCENETHATAPPEAREDMORENATURALTOITTHANSUNSHINE.THEWINEWASREDWINE,ANDHADSTAINEDTHEGROUNDOFTHENARROWSTREETINTHESUBURBOFSAINTANTOINE,INPARIS,WHEREITWASSPILLED.ITHADSTAINEDMANYHANDS,TOO,ANDMANYFACES,ANDMANYNAKEDFEET,ANDMANYWOODENSHOES.THEHANDSOFTHEMANWHOSAWEDTHEWOOD,LEFTREDMARKSONTHEBILLETS;ANDTHEFOREHEADOFTHEWOMANWHONURSEDHERBABY,WASSTAINEDWITHTHESTAINOFTHEOLDRAGSHEWOUNDABOUTHERHEADAGAIN.THOSEWHOHADBEENGREEDYWITHTHESTAVESOFTHECASK,HADACQUIREDATIGERISHSMEARABOUTTHEMOUTH;ANDONETALLJOKERSOBESMIRCHED,HISHEADMOREOUTOFALONGSQUALIDBAGOFANIGHTCAPTHANINIT,SCRAWLEDUPONAWALLWITHHISFINGERDIPPEDINMUDDYWINE-LEES--BLOOD.THETIMEWASTOCOME,WHENTHATWINETOOWOULDBESPILLEDONTHESTREET-STONES,ANDWHENTHESTAINOFITWOULDBEREDUPONMANYTHERE.ANDNOWTHATTHECLOUDSETTLEDONSAINTANTOINE,WHICHAMOMENTARYGLEAMHADDRIVENFROMHISSACREDCOUNTENANCE,THEDARKNESSOFITWASHEAVY--COLD,DIRT,SICKNESS,IGNORANCE,ANDWANT,WERETHELORDSINWAITINGONTHESAINTLYPRESENCE--NOBLESOFGREATPOWERALLOFTHEM;BUT,MOSTESPECIALLYTHELAST.SAMPLESOFAPEOPLETHATHADUNDERGONEATERRIBLEGRINDINGANDREGRINDINGINTHEMILL,ANDCERTAINLYNOTINTHEFABULOUSMILLWHICHGROUNDOLDPEOPLEYOUNG,SHIVEREDATEVERYCORNER,PASSEDINANDOUTATEVERYDOORWAY,LOOKEDFROMEVERYWINDOW,FLUTTEREDINEVERYVESTIGEOFAGARMENTTHATTHEWINDSHOOK.THEMILLWHICHHADWORKEDTHEMDOWN,WASTHEMILLTHATGRINDSYOUNGPEOPLEOLD;THECHILDRENHADANCIENTFACESANDGRAVEVOICES;ANDUPONTHEM,ANDUPONTHEGROWNFACES,ANDPLOUGHEDINTOEVERYFURROWOFAGEANDCOMINGUPAFRESH,WASTHESIGH,HUNGER.ITWASPREVALENTEVERYWHERE.HUNGERWASPUSHEDOUTOFTHETALLHOUSES,INTHEWRETCHEDCLOTHINGTHATHUNGUPONPOLESANDLINES;HUNGERWASPATCHEDINTOTHEMWITHSTRAWANDRAGANDWOODANDPAPER;HUNGERWASREPEATEDINEVERYFRAGMENTOFTHESMALLMODICUMOFFIREWOODTHATTHEMANSAWEDOFF;HUNGERSTAREDDOWNFROMTHESMOKELESSCHIMNEYS,ANDSTARTEDUPFROMTHEFILTHYSTREETTHATHADNOOFFAL,AMONGITSREFUSE,OFANYTHINGTOEAT.HUNGERWASTHEINSCRIPTIONONTHEBAKER'SSHELVES,WRITTENINEVERYSMALLLOAFOFHISSCANTYSTOCKOFBADBREAD;ATTHESAUSAGE-SHOP,INEVERYDEAD-DOGPREPARATIONTHATWASOFFEREDFORSALE.HUNGERRATTLEDITSDRYBONESAMONGTHEROASTINGCHESTNUTSINTHETURNEDCYLINDER;HUNGERWASSHREDINTOATOMICSINEVERYFARTHINGPORRINGEROFHUSKYCHIPSOFPOTATO,FRIEDWITHSOMERELUCTANTDROPSOFOIL.ITSABIDINGPLACEWASINALLTHINGSFITTEDTOIT.ANARROWWINDINGSTREET,FULLOFOFFENCEANDSTENCH,WITHOTHERNARROWWINDINGSTREETSDIVERGING,ALLPEOPLEDBYRAGSANDNIGHTCAPS,ANDALLSMELLINGOFRAGSANDNIGHTCAPS,ANDALLVISIBLETHINGSWITHABROODINGLOOKUPONTHEMTHATLOOKEDILL.INTHEHUNTEDAIROFTHEPEOPLETHEREWASYETSOMEWILD-BEASTTHOUGHTOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFTURNINGATBAY.DEPRESSEDANDSLINKINGTHOUGHTHEYWERE,EYESOFFIREWERENOTWANTINGAMONGTHEM;NORCOMPRESSEDLIPS,WHITEWITHWHATTHEYSUPPRESSED;NORFOREHEADSKNITTEDINTOTHELIKENESSOFTHEGALLOWS-ROPETHEYMUSEDABOUTENDURING,ORINFLICTING.THETRADESIGNS(ANDTHEYWEREALMOSTASMANYASTHESHOPS)WERE,ALL,GRIMILLUSTRATIONSOFWANT.THEBUTCHERANDTHEPORKMANPAINTEDUP,ONLYTHELEANESTSCRAGSOFMEAT;THEBAKER,THECOARSESTOFMEAGRELOAVES.THEPEOPLERUDELYPICTUREDASDRINKINGINTHEWINE-SHOPS,CROAKEDOVERTHEIRSCANTYMEASURESOFTHINWINEANDBEER,ANDWEREGLOWERINGLYCONFIDENTIALTOGETHER.NOTHINGWASREPRESENTEDINAFLOURISHINGCONDITION,SAVETOOLSANDWEAPONS;BUT,THECUTLER'SKNIVESANDAXESWERESHARPANDBRIGHT,THESMITH'SHAMMERSWEREHEAVY,ANDTHEGUNMAKER'SSTOCKWASMURDEROUS.THECRIPPLINGSTONESOFTHEPAVEMENT,WITHTHEIRMANYLITTLERESERVOIRSOFMUDANDWATER,HADNOFOOTWAYS,BUTBROKEOFFABRUPTLYATTHEDOORS.THEKENNEL,TOMAKEAMENDS,RANDOWNTHEMIDDLEOFTHESTREET--WHENITRANATALL:WHICHWASONLYAFTERHEAVYRAINS,ANDTHENITRAN,BYMANYECCENTRICFITS,INTOTHEHOUSES.ACROSSTHESTREETS,ATWIDEINTERVALS,ONECLUMSYLAMPWASSLUNGBYAROPEANDPULLEY;ATNIGHT,WHENTHELAMPLIGHTERHADLETTHESEDOWN,ANDLIGHTED,ANDHOISTEDTHEMAGAIN,AFEEBLEGROVEOFDIMWICKSSWUNGINASICKLYMANNEROVERHEAD,ASIFTHEYWEREATSEA.INDEEDTHEYWEREATSEA,ANDTHESHIPANDCREWWEREINPERILOFTEMPEST.FOR,THETIMEWASTOCOME,WHENTHEGAUNTSCARECROWSOFTHATREGIONSHOULDHAVEWATCHEDTHELAMPLIGHTER,INTHEIRIDLENESSANDHUNGER,SOLONG,ASTOCONCEIVETHEIDEAOFIMPROVINGONHISMETHOD,ANDHAULINGUPMENBYTHOSEROPESANDPULLEYS,TOFLAREUPONTHEDARKNESSOFTHEIRCONDITION.BUT,THETIMEWASNOTCOMEYET;ANDEVERYWINDTHATBLEWOVERFRANCESHOOKTHERAGSOFTHESCARECROWSINVAIN,FORTHEBIRDS,FINEOFSONGANDFEATHER,TOOKNOWARNING.THEWINE-SHOPWASACORNERSHOP,BETTERTHANMOSTOTHERSINITSAPPEARANCEANDDEGREE,ANDTHEMASTEROFTHEWINE-SHOPHADSTOODOUTSIDEIT,INAYELLOWWAISTCOATANDGREENBREECHES,LOOKINGONATTHESTRUGGLEFORTHELOSTWINE."IT'SNOTMYAFFAIR,"SAIDHE,WITHAFINALSHRUGOFTHESHOULDERS."THEPEOPLEFROMTHEMARKETDIDIT.LETTHEMBRINGANOTHER."THERE,HISEYESHAPPENINGTOCATCHTHETALLJOKERWRITINGUPHISJOKE,HECALLEDTOHIMACROSSTHEWAY:"SAY,THEN,MYGASPARD,WHATDOYOUDOTHERE?"THEFELLOWPOINTEDTOHISJOKEWITHIMMENSESIGNIFICANCE,ASISOFTENTHEWAYWITHHISTRIBE.ITMISSEDITSMARK,ANDCOMPLETELYFAILED,ASISOFTENTHEWAYWITHHISTRIBETOO."WHATNOW?AREYOUASUBJECTFORTHEMADHOSPITAL?"SAIDTHEWINE-SHOPKEEPER,CROSSINGTHEROAD,ANDOBLITERATINGTHEJESTWITHAHANDFULOFMUD,PICKEDUPFORTHEPURPOSE,ANDSMEAREDOVERIT."WHYDOYOUWRITEINTHEPUBLICSTREETS?ISTHERE--TELLMETHOU--ISTHERENOOTHERPLACETOWRITESUCHWORDSIN?"INHISEXPOSTULATIONHEDROPPEDHISCLEANERHAND(PERHAPSACCIDENTALLY,PERHAPSNOT)UPONTHEJOKER'SHEART.THEJOKERRAPPEDITWITHHISOWN,TOOKANIMBLESPRINGUPWARD,ANDCAMEDOWNINAFANTASTICDANCINGATTITUDE,WITHONEOFHISSTAINEDSHOESJERKEDOFFHISFOOTINTOHISHAND,ANDHELDOUT.AJOKEROFANEXTREMELY,NOTTOSAYWOLFISHLYPRACTICALCHARACTER,HELOOKED,UNDERTHOSECIRCUMSTANCES."PUTITON,PUTITON,"SAIDTHEOTHER."CALLWINE,WINE;ANDFINISHTHERE."WITHTHATADVICE,HEWIPEDHISSOILEDHANDUPONTHEJOKER'SDRESS,SUCHASITWAS--QUITEDELIBERATELY,ASHAVINGDIRTIEDTHEHANDONHISACCOUNT;ANDTHENRECROSSEDTHEROADANDENTEREDTHEWINE-SHOP.THISWINE-SHOPKEEPERWASABULL-NECKED,MARTIAL-LOOKINGMANOFTHIRTY,ANDHESHOULDHAVEBEENOFAHOTTEMPERAMENT,FOR,ALTHOUGHITWASABITTERDAY,HEWORENOCOAT,BUTCARRIEDONESLUNGOVERHISSHOULDER.HISSHIRT-SLEEVESWEREROLLEDUP,TOO,ANDHISBROWNARMSWEREBARETOTHEELBOWS.NEITHERDIDHEWEARANYTHINGMOREONHISHEADTHANHISOWNCRISPLY-CURLINGSHORTDARKHAIR.HEWASADARKMANALTOGETHER,WITHGOODEYESANDAGOODBOLDBREADTHBETWEENTHEM.GOOD-HUMOUREDLOOKINGONTHEWHOLE,BUTIMPLACABLE-LOOKING,TOO;EVIDENTLYAMANOFASTRONGRESOLUTIONANDASETPURPOSE;AMANNOTDESIRABLETOBEMET,RUSHINGDOWNANARROWPASSWITHAGULFONEITHERSIDE,FORNOTHINGWOULDTURNTHEMAN.MADAMEDEFARGE,HISWIFE,SATINTHESHOPBEHINDTHECOUNTERASHECAMEIN.MADAMEDEFARGEWASASTOUTWOMANOFABOUTHISOWNAGE,WITHAWATCHFULEYETHATSELDOMSEEMEDTOLOOKATANYTHING,ALARGEHANDHEAVILYRINGED,ASTEADYFACE,STRONGFEATURES,ANDGREATCOMPOSUREOFMANNER.THEREWASACHARACTERABOUTMADAMEDEFARGE,FROMWHICHONEMIGHTHAVEPREDICATEDTHATSHEDIDNOTOFTENMAKEMISTAKESAGAINSTHERSELFINANYOFTHERECKONINGSOVERWHICHSHEPRESIDED.MADAMEDEFARGEBEINGSENSITIVETOCOLD,WASWRAPPEDINFUR,ANDHADAQUANTITYOFBRIGHTSHAWLTWINEDABOUTHERHEAD,THOUGHNOTTOTHECONCEALMENTOFHERLARGEEARRINGS.HERKNITTINGWASBEFOREHER,BUTSHEHADLAIDITDOWNTOPICKHERTEETHWITHATOOTHPICK.THUSENGAGED,WITHHERRIGHTELBOWSUPPORTEDBYHERLEFTHAND,MADAMEDEFARGESAIDNOTHINGWHENHERLORDCAMEIN,BUTCOUGHEDJUSTONEGRAINOFCOUGH.THIS,INCOMBINATIONWITHTHELIFTINGOFHERDARKLYDEFINEDEYEBROWSOVERHERTOOTHPICKBYTHEBREADTHOFALINE,SUGGESTEDTOHERHUSBANDTHATHEWOULDDOWELLTOLOOKROUNDTHESHOPAMONGTHECUSTOMERS,FORANYNEWCUSTOMERWHOHADDROPPEDINWHILEHESTEPPEDOVERTHEWAY.THEWINE-SHOPKEEPERACCORDINGLYROLLEDHISEYESABOUT,UNTILTHEYRESTEDUPONANELDERLYGENTLEMANANDAYOUNGLADY,WHOWERESEATEDINACORNER.OTHERCOMPANYWERETHERE:TWOPLAYINGCARDS,TWOPLAYINGDOMINOES,THREESTANDINGBYTHECOUNTERLENGTHENINGOUTASHORTSUPPLYOFWINE.ASHEPASSEDBEHINDTHECOUNTER,HETOOKNOTICETHATTHEELDERLYGENTLEMANSAIDINALOOKTOTHEYOUNGLADY,"THISISOURMAN.""WHATTHEDEVILDO_YOU_DOINTHATGALLEYTHERE?"SAIDMONSIEURDEFARGETOHIMSELF;"IDON'TKNOWYOU."BUT,HEFEIGNEDNOTTONOTICETHETWOSTRANGERS,ANDFELLINTODISCOURSEWITHTHETRIUMVIRATEOFCUSTOMERSWHOWEREDRINKINGATTHECOUNTER."HOWGOESIT,JACQUES?"SAIDONEOFTHESETHREETOMONSIEURDEFARGE."ISALLTHESPILTWINESWALLOWED?""EVERYDROP,JACQUES,"ANSWEREDMONSIEURDEFARGE.WHENTHISINTERCHANGEOFCHRISTIANNAMEWASEFFECTED,MADAMEDEFARGE,PICKINGHERTEETHWITHHERTOOTHPICK,COUGHEDANOTHERGRAINOFCOUGH,ANDRAISEDHEREYEBROWSBYTHEBREADTHOFANOTHERLINE."ITISNOTOFTEN,"SAIDTHESECONDOFTHETHREE,ADDRESSINGMONSIEURDEFARGE,"THATMANYOFTHESEMISERABLEBEASTSKNOWTHETASTEOFWINE,OROFANYTHINGBUTBLACKBREADANDDEATH.ISITNOTSO,JACQUES?""ITISSO,JACQUES,"MONSIEURDEFARGERETURNED.ATTHISSECONDINTERCHANGEOFTHECHRISTIANNAME,MADAMEDEFARGE,STILLUSINGHERTOOTHPICKWITHPROFOUNDCOMPOSURE,COUGHEDANOTHERGRAINOFCOUGH,ANDRAISEDHEREYEBROWSBYTHEBREADTHOFANOTHERLINE.THELASTOFTHETHREENOWSAIDHISSAY,ASHEPUTDOWNHISEMPTYDRINKINGVESSELANDSMACKEDHISLIPS."AH!SOMUCHTHEWORSE!ABITTERTASTEITISTHATSUCHPOORCATTLEALWAYSHAVEINTHEIRMOUTHS,ANDHARDLIVESTHEYLIVE,JACQUES.AMIRIGHT,JACQUES?""YOUARERIGHT,JACQUES,"WASTHERESPONSEOFMONSIEURDEFARGE.THISTHIRDINTERCHANGEOFTHECHRISTIANNAMEWASCOMPLETEDATTHEMOMENTWHENMADAMEDEFARGEPUTHERTOOTHPICKBY,KEPTHEREYEBROWSUP,ANDSLIGHTLYRUSTLEDINHERSEAT."HOLDTHEN!TRUE!"MUTTEREDHERHUSBAND."GENTLEMEN--MYWIFE!"THETHREECUSTOMERSPULLEDOFFTHEIRHATSTOMADAMEDEFARGE,WITHTHREEFLOURISHES.SHEACKNOWLEDGEDTHEIRHOMAGEBYBENDINGHERHEAD,ANDGIVINGTHEMAQUICKLOOK.THENSHEGLANCEDINACASUALMANNERROUNDTHEWINE-SHOP,TOOKUPHERKNITTINGWITHGREATAPPARENTCALMNESSANDREPOSEOFSPIRIT,ANDBECAMEABSORBEDINIT."GENTLEMEN,"SAIDHERHUSBAND,WHOHADKEPTHISBRIGHTEYEOBSERVANTLYUPONHER,"GOODDAY.THECHAMBER,FURNISHEDBACHELOR-FASHION,THATYOUWISHEDTOSEE,ANDWEREINQUIRINGFORWHENISTEPPEDOUT,ISONTHEFIFTHFLOOR.THEDOORWAYOFTHESTAIRCASEGIVESONTHELITTLECOURTYARDCLOSETOTHELEFTHERE,"POINTINGWITHHISHAND,"NEARTOTHEWINDOWOFMYESTABLISHMENT.BUT,NOWTHATIREMEMBER,ONEOFYOUHASALREADYBEENTHERE,ANDCANSHOWTHEWAY.GENTLEMEN,ADIEU!"THEYPAIDFORTHEIRWINE,ANDLEFTTHEPLACE.THEEYESOFMONSIEURDEFARGEWERESTUDYINGHISWIFEATHERKNITTINGWHENTHEELDERLYGENTLEMANADVANCEDFROMHISCORNER,ANDBEGGEDTHEFAVOUROFAWORD."WILLINGLY,SIR,"SAIDMONSIEURDEFARGE,ANDQUIETLYSTEPPEDWITHHIMTOTHEDOOR.THEIRCONFERENCEWASVERYSHORT,BUTVERYDECIDED.ALMOSTATTHEFIRSTWORD,MONSIEURDEFARGESTARTEDANDBECAMEDEEPLYATTENTIVE.ITHADNOTLASTEDAMINUTE,WHENHENODDEDANDWENTOUT.THEGENTLEMANTHENBECKONEDTOTHEYOUNGLADY,ANDTHEY,TOO,WENTOUT.MADAMEDEFARGEKNITTEDWITHNIMBLEFINGERSANDSTEADYEYEBROWS,ANDSAWNOTHING.MR.JARVISLORRYANDMISSMANETTE,EMERGINGFROMTHEWINE-SHOPTHUS,JOINEDMONSIEURDEFARGEINTHEDOORWAYTOWHICHHEHADDIRECTEDHISOWNCOMPANYJUSTBEFORE.ITOPENEDFROMASTINKINGLITTLEBLACKCOURTYARD,ANDWASTHEGENERALPUBLICENTRANCETOAGREATPILEOFHOUSES,INHABITEDBYAGREATNUMBEROFPEOPLE.INTHEGLOOMYTILE-PAVEDENTRYTOTHEGLOOMYTILE-PAVEDSTAIRCASE,MONSIEURDEFARGEBENTDOWNONONEKNEETOTHECHILDOFHISOLDMASTER,ANDPUTHERHANDTOHISLIPS.ITWASAGENTLEACTION,BUTNOTATALLGENTLYDONE;AVERYREMARKABLETRANSFORMATIONHADCOMEOVERHIMINAFEWSECONDS.HEHADNOGOOD-HUMOURINHISFACE,NORANYOPENNESSOFASPECTLEFT,BUTHADBECOMEASECRET,ANGRY,DANGEROUSMAN."ITISVERYHIGH;ITISALITTLEDIFFICULT.BETTERTOBEGINSLOWLY."THUS,MONSIEURDEFARGE,INASTERNVOICE,TOMR.LORRY,ASTHEYBEGANASCENDINGTHESTAIRS."ISHEALONE?"THELATTERWHISPERED."ALONE!GODHELPHIM,WHOSHOULDBEWITHHIM!"SAIDTHEOTHER,INTHESAMELOWVOICE."ISHEALWAYSALONE,THEN?""YES.""OFHISOWNDESIRE?""OFHISOWNNECESSITY.ASHEWAS,WHENIFIRSTSAWHIMAFTERTHEYFOUNDMEANDDEMANDEDTOKNOWIFIWOULDTAKEHIM,AND,ATMYPERILBEDISCREET--ASHEWASTHEN,SOHEISNOW.""HEISGREATLYCHANGED?""CHANGED!"THEKEEPEROFTHEWINE-SHOPSTOPPEDTOSTRIKETHEWALLWITHHISHAND,ANDMUTTERATREMENDOUSCURSE.NODIRECTANSWERCOULDHAVEBEENHALFSOFORCIBLE.MR.LORRY'SSPIRITSGREWHEAVIERANDHEAVIER,ASHEANDHISTWOCOMPANIONSASCENDEDHIGHERANDHIGHER.SUCHASTAIRCASE,WITHITSACCESSORIES,INTHEOLDERANDMORECROWDEDPARTSOFPARIS,WOULDBEBADENOUGHNOW;BUT,ATTHATTIME,ITWASVILEINDEEDTOUNACCUSTOMEDANDUNHARDENEDSENSES.EVERYLITTLEHABITATIONWITHINTHEGREATFOULNESTOFONEHIGHBUILDING--THATISTOSAY,THEROOMORROOMSWITHINEVERYDOORTHATOPENEDONTHEGENERALSTAIRCASE--LEFTITSOWNHEAPOFREFUSEONITSOWNLANDING,BESIDESFLINGINGOTHERREFUSEFROMITSOWNWINDOWS.THEUNCONTROLLABLEANDHOPELESSMASSOFDECOMPOSITIONSOENGENDERED,WOULDHAVEPOLLUTEDTHEAIR,EVENIFPOVERTYANDDEPRIVATIONHADNOTLOADEDITWITHTHEIRINTANGIBLEIMPURITIES;THETWOBADSOURCESCOMBINEDMADEITALMOSTINSUPPORTABLE.THROUGHSUCHANATMOSPHERE,BYASTEEPDARKSHAFTOFDIRTANDPOISON,THEWAYLAY.YIELDINGTOHISOWNDISTURBANCEOFMIND,ANDTOHISYOUNGCOMPANION'SAGITATION,WHICHBECAMEGREATEREVERYINSTANT,MR.JARVISLORRYTWICESTOPPEDTOREST.EACHOFTHESESTOPPAGESWASMADEATADOLEFULGRATING,BYWHICHANYLANGUISHINGGOODAIRSTHATWERELEFTUNCORRUPTED,SEEMEDTOESCAPE,ANDALLSPOILTANDSICKLYVAPOURSSEEMEDTOCRAWLIN.THROUGHTHERUSTEDBARS,TASTES,RATHERTHANGLIMPSES,WERECAUGHTOFTHEJUMBLEDNEIGHBOURHOOD;ANDNOTHINGWITHINRANGE,NEARERORLOWERTHANTHESUMMITSOFTHETWOGREATTOWERSOFNOTRE-DAME,HADANYPROMISEONITOFHEALTHYLIFEORWHOLESOMEASPIRATIONS.ATLAST,THETOPOFTHESTAIRCASEWASGAINED,ANDTHEYSTOPPEDFORTHETHIRDTIME.THEREWASYETANUPPERSTAIRCASE,OFASTEEPERINCLINATIONANDOFCONTRACTEDDIMENSIONS,TOBEASCENDED,BEFORETHEGARRETSTORYWASREACHED.THEKEEPEROFTHEWINE-SHOP,ALWAYSGOINGALITTLEINADVANCE,ANDALWAYSGOINGONTHESIDEWHICHMR.LORRYTOOK,ASTHOUGHHEDREADEDTOBEASKEDANYQUESTIONBYTHEYOUNGLADY,TURNEDHIMSELFABOUTHERE,AND,CAREFULLYFEELINGINTHEPOCKETSOFTHECOATHECARRIEDOVERHISSHOULDER,TOOKOUTAKEY."THEDOORISLOCKEDTHEN,MYFRIEND?"SAIDMR.LORRY,SURPRISED."AY.YES,"WASTHEGRIMREPLYOFMONSIEURDEFARGE."YOUTHINKITNECESSARYTOKEEPTHEUNFORTUNATEGENTLEMANSORETIRED?""ITHINKITNECESSARYTOTURNTHEKEY."MONSIEURDEFARGEWHISPEREDITCLOSERINHISEAR,ANDFROWNEDHEAVILY."WHY?""WHY!BECAUSEHEHASLIVEDSOLONG,LOCKEDUP,THATHEWOULDBEFRIGHTENED--RAVE--TEARHIMSELFTOPIECES--DIE--COMETOIKNOWNOTWHATHARM--IFHISDOORWASLEFTOPEN.""ISITPOSSIBLE!"EXCLAIMEDMR.LORRY."ISITPOSSIBLE!"REPEATEDDEFARGE,BITTERLY."YES.ANDABEAUTIFULWORLDWELIVEIN,WHENIT_IS_POSSIBLE,ANDWHENMANYOTHERSUCHTHINGSAREPOSSIBLE,ANDNOTONLYPOSSIBLE,BUTDONE--DONE,SEEYOU!--UNDERTHATSKYTHERE,EVERYDAY.LONGLIVETHEDEVIL.LETUSGOON."THISDIALOGUEHADBEENHELDINSOVERYLOWAWHISPER,THATNOTAWORDOFITHADREACHEDTHEYOUNGLADY'SEARS.BUT,BYTHISTIMESHETREMBLEDUNDERSUCHSTRONGEMOTION,ANDHERFACEEXPRESSEDSUCHDEEPANXIETY,AND,ABOVEALL,SUCHDREADANDTERROR,THATMR.LORRYFELTITINCUMBENTONHIMTOSPEAKAWORDORTWOOFREASSURANCE."COURAGE,DEARMISS!COURAGE!BUSINESS!THEWORSTWILLBEOVERINAMOMENT;ITISBUTPASSINGTHEROOM-DOOR,ANDTHEWORSTISOVER.THEN,ALLTHEGOODYOUBRINGTOHIM,ALLTHERELIEF,ALLTHEHAPPINESSYOUBRINGTOHIM,BEGIN.LETOURGOODFRIENDHERE,ASSISTYOUONTHATSIDE.THAT'SWELL,FRIENDDEFARGE.COME,NOW.BUSINESS,BUSINESS!"THEYWENTUPSLOWLYANDSOFTLY.THESTAIRCASEWASSHORT,ANDTHEYWERESOONATTHETOP.THERE,ASITHADANABRUPTTURNINIT,THEYCAMEALLATONCEINSIGHTOFTHREEMEN,WHOSEHEADSWEREBENTDOWNCLOSETOGETHERATTHESIDEOFADOOR,ANDWHOWEREINTENTLYLOOKINGINTOTHEROOMTOWHICHTHEDOORBELONGED,THROUGHSOMECHINKSORHOLESINTHEWALL.ONHEARINGFOOTSTEPSCLOSEATHAND,THESETHREETURNED,ANDROSE,ANDSHOWEDTHEMSELVESTOBETHETHREEOFONENAMEWHOHADBEENDRINKINGINTHEWINE-SHOP."IFORGOTTHEMINTHESURPRISEOFYOURVISIT,"EXPLAINEDMONSIEURDEFARGE."LEAVEUS,GOODBOYS;WEHAVEBUSINESSHERE."THETHREEGLIDEDBY,ANDWENTSILENTLYDOWN.THEREAPPEARINGTOBENOOTHERDOORONTHATFLOOR,ANDTHEKEEPEROFTHEWINE-SHOPGOINGSTRAIGHTTOTHISONEWHENTHEYWERELEFTALONE,MR.LORRYASKEDHIMINAWHISPER,WITHALITTLEANGER:"DOYOUMAKEASHOWOFMONSIEURMANETTE?""ISHOWHIM,INTHEWAYYOUHAVESEEN,TOACHOSENFEW.""ISTHATWELL?""_I_THINKITISWELL.""WHOARETHEFEW?HOWDOYOUCHOOSETHEM?""ICHOOSETHEMASREALMEN,OFMYNAME--JACQUESISMYNAME--TOWHOMTHESIGHTISLIKELYTODOGOOD.ENOUGH;YOUAREENGLISH;THATISANOTHERTHING.STAYTHERE,IFYOUPLEASE,ALITTLEMOMENT."WITHANADMONITORYGESTURETOKEEPTHEMBACK,HESTOOPED,ANDLOOKEDINTHROUGHTHECREVICEINTHEWALL.SOONRAISINGHISHEADAGAIN,HESTRUCKTWICEORTHRICEUPONTHEDOOR--EVIDENTLYWITHNOOTHEROBJECTTHANTOMAKEANOISETHERE.WITHTHESAMEINTENTION,HEDREWTHEKEYACROSSIT,THREEORFOURTIMES,BEFOREHEPUTITCLUMSILYINTOTHELOCK,ANDTURNEDITASHEAVILYASHECOULD.THEDOORSLOWLYOPENEDINWARDUNDERHISHAND,ANDHELOOKEDINTOTHEROOMANDSAIDSOMETHING.AFAINTVOICEANSWEREDSOMETHING.LITTLEMORETHANASINGLESYLLABLECOULDHAVEBEENSPOKENONEITHERSIDE.HELOOKEDBACKOVERHISSHOULDER,ANDBECKONEDTHEMTOENTER.MR.LORRYGOTHISARMSECURELYROUNDTHEDAUGHTER'SWAIST,ANDHELDHER;FORHEFELTTHATSHEWASSINKING."A-A-A-BUSINESS,BUSINESS!"HEURGED,WITHAMOISTURETHATWASNOTOFBUSINESSSHININGONHISCHEEK."COMEIN,COMEIN!""IAMAFRAIDOFIT,"SHEANSWERED,SHUDDERING."OFIT?WHAT?""IMEANOFHIM.OFMYFATHER."RENDEREDINAMANNERDESPERATE,BYHERSTATEANDBYTHEBECKONINGOFTHEIRCONDUCTOR,HEDREWOVERHISNECKTHEARMTHATSHOOKUPONHISSHOULDER,LIFTEDHERALITTLE,ANDHURRIEDHERINTOTHEROOM.HESATHERDOWNJUSTWITHINTHEDOOR,ANDHELDHER,CLINGINGTOHIM.DEFARGEDREWOUTTHEKEY,CLOSEDTHEDOOR,LOCKEDITONTHEINSIDE,TOOKOUTTHEKEYAGAIN,ANDHELDITINHISHAND.ALLTHISHEDID,METHODICALLY,ANDWITHASLOUDANDHARSHANACCOMPANIMENTOFNOISEASHECOULDMAKE.FINALLY,HEWALKEDACROSSTHEROOMWITHAMEASUREDTREADTOWHERETHEWINDOWWAS.HESTOPPEDTHERE,ANDFACEDROUND.THEGARRET,BUILTTOBEADEPOSITORYFORFIREWOODANDTHELIKE,WASDIMANDDARK:FOR,THEWINDOWOFDORMERSHAPE,WASINTRUTHADOORINTHEROOF,WITHALITTLECRANEOVERITFORTHEHOISTINGUPOFSTORESFROMTHESTREET:UNGLAZED,ANDCLOSINGUPTHEMIDDLEINTWOPIECES,LIKEANYOTHERDOOROFFRENCHCONSTRUCTION.TOEXCLUDETHECOLD,ONEHALFOFTHISDOORWASFASTCLOSED,ANDTHEOTHERWASOPENEDBUTAVERYLITTLEWAY.SUCHASCANTYPORTIONOFLIGHTWASADMITTEDTHROUGHTHESEMEANS,THATITWASDIFFICULT,ONFIRSTCOMINGIN,TOSEEANYTHING;ANDLONGHABITALONECOULDHAVESLOWLYFORMEDINANYONE,THEABILITYTODOANYWORKREQUIRINGNICETYINSUCHOBSCURITY.YET,WORKOFTHATKINDWASBEINGDONEINTHEGARRET;FOR,WITHHISBACKTOWARDSTHEDOOR,ANDHISFACETOWARDSTHEWINDOWWHERETHEKEEPEROFTHEWINE-SHOPSTOODLOOKINGATHIM,AWHITE-HAIREDMANSATONALOWBENCH,STOOPINGFORWARDANDVERYBUSY,MAKINGSHOES.VI.THESHOEMAKER"GOODDAY!"SAIDMONSIEURDEFARGE,LOOKINGDOWNATTHEWHITEHEADTHATBENTLOWOVERTHESHOEMAKING.ITWASRAISEDFORAMOMENT,ANDAVERYFAINTVOICERESPONDEDTOTHESALUTATION,ASIFITWEREATADISTANCE:"GOODDAY!""YOUARESTILLHARDATWORK,ISEE?"AFTERALONGSILENCE,THEHEADWASLIFTEDFORANOTHERMOMENT,ANDTHEVOICEREPLIED,"YES--IAMWORKING."THISTIME,APAIROFHAGGARDEYESHADLOOKEDATTHEQUESTIONER,BEFORETHEFACEHADDROPPEDAGAIN.THEFAINTNESSOFTHEVOICEWASPITIABLEANDDREADFUL.ITWASNOTTHEFAINTNESSOFPHYSICALWEAKNESS,THOUGHCONFINEMENTANDHARDFARENODOUBTHADTHEIRPARTINIT.ITSDEPLORABLEPECULIARITYWAS,THATITWASTHEFAINTNESSOFSOLITUDEANDDISUSE.ITWASLIKETHELASTFEEBLEECHOOFASOUNDMADELONGANDLONGAGO.SOENTIRELYHADITLOSTTHELIFEANDRESONANCEOFTHEHUMANVOICE,THATITAFFECTEDTHESENSESLIKEAONCEBEAUTIFULCOLOURFADEDAWAYINTOAPOORWEAKSTAIN.SOSUNKENANDSUPPRESSEDITWAS,THATITWASLIKEAVOICEUNDERGROUND.SOEXPRESSIVEITWAS,OFAHOPELESSANDLOSTCREATURE,THATAFAMISHEDTRAVELLER,WEARIEDOUTBYLONELYWANDERINGINAWILDERNESS,WOULDHAVEREMEMBEREDHOMEANDFRIENDSINSUCHATONEBEFORELYINGDOWNTODIE.SOMEMINUTESOFSILENTWORKHADPASSED:ANDTHEHAGGARDEYESHADLOOKEDUPAGAIN:NOTWITHANYINTERESTORCURIOSITY,BUTWITHADULLMECHANICALPERCEPTION,BEFOREHAND,THATTHESPOTWHERETHEONLYVISITORTHEYWEREAWAREOFHADSTOOD,WASNOTYETEMPTY."IWANT,"SAIDDEFARGE,WHOHADNOTREMOVEDHISGAZEFROMTHESHOEMAKER,"TOLETINALITTLEMORELIGHTHERE.YOUCANBEARALITTLEMORE?"THESHOEMAKERSTOPPEDHISWORK;LOOKEDWITHAVACANTAIROFLISTENING,ATTHEFLOORONONESIDEOFHIM;THENSIMILARLY,ATTHEFLOORONTHEOTHERSIDEOFHIM;THEN,UPWARDATTHESPEAKER."WHATDIDYOUSAY?""YOUCANBEARALITTLEMORELIGHT?""IMUSTBEARIT,IFYOULETITIN."(LAYINGTHEPALESTSHADOWOFASTRESSUPONTHESECONDWORD.)THEOPENEDHALF-DOORWASOPENEDALITTLEFURTHER,ANDSECUREDATTHATANGLEFORTHETIME.ABROADRAYOFLIGHTFELLINTOTHEGARRET,ANDSHOWEDTHEWORKMANWITHANUNFINISHEDSHOEUPONHISLAP,PAUSINGINHISLABOUR.HISFEWCOMMONTOOLSANDVARIOUSSCRAPSOFLEATHERWEREATHISFEETANDONHISBENCH.HEHADAWHITEBEARD,RAGGEDLYCUT,BUTNOTVERYLONG,AHOLLOWFACE,ANDEXCEEDINGLYBRIGHTEYES.THEHOLLOWNESSANDTHINNESSOFHISFACEWOULDHAVECAUSEDTHEMTOLOOKLARGE,UNDERHISYETDARKEYEBROWSANDHISCONFUSEDWHITEHAIR,THOUGHTHEYHADBEENREALLYOTHERWISE;BUT,THEYWERENATURALLYLARGE,ANDLOOKEDUNNATURALLYSO.HISYELLOWRAGSOFSHIRTLAYOPENATTHETHROAT,ANDSHOWEDHISBODYTOBEWITHEREDANDWORN.HE,ANDHISOLDCANVASFROCK,ANDHISLOOSESTOCKINGS,ANDALLHISPOORTATTERSOFCLOTHES,HAD,INALONGSECLUSIONFROMDIRECTLIGHTANDAIR,FADEDDOWNTOSUCHADULLUNIFORMITYOFPARCHMENT-YELLOW,THATITWOULDHAVEBEENHARDTOSAYWHICHWASWHICH.HEHADPUTUPAHANDBETWEENHISEYESANDTHELIGHT,ANDTHEVERYBONESOFITSEEMEDTRANSPARENT.SOHESAT,WITHASTEADFASTLYVACANTGAZE,PAUSINGINHISWORK.HENEVERLOOKEDATTHEFIGUREBEFOREHIM,WITHOUTFIRSTLOOKINGDOWNONTHISSIDEOFHIMSELF,THENONTHAT,ASIFHEHADLOSTTHEHABITOFASSOCIATINGPLACEWITHSOUND;HENEVERSPOKE,WITHOUTFIRSTWANDERINGINTHISMANNER,ANDFORGETTINGTOSPEAK."AREYOUGOINGTOFINISHTHATPAIROFSHOESTO-DAY?"ASKEDDEFARGE,MOTIONINGTOMR.LORRYTOCOMEFORWARD."WHATDIDYOUSAY?""DOYOUMEANTOFINISHTHATPAIROFSHOESTO-DAY?""ICAN'TSAYTHATIMEANTO.ISUPPOSESO.IDON'TKNOW."BUT,THEQUESTIONREMINDEDHIMOFHISWORK,ANDHEBENTOVERITAGAIN.MR.LORRYCAMESILENTLYFORWARD,LEAVINGTHEDAUGHTERBYTHEDOOR.WHENHEHADSTOOD,FORAMINUTEORTWO,BYTHESIDEOFDEFARGE,THESHOEMAKERLOOKEDUP.HESHOWEDNOSURPRISEATSEEINGANOTHERFIGURE,BUTTHEUNSTEADYFINGERSOFONEOFHISHANDSSTRAYEDTOHISLIPSASHELOOKEDATIT(HISLIPSANDHISNAILSWEREOFTHESAMEPALELEAD-COLOUR),ANDTHENTHEHANDDROPPEDTOHISWORK,ANDHEONCEMOREBENTOVERTHESHOE.THELOOKANDTHEACTIONHADOCCUPIEDBUTANINSTANT."YOUHAVEAVISITOR,YOUSEE,"SAIDMONSIEURDEFARGE."WHATDIDYOUSAY?""HEREISAVISITOR."THESHOEMAKERLOOKEDUPASBEFORE,BUTWITHOUTREMOVINGAHANDFROMHISWORK."COME!"SAIDDEFARGE."HEREISMONSIEUR,WHOKNOWSAWELL-MADESHOEWHENHESEESONE.SHOWHIMTHATSHOEYOUAREWORKINGAT.TAKEIT,MONSIEUR."MR.LORRYTOOKITINHISHAND."TELLMONSIEURWHATKINDOFSHOEITIS,ANDTHEMAKER'SNAME."THEREWASALONGERPAUSETHANUSUAL,BEFORETHESHOEMAKERREPLIED:"IFORGETWHATITWASYOUASKEDME.WHATDIDYOUSAY?""ISAID,COULDN'TYOUDESCRIBETHEKINDOFSHOE,FORMONSIEUR'SINFORMATION?""ITISALADY'SSHOE.ITISAYOUNGLADY'SWALKING-SHOE.ITISINTHEPRESENTMODE.INEVERSAWTHEMODE.IHAVEHADAPATTERNINMYHAND."HEGLANCEDATTHESHOEWITHSOMELITTLEPASSINGTOUCHOFPRIDE."ANDTHEMAKER'SNAME?"SAIDDEFARGE.NOWTHATHEHADNOWORKTOHOLD,HELAIDTHEKNUCKLESOFTHERIGHTHANDINTHEHOLLOWOFTHELEFT,ANDTHENTHEKNUCKLESOFTHELEFTHANDINTHEHOLLOWOFTHERIGHT,ANDTHENPASSEDAHANDACROSSHISBEARDEDCHIN,ANDSOONINREGULARCHANGES,WITHOUTAMOMENT'SINTERMISSION.THETASKOFRECALLINGHIMFROMTHEVAGRANCYINTOWHICHHEALWAYSSANKWHENHEHADSPOKEN,WASLIKERECALLINGSOMEVERYWEAKPERSONFROMASWOON,ORENDEAVOURING,INTHEHOPEOFSOMEDISCLOSURE,TOSTAYTHESPIRITOFAFAST-DYINGMAN."DIDYOUASKMEFORMYNAME?""ASSUREDLYIDID.""ONEHUNDREDANDFIVE,NORTHTOWER.""ISTHATALL?""ONEHUNDREDANDFIVE,NORTHTOWER."WITHAWEARYSOUNDTHATWASNOTASIGH,NORAGROAN,HEBENTTOWORKAGAIN,UNTILTHESILENCEWASAGAINBROKEN."YOUARENOTASHOEMAKERBYTRADE?"SAIDMR.LORRY,LOOKINGSTEADFASTLYATHIM.HISHAGGARDEYESTURNEDTODEFARGEASIFHEWOULDHAVETRANSFERREDTHEQUESTIONTOHIM:BUTASNOHELPCAMEFROMTHATQUARTER,THEYTURNEDBACKONTHEQUESTIONERWHENTHEYHADSOUGHTTHEGROUND."IAMNOTASHOEMAKERBYTRADE?NO,IWASNOTASHOEMAKERBYTRADE.I-ILEARNTITHERE.ITAUGHTMYSELF.IASKEDLEAVETO--"HELAPSEDAWAY,EVENFORMINUTES,RINGINGTHOSEMEASUREDCHANGESONHISHANDSTHEWHOLETIME.HISEYESCAMESLOWLYBACK,ATLAST,TOTHEFACEFROMWHICHTHEYHADWANDERED;WHENTHEYRESTEDONIT,HESTARTED,ANDRESUMED,INTHEMANNEROFASLEEPERTHATMOMENTAWAKE,REVERTINGTOASUBJECTOFLASTNIGHT."IASKEDLEAVETOTEACHMYSELF,ANDIGOTITWITHMUCHDIFFICULTYAFTERALONGWHILE,ANDIHAVEMADESHOESEVERSINCE."ASHEHELDOUTHISHANDFORTHESHOETHATHADBEENTAKENFROMHIM,MR.LORRYSAID,STILLLOOKINGSTEADFASTLYINHISFACE:"MONSIEURMANETTE,DOYOUREMEMBERNOTHINGOFME?"THESHOEDROPPEDTOTHEGROUND,ANDHESATLOOKINGFIXEDLYATTHEQUESTIONER."MONSIEURMANETTE";MR.LORRYLAIDHISHANDUPONDEFARGE'SARM;"DOYOUREMEMBERNOTHINGOFTHISMAN?LOOKATHIM.LOOKATME.ISTHERENOOLDBANKER,NOOLDBUSINESS,NOOLDSERVANT,NOOLDTIME,RISINGINYOURMIND,MONSIEURMANETTE?"ASTHECAPTIVEOFMANYYEARSSATLOOKINGFIXEDLY,BYTURNS,ATMR.LORRYANDATDEFARGE,SOMELONGOBLITERATEDMARKSOFANACTIVELYINTENTINTELLIGENCEINTHEMIDDLEOFTHEFOREHEAD,GRADUALLYFORCEDTHEMSELVESTHROUGHTHEBLACKMISTTHATHADFALLENONHIM.THEYWEREOVERCLOUDEDAGAIN,THEYWEREFAINTER,THEYWEREGONE;BUTTHEYHADBEENTHERE.ANDSOEXACTLYWASTHEEXPRESSIONREPEATEDONTHEFAIRYOUNGFACEOFHERWHOHADCREPTALONGTHEWALLTOAPOINTWHERESHECOULDSEEHIM,ANDWHERESHENOWSTOODLOOKINGATHIM,WITHHANDSWHICHATFIRSTHADBEENONLYRAISEDINFRIGHTENEDCOMPASSION,IFNOTEVENTOKEEPHIMOFFANDSHUTOUTTHESIGHTOFHIM,BUTWHICHWERENOWEXTENDINGTOWARDSHIM,TREMBLINGWITHEAGERNESSTOLAYTHESPECTRALFACEUPONHERWARMYOUNGBREAST,ANDLOVEITBACKTOLIFEANDHOPE--SOEXACTLYWASTHEEXPRESSIONREPEATED(THOUGHINSTRONGERCHARACTERS)ONHERFAIRYOUNGFACE,THATITLOOKEDASTHOUGHITHADPASSEDLIKEAMOVINGLIGHT,FROMHIMTOHER.DARKNESSHADFALLENONHIMINITSPLACE.HELOOKEDATTHETWO,LESSANDLESSATTENTIVELY,ANDHISEYESINGLOOMYABSTRACTIONSOUGHTTHEGROUNDANDLOOKEDABOUTHIMINTHEOLDWAY.FINALLY,WITHADEEPLONGSIGH,HETOOKTHESHOEUP,ANDRESUMEDHISWORK."HAVEYOURECOGNISEDHIM,MONSIEUR?"ASKEDDEFARGEINAWHISPER."YES;FORAMOMENT.ATFIRSTITHOUGHTITQUITEHOPELESS,BUTIHAVEUNQUESTIONABLYSEEN,FORASINGLEMOMENT,THEFACETHATIONCEKNEWSOWELL.HUSH!LETUSDRAWFURTHERBACK.HUSH!"SHEHADMOVEDFROMTHEWALLOFTHEGARRET,VERYNEARTOTHEBENCHONWHICHHESAT.THEREWASSOMETHINGAWFULINHISUNCONSCIOUSNESSOFTHEFIGURETHATCOULDHAVEPUTOUTITSHANDANDTOUCHEDHIMASHESTOOPEDOVERHISLABOUR.NOTAWORDWASSPOKEN,NOTASOUNDWASMADE.SHESTOOD,LIKEASPIRIT,BESIDEHIM,ANDHEBENTOVERHISWORK.ITHAPPENED,ATLENGTH,THATHEHADOCCASIONTOCHANGETHEINSTRUMENTINHISHAND,FORHISSHOEMAKER'SKNIFE.ITLAYONTHATSIDEOFHIMWHICHWASNOTTHESIDEONWHICHSHESTOOD.HEHADTAKENITUP,ANDWASSTOOPINGTOWORKAGAIN,WHENHISEYESCAUGHTTHESKIRTOFHERDRESS.HERAISEDTHEM,ANDSAWHERFACE.THETWOSPECTATORSSTARTEDFORWARD,BUTSHESTAYEDTHEMWITHAMOTIONOFHERHAND.SHEHADNOFEAROFHISSTRIKINGATHERWITHTHEKNIFE,THOUGHTHEYHAD.HESTAREDATHERWITHAFEARFULLOOK,ANDAFTERAWHILEHISLIPSBEGANTOFORMSOMEWORDS,THOUGHNOSOUNDPROCEEDEDFROMTHEM.BYDEGREES,INTHEPAUSESOFHISQUICKANDLABOUREDBREATHING,HEWASHEARDTOSAY:"WHATISTHIS?"WITHTHETEARSSTREAMINGDOWNHERFACE,SHEPUTHERTWOHANDSTOHERLIPS,ANDKISSEDTHEMTOHIM;THENCLASPEDTHEMONHERBREAST,ASIFSHELAIDHISRUINEDHEADTHERE."YOUARENOTTHEGAOLER'SDAUGHTER?"SHESIGHED"NO.""WHOAREYOU?"NOTYETTRUSTINGTHETONESOFHERVOICE,SHESATDOWNONTHEBENCHBESIDEHIM.HERECOILED,BUTSHELAIDHERHANDUPONHISARM.ASTRANGETHRILLSTRUCKHIMWHENSHEDIDSO,ANDVISIBLYPASSEDOVERHISFRAME;HELAIDTHEKNIFEDOWNSOFTLY,ASHESATSTARINGATHER.HERGOLDENHAIR,WHICHSHEWOREINLONGCURLS,HADBEENHURRIEDLYPUSHEDASIDE,ANDFELLDOWNOVERHERNECK.ADVANCINGHISHANDBYLITTLEANDLITTLE,HETOOKITUPANDLOOKEDATIT.INTHEMIDSTOFTHEACTIONHEWENTASTRAY,AND,WITHANOTHERDEEPSIGH,FELLTOWORKATHISSHOEMAKING.BUTNOTFORLONG.RELEASINGHISARM,SHELAIDHERHANDUPONHISSHOULDER.AFTERLOOKINGDOUBTFULLYATIT,TWOORTHREETIMES,ASIFTOBESURETHATITWASREALLYTHERE,HELAIDDOWNHISWORK,PUTHISHANDTOHISNECK,ANDTOOKOFFABLACKENEDSTRINGWITHASCRAPOFFOLDEDRAGATTACHEDTOIT.HEOPENEDTHIS,CAREFULLY,ONHISKNEE,ANDITCONTAINEDAVERYLITTLEQUANTITYOFHAIR:NOTMORETHANONEORTWOLONGGOLDENHAIRS,WHICHHEHAD,INSOMEOLDDAY,WOUNDOFFUPONHISFINGER.HETOOKHERHAIRINTOHISHANDAGAIN,ANDLOOKEDCLOSELYATIT."ITISTHESAME.HOWCANITBE!WHENWASIT!HOWWASIT!"ASTHECONCENTRATEDEXPRESSIONRETURNEDTOHISFOREHEAD,HESEEMEDTOBECOMECONSCIOUSTHATITWASINHERSTOO.HETURNEDHERFULLTOTHELIGHT,ANDLOOKEDATHER."SHEHADLAIDHERHEADUPONMYSHOULDER,THATNIGHTWHENIWASSUMMONEDOUT--SHEHADAFEAROFMYGOING,THOUGHIHADNONE--ANDWHENIWASBROUGHTTOTHENORTHTOWERTHEYFOUNDTHESEUPONMYSLEEVE.'YOUWILLLEAVEMETHEM?THEYCANNEVERHELPMETOESCAPEINTHEBODY,THOUGHTHEYMAYINTHESPIRIT.'THOSEWERETHEWORDSISAID.IREMEMBERTHEMVERYWELL."HEFORMEDTHISSPEECHWITHHISLIPSMANYTIMESBEFOREHECOULDUTTERIT.BUTWHENHEDIDFINDSPOKENWORDSFORIT,THEYCAMETOHIMCOHERENTLY,THOUGHSLOWLY."HOWWASTHIS?--_WASITYOU_?"ONCEMORE,THETWOSPECTATORSSTARTED,ASHETURNEDUPONHERWITHAFRIGHTFULSUDDENNESS.BUTSHESATPERFECTLYSTILLINHISGRASP,ANDONLYSAID,INALOWVOICE,"IENTREATYOU,GOODGENTLEMEN,DONOTCOMENEARUS,DONOTSPEAK,DONOTMOVE!""HARK!"HEEXCLAIMED."WHOSEVOICEWASTHAT?"HISHANDSRELEASEDHERASHEUTTEREDTHISCRY,ANDWENTUPTOHISWHITEHAIR,WHICHTHEYTOREINAFRENZY.ITDIEDOUT,ASEVERYTHINGBUTHISSHOEMAKINGDIDDIEOUTOFHIM,ANDHEREFOLDEDHISLITTLEPACKETANDTRIEDTOSECUREITINHISBREAST;BUTHESTILLLOOKEDATHER,ANDGLOOMILYSHOOKHISHEAD."NO,NO,NO;YOUARETOOYOUNG,TOOBLOOMING.ITCAN'TBE.SEEWHATTHEPRISONERIS.THESEARENOTTHEHANDSSHEKNEW,THISISNOTTHEFACESHEKNEW,THISISNOTAVOICESHEEVERHEARD.NO,NO.SHEWAS--ANDHEWAS--BEFORETHESLOWYEARSOFTHENORTHTOWER--AGESAGO.WHATISYOURNAME,MYGENTLEANGEL?"HAILINGHISSOFTENEDTONEANDMANNER,HISDAUGHTERFELLUPONHERKNEESBEFOREHIM,WITHHERAPPEALINGHANDSUPONHISBREAST."O,SIR,ATANOTHERTIMEYOUSHALLKNOWMYNAME,ANDWHOMYMOTHERWAS,ANDWHOMYFATHER,ANDHOWINEVERKNEWTHEIRHARD,HARDHISTORY.BUTICANNOTTELLYOUATTHISTIME,ANDICANNOTTELLYOUHERE.ALLTHATIMAYTELLYOU,HEREANDNOW,IS,THATIPRAYTOYOUTOTOUCHMEANDTOBLESSME.KISSME,KISSME!OMYDEAR,MYDEAR!"HISCOLDWHITEHEADMINGLEDWITHHERRADIANTHAIR,WHICHWARMEDANDLIGHTEDITASTHOUGHITWERETHELIGHTOFFREEDOMSHININGONHIM."IFYOUHEARINMYVOICE--IDON'TKNOWTHATITISSO,BUTIHOPEITIS--IFYOUHEARINMYVOICEANYRESEMBLANCETOAVOICETHATONCEWASSWEETMUSICINYOUREARS,WEEPFORIT,WEEPFORIT!IFYOUTOUCH,INTOUCHINGMYHAIR,ANYTHINGTHATRECALLSABELOVEDHEADTHATLAYONYOURBREASTWHENYOUWEREYOUNGANDFREE,WEEPFORIT,WEEPFORIT!IF,WHENIHINTTOYOUOFAHOMETHATISBEFOREUS,WHEREIWILLBETRUETOYOUWITHALLMYDUTYANDWITHALLMYFAITHFULSERVICE,IBRINGBACKTHEREMEMBRANCEOFAHOMELONGDESOLATE,WHILEYOURPOORHEARTPINEDAWAY,WEEPFORIT,WEEPFORIT!"SHEHELDHIMCLOSERROUNDTHENECK,ANDROCKEDHIMONHERBREASTLIKEACHILD."IF,WHENITELLYOU,DEARESTDEAR,THATYOURAGONYISOVER,ANDTHATIHAVECOMEHERETOTAKEYOUFROMIT,ANDTHATWEGOTOENGLANDTOBEATPEACEANDATREST,ICAUSEYOUTOTHINKOFYOURUSEFULLIFELAIDWASTE,ANDOFOURNATIVEFRANCESOWICKEDTOYOU,WEEPFORIT,WEEPFORIT!ANDIF,WHENISHALLTELLYOUOFMYNAME,ANDOFMYFATHERWHOISLIVING,ANDOFMYMOTHERWHOISDEAD,YOULEARNTHATIHAVETOKNEELTOMYHONOUREDFATHER,ANDIMPLOREHISPARDONFORHAVINGNEVERFORHISSAKESTRIVENALLDAYANDLAINAWAKEANDWEPTALLNIGHT,BECAUSETHELOVEOFMYPOORMOTHERHIDHISTORTUREFROMME,WEEPFORIT,WEEPFORIT!WEEPFORHER,THEN,ANDFORME!GOODGENTLEMEN,THANKGOD!IFEELHISSACREDTEARSUPONMYFACE,ANDHISSOBSSTRIKEAGAINSTMYHEART.O,SEE!THANKGODFORUS,THANKGOD!"HEHADSUNKINHERARMS,ANDHISFACEDROPPEDONHERBREAST:ASIGHTSOTOUCHING,YETSOTERRIBLEINTHETREMENDOUSWRONGANDSUFFERINGWHICHHADGONEBEFOREIT,THATTHETWOBEHOLDERSCOVEREDTHEIRFACES.WHENTHEQUIETOFTHEGARRETHADBEENLONGUNDISTURBED,ANDHISHEAVINGBREASTANDSHAKENFORMHADLONGYIELDEDTOTHECALMTHATMUSTFOLLOWALLSTORMS--EMBLEMTOHUMANITY,OFTHERESTANDSILENCEINTOWHICHTHESTORMCALLEDLIFEMUSTHUSHATLAST--THEYCAMEFORWARDTORAISETHEFATHERANDDAUGHTERFROMTHEGROUND.HEHADGRADUALLYDROPPEDTOTHEFLOOR,ANDLAYTHEREINALETHARGY,WORNOUT.SHEHADNESTLEDDOWNWITHHIM,THATHISHEADMIGHTLIEUPONHERARM;ANDHERHAIRDROOPINGOVERHIMCURTAINEDHIMFROMTHELIGHT."IF,WITHOUTDISTURBINGHIM,"SHESAID,RAISINGHERHANDTOMR.LORRYASHESTOOPEDOVERTHEM,AFTERREPEATEDBLOWINGSOFHISNOSE,"ALLCOULDBEARRANGEDFOROURLEAVINGPARISATONCE,SOTHAT,FROMTHEVERYDOOR,HECOULDBETAKENAWAY--""BUT,CONSIDER.ISHEFITFORTHEJOURNEY?"ASKEDMR.LORRY."MOREFITFORTHAT,ITHINK,THANTOREMAININTHISCITY,SODREADFULTOHIM.""ITISTRUE,"SAIDDEFARGE,WHOWASKNEELINGTOLOOKONANDHEAR."MORETHANTHAT;MONSIEURMANETTEIS,FORALLREASONS,BESTOUTOFFRANCE.SAY,SHALLIHIREACARRIAGEANDPOST-HORSES?""THAT'SBUSINESS,"SAIDMR.LORRY,RESUMINGONTHESHORTESTNOTICEHISMETHODICALMANNERS;"ANDIFBUSINESSISTOBEDONE,IHADBETTERDOIT.""THENBESOKIND,"URGEDMISSMANETTE,"ASTOLEAVEUSHERE.YOUSEEHOWCOMPOSEDHEHASBECOME,ANDYOUCANNOTBEAFRAIDTOLEAVEHIMWITHMENOW.WHYSHOULDYOUBE?IFYOUWILLLOCKTHEDOORTOSECUREUSFROMINTERRUPTION,IDONOTDOUBTTHATYOUWILLFINDHIM,WHENYOUCOMEBACK,ASQUIETASYOULEAVEHIM.INANYCASE,IWILLTAKECAREOFHIMUNTILYOURETURN,ANDTHENWEWILLREMOVEHIMSTRAIGHT."BOTHMR.LORRYANDDEFARGEWERERATHERDISINCLINEDTOTHISCOURSE,ANDINFAVOUROFONEOFTHEMREMAINING.BUT,ASTHEREWERENOTONLYCARRIAGEANDHORSESTOBESEENTO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ASTEANDTREPIDATIONTOSHOWTHATSHEWASTHEPERSONREFERREDTO."WHAT!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,LOOKINGOUTOFBEDFORABOOT."YOU'REATITAGIN,AREYOU?"AFTERHAILINGTHEMORNWITHTHISSECONDSALUTATION,HETHREWABOOTATTHEWOMANASATHIRD.ITWASAVERYMUDDYBOOT,ANDMAYINTRODUCETHEODDCIRCUMSTANCECONNECTEDWITHMR.CRUNCHER'SDOMESTICECONOMY,THAT,WHEREASHEOFTENCAMEHOMEAFTERBANKINGHOURSWITHCLEANBOOTS,HEOFTENGOTUPNEXTMORNINGTOFINDTHESAMEBOOTSCOVEREDWITHCLAY."WHAT,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,VARYINGHISAPOSTROPHEAFTERMISSINGHISMARK--"WHATAREYOUUPTO,AGGERAWAYTER?""IWASONLYSAYINGMYPRAYERS.""SAYINGYOURPRAYERS!YOU'REANICEWOMAN!WHATDOYOUMEANBYFLOPPINGYOURSELFDOWNANDPRAYINGAGINME?""IWASNOTPRAYINGAGAINSTYOU;IWASPRAYINGFORYOU.""YOUWEREN'T.ANDIFYOUWERE,IWON'TBETOOKTHELIBERTYWITH.HERE!YOURMOTHER'SANICEWOMAN,YOUNGJERRY,GOINGAPRAYINGAGINYOURFATHER'SPROSPERITY.YOU'VEGOTADUTIFULMOTHER,YOUHAVE,MYSON.YOU'VEGOTARELIGIOUSMOTHER,YOUHAVE,MYBOY:GOINGANDFLOPPINGHERSELFDOWN,ANDPRAYINGTHATTHEBREAD-AND-BUTTERMAYBESNATCHEDOUTOFTHEMOUTHOFHERONLYCHILD."MASTERCRUNCHER(WHOWASINHISSHIRT)TOOKTHISVERYILL,AND,TURNINGTOHISMOTHER,STRONGLYDEPRECATEDANYPRAYINGAWAYOFHISPERSONALBOARD."ANDWHATDOYOUSUPPOSE,YOUCONCEITEDFEMALE,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,WITHUNCONSCIOUSINCONSISTENCY,"THATTHEWORTHOF_YOUR_PRAYERSMAYBE?NAMETHEPRICETHATYOUPUT_YOUR_PRAYERSAT!""THEYONLYCOMEFROMTHEHEART,JERRY.THEYAREWORTHNOMORETHANTHAT.""WORTHNOMORETHANTHAT,"REPEATEDMR.CRUNCHER."THEYAIN'TWORTHMUCH,THEN.WHETHERORNO,IWON'TBEPRAYEDAGIN,ITELLYOU.ICAN'TAFFORDIT.I'MNOTAGOINGTOBEMADEUNLUCKYBY_YOUR_SNEAKING.IFYOUMUSTGOFLOPPINGYOURSELFDOWN,FLOPINFAVOUROFYOURHUSBANDANDCHILD,ANDNOTINOPPOSITIONTO'EM.IFIHADHADANYBUTAUNNAT'RALWIFE,ANDTHISPOORBOYHADHADANYBUTAUNNAT'RALMOTHER,IMIGHTHAVEMADESOMEMONEYLASTWEEKINSTEADOFBEINGCOUNTER-PRAYEDANDCOUNTERMINEDANDRELIGIOUSLYCIRCUMWENTEDINTOTHEWORSTOFLUCK.B-U-U-USTME!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,WHOALLTHISTIMEHADBEENPUTTINGONHISCLOTHES,"IFIAIN'T,WHATWITHPIETYANDONEBLOWEDTHINGANDANOTHER,BEENCHOUSEDTHISLASTWEEKINTOASBADLUCKASEVERAPOORDEVILOFAHONESTTRADESMANMETWITH!YOUNGJERRY,DRESSYOURSELF,MYBOY,ANDWHILEICLEANMYBOOTSKEEPAEYEUPONYOURMOTHERNOWANDTHEN,ANDIFYOUSEEANYSIGNSOFMOREFLOPPING,GIVEMEACALL.FOR,ITELLYOU,"HEREHEADDRESSEDHISWIFEONCEMORE,"IWON'TBEGONEAGIN,INTHISMANNER.IAMASRICKETYASAHACKNEY-COACH,I'MASSLEEPYASLAUDANUM,MYLINESISSTRAINEDTOTHATDEGREETHATISHOULDN'TKNOW,IFITWASN'TFORTHEPAININ'EM,WHICHWASMEANDWHICHSOMEBODYELSE,YETI'MNONETHEBETTERFORITINPOCKET;ANDIT'SMYSUSPICIONTHATYOU'VEBEENATITFROMMORNINGTONIGHTTOPREVENTMEFROMBEINGTHEBETTERFORITINPOCKET,ANDIWON'TPUTUPWITHIT,AGGERAWAYTER,ANDWHATDOYOUSAYNOW!"GROWLING,INADDITION,SUCHPHRASESAS"AH!YES!YOU'RERELIGIOUS,TOO.YOUWOULDN'TPUTYOURSELFINOPPOSITIONTOTHEINTERESTSOFYOURHUSBANDANDCHILD,WOULDYOU?NOTYOU!"ANDTHROWINGOFFOTHERSARCASTICSPARKSFROMTHEWHIRLINGGRINDSTONEOFHISINDIGNATION,MR.CRUNCHERBETOOKHIMSELFTOHISBOOT-CLEANINGANDHISGENERALPREPARATIONFORBUSINESS.INTHEMEANTIME,HISSON,WHOSEHEADWASGARNISHEDWITHTENDERERSPIKES,ANDWHOSEYOUNGEYESSTOODCLOSEBYONEANOTHER,ASHISFATHER'SDID,KEPTTHEREQUIREDWATCHUPONHISMOTHER.HEGREATLYDISTURBEDTHATPOORWOMANATINTERVALS,BYDARTINGOUTOFHISSLEEPINGCLOSET,WHEREHEMADEHISTOILET,WITHASUPPRESSEDCRYOF"YOUAREGOINGTOFLOP,MOTHER.--HALLOA,FATHER!"AND,AFTERRAISINGTHISFICTITIOUSALARM,DARTINGINAGAINWITHANUNDUTIFULGRIN.MR.CRUNCHER'STEMPERWASNOTATALLIMPROVEDWHENHECAMETOHISBREAKFAST.HERESENTEDMRS.CRUNCHER'SSAYINGGRACEWITHPARTICULARANIMOSITY."NOW,AGGERAWAYTER!WHATAREYOUUPTO?ATITAGAIN?"HISWIFEEXPLAINEDTHATSHEHADMERELY"ASKEDABLESSING.""DON'TDOIT!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHESLOOKINGABOUT,ASIFHERATHEREXPECTEDTOSEETHELOAFDISAPPEARUNDERTHEEFFICACYOFHISWIFE'SPETITIONS."IAIN'TAGOINGTOBEBLESTOUTOFHOUSEANDHOME.IWON'THAVEMYWITTLESBLESTOFFMYTABLE.KEEPSTILL!"EXCEEDINGLYRED-EYEDANDGRIM,ASIFHEHADBEENUPALLNIGHTATAPARTYWHICHHADTAKENANYTHINGBUTACONVIVIALTURN,JERRYCRUNCHERWORRIEDHISBREAKFASTRATHERTHANATEIT,GROWLINGOVERITLIKEANYFOUR-FOOTEDINMATEOFAMENAGERIE.TOWARDSNINEO'CLOCKHESMOOTHEDHISRUFFLEDASPECT,AND,PRESENTINGASRESPECTABLEANDBUSINESS-LIKEANEXTERIORASHECOULDOVERLAYHISNATURALSELFWITH,ISSUEDFORTHTOTHEOCCUPATIONOFTHEDAY.ITCOULDSCARCELYBECALLEDATRADE,INSPITEOFHISFAVOURITEDESCRIPTIONOFHIMSELFAS"AHONESTTRADESMAN."HISSTOCKCONSISTEDOFAWOODENSTOOL,MADEOUTOFABROKEN-BACKEDCHAIRCUTDOWN,WHICHSTOOL,YOUNGJERRY,WALKINGATHISFATHER'SSIDE,CARRIEDEVERYMORNINGTOBENEATHTHEBANKING-HOUSEWINDOWTHATWASNEARESTTEMPLEBAR:WHERE,WITHTHEADDITIONOFTHEFIRSTHANDFULOFSTRAWTHATCOULDBEGLEANEDFROMANYPASSINGVEHICLETOKEEPTHECOLDANDWETFROMTHEODD-JOB-MAN'SFEET,ITFORMEDTHEENCAMPMENTFORTHEDAY.ONTHISPOSTOFHIS,MR.CRUNCHERWASASWELLKNOWNTOFLEET-STREETANDTHETEMPLE,ASTHEBARITSELF,--ANDWASALMOSTASIN-LOOKING.ENCAMPEDATAQUARTERBEFORENINE,INGOODTIMETOTOUCHHISTHREE-CORNEREDHATTOTHEOLDESTOFMENASTHEYPASSEDINTOTELLSON'S,JERRYTOOKUPHISSTATIONONTHISWINDYMARCHMORNING,WITHYOUNGJERRYSTANDINGBYHIM,WHENNOTENGAGEDINMAKINGFORAYSTHROUGHTHEBAR,TOINFLICTBODILYANDMENTALINJURIESOFANACUTEDESCRIPTIONONPASSINGBOYSWHOWERESMALLENOUGHFORHISAMIABLEPURPOSE.FATHERANDSON,EXTREMELYLIKEEACHOTHER,LOOKINGSILENTLYONATTHEMORNINGTRAFFICINFLEET-STREET,WITHTHEIRTWOHEADSASNEARTOONEANOTHERASTHETWOEYESOFEACHWERE,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THER."DON'TYOUBEAFRAIDOFTHAT."MR.CRUNCHER'SATTENTIONWASHEREDIVERTEDTOTHEDOOR-KEEPER,WHOMHESAWMAKINGHISWAYTOMR.LORRY,WITHTHENOTEINHISHAND.MR.LORRYSATATATABLE,AMONGTHEGENTLEMENINWIGS:NOTFARFROMAWIGGEDGENTLEMAN,THEPRISONER'SCOUNSEL,WHOHADAGREATBUNDLEOFPAPERSBEFOREHIM:ANDNEARLYOPPOSITEANOTHERWIGGEDGENTLEMANWITHHISHANDSINHISPOCKETS,WHOSEWHOLEATTENTION,WHENMR.CRUNCHERLOOKEDATHIMTHENORAFTERWARDS,SEEMEDTOBECONCENTRATEDONTHECEILINGOFTHECOURT.AFTERSOMEGRUFFCOUGHINGANDRUBBINGOFHISCHINANDSIGNINGWITHHISHAND,JERRYATTRACTEDTHENOTICEOFMR.LORRY,WHOHADSTOODUPTOLOOKFORHIM,ANDWHOQUIETLYNODDEDANDSATDOWNAGAIN."WHAT'S_HE_GOTTODOWITHTHECASE?"ASKEDTHEMANHEHADSPOKENWITH."BLESTIFIKNOW,"SAIDJERRY."WHATHAVE_YOU_GOTTODOWITHIT,THEN,IFAPERSONMAYINQUIRE?""BLESTIFIKNOWTHATEITHER,"SAIDJERRY.THEENTRANCEOFTHEJUDGE,ANDACONSEQUENTGREATSTIRANDSETTLINGDOWNINTHECOURT,STOPPEDTHEDIALOGUE.PRESENTLY,THEDOCKBECAMETHECENTRALPOINTOFINTEREST.TWOGAOLERS,WHOHADBEENSTANDINGTHERE,WENTOUT,ANDTHEPRISONERWASBROUGHTIN,ANDPUTTOTHEBAR.EVERYBODYPRESENT,EXCEPTTHEONEWIGGEDGENTLEMANWHOLOOKEDATTHECEILING,STAREDATHIM.ALLTHEHUMANBREATHINTHEPLACE,ROLLEDATHIM,LIKEASEA,ORAWIND,ORAFIRE.EAGERFACESSTRAINEDROUNDPILLARSANDCORNERS,TOGETASIGHTOFHIM;SPECTATORSINBACKROWSSTOODUP,NOTTOMISSAHAIROFHIM;PEOPLEONTHEFLOOROFTHECOURT,LAIDTHEIRHANDSONTHESHOULDERSOFTHEPEOPLEBEFORETHEM,TOHELPTHEMSELVES,ATANYBODY'SCOST,TOAVIEWOFHIM--STOODA-TIPTOE,GOTUPONLEDGES,STOODUPONNEXTTONOTHING,TOSEEEVERYINCHOFHIM.CONSPICUOUSAMONGTHESELATTER,LIKEANANIMATEDBITOFTHESPIKEDWALLOFNEWGATE,JERRYSTOOD:AIMINGATTHEPRISONERTHEBEERYBREATHOFAWHETHEHADTAKENASHECAMEALONG,ANDDISCHARGINGITTOMINGLEWITHTHEWAVESOFOTHERBEER,ANDGIN,ANDTEA,ANDCOFFEE,ANDWHATNOT,THATFLOWEDATHIM,ANDALREADYBROKEUPONTHEGREATWINDOWSBEHINDHIMINANIMPUREMISTANDRAIN.THEOBJECTOFALLTHISSTARINGANDBLARING,WASAYOUNGMANOFABOUTFIVE-AND-TWENTY,WELL-GROWNANDWELL-LOOKING,WITHASUNBURNTCHEEKANDADARKEYE.HISCONDITIONWASTHATOFAYOUNGGENTLEMAN.HEWASPLAINLYDRESSEDINBLACK,ORVERYDARKGREY,ANDHISHAIR,WHICHWASLONGANDDARK,WASGATHEREDINARIBBONATTHEBACKOFHISNECK;MORETOBEOUTOFHISWAYTHANFORORNAMENT.ASANEMOTIONOFTHEMINDWILLEXPRESSITSELFTHROUGHANYCOVERINGOFTHEBODY,SOTHEPALENESSWHICHHISSITUATIONENGENDEREDCAMETHROUGHTHEBROWNUPONHISCHEEK,SHOWINGTHESOULTOBESTRONGERTHANTHESUN.HEWASOTHERWISEQUITESELF-POSSESSED,BOWEDTOTHEJUDGE,ANDSTOODQUIET.THESORTOFINTERESTWITHWHICHTHISMANWASSTAREDANDBREATHEDAT,WASNOTASORTTHATELEVATEDHUMANITY.HADHESTOODINPERILOFALESSHORRIBLESENTENCE--HADTHEREBEENACHANCEOFANYONEOFITSSAVAGEDETAILSBEINGSPARED--BYJUSTSOMUCHWOULDHEHAVELOSTINHISFASCINATION.THEFORMTHATWASTOBEDOOMEDTOBESOSHAMEFULLYMANGLED,WASTHESIGHT;THEIMMORTALCREATURETHATWASTOBESOBUTCHEREDANDTORNASUNDER,YIELDEDTHESENSATION.WHATEVERGLOSSTHEVARIOUSSPECTATORSPUTUPONTHEINTEREST,ACCORDINGTOTHEIRSEVERALARTSANDPOWERSOFSELF-DECEIT,THEINTERESTWAS,ATTHEROOTOFIT,OGREISH.SILENCEINTHECOURT!CHARLESDARNAYHADYESTERDAYPLEADEDNOTGUILTYTOANINDICTMENTDENOUNCINGHIM(WITHINFINITEJINGLEANDJANGLE)FORTHATHEWASAFALSETRAITORTOOURSERENE,ILLUSTRIOUS,EXCELLENT,ANDSOFORTH,PRINCE,OURLORDTHEKING,BYREASONOFHISHAVING,ONDIVERSOCCASIONS,ANDBYDIVERSMEANSANDWAYS,ASSISTEDLEWIS,THEFRENCHKING,INHISWARSAGAINSTOURSAIDSERENE,ILLUSTRIOUS,EXCELLENT,ANDSOFORTH;THATWASTOSAY,BYCOMINGANDGOING,BETWEENTHEDOMINIONSOFOURSAIDSERENE,ILLUSTRIOUS,EXCELLENT,ANDSOFORTH,ANDTHOSEOFTHESAIDFRENCHLEWIS,ANDWICKEDLY,FALSELY,TRAITOROUSLY,ANDOTHERWISEEVIL-ADVERBIOUSLY,REVEALINGTOTHESAIDFRENCHLEWISWHATFORCESOURSAIDSERENE,ILLUSTRIOUS,EXCELLENT,ANDSOFORTH,HADINPREPARATIONTOSENDTOCANADAANDNORTHAMERICA.THISMUCH,JERRY,WITHHISHEADBECOMINGMOREANDMORESPIKYASTHELAWTERMSBRISTLEDIT,MADEOUTWITHHUGESATISFACTION,ANDSOARRIVEDCIRCUITOUSLYATTHEUNDERSTANDINGTHATTHEAFORESAID,ANDOVERANDOVERAGAINAFORESAID,CHARLESDARNAY,STOODTHEREBEFOREHIMUPONHISTRIAL;THATTHEJURYWERESWEARINGIN;ANDTHATMR.ATTORNEY-GENERALWASMAKINGREADYTOSPEAK.THEACCUSED,WHOWAS(ANDWHOKNEWHEWAS)BEINGMENTALLYHANGED,BEHEADED,ANDQUARTERED,BYEVERYBODYTHERE,NEITHERFLINCHEDFROMTHESITUATION,NORASSUMEDANYTHEATRICALAIRINIT.HEWASQUIETANDATTENTIVE;WATCHEDTHEOPENINGPROCEEDINGSWITHAGRAVEINTEREST;ANDSTOODWITHHISHANDSRESTINGONTHESLABOFWOODBEFOREHIM,SOCOMPOSEDLY,THATTHEYHADNOTDISPLACEDALEAFOFTHEHERBSWITHWHICHITWASSTREWN.THECOURTWASALLBESTREWNWITHHERBSANDSPRINKLEDWITHVINEGAR,ASAPRECAUTIONAGAINSTGAOLAIRANDGAOLFEVER.OVERTHEPRISONER'SHEADTHEREWASAMIRROR,TOTHROWTHELIGHTDOWNUPONHIM.CROWDSOFTHEWICKEDANDTHEWRETCHEDHADBEENREFLECTEDINIT,ANDHADPASSEDFROMITSSURFACEANDTHISEARTH'STOGETHER.HAUNTEDINAMOSTGHASTLYMANNERTHATABOMINABLEPLACEWOULDHAVEBEEN,IFTHEGLASSCOULDEVERHAVERENDEREDBACKITSREFLECTIONS,ASTHEOCEANISONEDAYTOGIVEUPITSDEAD.SOMEPASSINGTHOUGHTOFTHEINFAMYANDDISGRACEFORWHICHITHADBEENRESERVED,MAYHAVESTRUCKTHEPRISONER'SMIND.BETHATASITMAY,ACHANGEINHISPOSITIONMAKINGHIMCONSCIOUSOFABAROFLIGHTACROSSHISFACE,HELOOKEDUP;ANDWHENHESAWTHEGLASSHISFACEFLUSHED,ANDHISRIGHTHANDPUSHEDTHEHERBSAWAY.ITHAPPENED,THATTHEACTIONTURNEDHISFACETOTHATSIDEOFTHECOURTWHICHWASONHISLEFT.ABOUTONALEVELWITHHISEYES,THERESAT,INTHATCORNEROFTHEJUDGE'SBENCH,TWOPERSONSUPONWHOMHISLOOKIMMEDIATELYRESTED;SOIMMEDIATELY,ANDSOMUCHTOTHECHANGINGOFHISASPECT,THATALLTHEEYESTHATWERETURNEDUPONHIM,TURNEDTOTHEM.THESPECTATORSSAWINTHETWOFIGURES,AYOUNGLADYOFLITTLEMORETHANTWENTY,ANDAGENTLEMANWHOWASEVIDENTLYHERFATHER;AMANOFAVERYREMARKABLEAPPEARANCEINRESPECTOFTHEABSOLUTEWHITENESSOFHISHAIR,ANDACERTAININDESCRIBABLEINTENSITYOFFACE:NOTOFANACTIVEKIND,BUTPONDERINGANDSELF-COMMUNING.WHENTHISEXPRESSIONWASUPONHIM,HELOOKEDASIFHEWEREOLD;BUTWHENITWASSTIRREDANDBROKENUP--ASITWASNOW,INAMOMENT,ONHISSPEAKINGTOHISDAUGHTER--HEBECAMEAHANDSOMEMAN,NOTPASTTHEPRIMEOFLIFE.HISDAUGHTERHADONEOFHERHANDSDRAWNTHROUGHHISARM,ASSHESATBYHIM,ANDTHEOTHERPRESSEDUPONIT.SHEHADDRAWNCLOSETOHIM,INHERDREADOFTHESCENE,ANDINHERPITYFORTHEPRISONER.HERFOREHEADHADBEENSTRIKINGLYEXPRESSIVEOFANENGROSSINGTERRORANDCOMPASSIONTHATSAWNOTHINGBUTTHEPERILOFTHEACCUSED.THISHADBEENSOVERYNOTICEABLE,SOVERYPOWERFULLYANDNATURALLYSHOWN,THATSTARERSWHOHADHADNOPITYFORHIMWERETOUCHEDBYHER;ANDTHEWHISPERWENTABOUT,"WHOARETHEY?"JERRY,THEMESSENGER,WHOHADMADEHISOWNOBSERVATIONS,INHISOWNMANNER,ANDWHOHADBEENSUCKINGTHERUSTOFFHISFINGERSINHISABSORPTION,STRETCHEDHISNECKTOHEARWHOTHEYWERE.THECROWDABOUTHIMHADPRESSEDANDPASSEDTHEINQUIRYONTOTHENEARESTATTENDANT,ANDFROMHIMITHADBEENMORESLOWLYPRESSEDANDPASSEDBACK;ATLASTITGOTTOJERRY:"WITNESSES.""FORWHICHSIDE?""AGAINST.""AGAINSTWHATSIDE?""THEPRISONER'S."THEJUDGE,WHOSEEYESHADGONEINTHEGENERALDIRECTION,RECALLEDTHEM,LEANEDBACKINHISSEAT,ANDLOOKEDSTEADILYATTHEMANWHOSELIFEWASINHISHAND,ASMR.ATTORNEY-GENERALROSETOSPINTHEROPE,GRINDTHEAXE,ANDHAMMERTHENAILSINTOTHESCAFFOLD.III.ADISAPPOINTMENTMR.ATTORNEY-GENERALHADTOINFORMTHEJURY,THATTHEPRISONERBEFORETHEM,THOUGHYOUNGINYEARS,WASOLDINTHETREASONABLEPRACTICESWHICHCLAIMEDTHEFORFEITOFHISLIFE.THATTHISCORRESPONDENCEWITHTHEPUBLICENEMYWASNOTACORRESPONDENCEOFTO-DAY,OROFYESTERDAY,OREVENOFLASTYEAR,OROFTHEYEARBEFORE.THAT,ITWASCERTAINTHEPRISONERHAD,FORLONGERTHANTHAT,BEENINTHEHABITOFPASSINGANDREPASSINGBETWEENFRANCEANDENGLAND,ONSECRETBUSINESSOFWHICHHECOULDGIVENOHONESTACCOUNT.THAT,IFITWEREINTHENATUREOFTRAITOROUSWAYSTOTHRIVE(WHICHHAPPILYITNEVERWAS),THEREALWICKEDNESSANDGUILTOFHISBUSINESSMIGHTHAVEREMAINEDUNDISCOVERED.THATPROVIDENCE,HOWEVER,HADPUTITINTOTHEHEARTOFAPERSONWHOWASBEYONDFEARANDBEYONDREPROACH,TOFERRETOUTTHENATUREOFTHEPRISONER'SSCHEMES,AND,STRUCKWITHHORROR,TODISCLOSETHEMTOHISMAJESTY'SCHIEFSECRETARYOFSTATEANDMOSTHONOURABLEPRIVYCOUNCIL.THAT,THISPATRIOTWOULDBEPRODUCEDBEFORETHEM.THAT,HISPOSITIONANDATTITUDEWERE,ONTHEWHOLE,SUBLIME.THAT,HEHADBEENTHEPRISONER'SFRIEND,BUT,ATONCEINANAUSPICIOUSANDANEVILHOURDETECTINGHISINFAMY,HADRESOLVEDTOIMMOLATETHETRAITORHECOULDNOLONGERCHERISHINHISBOSOM,ONTHESACREDALTAROFHISCOUNTRY.THAT,IFSTATUESWEREDECREEDINBRITAIN,ASINANCIENTGREECEANDROME,TOPUBLICBENEFACTORS,THISSHININGCITIZENWOULDASSUREDLYHAVEHADONE.THAT,ASTHEYWERENOTSODECREED,HEPROBABLYWOULDNOTHAVEONE.THAT,VIRTUE,ASHADBEENOBSERVEDBYTHEPOETS(INMANYPASSAGESWHICHHEWELLKNEWTHEJURYWOULDHAVE,WORDFORWORD,ATTHETIPSOFTHEIRTONGUES;WHEREATTHEJURY'SCOUNTENANCESDISPLAYEDAGUILTYCONSCIOUSNESSTHATTHEYKNEWNOTHINGABOUTTHEPASSAGES),WASINAMANNERCONTAGIOUS;MOREESPECIALLYTHEBRIGHTVIRTUEKNOWNASPATRIOTISM,ORLOVEOFCOUNTRY.THAT,THELOFTYEXAMPLEOFTHISIMMACULATEANDUNIMPEACHABLEWITNESSFORTHECROWN,TOREFERTOWHOMHOWEVERUNWORTHILYWASANHONOUR,HADCOMMUNICATEDITSELFTOTHEPRISONER'SSERVANT,ANDHADENGENDEREDINHIMAHOLYDETERMINATIONTOEXAMINEHISMASTER'STABLE-DRAWERSANDPOCKETS,ANDSECRETEHISPAPERS.THAT,HE(MR.ATTORNEY-GENERAL)WASPREPAREDTOHEARSOMEDISPARAGEMENTATTEMPTEDOFTHISADMIRABLESERVANT;BUTTHAT,INAGENERALWAY,HEPREFERREDHIMTOHIS(MR.ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S)BROTHERSANDSISTERS,ANDHONOUREDHIMMORETHANHIS(MR.ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S)FATHERANDMOTHER.THAT,HECALLEDWITHCONFIDENCEONTHEJURYTOCOMEANDDOLIKEWISE.THAT,THEEVIDENCEOFTHESETWOWITNESSES,COUPLEDWITHTHEDOCUMENTSOFTHEIRDISCOVERINGTHATWOULDBEPRODUCED,WOULDSHOWTHEPRISONERTOHAVEBEENFURNISHEDWITHLISTSOFHISMAJESTY'SFORCES,ANDOFTHEIRDISPOSITIONANDPREPARATION,BOTHBYSEAANDLAND,ANDWOULDLEAVENODOUBTTHATHEHADHABITUALLYCONVEYEDSUCHINFORMATIONTOAHOSTILEPOWER.THAT,THESELISTSCOULDNOTBEPROVEDTOBEINTHEPRISONER'SHANDWRITING;BUTTHATITWASALLTHESAME;THAT,INDEED,ITWASRATHERTHEBETTERFORTHEPROSECUTION,ASSHOWINGTHEPRISONERTOBEARTFULINHISPRECAUTIONS.THAT,THEPROOFWOULDGOBACKFIVEYEARS,ANDWOULDSHOWTHEPRISONERALREADYENGAGEDINTHESEPERNICIOUSMISSIONS,WITHINAFEWWEEKSBEFORETHEDATEOFTHEVERYFIRSTACTIONFOUGHTBETWEENTHEBRITISHTROOPSANDTHEAMERICANS.THAT,FORTHESEREASONS,THEJURY,BEINGALOYALJURY(ASHEKNEWTHEYWERE),ANDBEINGARESPONSIBLEJURY(AS_THEY_KNEWTHEYWERE),MUSTPOSITIVELYFINDTHEPRISONERGUILTY,ANDMAKEANENDOFHIM,WHETHERTHEYLIKEDITORNOT.THAT,THEYNEVERCOULDLAYTHEIRHEADSUPONTHEIRPILLOWS;THAT,THEYNEVERCOULDTOLERATETHEIDEAOFTHEIRWIVESLAYINGTHEIRHEADSUPONTHEIRPILLOWS;THAT,THEYNEVERCOULDENDURETHENOTIONOFTHEIRCHILDRENLAYINGTHEIRHEADSUPONTHEIRPILLOWS;INSHORT,THATTHERENEVERMORECOULDBE,FORTHEMORTHEIRS,ANYLAYINGOFHEADSUPONPILLOWSATALL,UNLESSTHEPRISONER'SHEADWASTAKENOFF.THATHEADMR.ATTORNEY-GENERALCONCLUDEDBYDEMANDINGOFTHEM,INTHENAMEOFEVERYTHINGHECOULDTHINKOFWITHAROUNDTURNINIT,ANDONTHEFAITHOFHISSOLEMNASSEVERATIONTHATHEALREADYCONSIDEREDTHEPRISONERASGOODASDEADANDGONE.WHENTHEATTORNEY-GENERALCEASED,ABUZZAROSEINTHECOURTASIFACLOUDOFGREATBLUE-FLIESWERESWARMINGABOUTTHEPRISONER,INANTICIPATIONOFWHATHEWASSOONTOBECOME.WHENTONEDDOWNAGAIN,THEUNIMPEACHABLEPATRIOTAPPEAREDINTHEWITNESS-BOX.MR.SOLICITOR-GENERALTHEN,FOLLOWINGHISLEADER'SLEAD,EXAMINEDTHEPATRIOT:JOHNBARSAD,GENTLEMAN,BYNAME.THESTORYOFHISPURESOULWASEXACTLYWHATMR.ATTORNEY-GENERALHADDESCRIBEDITTOBE--PERHAPS,IFITHADAFAULT,ALITTLETOOEXACTLY.HAVINGRELEASEDHISNOBLEBOSOMOFITSBURDEN,HEWOULDHAVEMODESTLYWITHDRAWNHIMSELF,BUTTHATTHEWIGGEDGENTLEMANWITHTHEPAPERSBEFOREHIM,SITTINGNOTFARFROMMR.LORRY,BEGGEDTOASKHIMAFEWQUESTIONS.THEWIGGEDGENTLEMANSITTINGOPPOSITE,STILLLOOKINGATTHECEILINGOFTHECOURT.HADHEEVERBEENASPYHIMSELF?NO,HESCORNEDTHEBASEINSINUATION.WHATDIDHELIVEUPON?HISPROPERTY.WHEREWASHISPROPERTY?HEDIDN'TPRECISELYREMEMBERWHEREITWAS.WHATWASIT?NOBUSINESSOFANYBODY'S.HADHEINHERITEDIT?YES,HEHAD.FROMWHOM?DISTANTRELATION.VERYDISTANT?RATHER.EVERBEENINPRISON?CERTAINLYNOT.NEVERINADEBTORS'PRISON?DIDN'TSEEWHATTHATHADTODOWITHIT.NEVERINADEBTORS'PRISON?--COME,ONCEAGAIN.NEVER?YES.HOWMANYTIMES?TWOORTHREETIMES.NOTFIVEORSIX?PERHAPS.OFWHATPROFESSION?GENTLEMAN.EVERBEENKICKED?MIGHTHAVEBEEN.FREQUENTLY?NO.EVERKICKEDDOWNSTAIRS?DECIDEDLYNOT;ONCERECEIVEDAKICKONTHETOPOFASTAIRCASE,ANDFELLDOWNSTAIRSOFHISOWNACCORD.KICKEDONTHATOCCASIONFORCHEATINGATDICE?SOMETHINGTOTHATEFFECTWASSAIDBYTHEINTOXICATEDLIARWHOCOMMITTEDTHEASSAULT,BUTITWASNOTTRUE.SWEARITWASNOTTRUE?POSITIVELY.EVERLIVEBYCHEATINGATPLAY?NEVER.EVERLIVEBYPLAY?NOTMORETHANOTHERGENTLEMENDO.EVERBORROWMONEYOFTHEPRISONER?YES.EVERPAYHIM?NO.WASNOTTHISINTIMACYWITHTHEPRISONER,INREALITYAVERYSLIGHTONE,FORCEDUPONTHEPRISONERINCOACHES,INNS,ANDPACKETS?NO.SUREHESAWTHEPRISONERWITHTHESELISTS?CERTAIN.KNEWNOMOREABOUTTHELISTS?NO.HADNOTPROCUREDTHEMHIMSELF,FORINSTANCE?NO.EXPECTTOGETANYTHINGBYTHISEVIDENCE?NO.NOTINREGULARGOVERNMENTPAYANDEMPLOYMENT,TOLAYTRAPS?OHDEARNO.ORTODOANYTHING?OHDEARNO.SWEARTHAT?OVERANDOVERAGAIN.NOMOTIVESBUTMOTIVESOFSHEERPATRIOTISM?NONEWHATEVER.THEVIRTUOUSSERVANT,ROGERCLY,SWOREHISWAYTHROUGHTHECASEATAGREATRATE.HEHADTAKENSERVICEWITHTHEPRISONER,INGOODFAITHANDSIMPLICITY,FOURYEARSAGO.HEHADASKEDTHEPRISONER,ABOARDTHECALAISPACKET,IFHEWANTEDAHANDYFELLOW,ANDTHEPRISONERHADENGAGEDHIM.HEHADNOTASKEDTHEPRISONERTOTAKETHEHANDYFELLOWASANACTOFCHARITY--NEVERTHOUGHTOFSUCHATHING.HEBEGANTOHAVESUSPICIONSOFTHEPRISONER,ANDTOKEEPANEYEUPONHIM,SOONAFTERWARDS.INARRANGINGHISCLOTHES,WHILETRAVELLING,HEHADSEENSIMILARLISTSTOTHESEINTHEPRISONER'SPOCKETS,OVERANDOVERAGAIN.HEHADTAKENTHESELISTSFROMTHEDRAWEROFTHEPRISONER'SDESK.HEHADNOTPUTTHEMTHEREFIRST.HEHADSEENTHEPRISONERSHOWTHESEIDENTICALLISTSTOFRENCHGENTLEMENATCALAIS,ANDSIMILARLISTSTOFRENCHGENTLEMEN,BOTHATCALAISANDBOULOGNE.HELOVEDHISCOUNTRY,ANDCOULDN'TBEARIT,ANDHADGIVENINFORMATION.HEHADNEVERBEENSUSPECTEDOFSTEALINGASILVERTEA-POT;HEHADBEENMALIGNEDRESPECTINGAMUSTARD-POT,BUTITTURNEDOUTTOBEONLYAPLATEDONE.HEHADKNOWNTHELASTWITNESSSEVENOREIGHTYEARS;THATWASMERELYACOINCIDENCE.HEDIDN'TCALLITAPARTICULARLYCURIOUSCOINCIDENCE;MOSTCOINCIDENCESWERECURIOUS.NEITHERDIDHECALLITACURIOUSCOINCIDENCETHATTRUEPATRIOTISMWAS_HIS_ONLYMOTIVETOO.HEWASATRUEBRITON,ANDHOPEDTHEREWEREMANYLIKEHIM.THEBLUE-FLIESBUZZEDAGAIN,ANDMR.ATTORNEY-GENERALCALLEDMR.JARVISLORRY."MR.JARVISLORRY,AREYOUACLERKINTELLSON'SBANK?""IAM.""ONACERTAINFRIDAYNIGHTINNOVEMBERONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDSEVENTY-FIVE,DIDBUSINESSOCCASIONYOUTOTRAVELBETWEENLONDONANDDOVERBYTHEMAIL?""ITDID.""WERETHEREANYOTHERPASSENGERSINTHEMAIL?""TWO.""DIDTHEYALIGHTONTHEROADINTHECOURSEOFTHENIGHT?""THEYDID.""MR.LORRY,LOOKUPONTHEPRISONER.WASHEONEOFTHOSETWOPASSENGERS?""ICANNOTUNDERTAKETOSAYTHATHEWAS.""DOESHERESEMBLEEITHEROFTHESETWOPASSENGERS?""BOTHWERESOWRAPPEDUP,ANDTHENIGHTWASSODARK,ANDWEWEREALLSORESERVED,THATICANNOTUNDERTAKETOSAYEVENTHAT.""MR.LORRY,LOOKAGAINUPONTHEPRISONER.SUPPOSINGHIMWRAPPEDUPASTHOSETWOPASSENGERSWERE,ISTHEREANYTHINGINHISBULKANDSTATURETORENDERITUNLIKELYTHATHEWASONEOFTHEM?""NO.""YOUWILLNOTSWEAR,MR.LORRY,THATHEWASNOTONEOFTHEM?""NO.""SOATLEASTYOUSAYHEMAYHAVEBEENONEOFTHEM?""YES.EXCEPTTHATIREMEMBERTHEMBOTHTOHAVEBEEN--LIKEMYSELF--TIMOROUSOFHIGHWAYMEN,ANDTHEPRISONERHASNOTATIMOROUSAIR.""DIDYOUEVERSEEACOUNTERFEITOFTIMIDITY,MR.LORRY?""ICERTAINLYHAVESEENTHAT.""MR.LORRY,LOOKONCEMOREUPONTHEPRISONER.HAVEYOUSEENHIM,TOYOURCERTAINKNOWLEDGE,BEFORE?""IHAVE.""WHEN?""IWASRETURNINGFROMFRANCEAFEWDAYSAFTERWARDS,AND,ATCALAIS,THEPRISONERCAMEONBOARDTHEPACKET-SHIPINWHICHIRETURNED,ANDMADETHEVOYAGEWITHME.""ATWHATHOURDIDHECOMEONBOARD?""ATALITTLEAFTERMIDNIGHT.""INTHEDEADOFTHENIGHT.WASHETHEONLYPASSENGERWHOCAMEONBOARDATTHATUNTIMELYHOUR?""HEHAPPENEDTOBETHEONLYONE.""NEVERMINDABOUT'HAPPENING,'MR.LORRY.HEWASTHEONLYPASSENGERWHOCAMEONBOARDINTHEDEADOFTHENIGHT?""HEWAS.""WEREYOUTRAVELLINGALONE,MR.LORRY,ORWITHANYCOMPANION?""WITHTWOCOMPANIONS.AGENTLEMANANDLADY.THEYAREHERE.""THEYAREHERE.HADYOUANYCONVERSATIONWITHTHEPRISONER?""HARDLYANY.THEWEATHERWASSTORMY,ANDTHEPASSAGELONGANDROUGH,ANDILAYONASOFA,ALMOSTFROMSHORETOSHORE.""MISSMANETTE!"THEYOUNGLADY,TOWHOMALLEYESHADBEENTURNEDBEFORE,ANDWERENOWTURNEDAGAIN,STOODUPWHERESHEHADSAT.HERFATHERROSEWITHHER,ANDKEPTHERHANDDRAWNTHROUGHHISARM."MISSMANETTE,LOOKUPONTHEPRISONER."TOBECONFRONTEDWITHSUCHPITY,ANDSUCHEARNESTYOUTHANDBEAUTY,WASFARMORETRYINGTOTHEACCUSEDTHANTOBECONFRONTEDWITHALLTHECROWD.STANDING,ASITWERE,APARTWITHHERONTHEEDGEOFHISGRAVE,NOTALLTHESTARINGCURIOSITYTHATLOOKEDON,COULD,FORTHEMOMENT,NERVEHIMTOREMAINQUITESTILL.HISHURRIEDRIGHTHANDPARCELLEDOUTTHEHERBSBEFOREHIMINTOIMAGINARYBEDSOFFLOWERSINAGARDEN;ANDHISEFFORTSTOCONTROLANDSTEADYHISBREATHINGSHOOKTHELIPSFROMWHICHTHECOLOURRUSHEDTOHISHEART.THEBUZZOFTHEGREATFLIESWASLOUDAGAIN."MISSMANETTE,HAVEYOUSEENTHEPRISONERBEFORE?""YES,SIR.""WHERE?""ONBOARDOFTHEPACKET-SHIPJUSTNOWREFERREDTO,SIR,ANDONTHESAMEOCCASION.""YOUARETHEYOUNGLADYJUSTNOWREFERREDTO?""O!MOSTUNHAPPILY,IAM!"THEPLAINTIVETONEOFHERCOMPASSIONMERGEDINTOTHELESSMUSICALVOICEOFTHEJUDGE,ASHESAIDSOMETHINGFIERCELY:"ANSWERTHEQUESTIONSPUTTOYOU,ANDMAKENOREMARKUPONTHEM.""MISSMANETTE,HADYOUANYCONVERSATIONWITHTHEPRISONERONTHATPASSAGEACROSSTHECHANNEL?""YES,SIR.""RECALLIT."INTHEMIDSTOFAPROFOUNDSTILLNESS,SHEFAINTLYBEGAN:"WHENTHEGENTLEMANCAMEONBOARD--""DOYOUMEANTHEPRISONER?"INQUIREDTHEJUDGE,KNITTINGHISBROWS."YES,MYLORD.""THENSAYTHEPRISONER.""WHENTHEPRISONERCAMEONBOARD,HENOTICEDTHATMYFATHER,"TURNINGHEREYESLOVINGLYTOHIMASHESTOODBESIDEHER,"WASMUCHFATIGUEDANDINAVERYWEAKSTATEOFHEALTH.MYFATHERWASSOREDUCEDTHATIWASAFRAIDTOTAKEHIMOUTOFTHEAIR,ANDIHADMADEABEDFORHIMONTHEDECKNEARTHECABINSTEPS,ANDISATONTHEDECKATHISSIDETOTAKECAREOFHIM.THEREWERENOOTHERPASSENGERSTHATNIGHT,BUTWEFOUR.THEPRISONERWASSOGOODASTOBEGPERMISSIONTOADVISEMEHOWICOULDSHELTERMYFATHERFROMTHEWINDANDWEATHER,BETTERTHANIHADDONE.IHADNOTKNOWNHOWTODOITWELL,NOTUNDERSTANDINGHOWTHEWINDWOULDSETWHENWEWEREOUTOFTHEHARBOUR.HEDIDITFORME.HEEXPRESSEDGREATGENTLENESSANDKINDNESSFORMYFATHER'SSTATE,ANDIAMSUREHEFELTIT.THATWASTHEMANNEROFOURBEGINNINGTOSPEAKTOGETHER.""LETMEINTERRUPTYOUFORAMOMENT.HADHECOMEONBOARDALONE?""NO.""HOWMANYWEREWITHHIM?""TWOFRENCHGENTLEMEN.""HADTHEYCONFERREDTOGETHER?""THEYHADCONFERREDTOGETHERUNTILTHELASTMOMENT,WHENITWASNECESSARYFORTHEFRENCHGENTLEMENTOBELANDEDINTHEIRBOAT.""HADANYPAPERSBEENHANDEDABOUTAMONGTHEM,SIMILARTOTHESELISTS?""SOMEPAPERSHADBEENHANDEDABOUTAMONGTHEM,BUTIDON'TKNOWWHATPAPERS.""LIKETHESEINSHAPEANDSIZE?""POSSIBLY,BUTINDEEDIDON'TKNOW,ALTHOUGHTHEYSTOODWHISPERINGVERYNEARTOME:BECAUSETHEYSTOODATTHETOPOFTHECABINSTEPSTOHAVETHELIGHTOFTHELAMPTHATWASHANGINGTHERE;ITWASADULLLAMP,ANDTHEYSPOKEVERYLOW,ANDIDIDNOTHEARWHATTHEYSAID,ANDSAWONLYTHATTHEYLOOKEDATPAPERS.""NOW,TOTHEPRISONER'SCONVERSATION,MISSMANETTE.""THEPRISONERWASASOPENINHISCONFIDENCEWITHME--WHICHAROSEOUTOFMYHELPLESSSITUATION--ASHEWASKIND,ANDGOOD,ANDUSEFULTOMYFATHER.IHOPE,"BURSTINGINTOTEARS,"IMAYNOTREPAYHIMBYDOINGHIMHARMTO-DAY."BUZZINGFROMTHEBLUE-FLIES."MISSMANETTE,IFTHEPRISONERDOESNOTPERFECTLYUNDERSTANDTHATYOUGIVETHEEVIDENCEWHICHITISYOURDUTYTOGIVE--WHICHYOUMUSTGIVE--ANDWHICHYOUCANNOTESCAPEFROMGIVING--WITHGREATUNWILLINGNESS,HEISTHEONLYPERSONPRESENTINTHATCONDITION.PLEASETOGOON.""HETOLDMETHATHEWASTRAVELLINGONBUSINESSOFADELICATEANDDIFFICULTNATURE,WHICHMIGHTGETPEOPLEINTOTROUBLE,ANDTHATHEWASTHEREFORETRAVELLINGUNDERANASSUMEDNAME.HESAIDTHATTHISBUSINESSHAD,WITHINAFEWDAYS,TAKENHIMTOFRANCE,ANDMIGHT,ATINTERVALS,TAKEHIMBACKWARDSANDFORWARDSBETWEENFRANCEANDENGLANDFORALONGTIMETOCOME.""DIDHESAYANYTHINGABOUTAMERICA,MISSMANETTE?BEPARTICULAR.""HETRIEDTOEXPLAINTOMEHOWTHATQUARRELHADARISEN,ANDHESAIDTHAT,SOFARASHECOULDJUDGE,ITWASAWRONGANDFOOLISHONEONENGLAND'SPART.HEADDED,INAJESTINGWAY,THATPERHAPSGEORGEWASHINGTONMIGHTGAINALMOSTASGREATANAMEINHISTORYASGEORGETHETHIRD.BUTTHEREWASNOHARMINHISWAYOFSAYINGTHIS:ITWASSAIDLAUGHINGLY,ANDTOBEGUILETHETIME."ANYSTRONGLYMARKEDEXPRESSIONOFFACEONTHEPARTOFACHIEFACTORINASCENEOFGREATINTERESTTOWHOMMANYEYESAREDIRECTED,WILLBEUNCONSCIOUSLYIMITATEDBYTHESPECTATORS.HERFOREHEADWASPAINFULLYANXIOUSANDINTENTASSHEGAVETHISEVIDENCE,AND,INTHEPAUSESWHENSHESTOPPEDFORTHEJUDGETOWRITEITDOWN,WATCHEDITSEFFECTUPONTHECOUNSELFORANDAGAINST.AMONGTHELOOKERS-ONTHEREWASTHESAMEEXPRESSIONINALLQUARTERSOFTHECOURT;INSOMUCH,THATAGREATMAJORITYOFTHEFOREHEADSTHERE,MIGHTHAVEBEENMIRRORSREFLECTINGTHEWITNESS,WHENTHEJUDGELOOKEDUPFROMHISNOTESTOGLAREATTHATTREMENDOUSHERESYABOUTGEORGEWASHINGTON.MR.ATTORNEY-GENERALNOWSIGNIFIEDTOMYLORD,THATHEDEEMEDITNECESSARY,ASAMATTEROFPRECAUTIONANDFORM,TOCALLTHEYOUNGLADY'SFATHER,DOCTORMANETTE.WHOWASCALLEDACCORDINGLY."DOCTORMANETTE,LOOKUPONTHEPRISONER.HAVEYOUEVERSEENHIMBEFORE?""ONCE.WHENHECALLEDATMYLODGINGSINLONDON.SOMETHREEYEARS,ORTHREEYEARSANDAHALFAGO.""CANYOUIDENTIFYHIMASYOURFELLOW-PASSENGERONBOARDTHEPACKET,ORSPEAKTOHISCONVERSATIONWITHYOURDAUGHTER?""SIR,ICANDONEITHER.""ISTHEREANYPARTICULARANDSPECIALREASONFORYOURBEINGUNABLETODOEITHER?"HEANSWERED,INALOWVOICE,"THEREIS.""HASITBEENYOURMISFORTUNETOUNDERGOALONGIMPRISONMENT,WITHOUTTRIAL,OREVENACCUSATION,INYOURNATIVECOUNTRY,DOCTORMANETTE?"HEANSWERED,INATONETHATWENTTOEVERYHEART,"ALONGIMPRISONMENT.""WEREYOUNEWLYRELEASEDONTHEOCCASIONINQUESTION?""THEYTELLMESO.""HAVEYOUNOREMEMBRANCEOFTHEOCCASION?""NONE.MYMINDISABLANK,FROMSOMETIME--ICANNOTEVENSAYWHATTIME--WHENIEMPLOYEDMYSELF,INM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,MYSELF,WHILETHOSENUMSKULLSWEREDELIBERATINGWHICHWORLDYOUSHOULDBELONGTO--THIS,ORSOMEOTHER.LETMESHOWYOUTHENEARESTTAVERNTODINEWELLAT."DRAWINGHISARMTHROUGHHISOWN,HETOOKHIMDOWNLUDGATE-HILLTOFLEET-STREET,ANDSO,UPACOVEREDWAY,INTOATAVERN.HERE,THEYWERESHOWNINTOALITTLEROOM,WHERECHARLESDARNAYWASSOONRECRUITINGHISSTRENGTHWITHAGOODPLAINDINNERANDGOODWINE:WHILECARTONSATOPPOSITETOHIMATTHESAMETABLE,WITHHISSEPARATEBOTTLEOFPORTBEFOREHIM,ANDHISFULLYHALF-INSOLENTMANNERUPONHIM."DOYOUFEEL,YET,THATYOUBELONGTOTHISTERRESTRIALSCHEMEAGAIN,MR.DARNAY?""IAMFRIGHTFULLYCONFUSEDREGARDINGTIMEANDPLACE;BUTIAMSOFARMENDEDASTOFEELTHAT.""ITMUSTBEANIMMENSESATISFACTION!"HESAIDITBITTERLY,ANDFILLEDUPHISGLASSAGAIN:WHICHWASALARGEONE."ASTOME,THEGREATESTDESIREIHAVE,ISTOFORGETTHATIBELONGTOIT.ITHASNOGOODINITFORME--EXCEPTWINELIKETHIS--NORIFORIT.SOWEARENOTMUCHALIKEINTHATPARTICULAR.INDEED,IBEGINTOTHINKWEARENOTMUCHALIKEINANYPARTICULAR,YOUANDI."CONFUSEDBYTHEEMOTIONOFTHEDAY,ANDFEELINGHISBEINGTHEREWITHTHISDOUBLEOFCOARSEDEPORTMENT,TOBELIKEADREAM,CHARLESDARNAYWASATALOSSHOWTOANSWER;FINALLY,ANSWEREDNOTATALL."NOWYOURDINNERISDONE,"CARTONPRESENTLYSAID,"WHYDON'TYOUCALLAHEALTH,MR.DARNAY;WHYDON'TYOUGIVEYOURTOAST?""WHATHEALTH?WHATTOAST?""WHY,IT'SONTHETIPOFYOURTONGUE.ITOUGHTTOBE,ITMUSTBE,I'LLSWEARIT'STHERE.""MISSMANETTE,THEN!""MISSMANETTE,THEN!"LOOKINGHISCOMPANIONFULLINTHEFACEWHILEHEDRANKTHETOAST,CARTONFLUNGHISGLASSOVERHISSHOULDERAGAINSTTHEWALL,WHEREITSHIVEREDTOPIECES;THEN,RANGTHEBELL,ANDORDEREDINANOTHER."THAT'SAFAIRYOUNGLADYTOHANDTOACOACHINTHEDARK,MR.DARNAY!"HESAID,FILLINGHISNEWGOBLET.ASLIGHTFROWNANDALACONIC"YES,"WERETHEANSWER."THAT'SAFAIRYOUNGLADYTOBEPITIEDBYANDWEPTFORBY!HOWDOESITFEEL?ISITWORTHBEINGTRIEDFORONE'SLIFE,TOBETHEOBJECTOFSUCHSYMPATHYANDCOMPASSION,MR.DARNAY?"AGAINDARNAYANSWEREDNOTAWORD."SHEWASMIGHTILYPLEASEDTOHAVEYOURMESSAGE,WHENIGAVEITHER.NOTTHATSHESHOWEDSHEWASPLEASED,BUTISUPPOSESHEWAS."THEALLUSIONSERVEDASATIMELYREMINDERTODARNAYTHATTHISDISAGREEABLECOMPANIONHAD,OFHISOWNFREEWILL,ASSISTEDHIMINTHESTRAITOFTHEDAY.HETURNEDTHEDIALOGUETOTHATPOINT,ANDTHANKEDHIMFORIT."INEITHERWANTANYTHANKS,NORMERITANY,"WASTHECARELESSREJOINDER."ITWASNOTHINGTODO,INTHEFIRSTPLACE;ANDIDON'TKNOWWHYIDIDIT,INTHESECOND.MR.DARNAY,LETMEASKYOUAQUESTION.""WILLINGLY,ANDASMALLRETURNFORYOURGOODOFFICES.""DOYOUTHINKIPARTICULARLYLIKEYOU?""REALLY,MR.CARTON,"RETURNEDTHEOTHER,ODDLYDISCONCERTED,"IHAVENOTASKEDMYSELFTHEQUESTION.""BUTASKYOURSELFTHEQUESTIONNOW.""YOUHAVEACTEDASIFYOUDO;BUTIDON'TTHINKYOUDO.""_I_DON'TTHINKIDO,"SAIDCARTON."IBEGINTOHAVEAVERYGOODOPINIONOFYOURUNDERSTANDING.""NEVERTHELESS,"PURSUEDDARNAY,RISINGTORINGTHEBELL,"THEREISNOTHINGINTHAT,IHOPE,TOPREVENTMYCALLINGTHERECKONING,ANDOURPARTINGWITHOUTILL-BLOODONEITHERSIDE."CARTONREJOINING,"NOTHINGINLIFE!"DARNAYRANG."DOYOUCALLTHEWHOLERECKONING?"SAIDCARTON.ONHISANSWERINGINTHEAFFIRMATIVE,"THENBRINGMEANOTHERPINTOFTHISSAMEWINE,DRAWER,ANDCOMEANDWAKEMEATTEN."THEBILLBEINGPAID,CHARLESDARNAYROSEANDWISHEDHIMGOODNIGHT.WITHOUTRETURNINGTHEWISH,CARTONROSETOO,WITHSOMETHINGOFATHREATOFDEFIANCEINHISMANNER,ANDSAID,"ALASTWORD,MR.DARNAY:YOUTHINKIAMDRUNK?""ITHINKYOUHAVEBEENDRINKING,MR.CARTON.""THINK?YOUKNOWIHAVEBEENDRINKING.""SINCEIMUSTSAYSO,IKNOWIT.""THENYOUSHALLLIKEWISEKNOWWHY.IAMADISAPPOINTEDDRUDGE,SIR.ICAREFORNOMANONEARTH,ANDNOMANONEARTHCARESFORME.""MUCHTOBEREGRETTED.YOUMIGHTHAVEUSEDYOURTALENTSBETTER.""MAYBESO,MR.DARNAY;MAYBENOT.DON'TLETYOURSOBERFACEELATEYOU,HOWEVER;YOUDON'TKNOWWHATITMAYCOMETO.GOODNIGHT!"WHENHEWASLEFTALONE,THISSTRANGEBEINGTOOKUPACANDLE,WENTTOAGLASSTHATHUNGAGAINSTTHEWALL,ANDSURVEYEDHIMSELFMINUTELYINIT."DOYOUPARTICULARLYLIKETHEMAN?"HEMUTTERED,ATHISOWNIMAGE;"WHYSHOULDYOUPARTICULARLYLIKEAMANWHORESEMBLESYOU?THEREISNOTHINGINYOUTOLIKE;YOUKNOWTHAT.AH,CONFOUNDYOU!WHATACHANGEYOUHAVEMADEINYOURSELF!AGOODREASONFORTAKINGTOAMAN,THATHESHOWSYOUWHATYOUHAVEFALLENAWAYFROM,ANDWHATYOUMIGHTHAVEBEEN!CHANGEPLACESWITHHIM,ANDWOULDYOUHAVEBEENLOOKEDATBYTHOSEBLUEEYESASHEWAS,ANDCOMMISERATEDBYTHATAGITATEDFACEASHEWAS?COMEON,ANDHAVEITOUTINPLAINWORDS!YOUHATETHEFELLOW."HERESORTEDTOHISPINTOFWINEFORCONSOLATION,DRANKITALLINAFEWMINUTES,ANDFELLASLEEPONHISARMS,WITHHISHAIRSTRAGGLINGOVERTHETABLE,ANDALONGWINDING-SHEETINTHECANDLEDRIPPINGDOWNUPONHIM.V.THEJACKALTHOSEWEREDRINKINGDAYS,ANDMOSTMENDRANKHARD.SOVERYGREATISTHEIMPROVEMENTTIMEHASBROUGHTABOUTINSUCHHABITS,THATAMODERATESTATEMENTOFTHEQUANTITYOFWINEANDPUNCHWHICHONEMANWOULDSWALLOWINTHECOURSEOFANIGHT,WITHOUTANYDETRIMENTTOHISREPUTATIONASAPERFECTGENTLEMAN,WOULDSEEM,INTHESEDAYS,ARIDICULOUSEXAGGERATION.THELEARNEDPROFESSIONOFTHELAWWASCERTAINLYNOTBEHINDANYOTHERLEARNEDPROFESSIONINITSBACCHANALIANPROPENSITIES;NEITHERWASMR.STRYVER,ALREADYFASTSHOULDERINGHISWAYTOALARGEANDLUCRATIVEPRACTICE,BEHINDHISCOMPEERSINTHISPARTICULAR,ANYMORETHANINTHEDRIERPARTSOFTHELEGALRACE.AFAVOURITEATTHEOLDBAILEY,ANDEKEATTHESESSIONS,MR.STRYVERHADBEGUNCAUTIOUSLYTOHEWAWAYTHELOWERSTAVESOFTHELADDERONWHICHHEMOUNTED.SESSIONSANDOLDBAILEYHADNOWTOSUMMONTHEIRFAVOURITE,SPECIALLY,TOTHEIRLONGINGARMS;ANDSHOULDERINGITSELFTOWARDSTHEVISAGEOFTHELORDCHIEFJUSTICEINTHECOURTOFKING'SBENCH,THEFLORIDCOUNTENANCEOFMR.STRYVERMIGHTBEDAILYSEEN,BURSTINGOUTOFTHEBEDOFWIGS,LIKEAGREATSUNFLOWERPUSHINGITSWAYATTHESUNFROMAMONGARANKGARDEN-FULLOFFLARINGCOMPANIONS.ITHADONCEBEENNOTEDATTHEBAR,THATWHILEMR.STRYVERWASAGLIBMAN,ANDANUNSCRUPULOUS,ANDAREADY,ANDABOLD,HEHADNOTTHATFACULTYOFEXTRACTINGTHEESSENCEFROMAHEAPOFSTATEMENTS,WHICHISAMONGTHEMOSTSTRIKINGANDNECESSARYOFTHEADVOCATE'SACCOMPLISHMENTS.BUT,AREMARKABLEIMPROVEMENTCAMEUPONHIMASTOTHIS.THEMOREBUSINESSHEGOT,THEGREATERHISPOWERSEEMEDTOGROWOFGETTINGATITSPITHANDMARROW;ANDHOWEVERLATEATNIGHTHESATCAROUSINGWITHSYDNEYCARTON,HEALWAYSHADHISPOINTSATHISFINGERS'ENDSINTHEMORNING.SYDNEYCARTON,IDLESTANDMOSTUNPROMISINGOFMEN,WASSTRYVER'SGREATALLY.WHATTHETWODRANKTOGETHER,BETWEENHILARYTERMANDMICHAELMAS,MIGHTHAVEFLOATEDAKING'SSHIP.STRYVERNEVERHADACASEINHAND,ANYWHERE,BUTCARTONWASTHERE,WITHHISHANDSINHISPOCKETS,STARINGATTHECEILINGOFTHECOURT;THEYWENTTHESAMECIRCUIT,ANDEVENTHERETHEYPROLONGEDTHEIRUSUALORGIESLATEINTOTHENIGHT,ANDCARTONWASRUMOUREDTOBESEENATBROADDAY,GOINGHOMESTEALTHILYANDUNSTEADILYTOHISLODGINGS,LIKEADISSIPATEDCAT.ATLAST,ITBEGANTOGETABOUT,AMONGSUCHASWEREINTERESTEDINTHEMATTER,THATALTHOUGHSYDNEYCARTONWOULDNEVERBEALION,HEWASANAMAZINGLYGOODJACKAL,ANDTHATHERENDEREDSUITANDSERVICETOSTRYVERINTHATHUMBLECAPACITY."TENO'CLOCK,SIR,"SAIDTHEMANATTHETAVERN,WHOMHEHADCHARGEDTOWAKEHIM--"TENO'CLOCK,SIR.""_WHAT'S_THEMATTER?""TENO'CLOCK,SIR.""WHATDOYOUMEAN?TENO'CLOCKATNIGHT?""YES,SIR.YOURHONOURTOLDMETOCALLYOU.""OH!IREMEMBER.VERYWELL,VERYWELL."AFTERAFEWDULLEFFORTSTOGETTOSLEEPAGAIN,WHICHTHEMANDEXTEROUSLYCOMBATEDBYSTIRRINGTHEFIRECONTINUOUSLYFORFIVEMINUTES,HEGOTUP,TOSSEDHISHATON,ANDWALKEDOUT.HETURNEDINTOTHETEMPLE,AND,HAVINGREVIVEDHIMSELFBYTWICEPACINGTHEPAVEMENTSOFKING'SBENCH-WALKANDPAPER-BUILDINGS,TURNEDINTOTHESTRYVERCHAMBERS.THESTRYVERCLERK,WHONEVERASSISTEDATTHESECONFERENCES,HADGONEHOME,ANDTHESTRYVERPRINCIPALOPENEDTHEDOOR.HEHADHISSLIPPERSON,ANDALOOSEBED-GOWN,ANDHISTHROATWASBAREFORHISGREATEREASE.HEHADTHATRATHERWILD,STRAINED,SEAREDMARKINGABOUTTHEEYES,WHICHMAYBEOBSERVEDINALLFREELIVERSOFHISCLASS,FROMTHEPORTRAITOFJEFFRIESDOWNWARD,ANDWHICHCANBETRACED,UNDERVARIOUSDISGUISESOFART,THROUGHTHEPORTRAITSOFEVERYDRINKINGAGE."YOUAREALITTLELATE,MEMORY,"SAIDSTRYVER."ABOUTTHEUSUALTIME;ITMAYBEAQUARTEROFANHOURLATER."THEYWENTINTOADINGYROOMLINEDWITHBOOKSANDLITTEREDWITHPAPERS,WHERETHEREWASABLAZINGFIRE.AKETTLESTEAMEDUPONTHEHOB,ANDINTHEMIDSTOFTHEWRECKOFPAPERSATABLESHONE,WITHPLENTYOFWINEUPONIT,ANDBRANDY,ANDRUM,ANDSUGAR,ANDLEMONS."YOUHAVEHADYOURBOTTLE,IPERCEIVE,SYDNEY.""TWOTO-NIGHT,ITHINK.IHAVEBEENDININGWITHTHEDAY'SCLIENT;ORSEEINGHIMDINE--IT'SALLONE!""THATWASARAREPOINT,SYDNEY,THATYOUBROUGHTTOBEARUPONTHEIDENTIFICATION.HOWDIDYOUCOMEBYIT?WHENDIDITSTRIKEYOU?""ITHOUGHTHEWASRATHERAHANDSOMEFELLOW,ANDITHOUGHTISHOULDHAVEBEENMUCHTHESAMESORTOFFELLOW,IFIHADHADANYLUCK."MR.STRYVERLAUGHEDTILLHESHOOKHISPRECOCIOUSPAUNCH."YOUANDYOURLUCK,SYDNEY!GETTOWORK,GETTOWORK."SULLENLYENOUGH,THEJACKALLOOSENEDHISDRESS,WENTINTOANADJOININGROOM,ANDCAMEBACKWITHALARGEJUGOFCOLDWATER,ABASIN,ANDATOWELORTWO.STEEPINGTHETOWELSINTHEWATER,ANDPARTIALLYWRINGINGTHEMOUT,HEFOLDEDTHEMONHISHEADINAMANNERHIDEOUSTOBEHOLD,SATDOWNATTHETABLE,ANDSAID,"NOWIAMREADY!""NOTMUCHBOILINGDOWNTOBEDONETO-NIGHT,MEMORY,"SAIDMR.STRYVER,GAILY,ASHELOOKEDAMONGHISPAPERS."HOWMUCH?""ONLYTWOSETSOFTHEM.""GIVEMETHEWORSTFIRST.""THERETHEYARE,SYDNEY.FIREAWAY!"THELIONTHENCOMPOSEDHIMSELFONHISBACKONASOFAONONESIDEOFTHEDRINKING-TABLE,WHILETHEJACKALSATATHISOWNPAPER-BESTREWNTABLEPROPER,ONTHEOTHERSIDEOFIT,WITHTHEBOTTLESANDGLASSESREADYTOHISHAND.BOTHRESORTEDTOTHEDRINKING-TABLEWITHOUTSTINT,BUTEACHINADIFFERENTWAY;THELIONFORTHEMOSTPARTRECLININGWITHHISHANDSINHISWAISTBAND,LOOKINGATTHEFIRE,OROCCASIONALLYFLIRTINGWITHSOMELIGHTERDOCUMENT;THEJACKAL,WITHKNITTEDBROWSANDINTENTFACE,SODEEPINHISTASK,THATHISEYESDIDNOTEVENFOLLOWTHEHANDHESTRETCHEDOUTFORHISGLASS--WHICHOFTENGROPEDABOUT,FORAMINUTEORMORE,BEFOREITFOUNDTHEGLASSFORHISLIPS.TWOORTHREETIMES,THEMATTERINHANDBECAMESOKNOTTY,THATTHEJACKALFOUNDITIMPERATIVEONHIMTOGETUP,ANDSTEEPHISTOWELSANEW.FROMTHESEPILGRIMAGESTOTHEJUGANDBASIN,HERETURNEDWITHSUCHECCENTRICITIESOFDAMPHEADGEARASNOWORDSCANDESCRIBE;WHICHWEREMADETHEMORELUDICROUSBYHISANXIOUSGRAVITY.ATLENGTHTHEJACKALHADGOTTOGETHERACOMPACTREPASTFORTHELION,ANDPROCEEDEDTOOFFERITTOHIM.THELIONTOOKITWITHCAREANDCAUTION,MADEHISSELECTIONSFROMIT,ANDHISREMARKSUPONIT,ANDTHEJACKALASSISTEDBOTH.WHENTHEREPASTWASFULLYDISCUSSED,THELIONPUTHISHANDSINHISWAISTBANDAGAIN,ANDLAYDOWNTOMEDITATE.THEJACKALTHENINVIGORATEDHIMSELFWITHABUMPERFORHISTHROTTLE,ANDAFRESHAPPLICATIONTOHISHEAD,ANDAPPLIEDHIMSELFTOTHECOLLECTIONOFASECONDMEAL;THISWASADMINISTEREDTOTHELIONINTHESAMEMANNER,ANDWASNOTDISPOSEDOFUNTILTHECLOCKSSTRUCKTHREEINTHEMORNING."ANDNOWWEHAVEDONE,SYDNEY,FILLABUMPEROFPUNCH,"SAIDMR.STRYVER.THEJACKALREMOVEDTHETOWELSFROMHISHEAD,WHICHHADBEENSTEAMINGAGAIN,SHOOKHIMSELF,YAWNED,SHIVERED,ANDCOMPLIED."YOUWEREVERYSOUND,SYDNEY,INTHEMATTEROFTHOSECROWNWITNESSESTO-DAY.EVERYQUESTIONTOLD.""IALWAYSAMSOUND;AMINOT?""IDON'TGAINSAYIT.WHATHASROUGHENEDYOURTEMPER?PUTSOMEPUNCHTOITANDSMOOTHITAGAIN."WITHADEPRECATORYGRUNT,THEJACKALAGAINCOMPLIED."THEOLDSYDNEYCARTONOFOLDSHREWSBURYSCHOOL,"SAIDSTRYVER,NODDINGHISHEADOVERHIMASHEREVIEWEDHIMINTHEPRESENTANDTHEPAST,"THEOLDSEESAWSYDNEY.UPONEMINUTEANDDOWNTHENEXT;NOWINSPIRITSANDNOWINDESPONDENCY!""AH!"RETURNEDTHEOTHER,SIGHING:"YES!THESAMESYDNEY,WITHTHESAMELUCK.EVENTHEN,IDIDEXERCISESFOROTHERBOYS,ANDSELDOMDIDMYOWN.""ANDWHYNOT?""GODKNOWS.ITWASMYWAY,ISUPPOSE."HESAT,WITHHISHANDSINHISPOCKETSANDHISLEGSSTRETCHEDOUTBEFOREHIM,LOOKINGATTHEFIRE."CARTON,"SAIDHISFRIEND,SQUARINGHIMSELFATHIMWITHABULLYINGAIR,ASIFTHEFIRE-GRATEHADBEENTHEFURNACEINWHICHSUSTAINEDENDEAVOURWASFORGED,ANDTHEONEDELICATETHINGTOBEDONEFORTHEOLDSYDNEYCARTONOFOLDSHREWSBURYSCHOOLWASTOSHOULDERHIMINTOIT,"YOURWAYIS,ANDALWAYSWAS,ALAMEWAY.YOUSUMMONNOENERGYANDPURPOSE.LOOKATME.""OH,BOTHERATION!"RETURNEDSYDNEY,WITHALIGHTERANDMOREGOOD-HUMOUREDLAUGH,"DON'T_YOU_BEMORAL!""HOWHAVEIDONEWHATIHAVEDONE?"SAIDSTRYVER;"HOWDOIDOWHATIDO?""PARTLYTHROUGHPAYINGMETOHELPYOU,ISUPPOSE.BUTIT'SNOTWORTHYOURWHILETOAPOSTROPHISEME,ORTHEAIR,ABOUTIT;WHATYOUWANTTODO,YOUDO.YOUWEREALWAYSINTHEFRONTRANK,ANDIWASALWAYSBEHIND.""IHADTOGETINTOTHEFRONTRANK;IWASNOTBORNTHERE,WASI?""IWASNOTPRESENTATTHECEREMONY;BUTMYOPINIONISYOUWERE,"SAIDCARTON.ATTHIS,HELAUGHEDAGAIN,ANDTHEYBOTHLAUGHED."BEFORESHREWSBURY,ANDATSHREWSBURY,ANDEVERSINCESHREWSBURY,"PURSUEDCARTON,"YOUHAVEFALLENINTOYOURRANK,ANDIHAVEFALLENINTOMINE.EVENWHENWEWEREFELLOW-STUDENTSINTHESTUDENT-QUARTEROFPARIS,PICKINGUPFRENCH,ANDFRENCHLAW,ANDOTHERFRENCHCRUMBSTHATWEDIDN'TGETMUCHGOODOF,YOUWEREALWAYSSOMEWHERE,ANDIWASALWAYSNOWHERE.""ANDWHOSEFAULTWASTHAT?""UPONMYSOUL,IAMNOTSURETHATITWASNOTYOURS.YOUWEREALWAYSDRIVINGANDRIVINGANDSHOULDERINGANDPASSING,TOTHATRESTLESSDEGREETHATIHADNOCHANCEFORMYLIFEBUTINRUSTANDREPOSE.IT'SAGLOOMYTHING,HOWEVER,TOTALKABOUTONE'SOWNPAST,WITHTHEDAYBREAKING.TURNMEINSOMEOTHERDIRECTIONBEFOREIGO.""WELLTHEN!PLEDGEMETOTHEPRETTYWITNESS,"SAIDSTRYVER,HOLDINGUPHISGLASS."AREYOUTURNEDINAPLEASANTDIRECTION?"APPARENTLYNOT,FORHEBECAMEGLOOMYAGAIN."PRETTYWITNESS,"HEMUTTERED,LOOKINGDOWNINTOHISGLASS."IHAVEHADENOUGHOFWITNESSESTO-DAYANDTO-NIGHT;WHO'SYOURPRETTYWITNESS?""THEPICTURESQUEDOCTOR'SDAUGHTER,MISSMANETTE.""_SHE_PRETTY?""ISSHENOT?""NO.""WHY,MANALIVE,SHEWASTHEADMIRATIONOFTHEWHOLECOURT!""ROTTHEADMIRATIONOFTHEWHOLECOURT!WHOMADETHEOLDBAILEYAJUDGEOFBEAUTY?SHEWASAGOLDEN-HAIREDDOLL!""DOYOUKNOW,SYDNEY,"SAIDMR.STRYVER,LOOKINGATHIMWITHSHARPEYES,ANDSLOWLYDRAWINGAHANDACROSSHISFLORIDFACE:"DOYOUKNOW,IRATHERTHOUGHT,ATTHETIME,THATYOUSYMPATHISEDWITHTHEGOLDEN-HAIREDDOLL,ANDWEREQUICKTOSEEWHATHAPPENEDTOTHEGOLDEN-HAIREDDOLL?""QUICKTOSEEWHATHAPPENED!IFAGIRL,DOLLORNODOLL,SWOONSWITHINAYARDORTWOOFAMAN'SNOSE,HECANSEEITWITHOUTAPERSPECTIVE-GLASS.IPLEDGEYOU,BUTIDENYTHEBEAUTY.ANDNOWI'LLHAVENOMOREDRINK;I'LLGETTOBED."WHENHISHOSTFOLLOWEDHIMOUTONTHESTAIRCASEWITHACANDLE,TOLIGHTHIMDOWNTHESTAIRS,THEDAYWASCOLDLYLOOKINGINTHROUGHITSGRIMYWINDOWS.WHENHEGOTOUTOFTHEHOUSE,THEAIRWASCOLDANDSAD,THEDULLSKYOVERCAST,THERIVERDARKANDDIM,THEWHOLESCENELIKEALIFELESSDESERT.ANDWREATHSOFDUSTWERESPINNINGROUNDANDROUNDBEFORETHEMORNINGBLAST,ASIFTHEDESERT-SANDHADRISENFARAWAY,ANDTHEFIRSTSPRAYOFITINITSADVANCEHADBEGUNTOOVERWHELMTHECITY.WASTEFORCESWITHINHIM,ANDADESERTALLAROUND,THISMANSTOODSTILLONHISWAYACROSSASILENTTERRACE,ANDSAWFORAMOMENT,LYINGINTHEWILDERNESSBEFOREHIM,AMIRAGEOFHONOURABLEAMBITION,SELF-DENIAL,ANDPERSEVERANCE.INTHEFAIRCITYOFTHISVISION,THEREWEREAIRYGALLERIESFROMWHICHTHELOVESANDGRACESLOOKEDUPONHIM,GARDENSINWHICHTHEFRUITSOFLIFEHUNGRIPENING,WATERSOFHOPETHATSPARKLEDINHISSIGHT.AMOMENT,ANDITWASGONE.CLIMBINGTOAHIGHCHAMBERINAWELLOFHOUSES,HETHREWHIMSELFDOWNINHISCLOTHESONANEGLECTEDBED,ANDITSPILLOWWASWETWITHWASTEDTEARS.SADLY,SADLY,THESUNROSE;ITROSEUPONNOSADDERSIGHTTHANTHEMANOFGOODABILITIESANDGOODEMOTIONS,INCAPABLEOFTHEIRDIRECTEDEXERCISE,INCAPABLEOFHISOWNHELPANDHISOWNHAPPINESS,SENSIBLEOFTHEBLIGHTONHIM,ANDRESIGNINGHIMSELFTOLETITEATHIMAWAY.VI.HUNDREDSOFPEOPLETHEQUIETLODGINGSOFDOCTORMANETTEWEREINAQUIETSTREET-CORNERNOTFARFROMSOHO-SQUARE.ONTHEAFTERNOONOFACERTAINFINESUNDAYWHENTHEWAVESOFFOURMONTHSHADROLLEDOVERTHETRIALFORTREASON,ANDCARRIEDIT,ASTOTHEPUBLICINTERESTANDMEMORY,FAROUTTOSEA,MR.JARVISLORRYWALKEDALONGTHESUNNYSTREETSFROMCLERKENWELLWHEREHELIVED,ONHISWAYTODINEWITHTHEDOCTOR.AFTERSEVERALRELAPSESINTOBUSINESS-ABSORPTION,MR.LORRYHADBECOMETHEDOCTOR'SFRIEND,ANDTHEQUIETSTREET-CORNERWASTHESUNNYPARTOFHISLIFE.ONTHISCERTAINFINESUNDAY,MR.LORRYWALKEDTOWARDSSOHO,EARLYINTHEAFTERNOON,FORTHREEREASONSOFHABIT.FIRSTLY,BECAUSE,ONFINESUNDAYS,HEOFTENWALKEDOUT,BEFOREDINNER,WITHTHEDOCTORANDLUCIE;SECONDLY,BECAUSE,ONUNFAVOURABLESUNDAYS,HEWASACCUSTOMEDTOBEWITHTHEMASTHEFAMILYFRIEND,TALKING,READING,LOOKINGOUTOFWINDOW,ANDGENERALLYGETTINGTHROUGHTHEDAY;THIRDLY,BECAUSEHEHAPPENEDTOHAVEHISOWNLITTLESHREWDDOUBTSTOSOLVE,ANDKNEWHOWTHEWAYSOFTHEDOCTOR'SHOUSEHOLDPOINTEDTOTHATTIMEASALIKELYTIMEFORSOLVINGTHEM.AQUAINTERCORNERTHANTHECORNERWHERETHEDOCTORLIVED,WASNOTTOBEFOUNDINLONDON.THEREWASNOWAYTHROUGHIT,ANDTHEFRONTWINDOWSOFTHEDOCTOR'SLODGINGSCOMMANDEDAPLEASANTLITTLEVISTAOFSTREETTHATHADACONGENIALAIROFRETIREMENTONIT.THEREWEREFEWBUILDINGSTHEN,NORTHOFTHEOXFORD-ROAD,ANDFOREST-TREESFLOURISHED,ANDWILDFLOWERSGREW,ANDTHEHAWTHORNBLOSSOMED,INTHENOWVANISHEDFIELDS.ASACONSEQUENCE,COUNTRYAIRSCIRCULATEDINSOHOWITHVIGOROUSFREEDOM,INSTEADOFLANGUISHINGINTOTHEPARISHLIKESTRAYPAUPERSWITHOUTASETTLEMENT;ANDTHEREWASMANYAGOODSOUTHWALL,NOTFAROFF,ONWHICHTHEPEACHESRIPENEDINTHEIRSEASON.THESUMMERLIGHTSTRUCKINTOTHECORNERBRILLIANTLYINTHEEARLIERPARTOFTHEDAY;BUT,WHENTHESTREETSGREWHOT,THECORNERWASINSHADOW,THOUGHNOTINSHADOWSOREMOTEBUTTHATYOUCOULDSEEBEYONDITINTOAGLAREOFBRIGHTNESS.ITWASACOOLSPOT,STAIDBUTCHEERFUL,AWONDERFULPLACEFORECHOES,ANDAVERYHARBOURFROMTHERAGINGSTREETS.THEREOUGHTTOHAVEBEENATRANQUILBARKINSUCHANANCHORAGE,ANDTHEREWAS.THEDOCTOROCCUPIEDTWOFLOORSOFALARGESTIFFHOUSE,WHERESEVERALCALLINGSPURPORTEDTOBEPURSUEDBYDAY,BUTWHEREOFLITTLEWASAUDIBLEANYDAY,ANDWHICHWASSHUNNEDBYALLOFTHEMATNIGHT.INABUILDINGATTHEBACK,ATTAINABLEBYACOURTYARDWHEREAPLANE-TREERUSTLEDITSGREENLEAVES,CHURCH-ORGANSCLAIMEDTOBEMADE,ANDSILVERTOBECHASED,ANDLIKEWISEGOLDTOBEBEATENBYSOMEMYSTERIOUSGIANTWHOHADAGOLDENARMSTARTINGOUTOFTHEWALLOFTHEFRONTHALL--ASIFHEHADBEATENHIMSELFPRECIOUS,ANDMENACEDASIMILARCONVERSIONOFALLVISITORS.VERYLITTLEOFTHESETRADES,OROFALONELYLODGERRUMOUREDTOLIVEUP-STAIRS,OROFADIMCOACH-TRIMMINGMAKERASSERTEDTOHAVEACOUNTING-HOUSEBELOW,WASEVERHEARDORSEEN.OCCASIONALLY,ASTRAYWORKMANPUTTINGHISCOATON,TRAVERSEDTHEHALL,ORASTRANGERPEEREDABOUTTHERE,ORADISTANTCLINKWASHEARDACROSSTHECOURTYARD,ORATHUMPFROMTHEGOLDENGIANT.THESE,HOWEVER,WEREONLYTHEEXCEPTIONSREQUIREDTOPROVETHERULETHATTHESPARROWSINTHEPLANE-TREEBEHINDTHEHOUSE,ANDTHEECHOESINTHECORNERBEFOREIT,HADTHEIROWNWAYFROMSUNDAYMORNINGUNTOSATURDAYNIGHT.DOCTORMANETTERECEIVEDSUCHPATIENTSHEREASHISOLDREPUTATION,ANDITSREVIVALINTHEFLOATINGWHISPERSOFHISSTORY,BROUGHTHIM.HISSCIENTIFICKNOWLEDGE,ANDHISVIGILANCEANDSKILLINCONDUCTINGINGENIOUSEXPERIMENTS,BROUGHTHIMOTHERWISEINTOMODERATEREQUEST,ANDHEEARNEDASMUCHASHEWANTED.THESETHINGSWEREWITHINMR.JARVISLORRY'SKNOWLEDGE,THOUGHTS,ANDNOTICE,WHENHERANGTHEDOOR-BELLOFTHETRANQUILHOUSEINTHECORNER,ONTHEFINESUNDAYAFTERNOON."DOCTORMANETTEATHOME?"EXPECTEDHOME."MISSLUCIEATHOME?"EXPECTEDHOME."MISSPROSSATHOME?"POSSIBLYATHOME,BUTOFACERTAINTYIMPOSSIBLEFORHANDMAIDTOANTICIPATEINTENTIONSOFMISSPROSS,ASTOADMISSIONORDENIALOFTHEFACT."ASIAMATHOMEMYSELF,"SAIDMR.LORRY,"I'LLGOUPSTAIRS."ALTHOUGHTHEDOCTOR'SDAUGHTERHADKNOWNNOTHINGOFTHECOUNTRYOFHERBIRTH,SHEAPPEAREDTOHAVEINNATELYDERIVEDFROMITTHATABILITYTOMAKEMUCHOFLITTLEMEANS,WHICHISONEOFITSMOSTUSEFULANDMOSTAGREEABLECHARACTERISTICS.SIMPLEASTHEFURNITUREWAS,ITWASSETOFFBYSOMANYLITTLEADORNMENTS,OFNOVALUEBUTFORTHEIRTASTEANDFANCY,THATITSEFFECTWASDELIGHTFUL.THEDISPOSITIONOFEVERYTHINGINTHEROOMS,FROMTHELARGESTOBJECTTOTHELEAST;THEARRANGEMENTOFCOLOURS,THEELEGANTVARIETYANDCONTRASTOBTAINEDBYTHRIFTINTRIFLES,BYDELICATEHANDS,CLEAREYES,ANDGOODSENSE;WEREATONCESOPLEASANTINTHEMSELVES,ANDSOEXPRESSIVEOFTHEIRORIGINATOR,THAT,ASMR.LORRYSTOODLOOKINGABOUTHIM,THEVERYCHAIRSANDTABLESSEEMEDTOASKHIM,WITHSOMETHINGOFTHATPECULIAREXPRESSIONWHICHHEKNEWSOWELLBYTHISTIME,WHETHERHEAPPROVED?THEREWERETHREEROOMSONAFLOOR,AND,THEDOORSBYWHICHTHEYCOMMUNICATEDBEINGPUTOPENTHATTHEAIRMIGHTPASSFREELYTHROUGHTHEMALL,MR.LORRY,SMILINGLYOBSERVANTOFTHATFANCIFULRESEMBLANCEWHICHHEDETECTEDALLAROUNDHIM,WALKEDFROMONETOANOTHER.THEFIRSTWASTHEBESTROOM,ANDINITWERELUCIE'SBIRDS,ANDFLOWERS,ANDBOOKS,ANDDESK,ANDWORK-TABLE,ANDBOXOFWATER-COLOURS;THESECONDWASTHEDOCTOR'SCONSULTING-ROOM,USEDALSOASTHEDINING-ROOM;THETHIRD,CHANGINGLYSPECKLEDBYTHERUSTLEOFTHEPLANE-TREEINTHEYARD,WASTHEDOCTOR'SBEDROOM,ANDTHERE,INACORNER,STOODTHEDISUSEDSHOEMAKER'SBENCHANDTRAYOFTOOLS,MUCHASITHADSTOODONTHEFIFTHFLOOROFTHEDISMALHOUSEBYTHEWINE-SHOP,INTHESUBURBOFSAINTANTOINEINPARIS."IWONDER,"SAIDMR.LORRY,PAUSINGINHISLOOKINGABOUT,"THATHEKEEPSTHATREMINDEROFHISSUFFERINGSABOUTHIM!""ANDWHYWONDERATTHAT?"WASTHEABRUPTINQUIRYTHATMADEHIMSTART.ITPROCEEDEDFROMMISSPROSS,THEWILDREDWOMAN,STRONGOFHAND,WHOSEACQUAINTANCEHEHADFIRSTMADEATTHEROYALGEORGEHOTELATDOVER,ANDHADSINCEIMPROVED."ISHOULDHAVETHOUGHT--"MR.LORRYBEGAN."POOH!YOU'DHAVETHOUGHT!"SAIDMISSPROSS;ANDMR.LORRYLEFTOFF."HOWDOYOUDO?"INQUIREDTHATLADYTHEN--SHARPLY,ANDYETASIFTOEXPRESSTHATSHEBOREHIMNOMALICE."IAMPRETTYWELL,ITHANKYOU,"ANSWEREDMR.LORRY,WITHMEEKNESS;"HOWAREYOU?""NOTHINGTOBOASTOF,"SAIDMISSPROSS."INDEED?""AH!INDEED!"SAIDMISSPROSS."IAMVERYMUCHPUTOUTABOUTMYLADYBIRD.""INDEED?""FORGRACIOUSSAKESAYSOMETHINGELSEBESIDES'INDEED,'ORYOU'LLFIDGETMETODEATH,"SAIDMISSPROSS:WHOSECHARACTER(DISSOCIATEDFROMSTATURE)WASSHORTNESS."REALLY,THEN?"SAIDMR.LORRY,ASANAMENDMENT."REALLY,ISBADENOUGH,"RETURNEDMISSPROSS,"BUTBETTER.YES,IAMVERYMUCHPUTOUT.""MAYIASKTHECAUSE?""IDON'TWANTDOZENSOFPEOPLEWHOARENOTATALLWORTHYOFLADYBIRD,TOCOMEHERELOOKINGAFTERHER,"SAIDMISSPROSS."_DO_DOZENSCOMEFORTHATPURPOSE?""HUNDREDS,"SAIDMISSPROSS.ITWASCHARACTERISTICOFTHISLADY(ASOFSOMEOTHERPEOPLEBEFOREHERTIMEANDSINCE)THATWHENEVERHERORIGINALPROPOSITIONWASQUESTIONED,SHEEXAGGERATEDIT."DEARME!"SAIDMR.LORRY,ASTHESAFESTREMARKHECOULDTHINKOF."IHAVELIVEDWITHTHEDARLING--ORTHEDARLINGHASLIVEDWITHME,ANDPAIDMEFORIT;WHICHSHECERTAINLYSHOULDNEVERHAVEDONE,YOUMAYTAKEYOURAFFIDAVIT,IFICOULDHAVEAFFORDEDTOKEEPEITHERMYSELFORHERFORNOTHING--SINCESHEWASTENYEARSOLD.ANDIT'SREALLYVERYHARD,"SAIDMISSPROSS.NOTSEEINGWITHPRECISIONWHATWASVERYHARD,MR.LORRYSHOOKHISHEAD;USINGTHATIMPORTANTPARTOFHIMSELFASASORTOFFAIRYCLOAKTHATWOULDFITANYTHING."ALLSORTSOFPEOPLEWHOARENOTINTHELEASTDEGREEWORTHYOFTHEPET,AREALWAYSTURNINGUP,"SAIDMISSPROSS."WHENYOUBEGANIT--""_I_BEGANIT,MISSPROSS?""DIDN'TYOU?WHOBROUGHTHERFATHERTOLIFE?""OH!IF_THAT_WASBEGINNINGIT--"SAIDMR.LORRY."ITWASN'TENDINGIT,ISUPPOSE?ISAY,WHENYOUBEGANIT,ITWASHARDENOUGH;NOTTHATIHAVEANYFAULTTOFINDWITHDOCTORMANETTE,EXCEPTTHATHEISNOTWORTHYOFSUCHADAUGHTER,WHICHISNOIMPUTATIONONHIM,FORITWASNOTTOBEEXPECTEDTHATANYBODYSHOULDBE,UNDERANYCIRCUMSTANCES.BUTITREALLYISDOUBLYANDTREBLYHARDTOHAVECROWDSANDMULTITUDESOFPEOPLETURNINGUPAFTERHIM(ICOULDHAVEFORGIVENHIM),TOTAKELADYBIRD'SAFFECTIONSAWAYFROMME."MR.LORRYKNEWMISSPROSSTOBEVERYJEALOUS,BUTHEALSOKNEWHERBYTHISTIMETOBE,BENEATHTHESERVICEOFHERECCENTRICITY,ONEOFTHOSEUNSELFISHCREATURES--FOUNDONLYAMONGWOMEN--WHOWILL,FORPURELOVEANDADMIRATION,BINDTHEMSELVESWILLINGSLAVES,TOYOUTHWHENTHEYHAVELOSTIT,TOBEAUTYTHATTHEYNEVERHAD,TOACCOMPLISHMENTSTHATTHEYWERENEVERFORTUNATEENOUGHTOGAIN,TOBRIGHTHOPESTHATNEVERSHONEUPONTHEIROWNSOMBRELIVES.HEKNEWENOUGHOFTHEWORLDTOKNOWTHATTHEREISNOTHINGINITBETTERTHANTHEFAITHFULSERVICEOFTHEHEART;SORENDEREDANDSOFREEFROMANYMERCENARYTAINT,HEHADSUCHANEXALTEDRESPECTFORIT,THATINTHERETRIBUTIVEARRANGEMENTSMADEBYHISOWNMIND--WEALLMAKESUCHARRANGEMENTS,MOREORLESS--HESTATIONEDMISSPROSSMUCHNEARERTOTHELOWERANGELSTHANMANYLADIESIMMEASURABLYBETTERGOTUPBOTHBYNATUREANDART,WHOHADBALANCESATTELLSON'S."THERENEVERWAS,NORWILLBE,BUTONEMANWORTHYOFLADYBIRD,"SAIDMISSPROSS;"ANDTHATWASMYBROTHERSOLOMON,IFHEHADN'TMADEAMISTAKEINLIFE."HEREAGAIN:MR.LORRY'SINQUIRIESINTOMISSPROSS'SPERSONALHISTORYHADESTABLISHEDTHEFACTTHATHERBROTHERSOLOMONWASAHEARTLESSSCOUNDRELWHOHADSTRIPPEDHEROFEVERYTHINGSHEPOSSESSED,ASASTAKETOSPECULATEWITH,ANDHADABANDONEDHERINHERPOVERTYFOREVERMORE,WITHNOTOUCHOFCOMPUNCTION.MISSPROSS'SFIDELITYOFBELIEFINSOLOMON(DEDUCTINGAMERETRIFLEFORTHISSLIGHTMISTAKE)WASQUITEASERIOUSMATTERWITHMR.LORRY,ANDHADITSWEIGHTINHISGOODOPINIONOFHER."ASWEHAPPENTOBEALONEFORTHEMOMENT,ANDAREBOTHPEOPLEOFBUSINESS,"HESAID,WHENTHEYHADGOTBACKTOTHEDRAWING-ROOMANDHADSATDOWNTHEREINFRIENDLYRELATIONS,"LETMEASKYOU--DOESTHEDOCTOR,INTALKINGWITHLUCIE,NEVERREFERTOTHESHOEMAKINGTIME,YET?""NEVER.""ANDYETKEEPSTHATBENCHANDTHOSETOOLSBESIDEHIM?""AH!"RETURNEDMISSPROSS,SHAKINGHERHEAD."BUTIDON'TSAYHEDON'TREFERTOITWITHINHIMSELF.""DOYOUBELIEVETHATHETHINKSOFITMUCH?""IDO,"SAIDMISSPROSS."DOYOUIMAGINE--"MR.LORRYHADBEGUN,WHENMISSPROSSTOOKHIMUPSHORTWITH:"NEVERIMAGINEANYTHING.HAVENOIMAGINATIONATALL.""ISTANDCORRECTED;DOYOUSUPPOSE--YOUGOSOFARASTOSUPPOSE,SOMETIMES?""NOWANDTHEN,"SAIDMISSPROSS."DOYOUSUPPOSE,"MR.LORRYWENTON,WITHALAUGHINGTWINKLEINHISBRIGHTEYE,ASITLOOKEDKINDLYATHER,"THATDOCTORMANETTEHASANYTHEORYOFHISOWN,PRESERVEDTHROUGHALLTHOSEYEARS,RELATIVETOTHECAUSEOFHISBEINGSOOPPRESSED;PERHAPS,EVENTOTHENAMEOFHISOPPRESSOR?""IDON'TSUPPOSEANYTHINGABOUTITBUTWHATLADYBIRDTELLSME.""ANDTHATIS--?""THATSHETHINKSHEHAS.""NOWDON'TBEANGRYATMYASKINGALLTHESEQUESTIONS;BECAUSEIAMAMEREDULLMANOFBUSINESS,ANDYOUAREAWOMANOFBUSINESS.""DULL?"MISSPROSSINQUIRED,WITHPLACIDITY.RATHERWISHINGHISMODESTADJECTIVEAWAY,MR.LORRYREPLIED,"NO,NO,NO.SURELYNOT.TORETURNTOBUSINESS:--ISITNOTREMARKABLETHATDOCTORMANETTE,UNQUESTIONABLYINNOCENTOFANYCRIMEASWEAREALLWELLASSUREDHEIS,SHOULDNEVERTOUCHUPONTHATQUESTION?IWILLNOTSAYWITHME,THOUGHHEHADBUSINESSRELATIONSWITHMEMANYYEARSAGO,ANDWEARENOWINTIMATE;IWILLSAYWITHTHEFAIRDAUGHTERTOWHOMHEISSODEVOTEDLYATTACHED,ANDWHOISSODEVOTEDLYATTACHEDTOHIM?BELIEVEME,MISSPROSS,IDON'TAPPROACHTHETOPICWITHYOU,OUTOFCURIOSITY,BUTOUTOFZEALOUSINTEREST.""WELL!TOTHEBESTOFMYUNDERSTANDING,ANDBAD'STHEBEST,YOU'LLTELLME,"SAIDMISSPROSS,SOFTENEDBYTHETONEOFTHEAPOLOGY,"HEISAFRAIDOFTHEWHOLESUBJECT.""AFRAID?""IT'SPLAINENOUGH,ISHOULDTHINK,WHYHEMAYBE.IT'SADREADFULREMEMBRANCE.BESIDESTHAT,HISLOSSOFHIMSELFGREWOUTOFIT.NOTKNOWINGHOWHELOSTHIMSELF,ORHOWHERECOVEREDHIMSELF,HEMAYNEVERFEELCERTAINOFNOTLOSINGHIMSELFAGAIN.THATALONEWOULDN'TMAKETHESUBJECTPLEASANT,ISHOULDTHINK."ITWASAPROFOUNDERREMARKTHANMR.LORRYHADLOOKEDFOR."TRUE,"SAIDHE,"ANDFEARFULTOREFLECTUPON.YET,ADOUBTLURKSINMYMIND,MISSPROSS,WHETHERITISGOODFORDOCTORMANETTETOHAVETHATSUPPRESSIONALWAYSSHUTUPWITHINHIM.INDEED,ITISTHISDOUBTANDTHEUNEASINESSITSOMETIMESCAUSESMETHATHASLEDMETOOURPRESENTCONFIDENCE.""CAN'TBEHELPED,"SAIDMISSPROSS,SHAKINGHERHEAD."TOUCHTHATSTRING,ANDHEINSTANTLYCHANGESFORTHEWORSE.BETTERLEAVEITALONE.INSHORT,MUSTLEAVEITALONE,LIKEORNOLIKE.SOMETIMES,HEGETSUPINTHEDEADOFTHENIGHT,ANDWILLBEHEARD,BYUSOVERHEADTHERE,WALKINGUPANDDOWN,WALKINGUPANDDOWN,INHISROOM.LADYBIRDHASLEARNTTOKNOWTHENTHATHISMINDISWALKINGUPANDDOWN,WALKINGUPANDDOWN,INHISOLDPRISON.SHEHURRIESTOHIM,ANDTHEYGOONTOGETHER,WALKINGUPANDDOWN,WALKINGUPANDDOWN,UNTILHEISCOMPOSED.BUTHENEVERSAYSAWORDOFTHETRUEREASONOFHISRESTLESSNESS,TOHER,ANDSHEFINDSITBESTNOTTOHINTATITTOHIM.INSILENCETHEYGOWALKINGUPANDDOWNTOGETHER,WALKINGUPANDDOWNTOGETHER,TILLHERLOVEANDCOMPANYHAVEBROUGHTHIMTOHIMSELF."NOTWITHSTANDINGMISSPROSS'SDENIALOFHEROWNIMAGINATION,THEREWASAPERCEPTIONOFTHEPAINOFBEINGMONOTONOUSLYHAUNTEDBYONESADIDEA,INHERREPETITIONOFTHEPHRASE,WALKINGUPANDDOWN,WHICHTESTIFIEDTOHERPOSSESSINGSUCHATHING.THECORNERHASBEENMENTIONEDASAWONDERFULCORNERFORECHOES;ITHADBEGUNTOECHOSORESOUNDINGLYTOTHETREADOFCOMINGFEET,THATITSEEMEDASTHOUGHTHEVERYMENTIONOFTHATWEARYPACINGTOANDFROHADSETITGOING."HERETHEYARE!"SAIDMISSPROSS,RISINGTOBREAKUPTHECONFERENCE;"ANDNOWWESHALLHAVEHUNDREDSOFPEOPLEPRETTYSOON!"ITWASSUCHACURIOUSCORNERINITSACOUSTICALPROPERTIES,SUCHAPECULIAREAROFAPLACE,THATASMR.LORRYSTOODATTHEOPENWINDOW,LOOKINGFORTHEFATHERANDDAUGHTERWHOSESTEPSHEHEARD,HEFANCIEDTHEYWOULDNEVERAPPROACH.NOTONLYWOULDTHEECHOESDIEAWAY,ASTHOUGHTHESTEPSHADGONE;BUT,ECHOESOFOTHERSTEPSTHATNEVERCAMEWOULDBEHEARDINTHEIRSTEAD,ANDWOULDDIEAWAYFORGOODWHENTHEYSEEMEDCLOSEATHAND.HOWEVER,FATHERANDDAUGHTERDIDATLASTAPPEAR,ANDMISSPROSSWASREADYATTHESTREETDOORTORECEIVETHEM.MISSPROSSWASAPLEASANTSIGHT,ALBEITWILD,ANDRED,ANDGRIM,TAKINGOFFHERDARLING'SBONNETWHENSHECAMEUP-STAIRS,ANDTOUCHINGITUPWITHTHEENDSOFHERHANDKERCHIEF,ANDBLOWINGTHEDUSTOFFIT,ANDFOLDINGHERMANTLEREADYFORLAYINGBY,ANDSMOOTHINGHERRICHHAIRWITHASMUCHPRIDEASSHECOULDPOSSIBLYHAVETAKENINHEROWNHAIRIFSHEHADBEENTHEVAINESTANDHANDSOMESTOFWOMEN.HERDARLINGWASAPLEASANTSIGHTTOO,EMBRACINGHERANDTHANKINGHER,ANDPROTESTINGAGAINSTHERTAKINGSOMUCHTROUBLEFORHER--WHICHLASTSHEONLYDAREDTODOPLAYFULLY,ORMISSPROSS,SORELYHURT,WOULDHAVERETIREDTOHEROWNCHAMBERANDCRIED.THEDOCTORWASAPLEASANTSIGHTTOO,LOOKINGONATTHEM,ANDTELLINGMISSPROSSHOWSHESPOILTLUCIE,INACCENTSANDWITHEYESTHATHADASMUCHSPOILINGINTHEMASMISSPROSSHAD,ANDWOULDHAVEHADMOREIFITWEREPOSSIBLE.MR.LORRYWASAPLEASANTSIGHTTOO,BEAMINGATALLTHISINHISLITTLEWIG,ANDTHANKINGHISBACHELORSTARSFORHAVINGLIGHTEDHIMINHISDECLININGYEARSTOAHOME.BUT,NOHUNDREDSOFPEOPLECAMETOSEETHESIGHTS,ANDMR.LORRYLOOKEDINVAINFORTHEFULFILMENTOFMISSPROSS'SPREDICTION.DINNER-TIME,ANDSTILLNOHUNDREDSOFPEOPLE.INTHEARRANGEMENTSOFTHELITTLEHOUSEHOLD,MISSPROSSTOOKCHARGEOFTHELOWERREGIONS,ANDALWAYSACQUITTEDHERSELFMARVELLOUSLY.HERDINNERS,OFAVERYMODESTQUALITY,WERESOWELLCOOKEDANDSOWELLSERVED,ANDSONEATINTHEIRCONTRIVANCES,HALFENGLISHANDHALFFRENCH,THATNOTHINGCOULDBEBETTER.MISSPROSS'SFRIENDSHIPBEINGOFTHETHOROUGHLYPRACTICALKIND,SHEHADRAVAGEDSOHOANDTHEADJACENTPROVINCES,INSEARCHOFIMPOVERISHEDFRENCH,WHO,TEMPTEDBYSHILLINGSANDHALF-CROWNS,WOULDIMPARTCULINARYMYSTERIESTOHER.FROMTHESEDECAYEDSONSANDDAUGHTERSOFGAUL,SHEHADACQUIREDSUCHWONDERFULARTS,THATTHEWOMANANDGIRLWHOFORMEDTHESTAFFOFDOMESTICSREGARDEDHERASQUITEASORCERESS,ORCINDERELLA'SGODMOTHER:WHOWOULDSENDOUTFORAFOWL,ARABBIT,AVEGETABLEORTWOFROMTHEGARDEN,ANDCHANGETHEMINTOANYTHINGSHEPLEASED.ONSUNDAYS,MISSPROSSDINEDATTHEDOCTOR'STABLE,BUTONOTHERDAYSPERSISTEDINTAKINGHERMEALSATUNKNOWNPERIODS,EITHERINTHELOWERREGIONS,ORINHEROWNROOMONTHESECONDFLOOR--ABLUECHAMBER,TOWHICHNOONEBUTHERLADYBIRDEVERGAINEDADMITTANCE.ONTHISOCCASION,MISSPROSS,RESPONDINGTOLADYBIRD'SPLEASANTFACEANDPLEASANTEFFORTSTOPLEASEHER,UNBENTEXCEEDINGLY;SOTHEDINNERWASVERYPLEASANT,TOO.ITWASANOPPRESSIVEDAY,AND,AFTERDINNER,LUCIEPROPOSEDTHATTHEWINESHOULDBECARRIEDOUTUNDERTHEPLANE-TREE,ANDTHEYSHOULDSITTHEREINTHEAIR.ASEVERYTHINGTURNEDUPONHER,ANDREVOLVEDABOUTHER,THEYWENTOUTUNDERTHEPLANE-TREE,ANDSHECARRIEDTHEWINEDOWNFORTHESPECIALBENEFITOFMR.LORRY.SHEHADINSTALLEDHERSELF,SOMETIMEBEFORE,ASMR.LORRY'SCUP-BEARER;ANDWHILETHEYSATUNDERTHEPLANE-TREE,TALKING,SHEKEPTHISGLASSREPLENISHED.MYSTERIOUSBACKSANDENDSOFHOUSESPEEPEDATTHEMASTHEYTALKED,ANDTHEPLANE-TREEWHISPEREDTOTHEMINITSOWNWAYABOVETHEIRHEADS.STILL,THEHUNDREDSOFPEOPLEDIDNOTPRESENTTHEMSELVES.MR.DARNAYPRESENTEDHIMSELFWHILETHEYWERESITTINGUNDERTHEPLANE-TREE,BUTHEWASONLYONE.DOCTORMANETTERECEIVEDHIMKINDLY,ANDSODIDLUCIE.BUT,MISSPROSSSUDDENLYBECAMEAFFLICTEDWITHATWITCHINGINTHEHEADANDBODY,ANDRETIREDINTOTHEHOUSE.SHEWASNOTUNFREQUENTLYTHEVICTIMOFTHISDISORDER,ANDSHECALLEDIT,INFAMILIARCONVERSATION,"AFITOFTHEJERKS."THEDOCTORWASINHISBESTCONDITION,ANDLOOKEDSPECIALLYYOUNG.THERESEMBLANCEBETWEENHIMANDLUCIEWASVERYSTRONGATSUCHTIMES,ANDASTHEYSATSIDEBYSIDE,SHELEANINGONHISSHOULDER,ANDHERESTINGHISARMONTHEBACKOFHERCHAIR,ITWASVERYAGREEABLETOTRACETHELIKENESS.HEHADBEENTALKINGALLDAY,ONMANYSUBJECTS,ANDWITHUNUSUALVIVACITY."PRAY,DOCTORMANETTE,"SAIDMR.DARNAY,ASTHEYSATUNDERTHEPLANE-TREE--ANDHESAIDITINTHENATURALPURSUITOFTHETOPICINHAND,WHICHHAPPENEDTOBETHEOLDBUILDINGSOFLONDON--"HAVEYOUSEENMUCHOFTHETOWER?""LUCIEANDIHAVEBEENTHERE;BUTONLYCASUALLY.WEHAVESEENENOUGHOFIT,TOKNOWTHATITTEEMSWITHINTEREST;LITTLEMORE.""_I_HAVEBEENTHERE,ASYOUREMEMBER,"SAIDDARNAY,WITHASMILE,THOUGHREDDENINGALITTLEANGRILY,"INANOTHERCHARACTER,ANDNOTINACHARACTERTHATGIVESFACILITIESFORSEEINGMUCHOFIT.THEYTOLDMEACURIOUSTHINGWHENIWASTHERE.""WHATWASTHAT?"LUCIEASKED."INMAKINGSOMEALTERATIONS,THEWORKMENCAMEUPONANOLDDUNGEON,WHICHHADBEEN,FORMANYYEARS,BUILTUPANDFORGOTTEN.EVERYSTONEOFITSINNERWALLWASCOVEREDBYINSCRIPTIONSWHICHHADBEENCARVEDBYPRISONERS--DATES,NAMES,COMPLAINTS,ANDPRAYERS.UPONACORNERSTONEINANANGLEOFTHEWALL,ONEPRISONER,WHOSEEMEDTOHAVEGONETOEXECUTION,HADCUTASHISLASTWORK,THREELETTERS.THEYWEREDONEWITHSOMEVERYPOORINSTRUMENT,ANDHURRIEDLY,WITHANUNSTEADYHAND.ATFIRST,THEYWEREREADASD.I.C.;BUT,ONBEINGMORECAREFULLYEXAMINED,THELASTLETTERWASFOUNDTOBEG.THEREWASNORECORDORLEGENDOFANYPRISONERWITHTHOSEINITIALS,ANDMANYFRUITLESSGUESSESWEREMADEWHATTHENAMECOULDHAVEBEEN.ATLENGTH,ITWASSUGGESTEDTHATTHELETTERSWERENOTINITIALS,BUTTHECOMPLETEWORD,DIG.THEFLOORWASEXAMINEDVERYCAREFULLYUNDERTHEINSCRIPTION,AND,INTHEEARTHBENEATHASTONE,ORTILE,ORSOMEFRAGMENTOFPAVING,WEREFOUNDTHEASHESOFAPAPER,MINGLEDWITHTHEASHESOFASMALLLEATHERNCASEORBAG.WHATTHEUNKNOWNPRISONERHADWRITTENWILLNEVERBEREAD,BUTHEHADWRITTENSOMETHING,ANDHIDDENITAWAYTOKEEPITFROMTHEGAOLER.""MYFATHER,"EXCLAIMEDLUCIE,"YOUAREILL!"HEHADSUDDENLYSTARTEDUP,WITHHISHANDTOHISHEAD.HISMANNERANDHISLOOKQUITETERRIFIEDTHEMALL."NO,MYDEAR,NOTILL.THEREARELARGEDROPSOFRAINFALLING,ANDTHEYMADEMESTART.WEHADBETTERGOIN."HERECOVEREDHIMSELFALMOSTINSTANTLY.RAINWASREALLYFALLINGINLARGEDROPS,ANDHESHOWEDTHEBACKOFHISHANDWITHRAIN-DROPSONIT.BUT,HESAIDNOTASINGLEWORDINREFERENCETOTHEDISCOVERYTHATHADBEENTOLDOF,AND,ASTHEYWENTINTOTHEHOUSE,THEBUSINESSEYEOFMR.LORRYEITHERDETECTED,ORFANCIEDITDETECTED,ONHISFACE,ASITTURNEDTOWARDSCHARLESDARNAY,THESAMESINGULARLOOKTHATHADBEENUPONITWHENITTURNEDTOWARDSHIMINTHEPASSAGESOFTHECOURTHOUSE.HERECOVEREDHIMSELFSOQUICKLY,HOWEVER,THATMR.LORRYHADDOUBTSOFHISBUSINESSEYE.THEARMOFTHEGOLDENGIANTINTHEHALLWASNOTMORESTEADYTHANHEWAS,WHENHESTOPPEDUNDERITTOREMARKTOTHEMTHATHEWASNOTYETPROOFAGAINSTSLIGHTSURPRISES(IFHEEVERWOULDBE),ANDTHATTHERAINHADSTARTLEDHIM.TEA-TIME,ANDMISSPROSSMAKINGTEA,WITHANOTHERFITOFTHEJERKSUPONHER,ANDYETNOHUNDREDSOFPEOPLE.MR.CARTONHADLOUNGEDIN,BUTHEMADEONLYTWO.THENIGHTWASSOVERYSULTRY,THATALTHOUGHTHEYSATWITHDOORSANDWINDOWSOPEN,THEYWEREOVERPOWEREDBYHEAT.WHENTHETEA-TABLEWASDONEWITH,THEYALLMOVEDTOONEOFTHEWINDOWS,ANDLOOKEDOUTINTOTHEHEAVYTWILIGHT.LUCIESATBYHERFATHER;DARNAYSATBESIDEHER;CARTONLEANEDAGAINSTAWINDOW.THECURTAINSWERELONGANDWHITE,ANDSOMEOFTHETHUNDER-GUSTSTHATWHIRLEDINTOTHECORNER,CAUGHTTHEMUPTOTHECEILING,ANDWAVEDTHEMLIKESPECTRALWINGS."THERAIN-DROPSARESTILLFALLING,LARGE,HEAVY,ANDFEW,"SAIDDOCTORMANETTE."ITCOMESSLOWLY.""ITCOMESSURELY,"SAIDCARTON.THEYSPOKELOW,ASPEOPLEWATCHINGANDWAITINGMOSTLYDO;ASPEOPLEINADARKROOM,WATCHINGANDWAITINGFORLIGHTNING,ALWAYSDO.THEREWASAGREATHURRYINTHESTREETSOFPEOPLESPEEDINGAWAYTOGETSHELTERBEFORETHESTORMBROKE;THEWONDERFULCORNERFORECHOESRESOUNDEDWITHTHEECHOESOFFOOTSTEPSCOMINGANDGOING,YETNOTAFOOTSTEPWASTHERE."AMULTITUDEOFPEOPLE,ANDYETASOLITUDE!"SAIDDARNAY,WHENTHEYHADLISTENEDFORAWHILE."ISITNOTIMPRESSIVE,MR.DARNAY?"ASKEDLUCIE."SOMETIMES,IHAVESATHEREOFANEVENING,UNTILIHAVEFANCIED--BUTEVENTHESHADEOFAFOOLISHFANCYMAKESMESHUDDERTO-NIGHT,WHENALLISSOBLACKANDSOLEMN--""LETUSSHUDDERTOO.WEMAYKNOWWHATITIS.""ITWILLSEEMNOTHINGTOYOU.SUCHWHIMSAREONLYIMPRESSIVEASWEORIGINATETHEM,ITHINK;THEYARENOTTOBECOMMUNICATED.IHAVESOMETIMESSATALONEHEREOFANEVENING,LISTENING,UNTILIHAVEMADETHEECHOESOUTTOBETHEECHOESOFALLTHEFOOTSTEPSTHATARECOMINGBY-AND-BYEINTOOURLIVES.""THEREISAGREATCROWDCOMINGONEDAYINTOOURLIVES,IFTHATBESO,"SYDNEYCARTONSTRUCKIN,INHISMOODYWAY.THEFOOTSTEPSWEREINCESSANT,ANDTHEHURRYOFTHEMBECAMEMOREANDMORERAPID.THECORNERECHOEDANDRE-ECHOEDWITHTHETREADOFFEET;SOME,ASITSEEMED,UNDERTHEWINDOWS;SOME,ASITSEEMED,INTHEROOM;SOMECOMING,SOMEGOING,SOMEBREAKINGOFF,SOMESTOPPINGALTOGETHER;ALLINTHEDISTANTSTREETS,ANDNOTONEWITHINSIGHT."AREALLTHESEFOOTSTEPSDESTINEDTOCOMETOALLOFUS,MISSMANETTE,ORAREWETODIVIDETHEMAMONGUS?""IDON'TKNOW,MR.DARNAY;ITOLDYOUITWASAFOOLISHFANCY,BUTYOUASKEDFORIT.WHENIHAVEYIELDEDMYSELFTOIT,IHAVEBEENALONE,ANDTHENIHAVEIMAGINEDTHEMTHEFOOTSTEPSOFTHEPEOPLEWHOARETOCOMEINTOMYLIFE,ANDMYFATHER'S.""ITAKETHEMINTOMINE!"SAIDCARTON."_I_ASKNOQUESTIONSANDMAKENOSTIPULATIONS.THEREISAGREATCROWDBEARINGDOWNUPONUS,MISSMANETTE,ANDISEETHEM--BYTHELIGHTNING."HEADDEDTHELASTWORDS,AFTERTHEREHADBEENAVIVIDFLASHWHICHHADSHOWNHIMLOUNGINGINTHEWINDOW."ANDIHEARTHEM!"HEADDEDAGAIN,AFTERAPEALOFTHUNDER."HERETHEYCOME,FAST,FIERCE,ANDFURIOUS!"ITWASTHERUSHANDROAROFRAINTHATHETYPIFIED,ANDITSTOPPEDHIM,FORNOVOICECOULDBEHEARDINIT.AMEMORABLESTORMOFTHUNDERANDLIGHTNINGBROKEWITHTHATSWEEPOFWATER,ANDTHEREWASNOTAMOMENT'SINTERVALINCRASH,ANDFIRE,ANDRAIN,UNTILAFTERTHEMOONROSEATMIDNIGHT.THEGREATBELLOFSAINTPAUL'SWASSTRIKINGONEINTHECLEAREDAIR,WHENMR.LORRY,ESCORTEDBYJERRY,HIGH-BOOTEDANDBEARINGALANTERN,SETFORTHONHISRETURN-PASSAGETOCLERKENWELL.THEREWERESOLITARYPATCHESOFROADONTHEWAYBETWEENSOHOANDCLERKENWELL,ANDMR.LORRY,MINDFULOFFOOT-PADS,ALWAYSRETAINEDJERRYFORTHISSERVICE:THOUGHITWASUSUALLYPERFORMEDAGOODTWOHOURSEARLIER."WHATANIGHTITHASBEEN!ALMOSTANIGHT,JERRY,"SAIDMR.LORRY,"TOBRINGTHEDEADOUTOFTHEIRGRAVES.""INEVERSEETHENIGHTMYSELF,MASTER--NORYETIDON'TEXPECTTO--WHATWOULDDOTHAT,"ANSWEREDJERRY."GOODNIGHT,MR.CARTON,"SAIDTHEMANOFBUSINESS."GOODNIGHT,MR.DARNAY.SHALLWEEVERSEESUCHANIGHTAGAIN,TOGETHER!"PERHAPS.PERHAPS,SEETHEGREATCROWDOFPEOPLEWITHITSRUSHANDROAR,BEARINGDOWNUPONTHEM,TOO.VII.MONSEIGNEURINTOWNMONSEIGNEUR,ONEOFTHEGREATLORDSINPOWERATTHECOURT,HELDHISFORTNIGHTLYRECEPTIONINHISGRANDHOTELINPARIS.MONSEIGNEURWASINHISINNERROOM,HISSANCTUARYOFSANCTUARIES,THEHOLIESTOFHOLIESTSTOTHECRO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NTHEOWL'SVOICETHEREWASNONE,SAVETHEFALLINGOFAFOUNTAININTOITSSTONEBASIN;FOR,ITWASONEOFTHOSEDARKNIGHTSTHATHOLDTHEIRBREATHBYTHEHOURTOGETHER,ANDTHENHEAVEALONGLOWSIGH,ANDHOLDTHEIRBREATHAGAIN.THEGREATDOORCLANGEDBEHINDHIM,ANDMONSIEURTHEMARQUISCROSSEDAHALLGRIMWITHCERTAINOLDBOAR-SPEARS,SWORDS,ANDKNIVESOFTHECHASE;GRIMMERWITHCERTAINHEAVYRIDING-RODSANDRIDING-WHIPS,OFWHICHMANYAPEASANT,GONETOHISBENEFACTORDEATH,HADFELTTHEWEIGHTWHENHISLORDWASANGRY.AVOIDINGTHELARGERROOMS,WHICHWEREDARKANDMADEFASTFORTHENIGHT,MONSIEURTHEMARQUIS,WITHHISFLAMBEAU-BEARERGOINGONBEFORE,WENTUPTHESTAIRCASETOADOORINACORRIDOR.THISTHROWNOPEN,ADMITTEDHIMTOHISOWNPRIVATEAPARTMENTOFTHREEROOMS:HISBED-CHAMBERANDTWOOTHERS.HIGHVAULTEDROOMSWITHCOOLUNCARPETEDFLOORS,GREATDOGSUPONTHEHEARTHSFORTHEBURNINGOFWOODINWINTERTIME,ANDALLLUXURIESBEFITTINGTHESTATEOFAMARQUISINALUXURIOUSAGEANDCOUNTRY.THEFASHIONOFTHELASTLOUISBUTONE,OFTHELINETHATWASNEVERTOBREAK--THEFOURTEENTHLOUIS--WASCONSPICUOUSINTHEIRRICHFURNITURE;BUT,ITWASDIVERSIFIEDBYMANYOBJECTSTHATWEREILLUSTRATIONSOFOLDPAGESINTHEHISTORYOFFRANCE.ASUPPER-TABLEWASLAIDFORTWO,INTHETHIRDOFTHEROOMS;AROUNDROOM,INONEOFTHECHATEAU'SFOUREXTINGUISHER-TOPPEDTOWERS.ASMALLLOFTYROOM,WITHITSWINDOWWIDEOPEN,ANDTHEWOODENJALOUSIE-BLINDSCLOSED,SOTHATTHEDARKNIGHTONLYSHOWEDINSLIGHTHORIZONTALLINESOFBLACK,ALTERNATINGWITHTHEIRBROADLINESOFSTONECOLOUR."MYNEPHEW,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS,GLANCINGATTHESUPPERPREPARATION;"THEYSAIDHEWASNOTARRIVED."NORWASHE;BUT,HEHADBEENEXPECTEDWITHMONSEIGNEUR."AH!ITISNOTPROBABLEHEWILLARRIVETO-NIGHT;NEVERTHELESS,LEAVETHETABLEASITIS.ISHALLBEREADYINAQUARTEROFANHOUR."INAQUARTEROFANHOURMONSEIGNEURWASREADY,ANDSATDOWNALONETOHISSUMPTUOUSANDCHOICESUPPER.HISCHAIRWASOPPOSITETOTHEWINDOW,ANDHEHADTAKENHISSOUP,ANDWASRAISINGHISGLASSOFBORDEAUXTOHISLIPS,WHENHEPUTITDOWN."WHATISTHAT?"HECALMLYASKED,LOOKINGWITHATTENTIONATTHEHORIZONTALLINESOFBLACKANDSTONECOLOUR."MONSEIGNEUR?THAT?""OUTSIDETHEBLINDS.OPENTHEBLINDS."ITWASDONE."WELL?""MONSEIGNEUR,ITISNOTHING.THETREESANDTHENIGHTAREALLTHATAREHERE."THESERVANTWHOSPOKE,HADTHROWNTHEBLINDSWIDE,HADLOOKEDOUTINTOTHEVACANTDARKNESS,ANDSTOODWITHTHATBLANKBEHINDHIM,LOOKINGROUNDFORINSTRUCTIONS."GOOD,"SAIDTHEIMPERTURBABLEMASTER."CLOSETHEMAGAIN."THATWASDONETOO,ANDTHEMARQUISWENTONWITHHISSUPPER.HEWASHALFWAYTHROUGHIT,WHENHEAGAINSTOPPEDWITHHISGLASSINHISHAND,HEARINGTHESOUNDOFWHEELS.ITCAMEONBRISKLY,ANDCAMEUPTOTHEFRONTOFTHECHATEAU."ASKWHOISARRIVED."ITWASTHENEPHEWOFMONSEIGNEUR.HEHADBEENSOMEFEWLEAGUESBEHINDMONSEIGNEUR,EARLYINTHEAFTERNOON.HEHADDIMINISHEDTHEDISTANCERAPIDLY,BUTNOTSORAPIDLYASTOCOMEUPWITHMONSEIGNEURONTHEROAD.HEHADHEARDOFMONSEIGNEUR,ATTHEPOSTING-HOUSES,ASBEINGBEFOREHIM.HEWASTOBETOLD(SAIDMONSEIGNEUR)THATSUPPERAWAITEDHIMTHENANDTHERE,ANDTHATHEWASPRAYEDTOCOMETOIT.INALITTLEWHILEHECAME.HEHADBEENKNOWNINENGLANDASCHARLESDARNAY.MONSEIGNEURRECEIVEDHIMINACOURTLYMANNER,BUTTHEYDIDNOTSHAKEHANDS."YOULEFTPARISYESTERDAY,SIR?"HESAIDTOMONSEIGNEUR,ASHETOOKHISSEATATTABLE."YESTERDAY.ANDYOU?""ICOMEDIRECT.""FROMLONDON?""YES.""YOUHAVEBEENALONGTIMECOMING,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS,WITHASMILE."ONTHECONTRARY;ICOMEDIRECT.""PARDONME!IMEAN,NOTALONGTIMEONTHEJOURNEY;ALONGTIMEINTENDINGTHEJOURNEY.""IHAVEBEENDETAINEDBY"--THENEPHEWSTOPPEDAMOMENTINHISANSWER--"VARIOUSBUSINESS.""WITHOUTDOUBT,"SAIDTHEPOLISHEDUNCLE.SOLONGASASERVANTWASPRESENT,NOOTHERWORDSPASSEDBETWEENTHEM.WHENCOFFEEHADBEENSERVEDANDTHEYWEREALONETOGETHER,THENEPHEW,LOOKINGATTHEUNCLEANDMEETINGTHEEYESOFTHEFACETHATWASLIKEAFINEMASK,OPENEDACONVERSATION."IHAVECOMEBACK,SIR,ASYOUANTICIPATE,PURSUINGTHEOBJECTTHATTOOKMEAWAY.ITCARRIEDMEINTOGREATANDUNEXPECTEDPERIL;BUTITISASACREDOBJECT,ANDIFITHADCARRIEDMETODEATHIHOPEITWOULDHAVESUSTAINEDME.""NOTTODEATH,"SAIDTHEUNCLE;"ITISNOTNECESSARYTOSAY,TODEATH.""IDOUBT,SIR,"RETURNEDTHENEPHEW,"WHETHER,IFITHADCARRIEDMETOTHEUTMOSTBRINKOFDEATH,YOUWOULDHAVECAREDTOSTOPMETHERE."THEDEEPENEDMARKSINTHENOSE,ANDTHELENGTHENINGOFTHEFINESTRAIGHTLINESINTHECRUELFACE,LOOKEDOMINOUSASTOTHAT;THEUNCLEMADEAGRACEFULGESTUREOFPROTEST,WHICHWASSOCLEARLYASLIGHTFORMOFGOODBREEDINGTHATITWASNOTREASSURING."INDEED,SIR,"PURSUEDTHENEPHEW,"FORANYTHINGIKNOW,YOUMAYHAVEEXPRESSLYWORKEDTOGIVEAMORESUSPICIOUSAPPEARANCETOTHESUSPICIOUSCIRCUMSTANCESTHATSURROUNDEDME.""NO,NO,NO,"SAIDTHEUNCLE,PLEASANTLY."BUT,HOWEVERTHATMAYBE,"RESUMEDTHENEPHEW,GLANCINGATHIMWITHDEEPDISTRUST,"IKNOWTHATYOURDIPLOMACYWOULDSTOPMEBYANYMEANS,ANDWOULDKNOWNOSCRUPLEASTOMEANS.""MYFRIEND,ITOLDYOUSO,"SAIDTHEUNCLE,WITHAFINEPULSATIONINTHETWOMARKS."DOMETHEFAVOURTORECALLTHATITOLDYOUSO,LONGAGO.""IRECALLIT.""THANKYOU,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS--VERYSWEETLYINDEED.HISTONELINGEREDINTHEAIR,ALMOSTLIKETHETONEOFAMUSICALINSTRUMENT."INEFFECT,SIR,"PURSUEDTHENEPHEW,"IBELIEVEITTOBEATONCEYOURBADFORTUNE,ANDMYGOODFORTUNE,THATHASKEPTMEOUTOFAPRISONINFRANCEHERE.""IDONOTQUITEUNDERSTAND,"RETURNEDTHEUNCLE,SIPPINGHISCOFFEE."DAREIASKYOUTOEXPLAIN?""IBELIEVETHATIFYOUWERENOTINDISGRACEWITHTHECOURT,ANDHADNOTBEENOVERSHADOWEDBYTHATCLOUDFORYEARSPAST,ALETTERDECACHETWOULDHAVESENTMETOSOMEFORTRESSINDEFINITELY.""ITISPOSSIBLE,"SAIDTHEUNCLE,WITHGREATCALMNESS."FORTHEHONOUROFTHEFAMILY,ICOULDEVENRESOLVETOINCOMMODEYOUTOTHATEXTENT.PRAYEXCUSEME!""IPERCEIVETHAT,HAPPILYFORME,THERECEPTIONOFTHEDAYBEFOREYESTERDAYWAS,ASUSUAL,ACOLDONE,"OBSERVEDTHENEPHEW."IWOULDNOTSAYHAPPILY,MYFRIEND,"RETURNEDTHEUNCLE,WITHREFINEDPOLITENESS;"IWOULDNOTBESUREOFTHAT.AGOODOPPORTUNITYFORCONSIDERATION,SURROUNDEDBYTHEADVANTAGESOFSOLITUDE,MIGHTINFLUENCEYOURDESTINYTOFARGREATERADVANTAGETHANYOUINFLUENCEITFORYOURSELF.BUTITISUSELESSTODISCUSSTHEQUESTION.IAM,ASYOUSAY,ATADISADVANTAGE.THESELITTLEINSTRUMENTSOFCORRECTION,THESEGENTLEAIDSTOTHEPOWERANDHONOUROFFAMILIES,THESESLIGHTFAVOURSTHATMIGHTSOINCOMMODEYOU,AREONLYTOBEOBTAINEDNOWBYINTERESTANDIMPORTUNITY.THEYARESOUGHTBYSOMANY,ANDTHEYAREGRANTED(COMPARATIVELY)TOSOFEW!ITUSEDNOTTOBESO,BUTFRANCEINALLSUCHTHINGSISCHANGEDFORTHEWORSE.OURNOTREMOTEANCESTORSHELDTHERIGHTOFLIFEANDDEATHOVERTHESURROUNDINGVULGAR.FROMTHISROOM,MANYSUCHDOGSHAVEBEENTAKENOUTTOBEHANGED;INTHENEXTROOM(MYBEDROOM),ONEFELLOW,TOOURKNOWLEDGE,WASPONIARDEDONTHESPOTFORPROFESSINGSOMEINSOLENTDELICACYRESPECTINGHISDAUGHTER--_HIS_DAUGHTER?WEHAVELOSTMANYPRIVILEGES;ANEWPHILOSOPHYHASBECOMETHEMODE;ANDTHEASSERTIONOFOURSTATION,INTHESEDAYS,MIGHT(IDONOTGOSOFARASTOSAYWOULD,BUTMIGHT)CAUSEUSREALINCONVENIENCE.ALLVERYBAD,VERYBAD!"THEMARQUISTOOKAGENTLELITTLEPINCHOFSNUFF,ANDSHOOKHISHEAD;ASELEGANTLYDESPONDENTASHECOULDBECOMINGLYBEOFACOUNTRYSTILLCONTAININGHIMSELF,THATGREATMEANSOFREGENERATION."WEHAVESOASSERTEDOURSTATION,BOTHINTHEOLDTIMEANDINTHEMODERNTIMEALSO,"SAIDTHENEPHEW,GLOOMILY,"THATIBELIEVEOURNAMETOBEMOREDETESTEDTHANANYNAMEINFRANCE.""LETUSHOPESO,"SAIDTHEUNCLE."DETESTATIONOFTHEHIGHISTHEINVOLUNTARYHOMAGEOFTHELOW.""THEREISNOT,"PURSUEDTHENEPHEW,INHISFORMERTONE,"AFACEICANLOOKAT,INALLTHISCOUNTRYROUNDABOUTUS,WHICHLOOKSATMEWITHANYDEFERENCEONITBUTTHEDARKDEFERENCEOFFEARANDSLAVERY.""ACOMPLIMENT,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS,"TOTHEGRANDEUROFTHEFAMILY,MERITEDBYTHEMANNERINWHICHTHEFAMILYHASSUSTAINEDITSGRANDEUR.HAH!"ANDHETOOKANOTHERGENTLELITTLEPINCHOFSNUFF,ANDLIGHTLYCROSSEDHISLEGS.BUT,WHENHISNEPHEW,LEANINGANELBOWONTHETABLE,COVEREDHISEYESTHOUGHTFULLYANDDEJECTEDLYWITHHISHAND,THEFINEMASKLOOKEDATHIMSIDEWAYSWITHASTRONGERCONCENTRATIONOFKEENNESS,CLOSENESS,ANDDISLIKE,THANWASCOMPORTABLEWITHITSWEARER'SASSUMPTIONOFINDIFFERENCE."REPRESSIONISTHEONLYLASTINGPHILOSOPHY.THEDARKDEFERENCEOFFEARANDSLAVERY,MYFRIEND,"OBSERVEDTHEMARQUIS,"WILLKEEPTHEDOGSOBEDIENTTOTHEWHIP,ASLONGASTHISROOF,"LOOKINGUPTOIT,"SHUTSOUTTHESKY."THATMIGHTNOTBESOLONGASTHEMARQUISSUPPOSED.IFAPICTUREOFTHECHATEAUASITWASTOBEAVERYFEWYEARSHENCE,ANDOFFIFTYLIKEITASTHEYTOOWERETOBEAVERYFEWYEARSHENCE,COULDHAVEBEENSHOWNTOHIMTHATNIGHT,HEMIGHTHAVEBEENATALOSSTOCLAIMHISOWNFROMTHEGHASTLY,FIRE-CHARRED,PLUNDER-WRECKEDRAINS.ASFORTHEROOFHEVAUNTED,HEMIGHTHAVEFOUND_THAT_SHUTTINGOUTTHESKYINANEWWAY--TOWIT,FOREVER,FROMTHEEYESOFTHEBODIESINTOWHICHITSLEADWASFIRED,OUTOFTHEBARRELSOFAHUNDREDTHOUSANDMUSKETS."MEANWHILE,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS,"IWILLPRESERVETHEHONOURANDREPOSEOFTHEFAMILY,IFYOUWILLNOT.BUTYOUMUSTBEFATIGUED.SHALLWETERMINATEOURCONFERENCEFORTHENIGHT?""AMOMENTMORE.""ANHOUR,IFYOUPLEASE.""SIR,"SAIDTHENEPHEW,"WEHAVEDONEWRONG,ANDAREREAPINGTHEFRUITSOFWRONG.""_WE_HAVEDONEWRONG?"REPEATEDTHEMARQUIS,WITHANINQUIRINGSMILE,ANDDELICATELYPOINTING,FIRSTTOHISNEPHEW,THENTOHIMSELF."OURFAMILY;OURHONOURABLEFAMILY,WHOSEHONOURISOFSOMUCHACCOUNTTOBOTHOFUS,INSUCHDIFFERENTWAYS.EVENINMYFATHER'STIME,WEDIDAWORLDOFWRONG,INJURINGEVERYHUMANCREATUREWHOCAMEBETWEENUSANDOURPLEASURE,WHATEVERITWAS.WHYNEEDISPEAKOFMYFATHER'STIME,WHENITISEQUALLYYOURS?CANISEPARATEMYFATHER'STWIN-BROTHER,JOINTINHERITOR,ANDNEXTSUCCESSOR,FROMHIMSELF?""DEATHHASDONETHAT!"SAIDTHEMARQUIS."ANDHASLEFTME,"ANSWEREDTHENEPHEW,"BOUNDTOASYSTEMTHATISFRIGHTFULTOME,RESPONSIBLEFORIT,BUTPOWERLESSINIT;SEEKINGTOEXECUTETHELASTREQUESTOFMYDEARMOTHER'SLIPS,ANDOBEYTHELASTLOOKOFMYDEARMOTHER'SEYES,WHICHIMPLOREDMETOHAVEMERCYANDTOREDRESS;ANDTORTUREDBYSEEKINGASSISTANCEANDPOWERINVAIN.""SEEKINGTHEMFROMME,MYNEPHEW,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS,TOUCHINGHIMONTHEBREASTWITHHISFOREFINGER--THEYWERENOWSTANDINGBYTHEHEARTH--"YOUWILLFOREVERSEEKTHEMINVAIN,BEASSURED."EVERYFINESTRAIGHTLINEINTHECLEARWHITENESSOFHISFACE,WASCRUELLY,CRAFTILY,ANDCLOSELYCOMPRESSED,WHILEHESTOODLOOKINGQUIETLYATHISNEPHEW,WITHHISSNUFF-BOXINHISHAND.ONCEAGAINHETOUCHEDHIMONTHEBREAST,ASTHOUGHHISFINGERWERETHEFINEPOINTOFASMALLSWORD,WITHWHICH,INDELICATEFINESSE,HERANHIMTHROUGHTHEBODY,ANDSAID,"MYFRIEND,IWILLDIE,PERPETUATINGTHESYSTEMUNDERWHICHIHAVELIVED."WHENHEHADSAIDIT,HETOOKACULMINATINGPINCHOFSNUFF,ANDPUTHISBOXINHISPOCKET."BETTERTOBEARATIONALCREATURE,"HEADDEDTHEN,AFTERRINGINGASMALLBELLONTHETABLE,"ANDACCEPTYOURNATURALDESTINY.BUTYOUARELOST,MONSIEURCHARLES,ISEE.""THISPROPERTYANDFRANCEARELOSTTOME,"SAIDTHENEPHEW,SADLY;"IRENOUNCETHEM.""ARETHEYBOTHYOURSTORENOUNCE?FRANCEMAYBE,BUTISTHEPROPERTY?ITISSCARCELYWORTHMENTIONING;BUT,ISITYET?""IHADNOINTENTION,INTHEWORDSIUSED,TOCLAIMITYET.IFITPASSEDTOMEFROMYOU,TO-MORROW--""WHICHIHAVETHEVANITYTOHOPEISNOTPROBABLE.""--ORTWENTYYEARSHENCE--""YOUDOMETOOMUCHHONOUR,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS;"STILL,IPREFERTHATSUPPOSITION.""--IWOULDABANDONIT,ANDLIVEOTHERWISEANDELSEWHERE.ITISLITTLETORELINQUISH.WHATISITBUTAWILDERNESSOFMISERYANDRUIN!""HAH!"SAIDTHEMARQUIS,GLANCINGROUNDTHELUXURIOUSROOM."TOTHEEYEITISFAIRENOUGH,HERE;BUTSEENINITSINTEGRITY,UNDERTHESKY,ANDBYTHEDAYLIGHT,ITISACRUMBLINGTOWEROFWASTE,MISMANAGEMENT,EXTORTION,DEBT,MORTGAGE,OPPRESSION,HUNGER,NAKEDNESS,ANDSUFFERING.""HAH!"SAIDTHEMARQUISAGAIN,INAWELL-SATISFIEDMANNER."IFITEVERBECOMESMINE,ITSHALLBEPUTINTOSOMEHANDSBETTERQUALIFIEDTOFREEITSLOWLY(IFSUCHATHINGISPOSSIBLE)FROMTHEWEIGHTTHATDRAGSITDOWN,SOTHATTHEMISERABLEPEOPLEWHOCANNOTLEAVEITANDWHOHAVEBEENLONGWRUNGTOTHELASTPOINTOFENDURANCE,MAY,INANOTHERGENERATION,SUFFERLESS;BUTITISNOTFORME.THEREISACURSEONIT,ANDONALLTHISLAND.""ANDYOU?"SAIDTHEUNCLE."FORGIVEMYCURIOSITY;DOYOU,UNDERYOURNEWPHILOSOPHY,GRACIOUSLYINTENDTOLIVE?""IMUSTDO,TOLIVE,WHATOTHERSOFMYCOUNTRYMEN,EVENWITHNOBILITYATTHEIRBACKS,MAYHAVETODOSOMEDAY--WORK.""INENGLAND,FOREXAMPLE?""YES.THEFAMILYHONOUR,SIR,ISSAFEFROMMEINTHISCOUNTRY.THEFAMILYNAMECANSUFFERFROMMEINNOOTHER,FORIBEARITINNOOTHER."THERINGINGOFTHEBELLHADCAUSEDTHEADJOININGBED-CHAMBERTOBELIGHTED.ITNOWSHONEBRIGHTLY,THROUGHTHEDOOROFCOMMUNICATION.THEMARQUISLOOKEDTHATWAY,ANDLISTENEDFORTHERETREATINGSTEPOFHISVALET."ENGLANDISVERYATTRACTIVETOYOU,SEEINGHOWINDIFFERENTLYYOUHAVEPROSPEREDTHERE,"HEOBSERVEDTHEN,TURNINGHISCALMFACETOHISNEPHEWWITHASMILE."IHAVEALREADYSAID,THATFORMYPROSPERINGTHERE,IAMSENSIBLEIMAYBEINDEBTEDTOYOU,SIR.FORTHEREST,ITISMYREFUGE.""THEYSAY,THOSEBOASTFULENGLISH,THATITISTHEREFUGEOFMANY.YOUKNOWACOMPATRIOTWHOHASFOUNDAREFUGETHERE?ADOCTOR?""YES.""WITHADAUGHTER?""YES.""YES,"SAIDTHEMARQUIS."YOUAREFATIGUED.GOODNIGHT!"ASHEBENTHISHEADINHISMOSTCOURTLYMANNER,THEREWASASECRECYINHISSMILINGFACE,ANDHECONVEYEDANAIROFMYSTERYTOTHOSEWORDS,WHICHSTRUCKTHEEYESANDEARSOFHISNEPHEWFORCIBLY.ATTHESAMETIME,THETHINSTRAIGHTLINESOFTHESETTINGOFTHEEYES,ANDTHETHINSTRAIGHTLIPS,ANDTHEMARKINGSINTHENOSE,CURVEDWITHASARCASMTHATLOOKEDHANDSOMELYDIABOLIC."YES,"REPEATEDTHEMARQUIS."ADOCTORWITHADAUGHTER.YES.SOCOMMENCESTHENEWPHILOSOPHY!YOUAREFATIGUED.GOODNIGHT!"ITWOULDHAVEBEENOFASMUCHAVAILTOINTERROGATEANYSTONEFACEOUTSIDETHECHATEAUASTOINTERROGATETHATFACEOFHIS.THENEPHEWLOOKEDATHIM,INVAIN,INPASSINGONTOTHEDOOR."GOODNIGHT!"SAIDTHEUNCLE."ILOOKTOTHEPLEASUREOFSEEINGYOUAGAININTHEMORNING.GOODREPOSE!LIGHTMONSIEURMYNEPHEWTOHISCHAMBERTHERE!--ANDBURNMONSIEURMYNEPHEWINHISBED,IFYOUWILL,"HEADDEDTOHIMSELF,BEFOREHERANGHISLITTLEBELLAGAIN,ANDSUMMONEDHISVALETTOHISOWNBEDROOM.THEVALETCOMEANDGONE,MONSIEURTHEMARQUISWALKEDTOANDFROINHISLOOSECHAMBER-ROBE,TOPREPAREHIMSELFGENTLYFORSLEEP,THATHOTSTILLNIGHT.RUSTLINGABOUTTHEROOM,HISSOFTLY-SLIPPEREDFEETMAKINGNONOISEONTHEFLOOR,HEMOVEDLIKEAREFINEDTIGER:--LOOKEDLIKESOMEENCHANTEDMARQUISOFTHEIMPENITENTLYWICKEDSORT,INSTORY,WHOSEPERIODICALCHANGEINTOTIGERFORMWASEITHERJUSTGOINGOFF,ORJUSTCOMINGON.HEMOVEDFROMENDTOENDOFHISVOLUPTUOUSBEDROOM,LOOKINGAGAINATTHESCRAPSOFTHEDAY'SJOURNEYTHATCAMEUNBIDDENINTOHISMIND;THESLOWTOILUPTHEHILLATSUNSET,THESETTINGSUN,THEDESCENT,THEMILL,THEPRISONONTHECRAG,THELITTLEVILLAGEINTHEHOLLOW,THEPEASANTSATTHEFOUNTAIN,ANDTHEMENDEROFROADSWITHHISBLUECAPPOINTINGOUTTHECHAINUNDERTHECARRIAGE.THATFOUNTAINSUGGESTEDTHEPARISFOUNTAIN,THELITTLEBUNDLELYINGONTHESTEP,THEWOMENBENDINGOVERIT,ANDTHETALLMANWITHHISARMSUP,CRYING,"DEAD!""IAMCOOLNOW,"SAIDMONSIEURTHEMARQUIS,"ANDMAYGOTOBED."SO,LEAVINGONLYONELIGHTBURNINGONTHELARGEHEARTH,HELETHISTHINGAUZECURTAINSFALLAROUNDHIM,ANDHEARDTHENIGHTBREAKITSSILENCEWITHALONGSIGHASHECOMPOSEDHIMSELFTOSLEEP.THESTONEFACESONTHEOUTERWALLSSTAREDBLINDLYATTHEBLACKNIGHTFORTHREEHEAVYHOURS;FORTHREEHEAVYHOURS,THEHORSESINTHESTABLESRATTLEDATTHEIRRACKS,THEDOGSBARKED,ANDTHEOWLMADEANOISEWITHVERYLITTLERESEMBLANCEINITTOTHENOISECONVENTIONALLYASSIGNEDTOTHEOWLBYMEN-POETS.BUTITISTHEOBSTINATECUSTOMOFSUCHCREATURESHARDLYEVERTOSAYWHATISSETDOWNFORTHEM.FORTHREEHEAVYHOURS,THESTONEFACESOFTHECHATEAU,LIONANDHUMAN,STAREDBLINDLYATTHENIGHT.DEADDARKNESSLAYONALLTHELANDSCAPE,DEADDARKNESSADDEDITSOWNHUSHTOTHEHUSHINGDUSTONALLTHEROADS.THEBURIAL-PLACEHADGOTTOTHEPASSTHATITSLITTLEHEAPSOFPOORGRASSWEREUNDISTINGUISHABLEFROMONEANOTHER;THEFIGUREONTHECROSSMIGHTHAVECOMEDOWN,FORANYTHINGTHATCOULDBESEENOFIT.INTHEVILLAGE,TAXERSANDTAXEDWEREFASTASLEEP.DREAMING,PERHAPS,OFBANQUETS,ASTHESTARVEDUSUALLYDO,ANDOFEASEANDREST,ASTHEDRIVENSLAVEANDTHEYOKEDOXMAY,ITSLEANINHABITANTSSLEPTSOUNDLY,ANDWEREFEDANDFREED.THEFOUNTAININTHEVILLAGEFLOWEDUNSEENANDUNHEARD,ANDTHEFOUNTAINATTHECHATEAUDROPPEDUNSEENANDUNHEARD--BOTHMELTINGAWAY,LIKETHEMINUTESTHATWEREFALLINGFROMTHESPRINGOFTIME--THROUGHTHREEDARKHOURS.THEN,THEGREYWATEROFBOTHBEGANTOBEGHOSTLYINTHELIGHT,ANDTHEEYESOFTHESTONEFACESOFTHECHATEAUWEREOPENED.LIGHTERANDLIGHTER,UNTILATLASTTHESUNTOUCHEDTHETOPSOFTHESTILLTREES,ANDPOUREDITSRADIANCEOVERTHEHILL.INTHEGLOW,THEWATEROFTHECHATEAUFOUNTAINSEEMEDTOTURNTOBLOOD,ANDTHESTONEFACESCRIMSONED.THECAROLOFTHEBIRDSWASLOUDANDHIGH,AND,ONTHEWEATHER-BEATENSILLOFTHEGREATWINDOWOFTHEBED-CHAMBEROFMONSIEURTHEMARQUIS,ONELITTLEBIRDSANGITSSWEETESTSONGWITHALLITSMIGHT.ATTHIS,THENEARESTSTONEFACESEEMEDTOSTAREAMAZED,AND,WITHOPENMOUTHANDDROPPEDUNDER-JAW,LOOKEDAWE-STRICKEN.NOW,THESUNWASFULLUP,ANDMOVEMENTBEGANINTHEVILLAGE.CASEMENTWINDOWSOPENED,CRAZYDOORSWEREUNBARRED,ANDPEOPLECAMEFORTHSHIVERING--CHILL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THEPUNCHATAGREATRATE;DRANKITBYBUMPERS,LOOKINGATHISFRIEND."NOWYOUKNOWALLABOUTIT,SYD,"SAIDMR.STRYVER."IDON'TCAREABOUTFORTUNE:SHEISACHARMINGCREATURE,ANDIHAVEMADEUPMYMINDTOPLEASEMYSELF:ONTHEWHOLE,ITHINKICANAFFORDTOPLEASEMYSELF.SHEWILLHAVEINMEAMANALREADYPRETTYWELLOFF,ANDARAPIDLYRISINGMAN,ANDAMANOFSOMEDISTINCTION:ITISAPIECEOFGOODFORTUNEFORHER,BUTSHEISWORTHYOFGOODFORTUNE.AREYOUASTONISHED?"CARTON,STILLDRINKINGTHEPUNCH,REJOINED,"WHYSHOULDIBEASTONISHED?""YOUAPPROVE?"CARTON,STILLDRINKINGTHEPUNCH,REJOINED,"WHYSHOULDINOTAPPROVE?""WELL!"SAIDHISFRIENDSTRYVER,"YOUTAKEITMOREEASILYTHANIFANCIEDYOUWOULD,ANDARELESSMERCENARYONMYBEHALFTHANITHOUGHTYOUWOULDBE;THOUGH,TOBESURE,YOUKNOWWELLENOUGHBYTHISTIMETHATYOURANCIENTCHUMISAMANOFAPRETTYSTRONGWILL.YES,SYDNEY,IHAVEHADENOUGHOFTHISSTYLEOFLIFE,WITHNOOTHERASACHANGEFROMIT;IFEELTHATITISAPLEASANTTHINGFORAMANTOHAVEAHOMEWHENHEFEELSINCLINEDTOGOTOIT(WHENHEDOESN'T,HECANSTAYAWAY),ANDIFEELTHATMISSMANETTEWILLTELLWELLINANYSTATION,ANDWILLALWAYSDOMECREDIT.SOIHAVEMADEUPMYMIND.ANDNOW,SYDNEY,OLDBOY,IWANTTOSAYAWORDTO_YOU_ABOUT_YOUR_PROSPECTS.YOUAREINABADWAY,YOUKNOW;YOUREALLYAREINABADWAY.YOUDON'TKNOWTHEVALUEOFMONEY,YOULIVEHARD,YOU'LLKNOCKUPONEOFTHESEDAYS,ANDBEILLANDPOOR;YOUREALLYOUGHTTOTHINKABOUTANURSE."THEPROSPEROUSPATRONAGEWITHWHICHHESAIDIT,MADEHIMLOOKTWICEASBIGASHEWAS,ANDFOURTIMESASOFFENSIVE."NOW,LETMERECOMMENDYOU,"PURSUEDSTRYVER,"TOLOOKITINTHEFACE.IHAVELOOKEDITINTHEFACE,INMYDIFFERENTWAY;LOOKITINTHEFACE,YOU,INYOURDIFFERENTWAY.MARRY.PROVIDESOMEBODYTOTAKECAREOFYOU.NEVERMINDYOURHAVINGNOENJOYMENTOFWOMEN'SSOCIETY,NORUNDERSTANDINGOFIT,NORTACTFORIT.FINDOUTSOMEBODY.FINDOUTSOMERESPECTABLEWOMANWITHALITTLEPROPERTY--SOMEBODYINTHELANDLADYWAY,ORLODGING-LETTINGWAY--ANDMARRYHER,AGAINSTARAINYDAY.THAT'STHEKINDOFTHINGFOR_YOU_.NOWTHINKOFIT,SYDNEY.""I'LLTHINKOFIT,"SAIDSYDNEY.XII.THEFELLOWOFDELICACYMR.STRYVERHAVINGMADEUPHISMINDTOTHATMAGNANIMOUSBESTOWALOFGOODFORTUNEONTHEDOCTOR'SDAUGHTER,RESOLVEDTOMAKEHERHAPPINESSKNOWNTOHERBEFOREHELEFTTOWNFORTHELONGVACATION.AFTERSOMEMENTALDEBATINGOFTHEPOINT,HECAMETOTHECONCLUSIONTHATITWOULDBEASWELLTOGETALLTHEPRELIMINARIESDONEWITH,ANDTHEYCOULDTHENARRANGEATTHEIRLEISUREWHETHERHESHOULDGIVEHERHISHANDAWEEKORTWOBEFOREMICHAELMASTERM,ORINTHELITTLECHRISTMASVACATIONBETWEENITANDHILARY.ASTOTHESTRENGTHOFHISCASE,HEHADNOTADOUBTABOUTIT,BUTCLEARLYSAWHISWAYTOTHEVERDICT.ARGUEDWITHTHEJURYONSUBSTANTIALWORLDLYGROUNDS--THEONLYGROUNDSEVERWORTHTAKINGINTOACCOUNT--ITWASAPLAINCASE,ANDHADNOTAWEAKSPOTINIT.HECALLEDHIMSELFFORTHEPLAINTIFF,THEREWASNOGETTINGOVERHISEVIDENCE,THECOUNSELFORTHEDEFENDANTTHREWUPHISBRIEF,ANDTHEJURYDIDNOTEVENTURNTOCONSIDER.AFTERTRYINGIT,STRYVER,C.J.,WASSATISFIEDTHATNOPLAINERCASECOULDBE.ACCORDINGLY,MR.STRYVERINAUGURATEDTHELONGVACATIONWITHAFORMALPROPOSALTOTAKEMISSMANETTETOVAUXHALLGARDENS;THATFAILING,TORANELAGH;THATUNACCOUNTABLYFAILINGTOO,ITBEHOVEDHIMTOPRESENTHIMSELFINSOHO,ANDTHEREDECLAREHISNOBLEMIND.TOWARDSSOHO,THEREFORE,MR.STRYVERSHOULDEREDHISWAYFROMTHETEMPLE,WHILETHEBLOOMOFTHELONGVACATION'SINFANCYWASSTILLUPONIT.ANYBODYWHOHADSEENHIMPROJECTINGHIMSELFINTOSOHOWHILEHEWASYETONSAINTDUNSTAN'SSIDEOFTEMPLEBAR,BURSTINGINHISFULL-BLOWNWAYALONGTHEPAVEMENT,TOTHEJOSTLEMENTOFALLWEAKERPEOPLE,MIGHTHAVESEENHOWSAFEANDSTRONGHEWAS.HISWAYTAKINGHIMPASTTELLSON'S,ANDHEBOTHBANKINGATTELLSON'SANDKNOWINGMR.LORRYASTHEINTIMATEFRIENDOFTHEMANETTES,ITENTEREDMR.STRYVER'SMINDTOENTERTHEBANK,ANDREVEALTOMR.LORRYTHEBRIGHTNESSOFTHESOHOHORIZON.SO,HEPUSHEDOPENTHEDOORWITHTHEWEAKRATTLEINITSTHROAT,STUMBLEDDOWNTHETWOSTEPS,GOTPASTTHETWOANCIENTCASHIERS,ANDSHOULDEREDHIMSELFINTOTHEMUSTYBACKCLOSETWHEREMR.LORRYSATATGREATBOOKSRULEDFORFIGURES,WITHPERPENDICULARIRONBARSTOHISWINDOWASIFTHATWERERULEDFORFIGURESTOO,ANDEVERYTHINGUNDERTHECLOUDSWEREASUM."HALLOA!"SAIDMR.STRYVER."HOWDOYOUDO?IHOPEYOUAREWELL!"ITWASSTRYVER'SGRANDPECULIARITYTHATHEALWAYSSEEMEDTOOBIGFORANYPLACE,ORSPACE.HEWASSOMUCHTOOBIGFORTELLSON'S,THATOLDCLERKSINDISTANTCORNERSLOOKEDUPWITHLOOKSOFREMONSTRANCE,ASTHOUGHHESQUEEZEDTHEMAGAINSTTHEWALL.THEHOUSEITSELF,MAGNIFICENTLYREADINGTHEPAPERQUITEINTHEFAR-OFFPERSPECTIVE,LOWEREDDISPLEASED,ASIFTHESTRYVERHEADHADBEENBUTTEDINTOITSRESPONSIBLEWAISTCOAT.THEDISCREETMR.LORRYSAID,INASAMPLETONEOFTHEVOICEHEWOULDRECOMMENDUNDERTHECIRCUMSTANCES,"HOWDOYOUDO,MR.STRYVER?HOWDOYOUDO,SIR?"ANDSHOOKHANDS.THEREWASAPECULIARITYINHISMANNEROFSHAKINGHANDS,ALWAYSTOBESEENINANYCLERKATTELLSON'SWHOSHOOKHANDSWITHACUSTOMERWHENTHEHOUSEPERVADEDTHEAIR.HESHOOKINASELF-ABNEGATINGWAY,ASONEWHOSHOOKFORTELLSONANDCO."CANIDOANYTHINGFORYOU,MR.STRYVER?"ASKEDMR.LORRY,INHISBUSINESSCHARACTER."WHY,NO,THANKYOU;THISISAPRIVATEVISITTOYOURSELF,MR.LORRY;IHAVECOMEFORAPRIVATEWORD.""OHINDEED!"SAIDMR.LORRY,BENDINGDOWNHISEAR,WHILEHISEYESTRAYEDTOTHEHOUSEAFAROFF."IAMGOING,"SAIDMR.STRYVER,LEANINGHISARMSCONFIDENTIALLYONTHEDESK:WHEREUPON,ALTHOUGHITWASALARGEDOUBLEONE,THEREAPPEAREDTOBENOTHALFDESKENOUGHFORHIM:"IAMGOINGTOMAKEANOFFEROFMYSELFINMARRIAGETOYOURAGREEABLELITTLEFRIEND,MISSMANETTE,MR.LORRY.""OHDEARME!"CRIEDMR.LORRY,RUBBINGHISCHIN,ANDLOOKINGATHISVISITORDUBIOUSLY."OHDEARME,SIR?"REPEATEDSTRYVER,DRAWINGBACK."OHDEARYOU,SIR?WHATMAYYOURMEANINGBE,MR.LORRY?""MYMEANING,"ANSWEREDTHEMANOFBUSINESS,"IS,OFCOURSE,FRIENDLYANDAPPRECIATIVE,ANDTHATITDOESYOUTHEGREATESTCREDIT,AND--INSHORT,MYMEANINGISEVERYTHINGYOUCOULDDESIRE.BUT--REALLY,YOUKNOW,MR.STRYVER--"MR.LORRYPAUSED,ANDSHOOKHISHEADATHIMINTHEODDESTMANNER,ASIFHEWERECOMPELLEDAGAINSTHISWILLTOADD,INTERNALLY,"YOUKNOWTHEREREALLYISSOMUCHTOOMUCHOFYOU!""WELL!"SAIDSTRYVER,SLAPPINGTHEDESKWITHHISCONTENTIOUSHAND,OPENINGHISEYESWIDER,ANDTAKINGALONGBREATH,"IFIUNDERSTANDYOU,MR.LORRY,I'LLBEHANGED!"MR.LORRYADJUSTEDHISLITTLEWIGATBOTHEARSASAMEANSTOWARDSTHATEND,ANDBITTHEFEATHEROFAPEN."D--NITALL,SIR!"SAIDSTRYVER,STARINGATHIM,"AMINOTELIGIBLE?""OHDEARYES!YES.OHYES,YOU'REELIGIBLE!"SAIDMR.LORRY."IFYOUSAYELIGIBLE,YOUAREELIGIBLE.""AMINOTPROSPEROUS?"ASKEDSTRYVER."OH!IFYOUCOMETOPROSPEROUS,YOUAREPROSPEROUS,"SAIDMR.LORRY."ANDADVANCING?""IFYOUCOMETOADVANCINGYOUKNOW,"SAIDMR.LORRY,DELIGHTEDTOBEABLETOMAKEANOTHERADMISSION,"NOBODYCANDOUBTTHAT.""THENWHATONEARTHISYOURMEANING,MR.LORRY?"DEMANDEDSTRYVER,PERCEPTIBLYCRESTFALLEN."WELL!I--WEREYOUGOINGTHERENOW?"ASKEDMR.LORRY."STRAIGHT!"SAIDSTRYVER,WITHAPLUMPOFHISFISTONTHEDESK."THENITHINKIWOULDN'T,IFIWASYOU.""WHY?"SAIDSTRYVER."NOW,I'LLPUTYOUINACORNER,"FORENSICALLYSHAKINGAFOREFINGERATHIM."YOUAREAMANOFBUSINESSANDBOUNDTOHAVEAREASON.STATEYOURREASON.WHYWOULDN'TYOUGO?""BECAUSE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,"IWOULDN'TGOONSUCHANOBJECTWITHOUTHAVINGSOMECAUSETOBELIEVETHATISHOULDSUCCEED.""D--N_ME_!"CRIEDSTRYVER,"BUTTHISBEATSEVERYTHING."MR.LORRYGLANCEDATTHEDISTANTHOUSE,ANDGLANCEDATTHEANGRYSTRYVER."HERE'SAMANOFBUSINESS--AMANOFYEARS--AMANOFEXPERIENCE--_IN_ABANK,"SAIDSTRYVER;"ANDHAVINGSUMMEDUPTHREELEADINGREASONSFORCOMPLETESUCCESS,HESAYSTHERE'SNOREASONATALL!SAYSITWITHHISHEADON!"MR.STRYVERREMARKEDUPONTHEPECULIARITYASIFITWOULDHAVEBEENINFINITELYLESSREMARKABLEIFHEHADSAIDITWITHHISHEADOFF."WHENISPEAKOFSUCCESS,ISPEAKOFSUCCESSWITHTHEYOUNGLADY;ANDWHENISPEAKOFCAUSESANDREASONSTOMAKESUCCESSPROBABLE,ISPEAKOFCAUSESANDREASONSTHATWILLTELLASSUCHWITHTHEYOUNGLADY.THEYOUNGLADY,MYGOODSIR,"SAIDMR.LORRY,MILDLYTAPPINGTHESTRYVERARM,"THEYOUNGLADY.THEYOUNGLADYGOESBEFOREALL.""THENYOUMEANTOTELLME,MR.LORRY,"SAIDSTRYVER,SQUARINGHISELBOWS,"THATITISYOURDELIBERATEOPINIONTHATTHEYOUNGLADYATPRESENTINQUESTIONISAMINCINGFOOL?""NOTEXACTLYSO.IMEANTOTELLYOU,MR.STRYVER,"SAIDMR.LORRY,REDDENING,"THATIWILLHEARNODISRESPECTFULWORDOFTHATYOUNGLADYFROMANYLIPS;ANDTHATIFIKNEWANYMAN--WHICHIHOPEIDONOT--WHOSETASTEWASSOCOARSE,ANDWHOSETEMPERWASSOOVERBEARING,THATHECOULDNOTRESTRAINHIMSELFFROMSPEAKINGDISRESPECTFULLYOFTHATYOUNGLADYATTHISDESK,NOTEVENTELLSON'SSHOULDPREVENTMYGIVINGHIMAPIECEOFMYMIND."THENECESSITYOFBEINGANGRYINASUPPRESSEDTONEHADPUTMR.STRYVER'SBLOOD-VESSELSINTOADANGEROUSSTATEWHENITWASHISTURNTOBEANGRY;MR.LORRY'SVEINS,METHODICALASTHEIRCOURSESCOULDUSUALLYBE,WEREINNOBETTERSTATENOWITWASHISTURN."THATISWHATIMEANTOTELLYOU,SIR,"SAIDMR.LORRY."PRAYLETTHEREBENOMISTAKEABOUTIT."MR.STRYVERSUCKEDTHEENDOFARULERFORALITTLEWHILE,ANDTHENSTOODHITTINGATUNEOUTOFHISTEETHWITHIT,WHICHPROBABLYGAVEHIMTHETOOTHACHE.HEBROKETHEAWKWARDSILENCEBYSAYING:"THISISSOMETHINGNEWTOME,MR.LORRY.YOUDELIBERATELYADVISEMENOTTOGOUPTOSOHOANDOFFERMYSELF--_MY_SELF,STRYVEROFTHEKING'SBENCHBAR?""DOYOUASKMEFORMYADVICE,MR.STRYVER?""YES,IDO.""VERYGOOD.THENIGIVEIT,ANDYOUHAVEREPEATEDITCORRECTLY.""ANDALLICANSAYOFITIS,"LAUGHEDSTRYVERWITHAVEXEDLAUGH,"THATTHIS--HA,HA!--BEATSEVERYTHINGPAST,PRESENT,ANDTOCOME.""NOWUNDERSTANDME,"PURSUEDMR.LORRY."ASAMANOFBUSINESS,IAMNOTJUSTIFIEDINSAYINGANYTHINGABOUTTHISMATTER,FOR,ASAMANOFBUSINESS,IKNOWNOTHINGOFIT.BUT,ASANOLDFELLOW,WHOHASCARRIEDMISSMANETTEINHISARMS,WHOISTHETRUSTEDFRIENDOFMISSMANETTEANDOFHERFATHERTOO,ANDWHOHASAGREATAFFECTIONFORTHEMBOTH,IHAVESPOKEN.THECONFIDENCEISNOTOFMYSEEKING,RECOLLECT.NOW,YOUTHINKIMAYNOTBERIGHT?""NOTI!"SAIDSTRYVER,WHISTLING."ICAN'TUNDERTAKETOFINDTHIRDPARTIESINCOMMONSENSE;ICANONLYFINDITFORMYSELF.ISUPPOSESENSEINCERTAINQUARTERS;YOUSUPPOSEMINCINGBREAD-AND-BUTTERNONSENSE.IT'SNEWTOME,BUTYOUARERIGHT,IDARESAY.""WHATISUPPOSE,MR.STRYVER,ICLAIMTOCHARACTERISEFORMYSELF--ANDUNDERSTANDME,SIR,"SAIDMR.LORRY,QUICKLYFLUSHINGAGAIN,"IWILLNOT--NOTEVENATTELLSON'S--HAVEITCHARACTERISEDFORMEBYANYGENTLEMANBREATHING.""THERE!IBEGYOURPARDON!"SAIDSTRYVER."GRANTED.THANKYOU.WELL,MR.STRYVER,IWASABOUTTOSAY:--ITMIGHTBEPAINFULTOYOUTOFINDYOURSELFMISTAKEN,ITMIGHTBEPAINFULTODOCTORMANETTETOHAVETHETASKOFBEINGEXPLICITWITHYOU,ITMIGHTBEVERYPAINFULTOMISSMANETTETOHAVETHETASKOFBEINGEXPLICITWITHYOU.YOUKNOWTHETERMSUPONWHICHIHAVETHEHONOURANDHAPPINESSTOSTANDWITHTHEFAMILY.IFYOUPLEASE,COMMITTINGYOUINNOWAY,REPRESENTINGYOUINNOWAY,IWILLUNDERTAKETOCORRECTMYADVICEBYTHEEXERCISEOFALITTLENEWOBSERVATIONANDJUDGMENTEXPRESSLYBROUGHTTOBEARUPONIT.IFYOUSHOULDTHENBEDISSATISFIEDWITHIT,YOUCANBUTTESTITSSOUNDNESSFORYOURSELF;IF,ONTHEOTHERHAND,YOUSHOULDBESATISFIEDWITHIT,ANDITSHOULDBEWHATITNOWIS,ITMAYSPAREALLSIDESWHATISBESTSPARED.WHATDOYOUSAY?""HOWLONGWOULDYOUKEEPMEINTOWN?""OH!ITISONLYAQUESTIONOFAFEWHOURS.ICOULDGOTOSOHOINTHEEVENING,ANDCOMETOYOURCHAMBERSAFTERWARDS.""THENISAYYES,"SAIDSTRYVER:"IWON'TGOUPTHERENOW,IAMNOTSOHOTUPONITASTHATCOMESTO;ISAYYES,ANDISHALLEXPECTYOUTOLOOKINTO-NIGHT.GOODMORNING."THENMR.STRYVERTURNEDANDBURSTOUTOFTHEBANK,CAUSINGSUCHACONCUSSIONOFAIRONHISPASSAGETHROUGH,THATTOSTANDUPAGAINSTITBOWINGBEHINDTHETWOCOUNTERS,REQUIREDTHEUTMOSTREMAININGSTRENGTHOFTHETWOANCIENTCLERKS.THOSEVENERABLEANDFEEBLEPERSONSWEREALWAYSSEENBYTHEPUBLICINTHEACTOFBOWING,ANDWEREPOPULARLYBELIEVED,WHENTHEYHADBOWEDACUSTOMEROUT,STILLTOKEEPONBOWINGINTHEEMPTYOFFICEUNTILTHEYBOWEDANOTHERCUSTOMERIN.THEBARRISTERWASKEENENOUGHTODIVINETHATTHEBANKERWOULDNOTHAVEGONESOFARINHISEXPRESSIONOFOPINIONONANYLESSSOLIDGROUNDTHANMORALCERTAINTY.UNPREPAREDASHEWASFORTHELARGEPILLHEHADTOSWALLOW,HEGOTITDOWN."ANDNOW,"SAIDMR.STRYVER,SHAKINGHISFORENSICFOREFINGERATTHETEMPLEINGENERAL,WHENITWASDOWN,"MYWAYOUTOFTHIS,IS,TOPUTYOUALLINTHEWRONG."ITWASABITOFTHEARTOFANOLDBAILEYTACTICIAN,INWHICHHEFOUNDGREATRELIEF."YOUSHALLNOTPUTMEINTHEWRONG,YOUNGLADY,"SAIDMR.STRYVER;"I'LLDOTHATFORYOU."ACCORDINGLY,WHENMR.LORRYCALLEDTHATNIGHTASLATEASTENO'CLOCK,MR.STRYVER,AMONGAQUANTITYOFBOOKSANDPAPERSLITTEREDOUTFORTHEPURPOSE,SEEMEDTOHAVENOTHINGLESSONHISMINDTHANTHESUBJECTOFTHEMORNING.HEEVENSHOWEDSURPRISEWHENHESAWMR.LORRY,ANDWASALTOGETHERINANABSENTANDPREOCCUPIEDSTATE."WELL!"SAIDTHATGOOD-NATUREDEMISSARY,AFTERAFULLHALF-HOUROFBOOTLESSATTEMPTSTOBRINGHIMROUNDTOTHEQUESTION."IHAVEBEENTOSOHO.""TOSOHO?"REPEATEDMR.STRYVER,COLDLY."OH,TOBESURE!WHATAMITHINKINGOF!""ANDIHAVENODOUBT,"SAIDMR.LORRY,"THATIWASRIGHTINTHECONVERSATIONWEHAD.MYOPINIONISCONFIRMED,ANDIREITERATEMYADVICE.""IASSUREYOU,"RETURNEDMR.STRYVER,INTHEFRIENDLIESTWAY,"THATIAMSORRYFORITONYOURACCOUNT,ANDSORRYFORITONTHEPOORFATHER'SACCOUNT.IKNOWTHISMUSTALWAYSBEASORESUBJECTWITHTHEFAMILY;LETUSSAYNOMOREABOUTIT.""IDON'TUNDERSTANDYOU,"SAIDMR.LORRY."IDARESAYNOT,"REJOINEDSTRYVER,NODDINGHISHEADINASMOOTHINGANDFINALWAY;"NOMATTER,NOMATTER.""BUTITDOESMATTER,"MR.LORRYURGED."NOITDOESN'T;IASSUREYOUITDOESN'T.HAVINGSUPPOSEDTHATTHEREWASSENSEWHERETHEREISNOSENSE,ANDALAUDABLEAMBITIONWHERETHEREISNOTALAUDABLEAMBITION,IAMWELLOUTOFMYMISTAKE,ANDNOHARMISDONE.YOUNGWOMENHAVECOMMITTEDSIMILARFOLLIESOFTENBEFORE,ANDHAVEREPENTEDTHEMINPOVERTYANDOBSCURITYOFTENBEFORE.INANUNSELFISHASPECT,IAMSORRYTHATTHETHINGISDROPPED,BECAUSEITWOULDHAVEBEENABADTHINGFORMEINAWORLDLYPOINTOFVIEW;INASELFISHASPECT,IAMGLADTHATTHETHINGHASDROPPED,BECAUSEITWOULDHAVEBEENABADTHINGFORMEINAWORLDLYPOINTOFVIEW--ITISHARDLYNECESSARYTOSAYICOULDHAVEGAINEDNOTHINGBYIT.THEREISNOHARMATALLDONE.IHAVENOTPROPOSEDTOTHEYOUNGLADY,AND,BETWEENOURSELVES,IAMBYNOMEANSCERTAIN,ONREFLECTION,THATIEVERSHOULDHAVECOMMITTEDMYSELFTOTHATEXTENT.MR.LORRY,YOUCANNOTCONTROLTHEMINCINGVANITIESANDGIDDINESSESOFEMPTY-HEADEDGIRLS;YOUMUSTNOTEXPECTTODOIT,ORYOUWILLALWAYSBEDISAPPOINTED.NOW,PRAYSAYNOMOREABOUTIT.ITELLYOU,IREGRETITONACCOUNTOFOTHERS,BUTIAMSATISFIEDONMYOWNACCOUNT.ANDIAMREALLYVERYMUCHOBLIGEDTOYOUFORALLOWINGMETOSOUNDYOU,ANDFORGIVINGMEYOURADVICE;YOUKNOWTHEYOUNGLADYBETTERTHANIDO;YOUWERERIGHT,ITNEVERWOULDHAVEDONE."MR.LORRYWASSOTAKENABACK,THATHELOOKEDQUITESTUPIDLYATMR.STRYVERSHOULDERINGHIMTOWARDSTHEDOOR,WITHANAPPEARANCEOFSHOWERINGGENEROSITY,FORBEARANCE,ANDGOODWILL,ONHISERRINGHEAD."MAKETHEBESTOFIT,MYDEARSIR,"SAIDSTRYVER;"SAYNOMOREABOUTIT;THANKYOUAGAINFORALLOWINGMETOSOUNDYOU;GOODNIGHT!"MR.LORRYWASOUTINTHENIGHT,BEFOREHEKNEWWHEREHEWAS.MR.STRYVERWASLYINGBACKONHISSOFA,WINKINGATHISCEILING.XIII.THEFELLOWOFNODELICACYIFSYDNEYCARTONEVERSHONEANYWHERE,HECERTAINLYNEVERSHONEINTHEHOUSEOFDOCTORMANETTE.HEHADBEENTHEREOFTEN,DURINGAWHOLEYEAR,ANDHADALWAYSBEENTHESAMEMOODYANDMOROSELOUNGERTHERE.WHENHECAREDTOTALK,HETALKEDWELL;BUT,THECLOUDOFCARINGFORNOTHING,WHICHOVERSHADOWEDHIMWITHSUCHAFATALDARKNESS,WASVERYRARELYPIERCEDBYTHELIGHTWITHINHIM.ANDYETHEDIDCARESOMETHINGFORTHESTREETSTHATENVIRONEDTHATHOUSE,ANDFORTHESENSELESSSTONESTHATMADETHEIRPAVEMENTS.MANYANIGHTHEVAGUELYANDUNHAPPILYWANDEREDTHERE,WHENWINEHADBROUGHTNOTRANSITORYGLADNESSTOHIM;MANYADREARYDAYBREAKREVEALEDHISSOLITARYFIGURELINGERINGTHERE,ANDSTILLLINGERINGTHEREWHENTHEFIRSTBEAMSOFTHESUNBROUGHTINTOSTRONGRELIEF,REMOVEDBEAUTIESOFARCHITECTUREINSPIRESOFCHURCHESANDLOFTYBUILDINGS,ASPERHAPSTHEQUIETTIMEBROUGHTSOMESENSEOFBETTERTHINGS,ELSEFORGOTTENANDUNATTAINABLE,INTOHISMIND.OFLATE,THENEGLECTEDBEDINTHETEMPLECOURTHADKNOWNHIMMORESCANTILYTHANEVER;ANDOFTENWHENHEHADTHROWNHIMSELFUPONITNOLONGERTHANAFEWMINUTES,HEHADGOTUPAGAIN,ANDHAUNTEDTHATNEIGHBOURHOOD.ONADAYINAUGUST,WHENMR.STRYVER(AFTERNOTIFYINGTOHISJACKALTHAT"HEHADTHOUGHTBETTEROFTHATMARRYINGMATTER")HADCARRIEDHISDELICACYINTODEVONSHIRE,ANDWHENTHESIGHTANDSCENTOFFLOWERSINTHECITYSTREETSHADSOMEWAIFSOFGOODNESSINTHEMFORTHEWORST,OFHEALTHFORTHESICKLIEST,ANDOFYOUTHFORTHEOLDEST,SYDNEY'SFEETSTILLTRODTHOSESTONES.FROMBEINGIRRESOLUTEANDPURPOSELESS,HISFEETBECAMEANIMATEDBYANINTENTION,AND,INTHEWORKINGOUTOFTHATINTENTION,THEYTOOKHIMTOTHEDOCTOR'SDOOR.HEWASSHOWNUP-STAIRS,ANDFOUNDLUCIEATHERWORK,ALONE.SHEHADNEVERBEENQUITEATHEREASEWITHHIM,ANDRECEIVEDHIMWITHSOMELITTLEEMBARRASSMENTASHESEATEDHIMSELFNEARHERTABLE.BUT,LOOKINGUPATHISFACEINTHEINTERCHANGEOFTHEFIRSTFEWCOMMON-PLACES,SHEOBSERVEDACHANGEINIT."IFEARYOUARENOTWELL,MR.CARTON!""NO.BUTTHELIFEILEAD,MISSMANETTE,ISNOTCONDUCIVETOHEALTH.WHATISTOBEEXPECTEDOF,ORBY,SUCHPROFLIGATES?""ISITNOT--FORGIVEME;IHAVEBEGUNTHEQUESTIONONMYLIPS--APITYTOLIVENOBETTERLIFE?""GODKNOWSITISASHAME!""THENWHYNOTCHANGEIT?"LOOKINGGENTLYATHIMAGAIN,SHEWASSURPRISEDANDSADDENEDTOSEETHATTHEREWERETEARSINHISEYES.THEREWERETEARSINHISVOICETOO,ASHEANSWERED:"ITISTOOLATEFORTHAT.ISHALLNEVERBEBETTERTHANIAM.ISHALLSINKLOWER,ANDBEWORSE."HELEANEDANELBOWONHERTABLE,ANDCOVEREDHISEYESWITHHISHAND.THETABLETREMBLEDINTHESILENCETHATFOLLOWED.SHEHADNEVERSEENHIMSOFTENED,ANDWASMUCHDISTRESSED.HEKNEWHERTOBESO,WITHOUTLOOKINGATHER,ANDSAID:"PRAYFORGIVEME,MISSMANETTE.IBREAKDOWNBEFORETHEKNOWLEDGEOFWHATIWANTTOSAYTOYOU.WILLYOUHEARME?""IFITWILLDOYOUANYGOOD,MR.CARTON,IFITWOULDMAKEYOUHAPPIER,ITWOULDMAKEMEVERYGLAD!""GODBLESSYOUFORYOURSWEETCOMPASSION!"HEUNSHADEDHISFACEAFTERALITTLEWHILE,ANDSPOKESTEADILY."DON'TBEAFRAIDTOHEARME.DON'TSHRINKFROMANYTHINGISAY.IAMLIKEONEWHODIEDYOUNG.ALLMYLIFEMIGHTHAVEBEEN.""NO,MR.CARTON.IAMSURETHATTHEBESTPARTOFITMIGHTSTILLBE;IAMSURETHATYOUMIGHTBEMUCH,MUCHWORTHIEROFYOURSELF.""SAYOFYOU,MISSMANETTE,ANDALTHOUGHIKNOWBETTER--ALTHOUGHINTHEMYSTERYOFMYOWNWRETCHEDHEARTIKNOWBETTER--ISHALLNEVERFORGETIT!"SHEWASPALEANDTREMBLING.HECAMETOHERRELIEFWITHAFIXEDDESPAIROFHIMSELFWHICHMADETHEINTERVIEWUNLIKEANYOTHERTHATCOULDHAVEBEENHOLDEN."IFITHADBEENPOSSIBLE,MISSMANETTE,THATYOUCOULDHAVERETURNEDTHELOVEOFTHEMANYOUSEEBEFOREYOURSELF--FLUNGAWAY,WASTED,DRUNKEN,POORCREATUREOFMISUSEASYOUKNOWHIMTOBE--HEWOULDHAVEBEENCONSCIOUSTHISDAYANDHOUR,INSPITEOFHISHAPPINESS,THATHEWOULDBRINGYOUTOMISERY,BRINGYOUTOSORROWANDREPENTANCE,BLIGHTYOU,DISGRACEYOU,PULLYOUDOWNWITHHIM.IKNOWVERYWELLTHATYOUCANHAVENOTENDERNESSFORME;IASKFORNONE;IAMEVENTHANKFULTHATITCANNOTBE.""WITHOUTIT,CANINOTSAVEYOU,MR.CARTON?CANINOTRECALLYOU--FORGIVEMEAGAIN!--TOABETTERCOURSE?CANIINNOWAYREPAYYOURCONFIDENCE?IKNOWTHISISACONFIDENCE,"SHEMODESTLYSAID,AFTERALITTLEHESITATION,ANDINEARNESTTEARS,"IKNOWYOUWOULDSAYTHISTONOONEELSE.CANITURNITTONOGOODACCOUNTFORYOURSELF,MR.CARTON?"HESHOOKHISHEAD."TONONE.NO,MISSMANETTE,TONONE.IFYOUWILLHEARMETHROUGHAVERYLITTLEMORE,ALLYOUCANEVERDOFORMEISDONE.IWISHYOUTOKNOWTHATYOUHAVEBEENTHELASTDREAMOFMYSOUL.INMYDEGRADATIONIHAVENOTBEENSODEGRADEDBUTTHATTHESIGHTOFYOUWITHYOURFATHER,ANDOFTHISHOMEMADESUCHAHOMEBYYOU,HASSTIRREDOLDSHADOWSTHATITHOUGHTHADDIEDOUTOFME.SINCEIKNEWYOU,IHAVEBEENTROUBLEDBYAREMORSETHATITHOUGHTWOULDNEVERREPROACHMEAGAIN,ANDHAVEHEARDWHISPERSFROMOLDVOICESIMPELLINGMEUPWARD,THATITHOUGHTWERESILENTFOREVER.IHAVEHADUNFORMEDIDEASOFSTRIVINGAFRESH,BEGINNINGANEW,SHAKINGOFFSLOTHANDSENSUALITY,ANDFIGHTINGOUTTHEABANDONEDFIGHT.ADREAM,ALLADREAM,THATENDSINNOTHING,ANDLEAVESTHESLEEPERWHEREHELAYDOWN,BUTIWISHYOUTOKNOWTHATYOUINSPIREDIT.""WILLNOTHINGOFITREMAIN?OMR.CARTON,THINKAGAIN!TRYAGAIN!""NO,MISSMANETTE;ALLTHROUGHIT,IHAVEKNOWNMYSELFTOBEQUITEUNDESERVING.ANDYETIHAVEHADTHEWEAKNESS,ANDHAVESTILLTHEWEAKNESS,TOWISHYOUTOKNOWWITHWHATASUDDENMASTERYYOUKINDLEDME,HEAPOFASHESTHATIAM,INTOFIRE--AFIRE,HOWEVER,INSEPARABLEINITSNATUREFROMMYSELF,QUICKENINGNOTHING,LIGHTINGNOTHING,DOINGNOSERVICE,IDLYBURNINGAWAY.""SINCEITISMYMISFORTUNE,MR.CARTON,TOHAVEMADEYOUMOREUNHAPPYTHANYOUWEREBEFOREYOUKNEWME--""DON'TSAYTHAT,MISSMANETTE,FORYOUWOULDHAVERECLAIMEDME,IFANYTHINGCOULD.YOUWILLNOTBETHECAUSEOFMYBECOMINGWORSE.""SINCETHESTATEOFYOURMINDTHATYOUDESCRIBE,IS,ATALLEVENTS,ATTRIBUTABLETOSOMEINFLUENCEOFMINE--THISISWHATIMEAN,IFICANMAKEITPLAIN--CANIUSENOINFLUENCETOSERVEYOU?HAVEINOPOWERFORGOOD,WITHYOU,ATALL?""THEUTMOSTGOODTHATIAMCAPABLEOFNOW,MISSMANETTE,IHAVECOMEHERETOREALISE.LETMECARRYTHROUGHTHERESTOFMYMISDIRECTEDLIFE,THEREMEMBRANCETHATIOPENEDMYHEARTTOYOU,LASTOFALLTHEWORLD;ANDTHATTHEREWASSOMETHINGLEFTINMEATTHISTIMEWHICHYOUCOULDDEPLOREANDPITY.""WHICHIENTREATEDYOUTOBELIEVE,AGAINANDAGAIN,MOSTFERVENTLY,WITHALLMYHEART,WASCAPABLEOFBETTERTHINGS,MR.CARTON!""ENTREATMETOBELIEVEITNOMORE,MISSMANETTE.IHAVEPROVEDMYSELF,ANDIKNOWBETTER.IDISTRESSYOU;IDRAWFASTTOANEND.WILLYOULETMEBELIEVE,WHENIRECALLTHISDAY,THATTHELASTCONFIDENCEOFMYLIFEWASREPOSEDINYOURPUREANDINNOCENTBREAST,ANDTHATITLIESTHEREALONE,ANDWILLBESHAREDBYNOONE?""IFTHATWILLBEACONSOLATIONTOYOU,YES.""NOTEVENBYTHEDEARESTONEEVERTOBEKNOWNTOYOU?""MR.CARTON,"SHEANSWERED,AFTERANAGITATEDPAUSE,"THESECRETISYOURS,NOTMINE;ANDIPROMISETORESPECTIT.""THANKYOU.ANDAGAIN,GODBLESSYOU."HEPUTHERHANDTOHISLIPS,ANDMOVEDTOWARDSTHEDOOR."BEUNDERNOAPPREHENSION,MISSMANETTE,OFMYEVERRESUMINGTHISCONVERSATIONBYSOMUCHASAPASSINGWORD.IWILLNEVERREFERTOITAGAIN.IFIWEREDEAD,THATCOULDNOTBESURERTHANITISHENCEFORTH.INTHEHOUROFMYDEATH,ISHALLHOLDSACREDTHEONEGOODREMEMBRANCE--ANDSHALLTHANKANDBLESSYOUFORIT--THATMYLASTAVOWALOFMYSELFWASMADETOYOU,ANDTHATMYNAME,ANDFAULTS,ANDMISERIESWEREGENTLYCARRIEDINYOURHEART.MAYITOTHERWISEBELIGHTANDHAPPY!"HEWASSOUNLIKEWHATHEHADEVERSHOWNHIMSELFTOBE,ANDITWASSOSADTOTHINKHOWMUCHHEHADTHROWNAWAY,ANDHOWMUCHHEEVERYDAYKEPTDOWNANDPERVERTED,THATLUCIEMANETTEWEPTMOURNFULLYFORHIMASHESTOODLOOKINGBACKATHER."BECOMFORTED!"HESAID,"IAMNOTWORTHSUCHFEELING,MISSMANETTE.ANHOURORTWOHENCE,ANDTHELOWCOMPANIONSANDLOWHABITSTHATISCORNBUTYIELDTO,WILLRENDERMELESSWORTHSUCHTEARSASTHOSE,THANANYWRETCHWHOCREEPSALONGTHESTREETS.BECOMFORTED!BUT,WITHINMYSELF,ISHALLALWAYSBE,TOWARDSYOU,WHATIAMNOW,THOUGHOUTWARDLYISHALLBEWHATYOUHAVEHERETOFORESEENME.THELASTSUPPLICATIONBUTONEIMAKETOYOU,IS,THATYOUWILLBELIEVETHISOFME.""IWILL,MR.CARTON.""MYLASTSUPPLICATIONOFALL,ISTHIS;ANDWITHIT,IWILLRELIEVEYOUOFAVISITORWITHWHOMIWELLKNOWYOUHAVENOTHINGINUNISON,ANDBETWEENWHOMANDYOUTHEREISANIMPASSABLESPACE.ITISUSELESSTOSAYIT,IKNOW,BUTITRISESOUTOFMYSOUL.FORYOU,ANDFORANYDEARTOYOU,IWOULDDOANYTHING.IFMYCAREERWEREOFTHATBETTERKINDTHATTHEREWASANYOPPORTUNITYORCAPACITYOFSACRIFICEINIT,IWOULDEMBRACEANYSACRIFICEFORYOUANDFORTHOSEDEARTOYOU.TRYTOHOLDMEINYOURMIND,ATSOMEQUIETTIMES,ASARDENTANDSINCEREINTHISONETHING.THETIMEWILLCOME,THETIMEWILLNOTBELONGINCOMING,WHENNEWTIESWILLBEFORMEDABOUTYOU--TIESTHATWILLBINDYOUYETMORETENDERLYANDSTRONGLYTOTHEHOMEYOUSOADORN--THEDEARESTTIESTHATWILLEVERGRACEANDGLADDENYOU.OMISSMANETTE,WHENTHELITTLEPICTUREOFAHAPPYFATHER'SFACELOOKSUPINYOURS,WHENYOUSEEYOUROWNBRIGHTBEAUTYSPRINGINGUPANEWATYOURFEET,THINKNOWANDTHENTHATTHEREISAMANWHOWOULDGIVEHISLIFE,TOKEEPALIFEYOULOVEBESIDEYOU!"HESAID,"FAREWELL!"SAIDALAST"GODBLESSYOU!"ANDLEFTHER.XIV.THEHONESTTRADESMANTOTHEEYESOFMR.JEREMIAHCRUNCHER,SITTINGONHISSTOOLINFLEET-STREETWITHHISGRISLYURCHINBESIDEHIM,AVASTNUMBERANDVARIETYOFOBJECTSINMOVEMENTWEREEVERYDAYPRESENTED.WHOCOULDSITUPONANYTHINGINFLEET-STREETDURINGTHEBUSYHOURSOFTHEDAY,ANDNOTBEDAZEDANDDEAFENEDBYTWOIMMENSEPROCESSIONS,ONEEVERTENDINGWESTWARDWITHTHESUN,THEOTHEREVERTENDINGEASTWARDFROMTHESUN,BOTHEVERTENDINGTOTHEPLAINSBEYONDTHERANGEOFREDANDPURPLEWHERETHESUNGOESDOWN!WITHHISSTRAWINHISMOUTH,MR.CRUNCHERSATWATCHINGTHETWOSTREAMS,LIKETHEHEATHENRUSTICWHOHASFORSEVERALCENTURIESBEENONDUTYWATCHINGONESTREAM--SAVINGTHATJERRYHADNOEXPECTATIONOFTHEIREVERRUNNINGDRY.NORWOULDITHAVEBEENANEXPECTATIONOFAHOPEFULKIND,SINCEASMALLPARTOFHISINCOMEWASDERIVEDFROMTHEPILOTAGEOFTIMIDWOMEN(MOSTLYOFAFULLHABITANDPASTTHEMIDDLETERMOFLIFE)FROMTELLSON'SSIDEOFTHETIDESTOTHEOPPOSITESHORE.BRIEFASSUCHCOMPANIONSHIPWASINEVERYSEPARATEINSTANCE,MR.CRUNCHERNEVERFAILEDTOBECOMESOINTERESTEDINTHELADYASTOEXPRESSASTRONGDESIRETOHAVETHEHONOUROFDRINKINGHERVERYGOODHEALTH.ANDITWASFROMTHEGIFTSBESTOWEDUPONHIMTOWARDSTHEEXECUTIONOFTHISBENEVOLENTPURPOSE,THATHERECRUITEDHISFINANCES,ASJUSTNOWOBSERVED.TIMEWAS,WHENAPOETSATUPONASTOOLINAPUBLICPLACE,ANDMUSEDINTHESIGHTOFMEN.MR.CRUNCHER,SITTINGONASTOOLINAPUBLICPLACE,BUTNOTBEINGAPOET,MUSEDASLITTLEASPOSSIBLE,ANDLOOKEDABOUTHIM.ITFELLOUTTHATHEWASTHUSENGAGEDINASEASONWHENCROWDSWEREFEW,ANDBELATEDWOMENFEW,ANDWHENHISAFFAIRSINGENERALWERESOUNPROSPEROUSASTOAWAKENASTRONGSUSPICIONINHISBREASTTHATMRS.CRUNCHERMUSTHAVEBEEN"FLOPPING"INSOMEPOINTEDMANNER,WHENANUNUSUALCONCOURSEPOURINGDOWNFLEET-STREETWESTWARD,ATTRACTEDHISATTENTION.LOOKINGTHATWAY,MR.CRUNCHERMADEOUTTHATSOMEKINDOFFUNERALWASCOMINGALONG,ANDTHATTHEREWASPOPULAROBJECTIONTOTHISFUNERAL,WHICHENGENDEREDUPROAR."YOUNGJERRY,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,TURNINGTOHISOFFSPRING,"IT'SABURYIN'.""HOOROAR,FATHER!"CRIEDYOUNGJERRY.THEYOUNGGENTLEMANUTTEREDTHISEXULTANTSOUNDWITHMYSTERIOUSSIGNIFICANCE.THEELDERGENTLEMANTOOKTHECRYSOILL,THATHEWATCHEDHISOPPORTUNITY,ANDSMOTETHEYOUNGGENTLEMANONTHEEAR."WHATD'YEMEAN?WHATAREYOUHOOROARINGAT?WHATDOYOUWANTTOCONWEYTOYOUROWNFATHER,YOUYOUNGRIP?THISBOYISAGETTINGTOOMANYFOR_ME_!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,SURVEYINGHIM."HIMANDHISHOOROARS!DON'TLETMEHEARNOMOREOFYOU,ORYOUSHALLFEELSOMEMOREOFME.D'YEHEAR?""IWARN'TDOINGNOHARM,"YOUNGJERRYPROTESTED,RUBBINGHISCHEEK."DROPITTHEN,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER;"IWON'THAVENONEOF_YOUR_NOHARMS.GETATOPOFTHATTHERESEAT,ANDLOOKATTHECROWD."HISSONOBEYED,ANDTHECROWDAPPROACHED;THEYWEREBAWLINGANDHISSINGROUNDADINGYHEARSEANDDINGYMOURNINGCOACH,INWHICHMOURNINGCOACHTHEREWASONLYONEMOURNER,DRESSEDINTHEDINGYTRAPPINGSTHATWERECONSIDEREDESSENTIALTOTHEDIGNITYOFTHEPOSITION.THEPOSITIONAPPEAREDBYNOMEANSTOPLEASEHIM,HOWEVER,WITHANINCREASINGRABBLESURROUNDINGTHECOACH,DERIDINGHIM,MAKINGGRIMACESATHIM,ANDINCESSANTLYGROANINGANDCALLINGOUT:"YAH!SPIES!TST!YAHA!SPIES!"WITHMANYCOMPLIMENTSTOONUMEROUSANDFORCIBLETOREPEAT.FUNERALSHADATALLTIMESAREMARKABLEATTRACTIONFORMR.CRUNCHER;HEALWAYSPRICKEDUPHISSENSES,ANDBECAMEEXCITED,WHENAFUNERALPASSEDTELLSON'S.NATURALLY,THEREFORE,AFUNERALWITHTHISUNCOMMONATTENDANCEEXCITEDHIMGREATLY,ANDHEASKEDOFTHEFIRSTMANWHORANAGAINSTHIM:"WHATISIT,BROTHER?WHAT'SITABOUT?""_I_DON'TKNOW,"SAIDTHEMAN."SPIES!YAHA!TST!SPIES!"HEASKEDANOTHERMAN."WHOISIT?""_I_DON'TKNOW,"RETURNEDTHEMAN,CLAPPINGHISHANDSTOHISMOUTHNEVERTHELESS,ANDVOCIFERATINGINASURPRISINGHEATANDWITHTHEGREATESTARDOUR,"SPIES!YAHA!TST,TST!SPI--IES!"ATLENGTH,APERSONBETTERINFORMEDONTHEMERITSOFTHECASE,TUMBLEDAGAINSTHIM,ANDFROMTHISPERSONHELEARNEDTHATTHEFUNERALWASTHEFUNERALOFONEROGERCLY."WASHEASPY?"ASKEDMR.CRUNCHER."OLDBAILEYSPY,"RETURNEDHISINFORMANT."YAHA!TST!YAH!OLDBAILEYSPI--I--IES!""WHY,TOBESURE!"EXCLAIMEDJERRY,RECALLINGTHETRIALATWHICHHEHADASSISTED."I'VESEENHIM.DEAD,ISHE?""DEADASMUTTON,"RETURNEDTHEOTHER,"ANDCAN'TBETOODEAD.HAVE'EMOUT,THERE!SPIES!PULL'EMOUT,THERE!SPIES!"THEIDEAWASSOACCEPTABLEINTHEPREVALENTABSENCEOFANYIDEA,THATTHECROWDCAUGHTITUPWITHEAGERNESS,ANDLOUDLYREPEATINGTHESUGGESTIONTOHAVE'EMOUT,ANDTOPULL'EMOUT,MOBBEDTHETWOVEHICLESSOCLOSELYTHATTHEYCAMETOASTOP.ONTHECROWD'SOPENINGTHECOACHDOORS,THEONEMOURNERSCUFFLEDOUTOFHIMSELFANDWASINTHEIRHANDSFORAMOMENT;BUTHEWASSOALERT,ANDMADESUCHGOODUSEOFHISTIME,THATINANOTHERMOMENTHEWASSCOURINGAWAYUPABYE-STREET,AFTERSHEDDINGHISCLOAK,HAT,LONGHATBAND,WHITEPOCKET-HANDKERCHIEF,ANDOTHERSYMBOLICALTEARS.THESE,THEPEOPLETORETOPIECESANDSCATTEREDFARANDWIDEWITHGREATENJOYMENT,WHILETHETRADESMENHURRIEDLYSHUTUPTHEIRSHOPS;FORACROWDINTHOSETIMESSTOPPEDATNOTHING,ANDWASAMONSTERMUCHDREADED.THEYHADALREADYGOTTHELENGTHOFOPENINGTHEHEARSETOTAKETHECOFFINOUT,WHENSOMEBRIGHTERGENIUSPROPOSEDINSTEAD,ITSBEINGESCORTEDTOITSDESTINATIONAMIDSTGENERALREJOICING.PRACTICALSUGGESTIONSBEINGMUCHNEEDED,THISSUGGESTION,TOO,WASRECEIVEDWITHACCLAMATION,ANDTHECOACHWASIMMEDIATELYFILLEDWITHEIGHTINSIDEANDADOZENOUT,WHILEASMANYPEOPLEGOTONTHEROOFOFTHEHEARSEASCOULDBYANYEXERCISEOFINGENUITYSTICKUPONIT.AMONGTHEFIRSTOFTHESEVOLUNTEERSWASJERRYCRUNCHERHIMSELF,WHOMODESTLYCONCEALEDHISSPIKYHEADFROMTHEOBSERVATIONOFTELLSON'S,INTHEFURTHERCORNEROFTHEMOURNINGCOACH.THEOFFICIATINGUNDERTAKERSMADESOMEPROTESTAGAINSTTHESECHANGESINTHECEREMONIES;BUT,THERIVERBEINGALARMINGLYNEAR,ANDSEVERALVOICESREMARKINGONTHEEFFICACYOFCOLDIMMERSIONINBRINGINGREFRACTORYMEMBERSOFTHEPROFESSIONTOREASON,THEPROTESTWASFAINTANDBRIEF.THEREMODELLEDPROCESSIONSTARTED,WITHACHIMNEY-SWEEPDRIVINGTHEHEARSE--ADVISEDBYTHEREGULARDRIVER,WHOWASPERCHEDBESIDEHIM,UNDERCLOSEINSPECTION,FORTHEPURPOSE--ANDWITHAPIEMAN,ALSOATTENDEDBYHISCABINETMINISTER,DRIVINGTHEMOURNINGCOACH.ABEAR-LEADER,APOPULARSTREETCHARACTEROFTHETIME,WASIMPRESSEDASANADDITIONALORNAMENT,BEFORETHECAVALCADEHADGONEFARDOWNTHESTRAND;ANDHISBEAR,WHOWASBLACKANDVERYMANGY,GAVEQUITEANUNDERTAKINGAIRTOTHATPARTOFTHEPROCESSIONINWHICHHEWALKED.THUS,WITHBEER-DRINKING,PIPE-SMOKING,SONG-ROARING,ANDINFINITECARICATURINGOFWOE,THEDISORDERLYPROCESSIONWENTITSWAY,RECRUITINGATEVERYSTEP,ANDALLTHESHOPSSHUTTINGUPBEFOREIT.ITSDESTINATIONWASTHEOLDCHURCHOFSAINTPANCRAS,FAROFFINTHEFIELDS.ITGOTTHEREINCOURSEOFTIME;INSISTEDONPOURINGINTOTHEBURIAL-GROUND;FINALLY,ACCOMPLISHEDTHEINTERMENTOFTHEDECEASEDROGERCLYINITSOWNWAY,ANDHIGHLYTOITSOWNSATISFACTION.THEDEADMANDISPOSEDOF,ANDTHECROWDBEINGUNDERTHENECESSITYOFPROVIDINGSOMEOTHERENTERTAINMENTFORITSELF,ANOTHERBRIGHTERGENIUS(ORPERHAPSTHESAME)CONCEIVEDTHEHUMOUROFIMPEACHINGCASUALPASSERS-BY,ASOLDBAILEYSPIES,ANDWREAKINGVENGEANCEONTHEM.CHASEWASGIVENTOSOMESCORESOFINOFFENSIVEPERSONSWHOHADNEVERBEENNEARTHEOLDBAILEYINTHEIRLIVES,INTHEREALISATIONOFTHISFANCY,ANDTHEYWEREROUGHLYHUSTLEDANDMALTREATED.THETRANSITIONTOTHESPORTOFWINDOW-BREAKING,ANDTHENCETOTHEPLUNDERINGOFPUBLIC-HOUSES,WASEASYANDNATURAL.ATLAST,AFTERSEVERALHOURS,WHENSUNDRYSUMMER-HOUSESHADBEENPULLEDDOWN,ANDSOMEAREA-RAILINGSHADBEENTORNUP,TOARMTHEMOREBELLIGERENTSPIRITS,ARUMOURGOTABOUTTHATTHEGUARDSWERECOMING.BEFORETHISRUMOUR,THECROWDGRADUALLYMELTEDAWAY,ANDPERHAPSTHEGUARDSCAME,ANDPERHAPSTHEYNEVERCAME,ANDTHISWASTHEUSUALPROGRESSOFAMOB.MR.CRUNCHERDIDNOTASSISTATTHECLOSINGSPORTS,BUTHADREMAINEDBEHINDINTHECHURCHYARD,TOCONFERANDCONDOLEWITHTHEUNDERTAKERS.THEPLACEHADASOOTHINGINFLUENCEONHIM.HEPROCUREDAPIPEFROMANEIGHBOURINGPUBLIC-HOUSE,ANDSMOKEDIT,LOOKINGINATTHERAILINGSANDMATURELYCONSIDERINGTHESPOT."JERRY,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,APOSTROPHISINGHIMSELFINHISUSUALWAY,"YOUSEETHATTHERECLYTHATDAY,ANDYOUSEEWITHYOUROWNEYESTHATHEWASAYOUNG'UNANDASTRAIGHTMADE'UN."HAVINGSMOKEDHISPIPEOUT,ANDRUMINATEDALITTLELONGER,HETURNEDHIMSELFABOUT,THATHEMIGHTAPPEAR,BEFORETHEHOUROFCLOSING,ONHISSTATIONATTELLSON'S.WHETHERHISMEDITATIONSONMORTALITYHADTOUCHEDHISLIVER,ORWHETHERHISGENERALHEALTHHADBEENPREVIOUSLYATALLAMISS,ORWHETHERHEDESIREDTOSHOWALITTLEATTENTIONTOANEMINENTMAN,ISNOTSOMUCHTOTHEPURPOSE,ASTHATHEMADEASHORTCALLUPONHISMEDICALADVISER--ADISTINGUISHEDSURGEON--ONHISWAYBACK.YOUNGJERRYRELIEVEDHISFATHERWITHDUTIFULINTEREST,ANDREPORTEDNOJOBINHISABSENCE.THEBANKCLOSED,THEANCIENTCLERKSCAMEOUT,THEUSUALWATCHWASSET,ANDMR.CRUNCHERANDHISSONWENTHOMETOTEA."NOW,ITELLYOUWHEREITIS!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHERTOHISWIFE,ONENTERING."IF,ASAHONESTTRADESMAN,MYWENTURSGOESWRONGTO-NIGHT,ISHALLMAKESURETHATYOU'VEBEENPRAYINGAGAINME,ANDISHALLWORKYOUFORITJUSTTHESAMEASIFISEENYOUDOIT."THEDEJECTEDMRS.CRUNCHERSHOOKHERHEAD."WHY,YOU'REATITAFOREMYFACE!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,WITHSIGNSOFANGRYAPPREHENSION."IAMSAYINGNOTHING.""WELL,THEN;DON'TMEDITATENOTHING.YOUMIGHTASWELLFLOPASMEDITATE.YOUMAYASWELLGOAGAINMEONEWAYASANOTHER.DROPITALTOGETHER.""YES,JERRY.""YES,JERRY,"REPEATEDMR.CRUNCHERSITTINGDOWNTOTEA."AH!IT_IS_YES,JERRY.THAT'SABOUTIT.YOUMAYSAYYES,JERRY."MR.CRUNCHERHADNOPARTICULARMEANINGINTHESESULKYCORROBORATIONS,BUTMADEUSEOFTHEM,ASPEOPLENOTUNFREQUENTLYDO,TOEXPRESSGENERALIRONICALDISSATISFACTION."YOUANDYOURYES,JERRY,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,TAKINGABITEOUTOFHISBREAD-AND-BUTTER,ANDSEEMINGTOHELPITDOWNWITHALARGEINVISIBLEOYSTEROUTOFHISSAUCER."AH!ITHINKSO.IBELIEVEYOU.""YOUAREGOINGOUTTO-NIGHT?"ASKEDHISDECENTWIFE,WHENHETOOKANOTHERBITE."YES,IAM.""MAYIGOWITHYOU,FATHER?"ASKEDHISSON,BRISKLY."NO,YOUMAYN'T.I'MAGOING--ASYOURMOTHERKNOWS--AFISHING.THAT'SWHEREI'MGOINGTO.GOINGAFISHING.""YOURFISHING-RODGETSRAYTHERRUSTY;DON'TIT,FATHER?""NEVERYOUMIND.""SHALLYOUBRINGANYFISHHOME,FATHER?""IFIDON'T,YOU'LLHAVESHORTCOMMONS,TO-MORROW,"RETURNEDTHATGENTLEMAN,SHAKINGHISHEAD;"THAT'SQUESTIONSENOUGHFORYOU;IAIN'TAGOINGOUT,TILLYOU'VEBEENLONGABED."HEDEVOTEDHIMSELFDURINGTHEREMAINDEROFTHEEVENINGTOKEEPINGAMOSTVIGILANTWATCHONMRS.CRUNCHER,ANDSULLENLYHOLDINGHERINCONVERSATIONTHATSHEMIGHTBEPREVENTEDFROMMEDITATINGANYPETITIONSTOHISDISADVANTAGE.WITHTHISVIEW,HEURGEDHISSONTOHOLDHERINCONVERSATIONALSO,ANDLEDTHEUNFORTUNATEWOMANAHARDLIFEBYDWELLINGONANYCAUSESOFCOMPLAINTHECOULDBRINGAGAINSTHER,RATHERTHANHEWOULDLEAVEHERFORAMOMENTTOHEROWNREFLECTIONS.THEDEVOUTESTPERSONCOULDHAVERENDEREDNOGREATERHOMAGETOTHEEFFICACYOFANHONESTPRAYERTHANHEDIDINTHISDISTRUSTOFHISWIFE.ITWASASIFAPROFESSEDUNBELIEVERINGHOSTSSHOULDBEFRIGHTENEDBYAGHOSTSTORY."ANDMINDYOU!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER."NOGAMESTO-MORROW!IFI,ASAHONESTTRADESMAN,SUCCEEDINPROVIDINGAJINTEOFMEATORTWO,NONEOFYOURNOTTOUCHINGOFIT,ANDSTICKINGTOBREAD.IFI,ASAHONESTTRADESMAN,AMABLETOPROVIDEALITTLEBEER,NONEOFYOURDECLARINGONWATER.WHENYOUGOTOROME,DOASROMEDOES.ROMEWILLBEAUGLYCUSTOMERTOYOU,IFYOUDON'T._I_'MYOURROME,YOUKNOW."THENHEBEGANGRUMBLINGAGAIN:"WITHYOURFLYINGINTOTHEFACEOFYOUROWNWITTLESANDDRINK!IDON'TKNOWHOWSCARCEYOUMAYN'TMAKETHEWITTLESANDDRINKHERE,BYYOURFLOPPINGTRICKSANDYOURUNFEELINGCONDUCT.LOOKATYOURBOY:HE_IS_YOUR'N,AIN'THE?HE'SASTHINASALATH.DOYOUCALLYOURSELFAMOTHER,ANDNOTKNOWTHATAMOTHER'SFIRSTDUTYISTOBLOWHERBOYOUT?"THISTOUCHEDYOUNGJERRYONATENDERPLACE;WHOADJUREDHISMOTHERTOPERFORMHERFIRSTDUTY,AND,WHATEVERELSESHEDIDORNEGLECTED,ABOVEALLTHINGSTOLAYESPECIALSTRESSONTHEDISCHARGEOFTHATMATERNALFUNCTIONSOAFFECTINGLYANDDELICATELYINDICATEDBYHISOTHERPARENT.THUSTHEEVENINGWOREAWAYWITHTHECRUNCHERFAMILY,UNTILYOUNGJERRYWASORDEREDTOBED,ANDHISMOTHER,LAIDUNDERSIMILARINJUNCTIONS,OBEYEDTHEM.MR.CRUNCHERBEGUILEDTHEEARLIERWATCHESOFTHENIGHTWITHSOLITARYPIPES,ANDDIDNOTSTARTUPONHISEXCURSIONUNTILNEARLYONEO'CLOCK.TOWARDSTHATSMALLANDGHOSTLYHOUR,HEROSEUPFROMHISCHAIR,TOOKAKEYOUTOFHISPOCKET,OPENEDALOCKEDCUPBOARD,ANDBROUGHTFORTHASACK,ACROWBAROFCONVENIENTSIZE,AROPEANDCHAIN,ANDOTHERFISHINGTACKLEOFTHATNATURE.DISPOSINGTHESEARTICLESABOUTHIMINSKILFULMANNER,HEBESTOWEDAPARTINGDEFIANCEONMRS.CRUNCHER,EXTINGUISHEDTHELIGHT,ANDWENTOUT.YOUNGJERRY,WHOHADONLYMADEAFEINTOFUNDRESSINGWHENHEWENTTOBED,WASNOTLONGAFTERHISFATHER.UNDERCOVEROFTHEDARKNESSHEFOLLOWEDOUTOFTHEROOM,FOLLOWEDDOWNTHESTAIRS,FOLLOWEDDOWNTHECOURT,FOLLOWEDOUTINTOTHESTREETS.HEWASINNOUNEASINESSCONCERNINGHISGETTINGINTOTHEHOUSEAGAIN,FORITWASFULLOFLODGERS,ANDTHEDOORSTOODAJARALLNIGHT.IMPELLEDBYALAUDABLEAMBITIONTOSTUDYTHEARTANDMYSTERYOFHISFATHER'SHONESTCALLING,YOUNGJERRY,KEEPINGASCLOSETOHOUSEFRONTS,WALLS,ANDDOORWAYS,ASHISEYESWERECLOSETOONEANOTHER,HELDHISHONOUREDPARENTINVIEW.THEHONOUREDPARENTSTEERINGNORTHWARD,HADNOTGONEFAR,WHENHEWASJOINEDBYANOTHERDISCIPLEOFIZAAKWALTON,ANDTHETWOTRUDGEDONTOGETHER.WITHINHALFANHOURFROMTHEFIRSTSTARTING,THEYWEREBEYONDTHEWINKINGLAMPS,ANDTHEMORETHANWINKINGWATCHMEN,ANDWEREOUTUPONALONELYROAD.ANOTHERFISHERMANWASPICKEDUPHERE--ANDTHATSOSILENTLY,THATIFYOUNGJERRYHADBEENSUPERSTITIOUS,HEMIGHTHAVESUPPOSEDTHESECONDFOLLOWEROFTHEGENTLECRAFTTOHAVE,ALLOFASUDDEN,SPLITHIMSELFINTOTWO.THETHREEWENTON,ANDYOUNGJERRYWENTON,UNTILTHETHREESTOPPEDUNDERABANKOVERHANGINGTHEROAD.UPONTHETOPOFTHEBANKWASALOWBRICKWALL,SURMOUNTEDBYANIRONRAILING.INTHESHADOWOFBANKANDWALLTHETHREETURNEDOUTOFTHEROAD,ANDUPABLINDLANE,OFWHICHTHEWALL--THERE,RISENTOSOMEEIGHTORTENFEETHIGH--FORMEDONESIDE.CROUCHINGDOWNINACORNER,PEEPINGUPTHELANE,THENEXTOBJECTTHATYOUNGJERRYSAW,WASTHEFORMOFHISHONOUREDPARENT,PRETTYWELLDEFINEDAGAINSTAWATERYANDCLOUDEDMOON,NIMBLYSCALINGANIRONGATE.HEWASSOONOVER,ANDTHENTHESECONDFISHERMANGOTOVER,ANDTHENTHETHIRD.THEYALLDROPPEDSOFTLYONTHEGROUNDWITHINTHEGATE,ANDLAYTHEREALITTLE--LISTENINGPERHAPS.THEN,THEYMOVEDAWAYONTHEIRHANDSANDKNEES.ITWASNOWYOUNGJERRY'STURNTOAPPROACHTHEGATE:WHICHHEDID,HOLDINGHISBREATH.CROUCHINGDOWNAGAININACORNERTHERE,ANDLOOKINGIN,HEMADEOUTTHETHREEFISHERMENCREEPINGTHROUGHSOMERANKGRASS!ANDALLTHEGRAVESTONESINTHECHURCHYARD--ITWASALARGECHURCHYARDTHATTHEYWEREIN--LOOKINGONLIKEGHOSTSINWHITE,WHILETHECHURCHTOWERITSELFLOOKEDONLIKETHEGHOSTOFAMONSTROUSGIANT.THEYDIDNOTCREEPFAR,BEFORETHEYSTOPPEDANDSTOODUPRIGHT.ANDTHENTHEYBEGANTOFISH.THEYFISHEDWITHASPADE,ATFIRST.PRESENTLYTHEHONOUREDPARENTAPPEAREDTOBEADJUSTINGSOMEINSTRUMENTLIKEAGREATCORKSCREW.WHATEVERTOOLSTHEYWORKEDWITH,THEYWORKEDHARD,UNTILTHEAWFULSTRIKINGOFTHECHURCHCLOCKSOTERRIFIEDYOUNGJERRY,THATHEMADEOFF,WITHHISHAIRASSTIFFASHISFATHER'S.BUT,HISLONG-CHERISHEDDESIRETOKNOWMOREABOUTTHESEMATTERS,NOTONLYSTOPPEDHIMINHISRUNNINGAWAY,BUTLUREDHIMBACKAGAIN.THEYWERESTILLFISHINGPERSEVERINGLY,WHENHEPEEPEDINATTHEGATEFORTHESECONDTIME;BUT,NOWTHEYSEEMEDTOHAVEGOTABITE.THEREWASASCREWINGANDCOMPLAININGSOUNDDOWNBELOW,ANDTHEIRBENTFIGURESWERESTRAINED,ASIFBYAWEIGHT.BYSLOWDEGREESTHEWEIGHTBROKEAWAYTHEEARTHUPONIT,ANDCAMETOTHESURFACE.YOUNGJERRYVERYWELLKNEWWHATITWOULDBE;BUT,WHENHESAWIT,ANDSAWHISHONOUREDPARENTABOUTTOWRENCHITOPEN,HEWASSOFRIGHTENED,BEINGNEWTOTHESIGHT,THATHEMADEOFFAGAIN,ANDNEVERSTOPPEDUNTILHEHADRUNAMILEORMORE.HEWOULDNOTHAVESTOPPEDTHEN,FORANYTHINGLESSNECESSARYTHANBR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VILLAGEBELOW,WHEREITISALREADYDARK,WHENIRAISEMYEYES,ANDSEECOMINGOVERTHEHILLSIXSOLDIERS.INTHEMIDSTOFTHEMISATALLMANWITHHISARMSBOUND--TIEDTOHISSIDES--LIKETHIS!"WITHTHEAIDOFHISINDISPENSABLECAP,HEREPRESENTEDAMANWITHHISELBOWSBOUNDFASTATHISHIPS,WITHCORDSTHATWEREKNOTTEDBEHINDHIM."ISTANDASIDE,MESSIEURS,BYMYHEAPOFSTONES,TOSEETHESOLDIERSANDTHEIRPRISONERPASS(FORITISASOLITARYROAD,THAT,WHEREANYSPECTACLEISWELLWORTHLOOKINGAT),ANDATFIRST,ASTHEYAPPROACH,ISEENOMORETHANTHATTHEYARESIXSOLDIERSWITHATALLMANBOUND,ANDTHATTHEYAREALMOSTBLACKTOMYSIGHT--EXCEPTONTHESIDEOFTHESUNGOINGTOBED,WHERETHEYHAVEAREDEDGE,MESSIEURS.ALSO,ISEETHATTHEIRLONGSHADOWSAREONTHEHOLLOWRIDGEONTHEOPPOSITESIDEOFTHEROAD,ANDAREONTHEHILLABOVEIT,ANDARELIKETHESHADOWSOFGIANTS.ALSO,ISEETHATTHEYARECOVEREDWITHDUST,ANDTHATTHEDUSTMOVESWITHTHEMASTHEYCOME,TRAMP,TRAMP!BUTWHENTHEYADVANCEQUITENEARTOME,IRECOGNISETHETALLMAN,ANDHERECOGNISESME.AH,BUTHEWOULDBEWELLCONTENTTOPRECIPITATEHIMSELFOVERTHEHILL-SIDEONCEAGAIN,ASONTHEEVENINGWHENHEANDIFIRSTENCOUNTERED,CLOSETOTHESAMESPOT!"HEDESCRIBEDITASIFHEWERETHERE,ANDITWASEVIDENTTHATHESAWITVIVIDLY;PERHAPSHEHADNOTSEENMUCHINHISLIFE."IDONOTSHOWTHESOLDIERSTHATIRECOGNISETHETALLMAN;HEDOESNOTSHOWTHESOLDIERSTHATHERECOGNISESME;WEDOIT,ANDWEKNOWIT,WITHOUREYES.'COMEON!'SAYSTHECHIEFOFTHATCOMPANY,POINTINGTOTHEVILLAGE,'BRINGHIMFASTTOHISTOMB!'ANDTHEYBRINGHIMFASTER.IFOLLOW.HISARMSARESWELLEDBECAUSEOFBEINGBOUNDSOTIGHT,HISWOODENSHOESARELARGEANDCLUMSY,ANDHEISLAME.BECAUSEHEISLAME,ANDCONSEQUENTLYSLOW,THEYDRIVEHIMWITHTHEIRGUNS--LIKETHIS!"HEIMITATEDTHEACTIONOFAMAN'SBEINGIMPELLEDFORWARDBYTHEBUTT-ENDSOFMUSKETS."ASTHEYDESCENDTHEHILLLIKEMADMENRUNNINGARACE,HEFALLS.THEYLAUGHANDPICKHIMUPAGAIN.HISFACEISBLEEDINGANDCOVEREDWITHDUST,BUTHECANNOTTOUCHIT;THEREUPONTHEYLAUGHAGAIN.THEYBRINGHIMINTOTHEVILLAGE;ALLTHEVILLAGERUNSTOLOOK;THEYTAKEHIMPASTTHEMILL,ANDUPTOTHEPRISON;ALLTHEVILLAGESEESTHEPRISONGATEOPENINTHEDARKNESSOFTHENIGHT,ANDSWALLOWHIM--LIKETHIS!"HEOPENEDHISMOUTHASWIDEASHECOULD,ANDSHUTITWITHASOUNDINGSNAPOFHISTEETH.OBSERVANTOFHISUNWILLINGNESSTOMARTHEEFFECTBYOPENINGITAGAIN,DEFARGESAID,"GOON,JACQUES.""ALLTHEVILLAGE,"PURSUEDTHEMENDEROFROADS,ONTIPTOEANDINALOWVOICE,"WITHDRAWS;ALLTHEVILLAGEWHISPERSBYTHEFOUNTAIN;ALLTHEVILLAGESLEEPS;ALLTHEVILLAGEDREAMSOFTHATUNHAPPYONE,WITHINTHELOCKSANDBARSOFTHEPRISONONTHECRAG,ANDNEVERTOCOMEOUTOFIT,EXCEPTTOPERISH.INTHEMORNING,WITHMYTOOLSUPONMYSHOULDER,EATINGMYMORSELOFBLACKBREADASIGO,IMAKEACIRCUITBYTHEPRISON,ONMYWAYTOMYWORK.THEREISEEHIM,HIGHUP,BEHINDTHEBARSOFALOFTYIRONCAGE,BLOODYANDDUSTYASLASTNIGHT,LOOKINGTHROUGH.HEHASNOHANDFREE,TOWAVETOME;IDARENOTCALLTOHIM;HEREGARDSMELIKEADEADMAN."DEFARGEANDTHETHREEGLANCEDDARKLYATONEANOTHER.THELOOKSOFALLOFTHEMWEREDARK,REPRESSED,ANDREVENGEFUL,ASTHEYLISTENEDTOTHECOUNTRYMAN'SSTORY;THEMANNEROFALLOFTHEM,WHILEITWASSECRET,WASAUTHORITATIVETOO.THEYHADTHEAIROFAROUGHTRIBUNAL;JACQUESONEANDTWOSITTINGONTHEOLDPALLET-BED,EACHWITHHISCHINRESTINGONHISHAND,ANDHISEYESINTENTONTHEROAD-MENDER;JACQUESTHREE,EQUALLYINTENT,ONONEKNEEBEHINDTHEM,WITHHISAGITATEDHANDALWAYSGLIDINGOVERTHENETWORKOFFINENERVESABOUTHISMOUTHANDNOSE;DEFARGESTANDINGBETWEENTHEMANDTHENARRATOR,WHOMHEHADSTATIONEDINTHELIGHTOFTHEWINDOW,BYTURNSLOOKINGFROMHIMTOTHEM,ANDFROMTHEMTOHIM."GOON,JACQUES,"SAIDDEFARGE."HEREMAINSUPTHEREINHISIRONCAGESOMEDAYS.THEVILLAGELOOKSATHIMBYSTEALTH,FORITISAFRAID.BUTITALWAYSLOOKSUP,FROMADISTANCE,ATTHEPRISONONTHECRAG;ANDINTHEEVENING,WHENTHEWORKOFTHEDAYISACHIEVEDANDITASSEMBLESTOGOSSIPATTHEFOUNTAIN,ALLFACESARETURNEDTOWARDSTHEPRISON.FORMERLY,THEYWERETURNEDTOWARDSTHEPOSTING-HOUSE;NOW,THEYARETURNEDTOWARDSTHEPRISON.THEYWHISPERATTHEFOUNTAIN,THATALTHOUGHCONDEMNEDTODEATHHEWILLNOTBEEXECUTED;THEYSAYTHATPETITIONSHAVEBEENPRESENTEDINPARIS,SHOWINGTHATHEWASENRAGEDANDMADEMADBYTHEDEATHOFHISCHILD;THEYSAYTHATAPETITIONHASBEENPRESENTEDTOTHEKINGHIMSELF.WHATDOIKNOW?ITISPOSSIBLE.PERHAPSYES,PERHAPSNO.""LISTENTHEN,JACQUES,"NUMBERONEOFTHATNAMESTERNLYINTERPOSED."KNOWTHATAPETITIONWASPRESENTEDTOTHEKINGANDQUEEN.ALLHERE,YOURSELFEXCEPTED,SAWTHEKINGTAKEIT,INHISCARRIAGEINTHESTREET,SITTINGBESIDETHEQUEEN.ITISDEFARGEWHOMYOUSEEHERE,WHO,ATTHEHAZARDOFHISLIFE,DARTEDOUTBEFORETHEHORSES,WITHTHEPETITIONINHISHAND.""ANDONCEAGAINLISTEN,JACQUES!"SAIDTHEKNEELINGNUMBERTHREE:HISFINGERSEVERWANDERINGOVERANDOVERTHOSEFINENERVES,WITHASTRIKINGLYGREEDYAIR,ASIFHEHUNGEREDFORSOMETHING--THATWASNEITHERFOODNORDRINK;"THEGUARD,HORSEANDFOOT,SURROUNDEDTHEPETITIONER,ANDSTRUCKHIMBLOWS.YOUHEAR?""IHEAR,MESSIEURS.""GOONTHEN,"SAIDDEFARGE."AGAIN;ONTHEOTHERHAND,THEYWHISPERATTHEFOUNTAIN,"RESUMEDTHECOUNTRYMAN,"THATHEISBROUGHTDOWNINTOOURCOUNTRYTOBEEXECUTEDONTHESPOT,ANDTHATHEWILLVERYCERTAINLYBEEXECUTED.THEYEVENWHISPERTHATBECAUSEHEHASSLAINMONSEIGNEUR,ANDBECAUSEMONSEIGNEURWASTHEFATHEROFHISTENANTS--SERFS--WHATYOUWILL--HEWILLBEEXECUTEDASAPARRICIDE.ONEOLDMANSAYSATTHEFOUNTAIN,THATHISRIGHTHAND,ARMEDWITHTHEKNIFE,WILLBEBURNTOFFBEFOREHISFACE;THAT,INTOWOUNDSWHICHWILLBEMADEINHISARMS,HISBREAST,ANDHISLEGS,THEREWILLBEPOUREDBOILINGOIL,MELTEDLEAD,HOTRESIN,WAX,ANDSULPHUR;FINALLY,THATHEWILLBETORNLIMBFROMLIMBBYFOURSTRONGHORSES.THATOLDMANSAYS,ALLTHISWASACTUALLYDONETOAPRISONERWHOMADEANATTEMPTONTHELIFEOFTHELATEKING,LOUISFIFTEEN.BUTHOWDOIKNOWIFHELIES?IAMNOTASCHOLAR.""LISTENONCEAGAINTHEN,JACQUES!"SAIDTHEMANWITHTHERESTLESSHANDANDTHECRAVINGAIR."THENAMEOFTHATPRISONERWASDAMIENS,ANDITWASALLDONEINOPENDAY,INTHEOPENSTREETSOFTHISCITYOFPARIS;ANDNOTHINGWASMORENOTICEDINTHEVASTCONCOURSETHATSAWITDONE,THANTHECROWDOFLADIESOFQUALITYANDFASHION,WHOWEREFULLOFEAGERATTENTIONTOTHELAST--TOTHELAST,JACQUES,PROLONGEDUNTILNIGHTFALL,WHENHEHADLOSTTWOLEGSANDANARM,ANDSTILLBREATHED!ANDITWASDONE--WHY,HOWOLDAREYOU?""THIRTY-FIVE,"SAIDTHEMENDEROFROADS,WHOLOOKEDSIXTY."ITWASDONEWHENYOUWEREMORETHANTENYEARSOLD;YOUMIGHTHAVESEENIT.""ENOUGH!"SAIDDEFARGE,WITHGRIMIMPATIENCE."LONGLIVETHEDEVIL!GOON.""WELL!SOMEWHISPERTHIS,SOMEWHISPERTHAT;THEYSPEAKOFNOTHINGELSE;EVENTHEFOUNTAINAPPEARSTOFALLTOTHATTUNE.ATLENGTH,ONSUNDAYNIGHTWHENALLTHEVILLAGEISASLEEP,COMESOLDIERS,WINDINGDOWNFROMTHEPRISON,ANDTHEIRGUNSRINGONTHESTONESOFTHELITTLESTREET.WORKMENDIG,WORKMENHAMMER,SOLDIERSLAUGHANDSING;INTHEMORNING,BYTHEFOUNTAIN,THEREISRAISEDAGALLOWSFORTYFEETHIGH,POISONINGTHEWATER."THEMENDEROFROADSLOOKED_THROUGH_RATHERTHAN_AT_THELOWCEILING,ANDPOINTEDASIFHESAWTHEGALLOWSSOMEWHEREINTHESKY."ALLWORKISSTOPPED,ALLASSEMBLETHERE,NOBODYLEADSTHECOWSOUT,THECOWSARETHEREWITHTHEREST.ATMIDDAY,THEROLLOFDRUMS.SOLDIERSHAVEMARCHEDINTOTHEPRISONINTHENIGHT,ANDHEISINTHEMIDSTOFMANYSOLDIERS.HEISBOUNDASBEFORE,ANDINHISMOUTHTHEREISAGAG--TIEDSO,WITHATIGHTSTRING,MAKINGHIMLOOKALMOSTASIFHELAUGHED."HESUGGESTEDIT,BYCREASINGHISFACEWITHHISTWOTHUMBS,FROMTHECORNERSOFHISMOUTHTOHISEARS."ONTHETOPOFTHEGALLOWSISFIXEDTHEKNIFE,BLADEUPWARDS,WITHITSPOINTINTHEAIR.HEISHANGEDTHEREFORTYFEETHIGH--ANDISLEFTHANGING,POISONINGTHEWATER."THEYLOOKEDATONEANOTHER,ASHEUSEDHISBLUECAPTOWIPEHISFACE,ONWHICHTHEPERSPIRATIONHADSTARTEDAFRESHWHILEHERECALLEDTHESPECTACLE."ITISFRIGHTFUL,MESSIEURS.HOWCANTHEWOMENANDTHECHILDRENDRAWWATER!WHOCANGOSSIPOFANEVENING,UNDERTHATSHADOW!UNDERIT,HAVEISAID?WHENILEFTTHEVILLAGE,MONDAYEVENINGASTHESUNWASGOINGTOBED,ANDLOOKEDBACKFROMTHEHILL,THESHADOWSTRUCKACROSSTHECHURCH,ACROSSTHEMILL,ACROSSTHEPRISON--SEEMEDTOSTRIKEACROSSTHEEARTH,MESSIEURS,TOWHERETHESKYRESTSUPONIT!"THEHUNGRYMANGNAWEDONEOFHISFINGERSASHELOOKEDATTHEOTHERTHREE,ANDHISFINGERQUIVEREDWITHTHECRAVINGTHATWASONHIM."THAT'SALL,MESSIEURS.ILEFTATSUNSET(ASIHADBEENWARNEDTODO),ANDIWALKEDON,THATNIGHTANDHALFNEXTDAY,UNTILIMET(ASIWASWARNEDISHOULD)THISCOMRADE.WITHHIM,ICAMEON,NOWRIDINGANDNOWWALKING,THROUGHTHERESTOFYESTERDAYANDTHROUGHLASTNIGHT.ANDHEREYOUSEEME!"AFTERAGLOOMYSILENCE,THEFIRSTJACQUESSAID,"GOOD!YOUHAVEACTEDANDRECOUNTEDFAITHFULLY.WILLYOUWAITFORUSALITTLE,OUTSIDETHEDOOR?""VERYWILLINGLY,"SAIDTHEMENDEROFROADS.WHOMDEFARGEESCORTEDTOTHETOPOFTHESTAIRS,AND,LEAVINGSEATEDTHERE,RETURNED.THETHREEHADRISEN,ANDTHEIRHEADSWERETOGETHERWHENHECAMEBACKTOTHEGARRET."HOWSAYYOU,JACQUES?"DEMANDEDNUMBERONE."TOBEREGISTERED?""TOBEREGISTERED,ASDOOMEDTODESTRUCTION,"RETURNEDDEFARGE."MAGNIFICENT!"CROAKEDTHEMANWITHTHECRAVING."THECHATEAU,ANDALLTHERACE?"INQUIREDTHEFIRST."THECHATEAUANDALLTHERACE,"RETURNEDDEFARGE."EXTERMINATION."THEHUNGRYMANREPEATED,INARAPTUROUSCROAK,"MAGNIFICENT!"ANDBEGANGNAWINGANOTHERFINGER."AREYOUSURE,"ASKEDJACQUESTWO,OFDEFARGE,"THATNOEMBARRASSMENTCANARISEFROMOURMANNEROFKEEPINGTHEREGISTER?WITHOUTDOUBTITISSAFE,FORNOONEBEYONDOURSELVESCANDECIPHERIT;BUTSHALLWEALWAYSBEABLETODECIPHERIT--OR,IOUGHTTOSAY,WILLSHE?""JACQUES,"RETURNEDDEFARGE,DRAWINGHIMSELFUP,"IFMADAMEMYWIFEUNDERTOOKTOKEEPTHEREGISTERINHERMEMORYALONE,SHEWOULDNOTLOSEAWORDOFIT--NOTASYLLABLEOFIT.KNITTED,INHEROWNSTITCHESANDHEROWNSYMBOLS,ITWILLALWAYSBEASPLAINTOHERASTHESUN.CONFIDEINMADAMEDEFARGE.ITWOULDBEEASIERFORTHEWEAKESTPOLTROONTHATLIVES,TOERASEHIMSELFFROMEXISTENCE,THANTOERASEONELETTEROFHISNAMEORCRIMESFROMTHEKNITTEDREGISTEROFMADAMEDEFARGE."THEREWASAMURMUROFCONFIDENCEANDAPPROVAL,ANDTHENTHEMANWHOHUNGERED,ASKED:"ISTHISRUSTICTOBESENTBACKSOON?IHOPESO.HEISVERYSIMPLE;ISHENOTALITTLEDANGEROUS?""HEKNOWSNOTHING,"SAIDDEFARGE;"ATLEASTNOTHINGMORETHANWOULDEASILYELEVATEHIMSELFTOAGALLOWSOFTHESAMEHEIGHT.ICHARGEMYSELFWITHHIM;LETHIMREMAINWITHME;IWILLTAKECAREOFHIM,ANDSETHIMONHISROAD.HEWISHESTOSEETHEFINEWORLD--THEKING,THEQUEEN,ANDCOURT;LETHIMSEETHEMONSUNDAY.""WHAT?"EXCLAIMEDTHEHUNGRYMAN,STARING."ISITAGOODSIGN,THATHEWISHESTOSEEROYALTYANDNOBILITY?""JACQUES,"SAIDDEFARGE;"JUDICIOUSLYSHOWACATMILK,IFYOUWISHHERTOTHIRSTFORIT.JUDICIOUSLYSHOWADOGHISNATURALPREY,IFYOUWISHHIMTOBRINGITDOWNONEDAY."NOTHINGMOREWASSAID,ANDTHEMENDEROFROADS,BEINGFOUNDALREADYDOZINGONTHETOPMOSTSTAIR,WASADVISEDTOLAYHIMSELFDOWNONTHEPALLET-BEDANDTAKESOMEREST.HENEEDEDNOPERSUASION,ANDWASSOONASLEEP.WORSEQUARTERSTHANDEFARGE'SWINE-SHOP,COULDEASILYHAVEBEENFOUNDINPARISFORAPROVINCIALSLAVEOFTHATDEGREE.SAVINGFORAMYSTERIOUSDREADOFMADAMEBYWHICHHEWASCONSTANTLYHAUNTED,HISLIFEWASVERYNEWANDAGREEABLE.BUT,MADAMESATALLDAYATHERCOUNTER,SOEXPRESSLYUNCONSCIOUSOFHIM,ANDSOPARTICULARLYDETERMINEDNOTTOPERCEIVETHATHISBEINGTHEREHADANYCONNECTIONWITHANYTHINGBELOWTHESURFACE,THATHESHOOKINHISWOODENSHOESWHENEVERHISEYELIGHTEDONHER.FOR,HECONTENDEDWITHHIMSELFTHATITWASIMPOSSIBLETOFORESEEWHATTHATLADYMIGHTPRETENDNEXT;ANDHEFELTASSUREDTHATIFSHESHOULDTAKEITINTOHERBRIGHTLYORNAMENTEDHEADTOPRETENDTHATSHEHADSEENHIMDOAMURDERANDAFTERWARDSFLAYTHEVICTIM,SHEWOULDINFALLIBLYGOTHROUGHWITHITUNTILTHEPLAYWASPLAYEDOUT.THEREFORE,WHENSUNDAYCAME,THEMENDEROFROADSWASNOTENCHANTED(THOUGHHESAIDHEWAS)TOFINDTHATMADAMEWASTOACCOMPANYMONSIEURANDHIMSELFTOVERSAILLES.ITWASADDITIONALLYDISCONCERTINGTOHAVEMADAMEKNITTINGALLTHEWAYTHERE,INAPUBLICCONVEYANCE;ITWASADDITIONALLYDISCONCERTINGYET,TOHAVEMADAMEINTHECROWDINTHEAFTERNOON,STILLWITHHERKNITTINGINHERHANDSASTHECROWDWAITEDTOSEETHECARRIAGEOFTHEKINGANDQUEEN."YOUWORKHARD,MADAME,"SAIDAMANNEARHER."YES,"ANSWEREDMADAMEDEFARGE;"IHAVEAGOODDEALTODO.""WHATDOYOUMAKE,MADAME?""MANYTHINGS.""FORINSTANCE--""FORINSTANCE,"RETURNEDMADAMEDEFARGE,COMPOSEDLY,"SHROUDS."THEMANMOVEDALITTLEFURTHERAWAY,ASSOONASHECOULD,ANDTHEMENDEROFROADSFANNEDHIMSELFWITHHISBLUECAP:FEELINGITMIGHTILYCLOSEANDOPPRESSIVE.IFHENEEDEDAKINGANDQUEENTORESTOREHIM,HEWASFORTUNATEINHAVINGHISREMEDYATHAND;FOR,SOONTHELARGE-FACEDKINGANDTHEFAIR-FACEDQUEENCAMEINTHEIRGOLDENCOACH,ATTENDEDBYTHESHININGBULL'SEYEOFTHEIRCOURT,AGLITTERINGMULTITUDEOFLAUGHINGLADIESANDFINELORDS;ANDINJEWELSANDSILKSANDPOWDERANDSPLENDOURANDELEGANTLYSPURNINGFIGURESANDHANDSOMELYDISDAINFULFACESOFBOTHSEXES,THEMENDEROFROADSBATHEDHIMSELF,SOMUCHTOHISTEMPORARYINTOXICATION,THATHECRIEDLONGLIVETHEKING,LONGLIVETHEQUEEN,LONGLIVEEVERYBODYANDEVERYTHING!ASIFHEHADNEVERHEARDOFUBIQUITOUSJACQUESINHISTIME.THEN,THEREWEREGARDENS,COURTYARDS,TERRACES,FOUNTAINS,GREENBANKS,MOREKINGANDQUEEN,MOREBULL'SEYE,MORELORDSANDLADIES,MORELONGLIVETHEYALL!UNTILHEABSOLUTELYWEPTWITHSENTIMENT.DURINGTHEWHOLEOFTHISSCENE,WHICHLASTEDSOMETHREEHOURS,HEHADPLENTYOFSHOUTINGANDWEEPINGANDSENTIMENTALCOMPANY,ANDTHROUGHOUTDEFARGEHELDHIMBYTHECOLLAR,ASIFTORESTRAINHIMFROMFLYINGATTHEOBJECTSOFHISBRIEFDEVOTIONANDTEARINGTHEMTOPIECES."BRAVO!"SAIDDEFARGE,CLAPPINGHIMONTHEBACKWHENITWASOVER,LIKEAPATRON;"YOUAREAGOODBOY!"THEMENDEROFROADSWASNOWCOMINGTOHIMSELF,ANDWASMISTRUSTFULOFHAVINGMADEAMISTAKEINHISLATEDEMONSTRATIONS;BUTNO."YOUARETHEFELLOWWEWANT,"SAIDDEFARGE,INHISEAR;"YOUMAKETHESEFOOLSBELIEVETHATITWILLLASTFOREVER.THEN,THEYARETHEMOREINSOLENT,ANDITISTHENEARERENDED.""HEY!"CRIEDTHEMENDEROFROADS,REFLECTIVELY;"THAT'STRUE.""THESEFOOLSKNOWNOTHING.WHILETHEYDESPISEYOURBREATH,ANDWOULDSTOPITFOREVERANDEVER,INYOUORINAHUNDREDLIKEYOURATHERTHANINONEOFTHEIROWNHORSESORDOGS,THEYONLYKNOWWHATYOURBREATHTELLSTHEM.LETITDECEIVETHEM,THEN,ALITTLELONGER;ITCANNOTDECEIVETHEMTOOMUCH."MADAMEDEFARGELOOKEDSUPERCILIOUSLYATTHECLIENT,ANDNODDEDINCONFIRMATION."ASTOYOU,"SAIDSHE,"YOUWOULDSHOUTANDSHEDTEARSFORANYTHING,IFITMADEASHOWANDANOISE.SAY!WOULDYOUNOT?""TRULY,MADAME,ITHINKSO.FORTHEMOMENT.""IFYOUWERESHOWNAGREATHEAPOFDOLLS,ANDWERESETUPONTHEMTOPLUCKTHEMTOPIECESANDDESPOILTHEMFORYOUROWNADVANTAGE,YOUWOULDPICKOUTTHERICHESTANDGAYEST.SAY!WOULDYOUNOT?""TRULYYES,MADAME.""YES.ANDIFYOUWERESHOWNAFLOCKOFBIRDS,UNABLETOFLY,ANDWERESETUPONTHEMTOSTRIPTHEMOFTHEIRFEATHERSFORYOUROWNADVANTAGE,YOUWOULDSETUPONTHEBIRDSOFTHEFINESTFEATHERS;WOULDYOUNOT?""ITISTRUE,MADAME.""YOUHAVESEENBOTHDOLLSANDBIRDSTO-DAY,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,WITHAWAVEOFHERHANDTOWARDSTHEPLACEWHERETHEYHADLASTBEENAPPARENT;"NOW,GOHOME!"XVI.STILLKNITTINGMADAMEDEFARGEANDMONSIEURHERHUSBANDRETURNEDAMICABLYTOTHEBOSOMOFSAINTANTOINE,WHILEASPECKINABLUECAPTOILEDTHROUGHTHEDARKNESS,ANDTHROUGHTHEDUST,ANDDOWNTHEWEARYMILESOFAVENUEBYTHEWAYSIDE,SLOWLYTENDINGTOWARDSTHATPOINTOFTHECOMPASSWHERETHECHATEAUOFMONSIEURTHEMARQUIS,NOWINHISGRAVE,LISTENEDTOTHEWHISPERINGTREES.SUCHAMPLELEISUREHADTHESTONEFACES,NOW,FORLISTENINGTOTHETREESANDTOTHEFOUNTAIN,THATTHEFEWVILLAGESCARECROWSWHO,INTHEIRQUESTFORHERBSTOEATANDFRAGMENTSOFDEADSTICKTOBURN,STRAYEDWITHINSIGHTOFTHEGREATSTONECOURTYARDANDTERRACESTAIRCASE,HADITBORNEINUPONTHEIRSTARVEDFANCYTHATTHEEXPRESSIONOFTHEFACESWASALTERED.ARUMOURJUSTLIVEDINTHEVILLAGE--HADAFAINTANDBAREEXISTENCETHERE,ASITSPEOPLEHAD--THATWHENTHEKNIFESTRUCKHOME,THEFACESCHANGED,FROMFACESOFPRIDETOFACESOFANGERANDPAIN;ALSO,THATWHENTHATDANGLINGFIGUREWASHAULEDUPFORTYFEETABOVETHEFOUNTAIN,THEYCHANGEDAGAIN,ANDBOREACRUELLOOKOFBEINGAVENGED,WHICHTHEYWOULDHENCEFORTHBEARFOREVER.INTHESTONEFACEOVERTHEGREATWINDOWOFTHEBED-CHAMBERWHERETHEMURDERWASDONE,TWOFINEDINTSWEREPOINTEDOUTINTHESCULPTUREDNOSE,WHICHEVERYBODYRECOGNISED,ANDWHICHNOBODYHADSEENOFOLD;ANDONTHESCARCEOCCASIONSWHENTWOORTHREERAGGEDPEASANTSEMERGEDFROMTHECROWDTOTAKEAHURRIEDPEEPATMONSIEURTHEMARQUISPETRIFIED,ASKINNYFINGERWOULDNOTHAVEPOINTEDTOITFORAMINUTE,BEFORETHEYALLSTARTEDAWAYAMONGTHEMOSSANDLEAVES,LIKETHEMOREFORTUNATEHARESWHOCOULDFINDALIVINGTHERE.CHATEAUANDHUT,STONEFACEANDDANGLINGFIGURE,THEREDSTAINONTHESTONEFLOOR,ANDTHEPUREWATERINTHEVILLAGEWELL--THOUSANDSOFACRESOFLAND--AWHOLEPROVINCEOFFRANCE--ALLFRANCEITSELF--LAYUNDERTHENIGHTSKY,CONCENTRATEDINTOAFAINTHAIR-BREADTHLINE.SODOESAWHOLEWORLD,WITHALLITSGREATNESSESANDLITTLENESSES,LIEINATWINKLINGSTAR.ANDASMEREHUMANKNOWLEDGECANSPLITARAYOFLIGHTANDANALYSETHEMANNEROFITSCOMPOSITION,SO,SUBLIMERINTELLIGENCESMAYREADINTHEFEEBLESHININGOFTHISEARTHOFOURS,EVERYTHOUGHTANDACT,EVERYVICEANDVIRTUE,OFEVERYRESPONSIBLECREATUREONIT.THEDEFARGES,HUSBANDANDWIFE,CAMELUMBERINGUNDERTHESTARLIGHT,INTHEIRPUBLICVEHICLE,TOTHATGATEOFPARISWHEREUNTOTHEIRJOURNEYNATURALLYTENDED.THEREWASTHEUSUALSTOPPAGEATTHEBARRIERGUARDHOUSE,ANDTHEUSUALLANTERNSCAMEGLANCINGFORTHFORTHEUSUALEXAMINATIONANDINQUIRY.MONSIEURDEFARGEALIGHTED;KNOWINGONEORTWOOFTHESOLDIERYTHERE,ANDONEOFTHEPOLICE.THELATTERHEWASINTIMATEWITH,ANDAFFECTIONATELYEMBRACED.WHENSAINTANTOINEHADAGAINENFOLDEDTHEDEFARGESINHISDUSKYWINGS,ANDTHEY,HAVINGFINALLYALIGHTEDNEARTHESAINT'SBOUNDARIES,WEREPICKINGTHEIRWAYONFOOTTHROUGHTHEBLACKMUDANDOFFALOFHISSTREETS,MADAMEDEFARGESPOKETOHERHUSBAND:"SAYTHEN,MYFRIEND;WHATDIDJACQUESOFTHEPOLICETELLTHEE?""VERYLITTLETO-NIGHT,BUTALLHEKNOWS.THEREISANOTHERSPYCOMMISSIONEDFOROURQUARTER.THEREMAYBEMANYMORE,FORALLTHATHECANSAY,BUTHEKNOWSOFONE.""EHWELL!"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,RAISINGHEREYEBROWSWITHACOOLBUSINESSAIR."ITISNECESSARYTOREGISTERHIM.HOWDOTHEYCALLTHATMAN?""HEISENGLISH.""SOMUCHTHEBETTER.HISNAME?""BARSAD,"SAIDDEFARGE,MAKINGITFRENCHBYPRONUNCIATION.BUT,HEHADBEENSOCAREFULTOGETITACCURATELY,THATHETHENSPELTITWITHPERFECTCORRECTNESS."BARSAD,"REPEATEDMADAME."GOOD.CHRISTIANNAME?""JOHN.""JOHNBARSAD,"REPEATEDMADAME,AFTERMURMURINGITONCETOHERSELF."GOOD.HISAPPEARANCE;ISITKNOWN?""AGE,ABOUTFORTYYEARS;HEIGHT,ABOUTFIVEFEETNINE;BLACKHAIR;COMPLEXIONDARK;GENERALLY,RATHERHANDSOMEVISAGE;EYESDARK,FACETHIN,LONG,ANDSALLOW;NOSEAQUILINE,BUTNOTSTRAIGHT,HAVINGAPECULIARINCLINATIONTOWARDSTHELEFTCHEEK;EXPRESSION,THEREFORE,SINISTER.""EHMYFAITH.ITISAPORTRAIT!"SAIDMADAME,LAUGHING."HESHALLBEREGISTEREDTO-MORROW."THEYTURNEDINTOTHEWINE-SHOP,WHICHWASCLOSED(FORITWASMIDNIGHT),ANDWHEREMADAMEDEFARGEIMMEDIATELYTOOKHERPOSTATHERDESK,COUNTEDTHESMALLMONEYSTHATHADBEENTAKENDURINGHERABSENCE,EXAMINEDTHESTOCK,WENTTHROUGHTHEENTRIESINTHEBOOK,MADEOTHERENTRIESOFHEROWN,CHECKEDTHESERVINGMANINEVERYPOSSIBLEWAY,ANDFINALLYDISMISSEDHIMTOBED.THENSHETURNEDOUTTHECONTENTSOFTHEBOWLOFMONEYFORTHESECONDTIME,ANDBEGANKNOTTINGTHEMUPINHERHANDKERCHIEF,INACHAINOFSEPARATEKNOTS,FORSAFEKEEPINGTHROUGHTHENIGHT.ALLTHISWHILE,DEFARGE,WITHHISPIPEINHISMOUTH,WALKEDUPANDDOWN,COMPLACENTLYADMIRING,BUTNEVERINTERFERING;INWHICHCONDITION,INDEED,ASTOTHEBUSINESSANDHISDOMESTICAFFAIRS,HEWALKEDUPANDDOWNTHROUGHLIFE.THENIGHTWASHOT,ANDTHESHOP,CLOSESHUTANDSURROUNDEDBYSOFOULANEIGHBOURHOOD,WASILL-SMELLING.MONSIEURDEFARGE'SOLFACTORYSENSEWASBYNOMEANSDELICATE,BUTTHESTOCKOFWINESMELTMUCHSTRONGERTHANITEVERTASTED,ANDSODIDTHESTOCKOFRUMANDBRANDYANDANISEED.HEWHIFFEDTHECOMPOUNDOFSCENTSAWAY,ASHEPUTDOWNHISSMOKED-OUTPIPE."YOUAREFATIGUED,"SAIDMADAME,RAISINGHERGLANCEASSHEKNOTTEDTHEMONEY."THEREAREONLYTHEUSUALODOURS.""IAMALITTLETIRED,"HERHUSBANDACKNOWLEDGED."YOUAREALITTLEDEPRESSED,TOO,"SAIDMADAME,WHOSEQUICKEYESHADNEVERBEENSOINTENTONTHEACCOUNTS,BUTTHEYHADHADARAYORTWOFORHIM."OH,THEMEN,THEMEN!""BUTMYDEAR!"BEGANDEFARGE."BUTMYDEAR!"REPEATEDMADAME,NODDINGFIRMLY;"BUTMYDEAR!YOUAREFAINTOFHEARTTO-NIGHT,MYDEAR!""WELL,THEN,"SAIDDEFARGE,ASIFATHOUGHTWEREWRUNGOUTOFHISBREAST,"IT_IS_ALONGTIME.""ITISALONGTIME,"REPEATEDHISWIFE;"ANDWHENISITNOTALONGTIME?VENGEANCEANDRETRIBUTIONREQUIREALONGTIME;ITISTHERULE.""ITDOESNOTTAKEALONGTIMETOSTRIKEAMANWITHLIGHTNING,"SAIDDEFARGE."HOWLONG,"DEMANDEDMADAME,COMPOSEDLY,"DOESITTAKETOMAKEANDSTORETHELIGHTNING?TELLME."DEFARGERAISEDHISHEADTHOUGHTFULLY,ASIFTHEREWERESOMETHINGINTHATTOO."ITDOESNOTTAKEALONGTIME,"SAIDMADAME,"FORANEARTHQUAKETOSWALLOWATOWN.EHWELL!TELLMEHOWLONGITTAKESTOPREPARETHEEARTHQUAKE?""ALONGTIME,ISUPPOSE,"SAIDDEFARGE."BUTWHENITISREADY,ITTAKESPLACE,ANDGRINDSTOPIECESEVERYTHINGBEFOREIT.INTHEMEANTIME,ITISALWAYSPREPARING,THOUGHITISNOTSEENORHEARD.THATISYOURCONSOLATION.KEEPIT."SHETIEDAKNOTWITHFLASHINGEYES,ASIFITTHROTTLEDAFOE."ITELLTHEE,"SAIDMADAME,EXTENDINGHERRIGHTHAND,FOREMPHASIS,"THATALTHOUGHITISALONGTIMEONTHEROAD,ITISONTHEROADANDCOMING.ITELLTHEEITNEVERRETREATS,ANDNEVERSTOPS.ITELLTHEEITISALWAYSADVANCING.LOOKAROUNDANDCONSIDERTHELIVESOFALLTHEWORLDTHATWEKNOW,CONSIDERTHEFACESOFALLTHEWORLDTHATWEKNOW,CONSIDERTHERAGEANDDISCONTENTTOWHICHTHEJACQUERIEADDRESSESITSELFWITHMOREANDMOREOFCERTAINTYEVERYHOUR.CANSUCHTHINGSLAST?BAH!IMOCKYOU.""MYBRAVEWIFE,"RETURNEDDEFARGE,STANDINGBEFOREHERWITHHISHEADALITTLEBENT,ANDHISHANDSCLASPEDATHISBACK,LIKEADOCILEANDATTENTIVEPUPILBEFOREHISCATECHIST,"IDONOTQUESTIONALLTHIS.BUTITHASLASTEDALONGTIME,ANDITISPOSSIBLE--YOUKNOWWELL,MYWIFE,ITISPOSSIBLE--THATITMAYNOTCOME,DURINGOURLIVES.""EHWELL!HOWTHEN?"DEMANDEDMADAME,TYINGANOTHERKNOT,ASIFTHEREWEREANOTHERENEMYSTRANGLED."WELL!"SAIDDEFARGE,WITHAHALFCOMPLAININGANDHALFAPOLOGETICSHRUG."WESHALLNOTSEETHETRIUMPH.""WESHALLHAVEHELPEDIT,"RETURNEDMADAME,WITHHEREXTENDEDHANDINSTRONGACTION."NOTHINGTHATWEDO,ISDONEINVAIN.IBELIEVE,WITHALLMYSOUL,THATWESHALLSEETHETRIUMPH.BUTEVENIFNOT,EVENIFIKNEWCERTAINLYNOT,SHOWMETHENECKOFANARISTOCRATANDTYRANT,ANDSTILLIWOULD--"THENMADAME,WITHHERTEETHSET,TIEDAVERYTERRIBLEKNOTINDEED."HOLD!"CRIEDDEFARGE,REDDENINGALITTLEASIFHEFELTCHARGEDWITHCOWARDICE;"ITOO,MYDEAR,WILLSTOPATNOTHING.""YES!BUTITISYOURWEAKNESSTHATYOUSOMETIMESNEEDTOSEEYOURVICTIMANDYOUROPPORTUNITY,TOSUSTAINYOU.SUSTAINYOURSELFWITHOUTTHAT.WHENTHETIMECOMES,LETLOOSEATIGERANDADEVIL;BUTWAITFORTHET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RED,THATTHEYTELLMETHEREIS--ANDNOWONDER!--MUCHSYMPATHYANDANGERINSAINTANTOINE,TOUCHINGTHEUNHAPPYFATEOFPOORGASPARD.""NOONEHASTOLDMESO,"SAIDDEFARGE,SHAKINGHISHEAD."IKNOWNOTHINGOFIT."HAVINGSAIDIT,HEPASSEDBEHINDTHELITTLECOUNTER,ANDSTOODWITHHISHANDONTHEBACKOFHISWIFE'SCHAIR,LOOKINGOVERTHATBARRIERATTHEPERSONTOWHOMTHEYWEREBOTHOPPOSED,ANDWHOMEITHEROFTHEMWOULDHAVESHOTWITHTHEGREATESTSATISFACTION.THESPY,WELLUSEDTOHISBUSINESS,DIDNOTCHANGEHISUNCONSCIOUSATTITUDE,BUTDRAINEDHISLITTLEGLASSOFCOGNAC,TOOKASIPOFFRESHWATER,ANDASKEDFORANOTHERGLASSOFCOGNAC.MADAMEDEFARGEPOUREDITOUTFORHIM,TOOKTOHERKNITTINGAGAIN,ANDHUMMEDALITTLESONGOVERIT."YOUSEEMTOKNOWTHISQUARTERWELL;THATISTOSAY,BETTERTHANIDO?"OBSERVEDDEFARGE."NOTATALL,BUTIHOPETOKNOWITBETTER.IAMSOPROFOUNDLYINTERESTEDINITSMISERABLEINHABITANTS.""HAH!"MUTTEREDDEFARGE."THEPLEASUREOFCONVERSINGWITHYOU,MONSIEURDEFARGE,RECALLSTOME,"PURSUEDTHESPY,"THATIHAVETHEHONOUROFCHERISHINGSOMEINTERESTINGASSOCIATIONSWITHYOURNAME.""INDEED!"SAIDDEFARGE,WITHMUCHINDIFFERENCE."YES,INDEED.WHENDOCTORMANETTEWASRELEASED,YOU,HISOLDDOMESTIC,HADTHECHARGEOFHIM,IKNOW.HEWASDELIVEREDTOYOU.YOUSEEIAMINFORMEDOFTHECIRCUMSTANCES?""SUCHISTHEFACT,CERTAINLY,"SAIDDEFARGE.HEHADHADITCONVEYEDTOHIM,INANACCIDENTALTOUCHOFHISWIFE'SELBOWASSHEKNITTEDANDWARBLED,THATHEWOULDDOBESTTOANSWER,BUTALWAYSWITHBREVITY."ITWASTOYOU,"SAIDTHESPY,"THATHISDAUGHTERCAME;ANDITWASFROMYOURCARETHATHISDAUGHTERTOOKHIM,ACCOMPANIEDBYANEATBROWNMONSIEUR;HOWISHECALLED?--INALITTLEWIG--LORRY--OFTHEBANKOFTELLSONANDCOMPANY--OVERTOENGLAND.""SUCHISTHEFACT,"REPEATEDDEFARGE."VERYINTERESTINGREMEMBRANCES!"SAIDTHESPY."IHAVEKNOWNDOCTORMANETTEANDHISDAUGHTER,INENGLAND.""YES?"SAIDDEFARGE."YOUDON'THEARMUCHABOUTTHEMNOW?"SAIDTHESPY."NO,"SAIDDEFARGE."INEFFECT,"MADAMESTRUCKIN,LOOKINGUPFROMHERWORKANDHERLITTLESONG,"WENEVERHEARABOUTTHEM.WERECEIVEDTHENEWSOFTHEIRSAFEARRIVAL,ANDPERHAPSANOTHERLETTER,ORPERHAPSTWO;BUT,SINCETHEN,THEYHAVEGRADUALLYTAKENTHEIRROADINLIFE--WE,OURS--ANDWEHAVEHELDNOCORRESPONDENCE.""PERFECTLYSO,MADAME,"REPLIEDTHESPY."SHEISGOINGTOBEMARRIED.""GOING?"ECHOEDMADAME."SHEWASPRETTYENOUGHTOHAVEBEENMARRIEDLONGAGO.YOUENGLISHARECOLD,ITSEEMSTOME.""OH!YOUKNOWIAMENGLISH.""IPERCEIVEYOURTONGUEIS,"RETURNEDMADAME;"ANDWHATTHETONGUEIS,ISUPPOSETHEMANIS."HEDIDNOTTAKETHEIDENTIFICATIONASACOMPLIMENT;BUTHEMADETHEBESTOFIT,ANDTURNEDITOFFWITHALAUGH.AFTERSIPPINGHISCOGNACTOTHEEND,HEADDED:"YES,MISSMANETTEISGOINGTOBEMARRIED.BUTNOTTOANENGLISHMAN;TOONEWHO,LIKEHERSELF,ISFRENCHBYBIRTH.ANDSPEAKINGOFGASPARD(AH,POORGASPARD!ITWASCRUEL,CRUEL!),ITISACURIOUSTHINGTHATSHEISGOINGTOMARRYTHENEPHEWOFMONSIEURTHEMARQUIS,FORWHOMGASPARDWASEXALTEDTOTHATHEIGHTOFSOMANYFEET;INOTHERWORDS,THEPRESENTMARQUIS.BUTHELIVESUNKNOWNINENGLAND,HEISNOMARQUISTHERE;HEISMR.CHARLESDARNAY.D'AULNAISISTHENAMEOFHISMOTHER'SFAMILY."MADAMEDEFARGEKNITTEDSTEADILY,BUTTHEINTELLIGENCEHADAPALPABLEEFFECTUPONHERHUSBAND.DOWHATHEWOULD,BEHINDTHELITTLECOUNTER,ASTOTHESTRIKINGOFALIGHTANDTHELIGHTINGOFHISPIPE,HEWASTROUBLED,ANDHISHANDWASNOTTRUSTWORTHY.THESPYWOULDHAVEBEENNOSPYIFHEHADFAILEDTOSEEIT,ORTORECORDITINHISMIND.HAVINGMADE,ATLEAST,THISONEHIT,WHATEVERITMIGHTPROVETOBEWORTH,ANDNOCUSTOMERSCOMINGINTOHELPHIMTOANYOTHER,MR.BARSADPAIDFORWHATHEHADDRUNK,ANDTOOKHISLEAVE:TAKINGOCCASIONTOSAY,INAGENTEELMANNER,BEFOREHEDEPARTED,THATHELOOKEDFORWARDTOTHEPLEASUREOFSEEINGMONSIEURANDMADAMEDEFARGEAGAIN.FORSOMEMINUTESAFTERHEHADEMERGEDINTOTHEOUTERPRESENCEOFSAINTANTOINE,THEHUSBANDANDWIFEREMAINEDEXACTLYASHEHADLEFTTHEM,LESTHESHOULDCOMEBACK."CANITBETRUE,"SAIDDEFARGE,INALOWVOICE,LOOKINGDOWNATHISWIFEASHESTOODSMOKINGWITHHISHANDONTHEBACKOFHERCHAIR:"WHATHEHASSAIDOFMA'AMSELLEMANETTE?""ASHEHASSAIDIT,"RETURNEDMADAME,LIFTINGHEREYEBROWSALITTLE,"ITISPROBABLYFALSE.BUTITMAYBETRUE.""IFITIS--"DEFARGEBEGAN,ANDSTOPPED."IFITIS?"REPEATEDHISWIFE."--ANDIFITDOESCOME,WHILEWELIVETOSEEITTRIUMPH--IHOPE,FORHERSAKE,DESTINYWILLKEEPHERHUSBANDOUTOFFRANCE.""HERHUSBAND'SDESTINY,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,WITHHERUSUALCOMPOSURE,"WILLTAKEHIMWHEREHEISTOGO,ANDWILLLEADHIMTOTHEENDTHATISTOENDHIM.THATISALLIKNOW.""BUTITISVERYSTRANGE--NOW,ATLEAST,ISITNOTVERYSTRANGE"--SAIDDEFARGE,RATHERPLEADINGWITHHISWIFETOINDUCEHERTOADMITIT,"THAT,AFTERALLOURSYMPATHYFORMONSIEURHERFATHER,ANDHERSELF,HERHUSBAND'SNAMESHOULDBEPROSCRIBEDUNDERYOURHANDATTHISMOMENT,BYTHESIDEOFTHATINFERNALDOG'SWHOHASJUSTLEFTUS?""STRANGERTHINGSTHANTHATWILLHAPPENWHENITDOESCOME,"ANSWEREDMADAME."IHAVETHEMBOTHHERE,OFACERTAINTY;ANDTHEYAREBOTHHEREFORTHEIRMERITS;THATISENOUGH."SHEROLLEDUPHERKNITTINGWHENSHEHADSAIDTHOSEWORDS,ANDPRESENTLYTOOKTHEROSEOUTOFTHEHANDKERCHIEFTHATWASWOUNDABOUTHERHEAD.EITHERSAINTANTOINEHADANINSTINCTIVESENSETHATTHEOBJECTIONABLEDECORATIONWASGONE,ORSAINTANTOINEWASONTHEWATCHFORITSDISAPPEARANCE;HOWBEIT,THESAINTTOOKCOURAGETOLOUNGEIN,VERYSHORTLYAFTERWARDS,ANDTHEWINE-SHOPRECOVEREDITSHABITUALASPECT.INTHEEVENING,ATWHICHSEASONOFALLOTHERSSAINTANTOINETURNEDHIMSELFINSIDEOUT,ANDSATONDOOR-STEPSANDWINDOW-LEDGES,ANDCAMETOTHECORNERSOFVILESTREETSANDCOURTS,FORABREATHOFAIR,MADAMEDEFARGEWITHHERWORKINHERHANDWASACCUSTOMEDTOPASSFROMPLACETOPLACEANDFROMGROUPTOGROUP:AMISSIONARY--THEREWEREMANYLIKEHER--SUCHASTH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EIRSENSEOFHEARINGASTHEYCAMEDOWN,UNTILTHEYWEREINTHERAGINGFLOODONCEMORE.THEYFOUNDITSURGINGANDTOSSING,INQUESTOFDEFARGEHIMSELF.SAINTANTOINEWASCLAMOROUSTOHAVEITSWINE-SHOPKEEPERFOREMOSTINTHEGUARDUPONTHEGOVERNORWHOHADDEFENDEDTHEBASTILLEANDSHOTTHEPEOPLE.OTHERWISE,THEGOVERNORWOULDNOTBEMARCHEDTOTHEHOTELDEVILLEFORJUDGMENT.OTHERWISE,THEGOVERNORWOULDESCAPE,ANDTHEPEOPLE'SBLOOD(SUDDENLYOFSOMEVALUE,AFTERMANYYEARSOFWORTHLESSNESS)BEUNAVENGED.INTHEHOWLINGUNIVERSEOFPASSIONANDCONTENTIONTHATSEEMEDTOENCOMPASSTHISGRIMOLDOFFICERCONSPICUOUSINHISGREYCOATANDREDDECORATION,THEREWASBUTONEQUITESTEADYFIGURE,ANDTHATWASAWOMAN'S."SEE,THEREISMYHUSBAND!"SHECRIED,POINTINGHIMOUT."SEEDEFARGE!"SHESTOODIMMOVABLECLOSETOTHEGRIMOLDOFFICER,ANDREMAINEDIMMOVABLECLOSETOHIM;REMAINEDIMMOVABLECLOSETOHIMTHROUGHTHESTREETS,ASDEFARGEANDTHERESTBOREHIMALONG;REMAINEDIMMOVABLECLOSETOHIMWHENHEWASGOTNEARHISDESTINATION,ANDBEGANTOBESTRUCKATFROMBEHIND;REMAINEDIMMOVABLECLOSETOHIMWHENTHELONG-GATHERINGRAINOFSTABSANDBLOWSFELLHEAVY;WASSOCLOSETOHIMWHENHEDROPPEDDEADUNDERIT,THAT,SUDDENLYANIMATED,SHEPUTHERFOOTUPONHISNECK,ANDWITHHERCRUELKNIFE--LONGREADY--HEWEDOFFHISHEAD.THEHOURWASCOME,WHENSAINTANTOINEWASTOEXECUTEHISHORRIBLEIDEAOFHOISTINGUPMENFORLAMPSTOSHOWWHATHECOULDBEANDDO.SAINTANTOINE'SBLOODWASUP,ANDTHEBLOODOFTYRANNYANDDOMINATIONBYTHEIRONHANDWASDOWN--DOWNONTHESTEPSOFTHEHOTELDEVILLEWHERETHEGOVERNOR'SBODYLAY--DOWNONTHESOLEOFTHESHOEOFMADAMEDEFARGEWHERESHEHADTRODDENONTHEBODYTOSTEADYITFORMUTILATION."LOWERTHELAMPYONDER!"CRIEDSAINTANTOINE,AFTERGLARINGROUNDFORANEWMEANSOFDEATH;"HEREISONEOFHISSOLDIERSTOBELEFTONGUARD!"THESWINGINGSENTINELWASPOSTED,ANDTHESEARUSHEDON.THESEAOFBLACKANDTHREATENINGWATERS,ANDOFDESTRUCTIVEUPHEAVINGOFWAVEAGAINSTWAVE,WHOSEDEPTHSWEREYETUNFATHOMEDANDWHOSEFORCESWEREYETUNKNOWN.THEREMORSELESSSEAOFTURBULENTLYSWAYINGSHAPES,VOICESOFVENGEANCE,ANDFACESHARDENEDINTHEFURNACESOFSUFFERINGUNTILTHETOUCHOFPITYCOULDMAKENOMARKONTHEM.BUT,INTHEOCEANOFFACESWHEREEVERYFIERCEANDFURIOUSEXPRESSIONWASINVIVIDLIFE,THEREWERETWOGROUPSOFFACES--EACHSEVENINNUMBER--SOFIXEDLYCONTRASTINGWITHTHEREST,THATNEVERDIDSEAROLLWHICHBOREMOREMEMORABLEWRECKSWITHIT.SEVENFACESOFPRISONERS,SUDDENLYRELEASEDBYTHESTORMTHATHADBURSTTHEIRTOMB,WERECARRIEDHIGHOVERHEAD:ALLSCARED,ALLLOST,ALLWONDERINGANDAMAZED,ASIFTHELASTDAYWERECOME,ANDTHOSEWHOREJOICEDAROUNDTHEMWERELOSTSPIRITS.OTHERSEVENFACESTHEREWERE,CARRIEDHIGHER,SEVENDEADFACES,WHOSEDROOPINGEYELIDSANDHALF-SEENEYESAWAITEDTHELASTDAY.IMPASSIVEFACES,YETWITHASUSPENDED--NOTANABOLISHED--EXPRESSIONONTHEM;FACES,RATHER,INAFEARFULPAUSE,ASHAVINGYETTORAISETHEDROPPEDLIDSOFTHEEYES,ANDBEARWITNESSWITHTHEBLOODLESSLIPS,"THOUDIDSTIT!"SEVENPRISONERSRELEASED,SEVENGORYHEADSONPIKES,THEKEYSOFTHEACCURSEDFORTRESSOFTHEEIGHTSTRONGTOWERS,SOMEDISCOVEREDLETTERSANDOTHERMEMORIALSOFPRISONERSOFOLDTIME,LONGDEADOFBROKENHEARTS,--SUCH,ANDSUCH--LIKE,THELOUDLYECHOINGFOOTSTEPSOFSAINTANTOINEESCORTTHROUGHTHEPARISSTREETSINMID-JULY,ONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDEIGHTY-NINE.NOW,HEAVENDEFEATTHEFANCYOFLUCIEDARNAY,ANDKEEPTHESEFEETFAROUTOFHERLIFE!FOR,THEYAREHEADLONG,MAD,ANDDANGEROUS;ANDINTHEYEARSSOLONGAFTERTHEBREAKINGOFTHECASKATDEFARGE'SWINE-SHOPDOOR,THEYARENOTEASILYPURIFIEDWHENONCESTAINEDRED.XXII.THESEASTILLRISESHAGGARDSAINTANTOINEHADHADONLYONEEXULTANTWEEK,INWHICHTOSOFTENHISMODICUMOFHARDANDBITTERBREADTOSUCHEXTENTASHECOULD,WITHTHERELISHOFFRATERNALEMBRACESANDCONGRATULATIONS,WHENMADAMEDEFARGESATATHERCOUNTER,ASUSUAL,PRESIDINGOVERTHECUSTOMERS.MADAMEDEFARGEWORENOROSEINHERHEAD,FORTHEGREATBROTHERHOODOFSPIESHADBECOME,EVENINONESHORTWEEK,EXTREMELYCHARYOFTRUSTINGTHEMSELVESTOTHESAINT'SMERCIES.THELAMPSACROSSHISSTREETSHADAPORTENTOUSLYELASTICSWINGWITHTHEM.MADAMEDEFARGE,WITHHERARMSFOLDED,SATINTHEMORNINGLIGHTANDHEAT,CONTEMPLATINGTHEWINE-SHOPANDTHESTREET.INBOTH,THEREWERESEVERALKNOTSOFLOUNGERS,SQUALIDANDMISERABLE,BUTNOWWITHAMANIFESTSENSEOFPOWERENTHRONEDONTHEIRDISTRESS.THERAGGEDESTNIGHTCAP,AWRYONTHEWRETCHEDESTHEAD,HADTHISCROOKEDSIGNIFICANCEINIT:"IKNOWHOWHARDITHASGROWNFORME,THEWEAREROFTHIS,TOSUPPORTLIFEINMYSELF;BUTDOYOUKNOWHOWEASYITHASGROWNFORME,THEWEAREROFTHIS,TODESTROYLIFEINYOU?"EVERYLEANBAREARM,THATHADBEENWITHOUTWORKBEFORE,HADTHISWORKALWAYSREADYFORITNOW,THATITCOULDSTRIKE.THEFINGERSOFTHEKNITTINGWOMENWEREVICIOUS,WITHTHEEXPERIENCETHATTHEYCOULDTEAR.THEREWASACHANGEINTHEAPPEARANCEOFSAINTANTOINE;THEIMAGEHADBEENHAMMERINGINTOTHISFORHUNDREDSOFYEARS,ANDTHELASTFINISHINGBLOWSHADTOLDMIGHTILYONTHEEXPRESSION.MADAMEDEFARGESATOBSERVINGIT,WITHSUCHSUPPRESSEDAPPROVALASWASTOBEDESIREDINTHELEADEROFTHESAINTANTOINEWOMEN.ONEOFHERSISTERHOODKNITTEDBESIDEHER.THESHORT,RATHERPLUMPWIFEOFASTARVEDGROCER,ANDTHEMOTHEROFTWOCHILDRENWITHAL,THISLIEUTENANTHADALREADYEARNEDTHECOMPLIMENTARYNAMEOFTHEVENGEANCE."HARK!"SAIDTHEVENGEANCE."LISTEN,THEN!WHOCOMES?"ASIFATRAINOFPOWDERLAIDFROMTHEOUTERMOSTBOUNDOFSAINTANTOINEQUARTERTOTHEWINE-SHOPDOOR,HADBEENSUDDENLYFIRED,AFAST-SPREADINGMURMURCAMERUSHINGALONG."ITISDEFARGE,"SAIDMADAME."SILENCE,PATRIOTS!"DEFARGECAMEINBREATHLESS,PULLEDOFFAREDCAPHEWORE,ANDLOOKEDAROUNDHIM!"LISTEN,EVERYWHERE!"SAIDMADAMEAGAIN."LISTENTOHIM!"DEFARGESTOOD,PANTING,AGAINSTABACKGROUNDOFEAGEREYESANDOPENMOUTHS,FORMEDOUTSIDETHEDOOR;ALLTHOSEWITHINTHEWINE-SHOPHADSPRUNGTOTHEIRFEET."SAYTHEN,MYHUSBAND.WHATISIT?""NEWSFROMTHEOTHERWORLD!""HOW,THEN?"CRIEDMADAME,CONTEMPTUOUSLY."THEOTHERWORLD?""DOESEVERYBODYHERERECALLOLDFOULON,WHOTOLDTHEFAMISHEDPEOPLETHATTHEYMIGHTEATGRASS,ANDWHODIED,ANDWENTTOHELL?""EVERYBODY!"FROMALLTHROATS."THENEWSISOFHIM.HEISAMONGUS!""AMONGUS!"FROMTHEUNIVERSALTHROATAGAIN."ANDDEAD?""NOTDEAD!HEFEAREDUSSOMUCH--ANDWITHREASON--THATHECAUSEDHIMSELFTOBEREPRESENTEDASDEAD,ANDHADAGRANDMOCK-FUNERAL.BUTTHEYHAVEFOUNDHIMALIVE,HIDINGINTHECOUNTRY,ANDHAVEBROUGHTHIMIN.IHAVESEENHIMBUTNOW,ONHISWAYTOTHEHOTELDEVILLE,APRISONER.IHAVESAIDTHATHEHADREASONTOFEARUS.SAYALL!_HAD_HEREASON?"WRETCHEDOLDSINNEROFMORETHANTHREESCOREYEARSANDTEN,IFHEHADNEVERKNOWNITYET,HEWOULDHAVEKNOWNITINHISHEARTOFHEARTSIFHECOULDHAVEHEARDTHEANSWERINGCRY.AMOMENTOFPROFOUNDSILENCEFOLLOWED.DEFARGEANDHISWIFELOOKEDSTEADFASTLYATONEANOTHER.THEVENGEANCESTOOPED,ANDTHEJAROFADRUMWASHEARDASSHEMOVEDITATHERFEETBEHINDTHECOUNTER."PATRIOTS!"SAIDDEFARGE,INADETERMINEDVOICE,"AREWEREADY?"INSTANTLYMADAMEDEFARGE'SKNIFEWASINHERGIRDLE;THEDRUMWASBEATINGINTHESTREETS,ASIFITANDADRUMMERHADFLOWNTOGETHERBYMAGIC;ANDTHEVENGEANCE,UTTERINGTERRIFICSHRIEKS,ANDFLINGINGHERARMSABOUTHERHEADLIKEALLTHEFORTYFURIESATONCE,WASTEARINGFROMHOUSETOHOUSE,ROUSINGTHEWOMEN.THEMENWERETERRIBLE,INTHEBLOODY-MINDEDANGERWITHWHICHTHEYLOOKEDFROMWINDOWS,CAUGHTUPWHATARMSTHEYHAD,ANDCAMEPOURINGDOWNINTOTHESTREETS;BUT,THEWOMENWEREASIGHTTOCHILLTHEBOLDEST.FROMSUCHHOUSEHOLDOCCUPATIONSASTHEIRBAREPOVERTYYIELDED,FROMTHEIRCHILDREN,FROMTHEIRAGEDANDTHEIRSICKCROUCHINGONTHEBAREGROUNDFAMISHEDANDNAKED,THEYRANOUTWITHSTREAMINGHAIR,URGINGONEANOTHER,ANDTHEMSELVES,TOMADNESSWITHTHEWILDESTCRIESANDACTIONS.VILLAINFOULONTAKEN,MYSISTER!OLDFOULONTAKEN,MYMOTHER!MISCREANTFOULONTAKEN,MYDAUGHTER!THEN,ASCOREOFOTHERSRANINTOTHEMIDSTOFTHESE,BEATINGTHEIRBREASTS,TEARINGTHEIRHAIR,ANDSCREAMING,FOULONALIVE!FOULONWHOTOLDTHESTARVINGPEOPLETHEYMIGHTEATGRASS!FOULONWHOTOLDMYOLDFATHERTHATHEMIGHTEATGRASS,WHENIHADNOBREADTOGIVEHIM!FOULONWHOTOLDMYBABYITMIGHTSUCKGRASS,WHENTHESEBREASTSWEREDRYWITHWANT!OMOTHEROFGOD,THISFOULON!OHEAVENOURSUFFERING!HEARME,MYDEADBABYANDMYWITHEREDFATHER:ISWEARONMYKNEES,ONTHESESTONES,TOAVENGEYOUONFOULON!HUSBANDS,ANDBROTHERS,ANDYOUNGMEN,GIVEUSTHEBLOODOFFOULON,GIVEUSTHEHEADOFFOULON,GIVEUSTHEHEARTOFFOULON,GIVEUSTHEBODYANDSOULOFFOULON,RENDFOULONTOPIECES,ANDDIGHIMINTOTHEGROUND,THATGRASSMAYGROWFROMHIM!WITHTHESECRIES,NUMBERSOFTHEWOMEN,LASHEDINTOBLINDFRENZY,WHIRLEDABOUT,STRIKINGANDTEARINGATTHEIROWNFRIENDSUNTILTHEYDROPPEDINTOAPASSIONATESWOON,ANDWEREONLYSAVEDBYTHEMENBELONGINGTOTHEMFROMBEINGTRAMPLEDUNDERFOOT.NEVERTHELESS,NOTAMOMENTWASLOST;NOTAMOMENT!THISFOULONWASATTHEHOTELDEVILLE,ANDMIGHTBELOOSED.NEVER,IFSAINTANTOINEKNEWHISOWNSUFFERINGS,INSULTS,ANDWRONGS!ARMEDMENANDWOMENFLOCKEDOUTOFTHEQUARTERSOFAST,ANDDREWEVENTHESELASTDREGSAFTERTHEMWITHSUCHAFORCEOFSUCTION,THATWITHINAQUARTEROFANHOURTHEREWASNOTAHUMANCREATUREINSAINTANTOINE'SBOSOMBUTAFEWOLDCRONESANDTHEWAILINGCHILDREN.NO.THEYWEREALLBYTHATTIMECHOKINGTHEHALLOFEXAMINATIONWHERETHISOLDMAN,UGLYANDWICKED,WAS,ANDOVERFLOWINGINTOTHEADJACENTOPENSPACEANDSTREETS.THEDEFARGES,HUSBANDANDWIFE,THEVENGEANCE,ANDJACQUESTHREE,WEREINTHEFIRSTPRESS,ANDATNOGREATDISTANCEFROMHIMINTHEHALL."SEE!"CRIEDMADAME,POINTINGWITHHERKNIFE."SEETHEOLDVILLAINBOUNDWITHROPES.THATWASWELLDONETOTIEABUNCHOFGRASSUPONHISBACK.HA,HA!THATWASWELLDONE.LETHIMEATITNOW!"MADAMEPUTHERKNIFEUNDERHERARM,ANDCLAPPEDHERHANDSASATAPLAY.THEPEOPLEIMMEDIATELYBEHINDMADAMEDEFARGE,EXPLAININGTHECAUSEOFHERSATISFACTIONTOTHOSEBEHINDTHEM,ANDTHOSEAGAINEXPLAININGTOOTHERS,ANDTHOSETOOTHERS,THENEIGHBOURINGSTREETSRESOUNDEDWITHTHECLAPPINGOFHANDS.SIMILARLY,DURINGTWOORTHREEHOURSOFDRAWL,ANDTHEWINNOWINGOFMANYBUSHELSOFWORDS,MADAMEDEFARGE'SFREQUENTEXPRESSIONSOFIMPATIENCEWERETAKENUP,WITHMARVELLOUSQUICKNESS,ATADISTANCE:THEMOREREADILY,BECAUSECERTAINMENWHOHADBYSOMEWONDERFULEXERCISEOFAGILITYCLIMBEDUPTHEEXTERNALARCHITECTURETOLOOKINFROMTHEWINDOWS,KNEWMADAMEDEFARGEWELL,ANDACTEDASATELEGRAPHBETWEENHERANDTHECROWDOUTSIDETHEBUILDING.ATLENGTHTHESUNROSESOHIGHTHATITSTRUCKAKINDLYRAYASOFHOPEORPROTECTION,DIRECTLYDOWNUPONTHEOLDPRISONER'SHEAD.THEFAVOURWASTOOMUCHTOBEAR;INANINSTANTTHEBARRIEROFDUSTANDCHAFFTHATHADSTOODSURPRISINGLYLONG,WENTTOTHEWINDS,ANDSAINTANTOINEHADGOTHIM!ITWASKNOWNDIRECTLY,TOTHEFURTHESTCONFINESOFTHECROWD.DEFARGEHADBUTSPRUNGOVERARAILINGANDATABLE,ANDFOLDEDTHEMISERABLEWRETCHINADEADLYEMBRACE--MADAMEDEFARGEHADBUTFOLLOWEDANDTURNEDHERHANDINONEOFTHEROPESWITHWHICHHEWASTIED--THEVENGEANCEANDJACQUESTHREEWERENOTYETUPWITHTHEM,ANDTHEMENATTHEWINDOWSHADNOTYETSWOOPEDINTOTHEHALL,LIKEBIRDSOFPREYFROMTHEIRHIGHPERCHES--WHENTHECRYSEEMEDTOGOUP,ALLOVERTHECITY,"BRINGHIMOUT!BRINGHIMTOTHELAMP!"DOWN,ANDUP,ANDHEADFOREMOSTONTHESTEPSOFTHEBUILDING;NOW,ONHISKNEES;NOW,ONHISFEET;NOW,ONHISBACK;DRAGGED,ANDSTRUCKAT,ANDSTIFLEDBYTHEBUNCHESOFGRASSANDSTRAWTHATWERETHRUSTINTOHISFACEBYHUNDREDSOFHANDS;TORN,BRUISED,PANTING,BLEEDING,YETALWAYSENTREATINGANDBESEECHINGFORMERCY;NOWFULLOFVEHEMENTAGONYOFACTION,WITHASMALLCLEARSPACEABOUTHIMASTHEPEOPLEDREWONEANOTHERBACKTHATTHEYMIGHTSEE;NOW,ALOGOFDEADWOODDRAWNTHROUGHAFORESTOFLEGS;HEWASHAULEDTOTHENEARESTSTREETCORNERWHEREONEOFTHEFATALLAMPSSWUNG,ANDTHEREMADAMEDEFARGELETHIMGO--ASACATMIGHTHAVEDONETOAMOUSE--ANDSILENTLYANDCOMPOSEDLYLOOKEDATHIMWHILETHEYMADEREADY,ANDWHILEHEBESOUGHTHER:THEWOMENPASSIONATELYSCREECHINGATHIMALLTHETIME,ANDTHEMENSTERNLYCALLINGOUTTOHAVEHIMKILLEDWITHGRASSINHISMOUTH.ONCE,HEWENTALOFT,ANDTHEROPEBROKE,ANDTHEYCAUGHTHIMSHRIEKING;TWICE,HEWENTALOFT,ANDTHEROPEBROKE,ANDTHEYCAUGHTHIMSHRIEKING;THEN,THEROPEWASMERCIFUL,ANDHELDHIM,ANDHISHEADWASSOONUPONAPIKE,WITHGRASSENOUGHINTHEMOUTHFORALLSAINTANTOINETODANCEATTHESIGHTOF.NORWASTHISTHEENDOFTHEDAY'SBADWORK,FORSAINTANTOINESOSHOUTEDANDDANCEDHISANGRYBLOODUP,THATITBOILEDAGAIN,ONHEARINGWHENTHEDAYCLOSEDINTHATTHESON-IN-LAWOFTHEDESPATCHED,ANOTHEROFTHEPEOPLE'SENEMIESANDINSULTERS,WASCOMINGINTOPARISUNDERAGUARDFIVEHUNDREDSTRONG,INCAVALRYALONE.SAINTANTOINEWROTEHISCRIMESONFLARINGSHEETSOFPAPER,SEIZEDHIM--WOULDHAVETORNHIMOUTOFTHEBREASTOFANARMYTOBEARFOULONCOMPANY--SETHISHEADANDHEARTONPIKES,ANDCARRIEDTHETHREESPOILSOFTHEDAY,INWOLF-PROCESSIONTHROUGHTHESTREETS.NOTBEFOREDARKNIGHTDIDTHEMENANDWOMENCOMEBACKTOTHECHILDREN,WAILINGANDBREADLESS.THEN,THEMISERABLEBAKERS'SHOPSWEREBESETBYLONGFILESOFTHEM,PATIENTLYWAITINGTOBUYBADBREAD;ANDWHILETHEYWAITEDWITHSTOMACHSFAINTANDEMPTY,THEYBEGUILEDTHETIMEBYEMBRACINGONEANOTHERONTHETRIUMPHSOFTHEDAY,ANDACHIEVINGTHEMAGAININGOSSIP.GRADUALLY,THESESTRINGSOFRAGGEDPEOPLESHORTENEDANDFRAYEDAWAY;ANDTHENPOORLIGHTSBEGANTOSHINEINHIGHWINDOWS,ANDSLENDERFIRESWEREMADEINTHESTREETS,ATWHICHNEIGHBOURSCOOKEDINCOMMON,AFTERWARDSSUPPINGATTHEIRDOORS.SCANTYANDINSUFFICIENTSUPPERSTHOSE,ANDINNOCENTOFMEAT,ASOFMOSTOTHERSAUCETOWRETCHEDBREAD.YET,HUMANFELLOWSHIPINFUSEDSOMENOURISHMENTINTOTHEFLINTYVIANDS,ANDSTRUCKSOMESPARKSOFCHEERFULNESSOUTOFTHEM.FATHERSANDMOTHERSWHOHADHADTHEIRFULLSHAREINTHEWORSTOFTHEDAY,PLAYEDGENTLYWITHTHEIRMEAGRECHILDREN;ANDLOVERS,WITHSUCHAWORLDAROUNDTHEMANDBEFORETHEM,LOVEDANDHOPED.ITWASALMOSTMORNING,WHENDEFARGE'SWINE-SHOPPARTEDWITHITSLASTKNOTOFCUSTOMERS,ANDMONSIEURDEFARGESAIDTOMADAMEHISWIFE,INHUSKYTONES,WHILEFASTENINGTHEDOOR:"ATLASTITISCOME,MYDEAR!""EHWELL!"RETURNEDMADAME."ALMOST."SAINTANTOINESLEPT,THEDEFARGESSLEPT:EVENTHEVENGEANCESLEPTWITHHERSTARVEDGROCER,ANDTHEDRUMWASATREST.THEDRUM'SWASTHEONLYVOICEINSAINTANTOINETHATBLOODANDHURRYHADNOTCHANGED.THEVENGEANCE,ASCUSTODIANOFTHEDRUM,COULDHAVEWAKENEDHIMUPANDHADTHESAMESPEECHOUTOFHIMASBEFORETHEBASTILLEFELL,OROLDFOULONWASSEIZED;NOTSOWITHTHEHOARSETONESOFTHEMENANDWOMENINSAINTANTOINE'SBOSOM.XXIII.FIRERISESTHEREWASACHANGEONTHEVILLAGEWHERETHEFOUNTAINFELL,ANDWHERETHEMENDEROFROADSWENTFORTHDAILYTOHAMMEROUTOFTHESTONESONTHEHIGHWAYSUCHMORSELSOFBREADASMIGHTSERVEFORPATCHESTOHOLDHISPOORIGNORANTSOULANDHISPOORREDUCEDBODYTOGETHER.THEPRISONONTHECRAGWASNOTSODOMINANTASOFYORE;THEREWERESOLDIERSTOGUARDIT,BUTNOTMANY;THEREWEREOFFICERSTOGUARDTHESOLDIERS,BUTNOTONEOFTHEMKNEWWHATHISMENWOULDDO--BEYONDTHIS:THATITWOULDPROBABLYNOTBEWHATHEWASORDERED.FARANDWIDELAYARUINEDCOUNTRY,YIELDINGNOTHINGBUTDESOLATION.EVERYGREENLEAF,EVERYBLADEOFGRASSANDBLADEOFGRAIN,WASASSHRIVELLEDANDPOORASTHEMISERABLEPEOPLE.EVERYTHINGWASBOWEDDOWN,DEJECTED,OPPRESSED,ANDBROKEN.HABITATIONS,FENCES,DOMESTICATEDANIMALS,MEN,WOMEN,CHILDREN,ANDTHESOILTHATBORETHEM--ALLWORNOUT.MONSEIGNEUR(OFTENAMOSTWORTHYINDIVIDUALGENTLEMAN)WASANATIONALBLESSING,GAVEACHIVALROUSTONETOTHINGS,WASAPOLITEEXAMPLEOFLUXURIOUSANDSHININGLIFE,ANDAGREATDEALMORETOEQUALPURPOSE;NEVERTHELESS,MONSEIGNEURASACLASSHAD,SOMEHOWOROTHER,BROUGHTTHINGSTOTHIS.STRANGETHATCREATION,DESIGNEDEXPRESSLYFORMONSEIGNEUR,SHOULDBESOSOONWRUNGDRYANDSQUEEZEDOUT!THEREMUSTBESOMETHINGSHORT-SIGHTEDINTHEETERNALARRANGEMENTS,SURELY!THUSITWAS,HOWEVER;ANDTHELASTDROPOFBLOODHAVINGBEENEXTRACTEDFROMTHEFLINTS,ANDTHELASTSCREWOFTHERACKHAVINGBEENTURNEDSOOFTENTHATITSPURCHASECRUMBLED,ANDITNOWTURNEDANDTURNEDWITHNOTHINGTOBITE,MONSEIGNEURBEGANTORUNAWAYFROMAPHENOMENONSOLOWANDUNACCOUNTABLE.BUT,THISWASNOTTHECHANGEONTHEVILLAGE,ANDONMANYAVILLAGELIKEIT.FORSCORESOFYEARSGONEBY,MONSEIGNEURHADSQUEEZEDITANDWRUNGIT,ANDHADSELDOMGRACEDITWITHHISPRESENCEEXCEPTFORTHEPLEASURESOFTHECHASE--NOW,FOUNDINHUNTINGTHEPEOPLE;NOW,FOUNDINHUNTINGTHEBEASTS,FORWHOSEPRESERVATIONMONSEIGNEURMADEEDIFYINGSPACESOFBARBAROUSANDBARRENWILDERNESS.NO.THECHANGECONSISTEDINTHEAPPEARANCEOFSTRANGEFACESOFLOWCASTE,RATHERTHANINTHEDISAPPEARANCEOFTHEHIGHCASTE,CHISELLED,ANDOTHERWISEBEAUTIFIEDANDBEAUTIFYINGFEATURESOFMONSEIGNEUR.FOR,INTHESETIMES,ASTHEMENDEROFROADSWORKED,SOLITARY,INTHEDUST,NOTOFTENTROUBLINGHIMSELFTOREFLECTTHATDUSTHEWASANDTODUSTHEMUSTRETURN,BEINGFORTHEMOSTPARTTOOMUCHOCCUPIEDINTHINKINGHOWLITTLEHEHADFORSUPPERANDHOWMUCHMOREHEWOULDEATIFHEHADIT--INTHESETIMES,ASHERAISEDHISEYESFROMHISLONELYLABOUR,ANDVIEWEDTHEPROSPECT,HEWOULDSEESOMEROUGHFIGUREAPPROACHINGONFOOT,THELIKEOFWHICHWASONCEARARITYINTHOSEPARTS,BUTWASNOWAFREQUENTPRESENCE.ASITADVANCED,THEMENDEROFROADSWOULDDISCERNWITHOUTSURPRISE,THATITWASASHAGGY-HAIREDMAN,OFALMOSTBARBARIANASPECT,TALL,INWOODENSHOESTHATWERECLUMSYEVENTOTHEEYESOFAMENDEROFROADS,GRIM,ROUGH,SWART,STEEPEDINTHEMUDANDDUSTOFMANYHIGHWAYS,DANKWITHTHEMARSHYMOISTUREOFMANYLOWGROUNDS,SPRINKLEDWITHTHETHORNSANDLEAVESANDMOSSOFMANYBYWAYSTHROUGHWOODS.SUCHAMANCAMEUPONHIM,LIKEAGHOST,ATNOONINTHEJULYWEATHER,ASHESATONHISHEAPOFSTONESUNDERABANK,TAKINGSUCHSHELTERASHECOULDGETFROMASHOWEROFHAIL.THEMANLOOKEDATHIM,LOOKEDATTHEVILLAGEINTHEHOLLOW,ATTHEMILL,ANDATTHEPRISONONTHECRAG.WHENHEHADIDENTIFIEDTHESEOBJECTSINWHATBENIGHTEDMINDHEHAD,HESAID,INADIALECTTHATWASJUSTINTELLIGIBLE:"HOWGOESIT,JACQUES?""ALLWELL,JACQUES.""TOUCHTHEN!"THEYJOINEDHANDS,ANDTHEMANSATDOWNONTHEHEAPOFSTONES."NODINNER?""NOTHINGBUTSUPPERNOW,"SAIDTHEMENDEROFROADS,WITHAHUNGRYFACE."ITISTHEFASHION,"GROWLEDTHEMAN."IMEETNODINNERANYWHERE."HETOOKOUTABLACKENEDPIPE,FILLEDIT,LIGHTEDITWITHFLINTANDSTEEL,PULLEDATITUNTILITWASINABRIGHTGLOW:THEN,SUDDENLYHELDITFROMHIMANDDROPPEDSOMETHINGINTOITFROMBETWEENHISFINGERANDTHUMB,THATBLAZEDANDWENTOUTINAPUFFOFSMOKE."TOUCHTHEN."ITWASTHETURNOFTHEMENDEROFROADSTOSAYITTHISTIME,AFTEROBSERVINGTHESEOPERATIONS.THEYAGAINJOINEDHANDS."TO-NIGHT?"SAIDTHEMENDEROFROADS."TO-NIGHT,"SAIDTHEMAN,PUTTINGTHEPIPEINHISMOUTH."WHERE?""HERE."HEANDTHEMENDEROFROADSSATONTHEHEAPOFSTONESLOOKINGSILENTLYATONEANOTHER,WITHTHEHAILDRIVINGINBETWEENTHEMLIKEAPIGMYCHARGEOFBAYONETS,UNTILTHESKYBEGANTOCLEAROVERTHEVILLAGE."SHOWME!"SAIDTHETRAVELLERTHEN,MOVINGTOTHEBROWOFTHEHILL."SEE!"RETURNEDTHEMENDEROFROADS,WITHEXTENDEDFINGER."YOUGODOWNHERE,ANDSTRAIGHTTHROUGHTHESTREET,ANDPASTTHEFOUNTAIN--""TOTHEDEVILWITHALLTHAT!"INTERRUPTEDTHEOTHER,ROLLINGHISEYEOVERTHELANDSCAPE."_I_GOTHROUGHNOSTREETSANDPASTNOFOUNTAINS.WELL?""WELL!ABOUTTWOLEAGUESBEYONDTHESUMMITOFTHATHILLABOVETHEVILLAGE.""GOOD.WHENDOYOUCEASETOWORK?""ATSUNSET.""WILLYOUWAKEME,BEFOREDEPARTING?IHAVEWALKEDTWONIGHTSWITHOUTRESTING.LETMEFINISHMYPIPE,ANDISHALLSLEEPLIKEACHILD.WILLYOUWAKEME?""SURELY."THEWAYFARERSMOKEDHISPIPEOUT,PUTITINHISBREAST,SLIPPEDOFFHISGREATWOODENSHOES,ANDLAYDOWNONHISBACKONTHEHEAPOFSTONES.HEWASFASTASLEEPDIRECTLY.ASTHEROAD-MENDERPLIEDHISDUSTYLABOUR,ANDTHEHAIL-CLOUDS,ROLLINGAWAY,REVEALEDBRIGHTBARSANDSTREAKSOFSKYWHICHWERERESPONDEDTOBYSILVERGLEAMSUPONTHELANDSCAPE,THELITTLEMAN(WHOWOREAREDCAPNOW,INPLACEOFHISBLUEONE)SEEMEDFASCINATEDBYTHEFIGUREONTHEHEAPOFSTONES.HISEYESWERESOOFTENTURNEDTOWARDSIT,THATHEUSEDHISTOOLSMECHANICALLY,AND,ONEWOULDHAVESAID,TOVERYPOORACCOUNT.THEBRONZEFACE,THESHAGGYBLACKHAIRANDBEARD,THECOARSEWOOLLENREDCAP,THEROUGHMEDLEYDRESSOFHOME-SPUNSTUFFANDHAIRYSKINSOFBEASTS,THEPOWERFULFRAMEATTENUATEDBYSPARELIVING,ANDTHESULLENANDDESPERATECOMPRESSIONOFTHELIPSINSLEEP,INSPIREDTHEMENDEROFROADSWITHAWE.THETRAVELLERHADTRAVELLEDFAR,ANDHISFEETWEREFOOTSORE,ANDHISANKLESCHAFEDANDBLEEDING;HISGREATSHOES,STUFFEDWITHLEAVESANDGRASS,HADBEENHEAVYTODRAGOVERTHEMANYLONGLEAGUES,ANDHISCLOTHESWERECHAFEDINTOHOLES,ASHEHIMSELFWASINTOSORES.STOOPINGDOWNBESIDEHIM,THEROAD-MENDERTRIEDTOGETAPEEPATSECRETWEAPONSINHISBREASTORWHERENOT;BUT,INVAIN,FORHESLEPTWITHHISARMSCROSSEDUPONHIM,ANDSETASRESOLUTELYASHISLIPS.FORTIFIEDTOWNSWITHTHEIRSTOCKADES,GUARD-HOUSES,GATES,TRENCHES,ANDDRAWBRIDGES,SEEMEDTOTHEMENDEROFROADS,TOBESOMUCHAIRASAGAINSTTHISFIGURE.ANDWHENHELIFTEDHISEYESFROMITTOTHEHORIZONANDLOOKEDAROUND,HESAWINHISSMALLFANCYSIMILARFIGURES,STOPPEDBYNOOBSTACLE,TENDINGTOCENTRESALLOVERFRANCE.THEMANSLEPTON,INDIFFERENTTOSHOWERSOFHAILANDINTERVALSOFBRIGHTNESS,TOSUNSHINEONHISFACEANDSHADOW,TOTHEPALTERINGLUMPSOFDULLICEONHISBODYANDTHEDIAMONDSINTOWHICHTHESUNCHANGEDTHEM,UNTILTHESUNWASLOWINTHEWEST,ANDTHESKYWASGLOWING.THEN,THEMENDEROFROADSHAVINGGOTHISTOOLSTOGETHERANDALLTHINGSREADYTOGODOWNINTOTHEVILLAGE,ROUSEDHIM."GOOD!"SAIDTHESLEEPER,RISINGONHISELBOW."TWOLEAGUESBEYONDTHESUMMITOFTHEHILL?""ABOUT.""ABOUT.GOOD!"THEMENDEROFROADSWENTHOME,WITHTHEDUSTGOINGONBEFOREHIMACCORDINGTOTHESETOFTHEWIND,ANDWASSOONATTHEFOUNTAIN,SQUEEZINGHIMSELFINAMONGTHELEANKINEBROUGHTTHERETODRINK,ANDAPPEARINGEVENTOWHISPERTOTHEMINHISWHISPERINGTOALLTHEVILLAGE.WHENTHEVILLAGEHADTAKENITSPOORSUPPER,ITDIDNOTCREEPTOBED,ASITUSUALLYDID,BUTCAMEOUTOFDOORSAGAIN,ANDREMAINEDTHERE.ACURIOUSCONTAGIONOFWHISPERINGWASUPONIT,ANDALSO,WHENITGATHEREDTOGETHERATTHEFOUNTAININTHEDARK,ANOTHERCURIOUSCONTAGIONOFLOOKINGEXPECTANTLYATTHESKYINONEDIRECTIONONLY.MONSIEURGABELLE,CHIEFFUNCTIONARYOFTHEPLACE,BECAMEUNEASY;WENTOUTONHISHOUSE-TOPALONE,ANDLOOKEDINTHATDIRECTIONTOO;GLANCEDDOWNFROMBEHINDHISCHIMNEYSATTHEDARKENINGFACESBYTHEFOUNTAINBELOW,ANDSENTWORDTOTHESACRISTANWHOKEPTTHEKEYSOFTHECHURCH,THATTHEREMIGHTBENEEDTORINGTHETOCSINBY-AND-BYE.THENIGHTDEEPENED.THETREESENVIRONINGTHEOLDCHATEAU,KEEPINGITSSOLITARYSTATEAPART,MOVEDINARISINGWIND,ASTHOUGHTHEYTHREATENEDTHEPILEOFBUILDINGMASSIVEANDDARKINTHEGLOOM.UPTHETWOTERRACEFLIGHTSOFSTEPSTHERAINRANWILDLY,ANDBEATATTHEGREATDOOR,LIKEASWIFTMESSENGERROUSINGTHOSEWITHIN;UNEASYRUSHESOFWINDWENTTHROUGHTHEHALL,AMONGTHEOLDSPEARSANDKNIVES,ANDPASSEDLAMENTINGUPTHESTAIRS,ANDSHOOKTHECURTAINSOFTHEBEDWHERETHELASTMARQUISHADSLEPT.EAST,WEST,NORTH,ANDSOUTH,THROUGHTHEWOODS,FOURHEAVY-TREADING,UNKEMPTFIGURESCRUSHEDTHEHIGHGRASSANDCRACKEDTHEBRANCHES,STRIDINGONCAUTIOUSLYTOCOMETOGETHERINTHECOURTYARD.FOURLIGHTSBROKEOUTTHERE,ANDMOVEDAWAYINDIFFERENTDIRECTIONS,ANDALLWASBLACKAGAIN.BUT,NOTFORLONG.PRESENTL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PLACETHERE,ANDEARNEDHISOWNBREAD.MONSIEURGABELLEHADHELDTHEIMPOVERISHEDANDINVOLVEDESTATEONWRITTENINSTRUCTIONS,TOSPARETHEPEOPLE,TOGIVETHEMWHATLITTLETHEREWASTOGIVE--SUCHFUELASTHEHEAVYCREDITORSWOULDLETTHEMHAVEINTHEWINTER,ANDSUCHPRODUCEASCOULDBESAVEDFROMTHESAMEGRIPINTHESUMMER--ANDNODOUBTHEHADPUTTHEFACTINPLEAANDPROOF,FORHISOWNSAFETY,SOTHATITCOULDNOTBUTAPPEARNOW.THISFAVOUREDTHEDESPERATERESOLUTIONCHARLESDARNAYHADBEGUNTOMAKE,THATHEWOULDGOTOPARIS.YES.LIKETHEMARINERINTHEOLDSTORY,THEWINDSANDSTREAMSHADDRIVENHIMWITHINTHEINFLUENCEOFTHELOADSTONEROCK,ANDITWASDRAWINGHIMTOITSELF,ANDHEMUSTGO.EVERYTHINGTHATAROSEBEFOREHISMINDDRIFTEDHIMON,FASTERANDFASTER,MOREANDMORESTEADILY,TOTHETERRIBLEATTRACTION.HISLATENTUNEASINESSHADBEEN,THATBADAIMSWEREBEINGWORKEDOUTINHISOWNUNHAPPYLANDBYBADINSTRUMENTS,ANDTHATHEWHOCOULDNOTFAILTOKNOWTHATHEWASBETTERTHANTHEY,WASNOTTHERE,TRYINGTODOSOMETHINGTOSTAYBLOODSHED,ANDASSERTTHECLAIMSOFMERCYANDHUMANITY.WITHTHISUNEASINESSHALFSTIFLED,ANDHALFREPROACHINGHIM,HEHADBEENBROUGHTTOTHEPOINTEDCOMPARISONOFHIMSELFWITHTHEBRAVEOLDGENTLEMANINWHOMDUTYWASSOSTRONG;UPONTHATCOMPARISON(INJURIOUSTOHIMSELF)HADINSTANTLYFOLLOWEDTHESNEERSOFMONSEIGNEUR,WHICHHADSTUNGHIMBITTERLY,ANDTHOSEOFSTRYVER,WHICHABOVEALLWERECOARSEANDGALLING,FOROLDREASONS.UPONTHOSE,HADFOLLOWEDGABELLE'SLETTER:THEAPPEALOFANINNOCENTPRISONER,INDANGEROFDEATH,TOHISJUSTICE,HONOUR,ANDGOODNAME.HISRESOLUTIONWASMADE.HEMUSTGOTOPARIS.YES.THELOADSTONEROCKWASDRAWINGHIM,ANDHEMUSTSAILON,UNTILHESTRUCK.HEKNEWOFNOROCK;HESAWHARDLYANYDANGER.THEINTENTIONWITHWHICHHEHADDONEWHATHEHADDONE,EVENALTHOUGHHEHADLEFTITINCOMPLETE,PRESENTEDITBEFOREHIMINANASPECTTHATWOULDBEGRATEFULLYACKNOWLEDGEDINFRANCEONHISPRESENTINGHIMSELFTOASSERTIT.THEN,THATGLORIOUSVISIONOFDOINGGOOD,WHICHISSOOFTENTHESANGUINEMIRAGEOFSOMANYGOODMINDS,AROSEBEFOREHIM,ANDHEEVENSAWHIMSELFINTHEILLUSIONWITHSOMEINFLUENCETOGUIDETHISRAGINGREVOLUTIONTHATWASRUNNINGSOFEARFULLYWILD.ASHEWALKEDTOANDFROWITHHISRESOLUTIONMADE,HECONSIDEREDTHATNEITHERLUCIENORHERFATHERMUSTKNOWOFITUNTILHEWASGONE.LUCIESHOULDBESPAREDTHEPAINOFSEPARATION;ANDHERFATHER,ALWAYSRELUCTANTTOTURNHISTHOUGHTSTOWARDSTHEDANGEROUSGROUNDOFOLD,SHOULDCOMETOTHEKNOWLEDGEOFTHESTEP,ASASTEPTAKEN,ANDNOTINTHEBALANCEOFSUSPENSEANDDOUBT.HOWMUCHOFTHEINCOMPLETENESSOFHISSITUATIONWASREFERABLETOHERFATHER,THROUGHTHEPAINFULANXIETYTOAVOIDREVIVINGOLDASSOCIATIONSOFFRANCEINHISMIND,HEDIDNOTDISCUSSWITHHIMSELF.BUT,THATCIRCUMSTANCETOO,HADHADITSINFLUENCEINHISCOURSE.HEWALKEDTOANDFRO,WITHTHOUGHTSVERYBUSY,UNTILITWASTIMETORETURNTOTELLSON'SANDTAKELEAVEOFMR.LORRY.ASSOONASHEARRIVEDINPARISHEWOULDPRESENTHIMSELFTOTHISOLDFRIEND,BUTHEMUSTSAYNOTHINGOFHISINTENTIONNOW.ACARRIAGEWITHPOST-HORSESWASREADYATTHEBANKDOOR,ANDJERRYWASBOOTEDANDEQUIPPED."IHAVEDELIVEREDTHATLETTER,"SAIDCHARLESDARNAYTOMR.LORRY."IWOULDNOTCONSENTTOYOURBEINGCHARGEDWITHANYWRITTENANSWER,BUTPERHAPSYOUWILLTAKEAVERBALONE?""THATIWILL,ANDREADILY,"SAIDMR.LORRY,"IFITISNOTDANGEROUS.""NOTATALL.THOUGHITISTOAPRISONERINTHEABBAYE.""WHATISHISNAME?"SAIDMR.LORRY,WITHHISOPENPOCKET-BOOKINHISHAND."GABELLE.""GABELLE.ANDWHATISTHEMESSAGETOTHEUNFORTUNATEGABELLEINPRISON?""SIMPLY,'THATHEHASRECEIVEDTHELETTER,ANDWILLCOME.'""ANYTIMEMENTIONED?""HEWILLSTARTUPONHISJOURNEYTO-MORROWNIGHT.""ANYPERSONMENTIONED?""NO."HEHELPEDMR.LORRYTOWRAPHIMSELFINANUMBEROFCOATSANDCLOAKS,ANDWENTOUTWITHHIMFROMTHEWARMATMOSPHEREOFTHEOLDBANK,INTOTHEMISTYAIROFFLEET-STREET."MYLOVETOLUCIE,ANDTOLITTLELUCIE,"SAIDMR.LORRYATPARTING,"ANDTAKEPRECIOUSCAREOFTHEMTILLICOMEBACK."CHARLESDARNAYSHOOKHISHEADANDDOUBTFULLYSMILED,ASTHECARRIAGEROLLEDAWAY.THATNIGHT--ITWASTHEFOURTEENTHOFAUGUST--HESATUPLATE,ANDWROTETWOFERVENTLETTERS;ONEWASTOLUCIE,EXPLAININGTHESTRONGOBLIGATIONHEWASUNDERTOGOTOPARIS,ANDSHOWINGHER,ATLENGTH,THEREASONSTHATHEHAD,FORFEELINGCONFIDENTTHATHECOULDBECOMEINVOLVEDINNOPERSONALDANGERTHERE;THEOTHERWASTOTHEDOCTOR,CONFIDINGLUCIEANDTHEIRDEARCHILDTOHISCARE,ANDDWELLINGONTHESAMETOPICSWITHTHESTRONGESTASSURANCES.TOBOTH,HEWROTETHATHEWOULDDESPATCHLETTERSINPROOFOFHISSAFETY,IMMEDIATELYAFTERHISARRIVAL.ITWASAHARDDAY,THATDAYOFBEINGAMONGTHEM,WITHTHEFIRSTRESERVATIONOFTHEIRJOINTLIVESONHISMIND.ITWASAHARDMATTERTOPRESERVETHEINNOCENTDECEITOFWHICHTHEYWEREPROFOUNDLYUNSUSPICIOUS.BUT,ANAFFECTIONATEGLANCEATHISWIFE,SOHAPPYANDBUSY,MADEHIMRESOLUTENOTTOTELLHERWHATIMPENDED(HEHADBEENHALFMOVEDTODOIT,SOSTRANGEITWASTOHIMTOACTINANYTHINGWITHOUTHERQUIETAID),ANDTHEDAYPASSEDQUICKLY.EARLYINTHEEVENINGHEEMBRACEDHER,ANDHERSCARCELYLESSDEARNAMESAKE,PRETENDINGTHATHEWOULDRETURNBY-AND-BYE(ANIMAGINARYENGAGEMENTTOOKHIMOUT,ANDHEHADSECRETEDAVALISEOFCLOTHESREADY),ANDSOHEEMERGEDINTOTHEHEAVYMISTOFTHEHEAVYSTREETS,WITHAHEAVIERHEART.THEUNSEENFORCEWASDRAWINGHIMFASTTOITSELF,NOW,ANDALLTHETIDESANDWINDSWERESETTINGSTRAIGHTANDSTRONGTOWARDSIT.HELEFTHISTWOLETTERSWITHATRUSTYPORTER,TOBEDELIVEREDHALFANHOURBEFOREMIDNIGHT,ANDNOSOONER;TOOKHORSEFORDOVER;ANDBEGANHISJOURNEY."FORTHELOVEOFHEAVEN,OFJUSTICE,OFGENEROSITY,OFTHEHONOUROFYOURNOBLENAME!"WASTHEPOORPRISONER'SCRYWITHWHICHHESTRENGTHENEDHISSINKINGHEART,ASHELEFTALLTHATWASDEARONEARTHBEHINDHIM,ANDFLOATEDAWAYFORTHELOADSTONEROCK.THEENDOFTHESECONDBOOK.BOOKTHETHIRD--THETRACKOFASTORMI.INSECRETTHETRAVELLERFAREDSLOWLYONHISWAY,WHOFAREDTOWARDSPARISFROMENGLANDINTHEAUTUMNOFTHEYEARONETHOUSANDSEVENHUNDREDANDNINETY-TWO.MORETHANENOUGHOFBADROADS,BADEQUIPAGES,ANDBADHORSES,HEWOULDHAVEENCOUNTEREDTODELAYHIM,THOUGHTHEFALLENANDUNFORTUNATEKINGOFFRANCEHADBEENUPONHISTHRONEINALLHISGLORY;BUT,THECHANGEDTIMESWEREFRAUGHTWITHOTHEROBSTACLESTHANTHESE.EVERYTOWN-GATEANDVILLAGETAXING-HOUSEHADITSBANDOFCITIZEN-PATRIOTS,WITHTHEIRNATIONALMUSKETSINAMOSTEXPLOSIVESTATEOFREADINESS,WHOSTOPPEDALLCOMERSANDGOERS,CROSS-QUESTIONEDTHEM,INSPECTEDTHEIRPAPERS,LOOKEDFORTHEIRNAMESINLISTSOFTHEIROWN,TURNEDTHEMBACK,ORSENTTHEMON,ORSTOPPEDTHEMANDLAIDTHEMINHOLD,ASTHEIRCAPRICIOUSJUDGMENTORFANCYDEEMEDBESTFORTHEDAWNINGREPUBLICONEANDINDIVISIBLE,OFLIBERTY,EQUALITY,FRATERNITY,ORDEATH.AVERYFEWFRENCHLEAGUESOFHISJOURNEYWEREACCOMPLISHED,WHENCHARLESDARNAYBEGANTOPERCEIVETHATFORHIMALONGTHESECOUNTRYROADSTHEREWASNOHOPEOFRETURNUNTILHESHOULDHAVEBEENDECLAREDAGOODCITIZENATPARIS.WHATEVERMIGHTBEFALLNOW,HEMUSTONTOHISJOURNEY'SEND.NOTAMEANVILLAGECLOSEDUPONHIM,NOTACOMMONBARRIERDROPPEDACROSSTHEROADBEHINDHIM,BUTHEKNEWITTOBEANOTHERIRONDOORINTHESERIESTHATWASBARREDBETWEENHIMANDENGLAND.THEUNIVERSALWATCHFULNESSSOENCOMPASSEDHIM,THATIFHEHADBEENTAKENINANET,ORWEREBEINGFORWARDEDTOHISDESTINATIONINACAGE,HECOULDNOTHAVEFELTHISFREEDOMMORECOMPLETELYGONE.THISUNIVERSALWATCHFULNESSNOTONLYSTOPPEDHIMONTHEHIGHWAYTWENTYTIMESINASTAGE,BUTRETARDEDHISPROGRESSTWENTYTIMESINADAY,BYRIDINGAFTERHIMANDTAKINGHIMBACK,RIDINGBEFOREHIMANDSTOPPINGHIMBYANTICIPATION,RIDINGWITHHIMANDKEEPINGHIMINCHARGE.HEHADBEENDAYSUPONHISJOURNEYINFRANCEALONE,WHENHEWENTTOBEDTIREDOUT,INALITTLETOWNONTHEHIGHROAD,STILLALONGWAYFROMPARIS.NOTHINGBUTTHEPRODUCTIONOFTHEAFFLICTEDGABELLE'SLETTERFROMHISPRISONOFTHEABBAYEWOULDHAVEGOTHIMONSOFAR.HISDIFFICULTYATTHEGUARD-HOUSEINTHISSMALLPLACEHADBEENSUCH,THATHEFELTHISJOURNEYTOHAVECOMETOACRISIS.ANDHEWAS,THEREFORE,ASLITTLESURPRISEDASAMANCOULDBE,TOFINDHIMSELFAWAKENEDATTHESMALLINNTOWHICHHEHADBEENREMITTEDUNTILMORNING,INTHEMIDDLEOFTHENIGHT.AWAKENEDBYATIMIDLOCALFUNCTIONARYANDTHREEARMEDPATRIOTSINROUGHREDCAPSANDWITHPIPESINTHEIRMOUTHS,WHOSATDOWNONTHEBED."EMIGRANT,"SAIDTHEFUNCTIONARY,"IAMGOINGTOSENDYOUONTOPARIS,UNDERANESCORT.""CITIZEN,IDESIRENOTHINGMORETHANTOGETTOPARIS,THOUGHICOULDDISPENSEWITHTHEESCORT.""SILENCE!"GROWLEDARED-CAP,STRIKINGATTHECOVERLETWITHTHEBUTT-ENDOFHISMUSKET."PEACE,ARISTOCRAT!""ITISASTHEGOODPATRIOTSAYS,"OBSERVEDTHETIMIDFUNCTIONARY."YOUAREANARISTOCRAT,ANDMUSTHAVEANESCORT--ANDMUSTPAYFORIT.""IHAVENOCHOICE,"SAIDCHARLESDARNAY."CHOICE!LISTENTOHIM!"CRIEDTHESAMESCOWLINGRED-CAP."ASIFITWASNOTAFAVOURTOBEPROTECTEDFROMTHELAMP-IRON!""ITISALWAYSASTHEGOODPATRIOTSAYS,"OBSERVEDTHEFUNCTIONARY."RISEANDDRESSYOURSELF,EMIGRANT."DARNAYCOMPLIED,ANDWASTAKENBACKTOTHEGUARD-HOUSE,WHEREOTHERPATRIOTSINROUGHREDCAPSWERESMOKING,DRINKING,ANDSLEEPING,BYAWATCH-FIRE.HEREHEPAIDAHEAVYPRICEFORHISESCORT,ANDHENCEHESTARTEDWITHITONTHEWET,WETROADSATTHREEO'CLOCKINTHEMORNING.THEESCORTWERETWOMOUNTEDPATRIOTSINREDCAPSANDTRI-COLOUREDCOCKADES,ARMEDWITHNATIONALMUSKETSANDSABRES,WHORODEONEONEITHERSIDEOFHIM.THEESCORTEDGOVERNEDHISOWNHORSE,BUTALOOSELINEWASATTACHEDTOHISBRIDLE,THEENDOFWHICHONEOFTHEPATRIOTSKEPTGIRDEDROUNDHISWRIST.INTHISSTATETHEYSETFORTHWITHTHESHARPRAINDRIVINGINTHEIRFACES:CLATTERINGATAHEAVYDRAGOONTROTOVERTHEUNEVENTOWNPAVEMENT,ANDOUTUPONTHEMIRE-DEEPROADS.INTHISSTATETHEYTRAVERSEDWITHOUTCHANGE,EXCEPTOFHORSESANDPACE,ALLTHEMIRE-DEEPLEAGUESTHATLAYBETWEENTHEMANDTHECAPITAL.THEYTRAVELLEDINTHENIGHT,HALTINGANHOURORTWOAFTERDAYBREAK,ANDLYINGBYUNTILTHETWILIGHTFELL.THEESCORTWERESOWRETCHEDLYCLOTHED,THATTHEYTWISTEDSTRAWROUNDTHEIRBARELEGS,ANDTHATCHEDTHEIRRAGGEDSHOULDERSTOKEEPTHEWETOFF.APARTFROMTHEPERSONALDISCOMFORTOFBEINGSOATTENDED,ANDAPARTFROMSUCHCONSIDERATIONSOFPRESENTDANGERASAROSEFROMONEOFTHEPATRIOTSBEINGCHRONICALLYDRUNK,ANDCARRYINGHISMUSKETVERYRECKLESSLY,CHARLESDARNAYDIDNOTALLOWTHERESTRAINTTHATWASLAIDUPONHIMTOAWAKENANYSERIOUSFEARSINHISBREAST;FOR,HEREASONEDWITHHIMSELFTHATITCOULDHAVENOREFERENCETOTHEMERITSOFANINDIVIDUALCASETHATWASNOTYETSTATED,ANDOFREPRESENTATIONS,CONFIRMABLEBYTHEPRISONERINTHEABBAYE,THATWERENOTYETMADE.BUTWHENTHEYCAMETOTHETOWNOFBEAUVAIS--WHICHTHEYDIDATEVENTIDE,WHENTHESTREETSWEREFILLEDWITHPEOPLE--HECOULDNOTCONCEALFROMHIMSELFTHATTHEASPECTOFAFFAIRSWASVERYALARMING.ANOMINOUSCROWDGATHEREDTOSEEHIMDISMOUNTOFTHEPOSTING-YARD,ANDMANYVOICESCALLEDOUTLOUDLY,"DOWNWITHTHEEMIGRANT!"HESTOPPEDINTHEACTOFSWINGINGHIMSELFOUTOFHISSADDLE,AND,RESUMINGITASHISSAFESTPLACE,SAID:"EMIGRANT,MYFRIENDS!DOYOUNOTSEEMEHERE,INFRANCE,OFMYOWNWILL?""YOUAREACURSEDEMIGRANT,"CRIEDAFARRIER,MAKINGATHIMINAFURIOUSMANNERTHROUGHTHEPRESS,HAMMERINHAND;"ANDYOUAREACURSEDARISTOCRAT!"THEPOSTMASTERINTERPOSEDHIMSELFBETWEENTHISMANANDTHERIDER'SBRIDLE(ATWHICHHEWASEVIDENTLYMAKING),ANDSOOTHINGLYSAID,"LETHIMBE;LETHIMBE!HEWILLBEJUDGEDATPARIS.""JUDGED!"REPEATEDTHEFARRIER,SWINGINGHISHAMMER."AY!ANDCONDEMNEDASATRAITOR."ATTHISTHECROWDROAREDAPPROVAL.CHECKINGTHEPOSTMASTER,WHOWASFORTURNINGHISHORSE'SHEADTOTHEYARD(THEDRUNKENPATRIOTSATCOMPOSEDLYINHISSADDLELOOKINGON,WITHTHELINEROUNDHISWRIST),DARNAYSAID,ASSOONASHECOULDMAKEHISVOICEHEARD:"FRIENDS,YOUDECEIVEYOURSELVES,ORYOUAREDECEIVED.IAMNOTATRAITOR.""HELIES!"CRIEDTHESMITH."HEISATRAITORSINCETHEDECREE.HISLIFEISFORFEITTOTHEPEOPLE.HISCURSEDLIFEISNOTHISOWN!"ATTHEINSTANTWHENDARNAYSAWARUSHINTHEEYESOFTHECROWD,WHICHANOTHERINSTANTWOULDHAVEBROUGHTUPONHIM,THEPOSTMASTERTURNEDHISHORSEINTOTHEYARD,THEESCORTRODEINCLOSEUPONHISHORSE'SFLANKS,ANDTHEPOSTMASTERSHUTANDBARREDTHECRAZYDOUBLEGATES.THEFARRIERSTRUCKABLOWUPONTHEMWITHHISHAMMER,ANDTHECROWDGROANED;BUT,NOMOREWASDONE."WHATISTHISDECREETHATTHESMITHSPOKEOF?"DARNAYASKEDTHEPOSTMASTER,WHENHEHADTHANKEDHIM,ANDSTOODBESIDEHIMINTHEYARD."TRULY,ADECREEFORSELLINGTHEPROPERTYOFEMIGRANTS.""WHENPASSED?""ONTHEFOURTEENTH.""THEDAYILEFTENGLAND!""EVERYBODYSAYSITISBUTONEOFSEVERAL,ANDTHATTHEREWILLBEOTHERS--IFTHEREARENOTALREADY--BANISHINGALLEMIGRANTS,ANDCONDEMNINGALLTODEATHWHORETURN.THATISWHATHEMEANTWHENHESAIDYOURLIFEWASNOTYOUROWN.""BUTTHEREARENOSUCHDECREESYET?""WHATDOIKNOW!"SAIDTHEPOSTMASTER,SHRUGGINGHISSHOULDERS;"THEREMAYBE,ORTHEREWILLBE.ITISALLTHESAME.WHATWOULDYOUHAVE?"THEYRESTEDONSOMESTRAWINALOFTUNTILTHEMIDDLEOFTHENIGHT,ANDTHENRODEFORWARDAGAINWHENALLTHETOWNWASASLEEP.AMONGTHEMANYWILDCHANGESOBSERVABLEONFAMILIARTHINGSWHICHMADETHISWILDRIDEUNREAL,NOTTHELEASTWASTHESEEMINGRARITYOFSLEEP.AFTERLONGANDLONELYSPURRINGOVERDREARYROADS,THEYWOULDCOMETOACLUSTEROFPOORCOTTAGES,NOTSTEEPEDINDARKNESS,BUTALLGLITTERINGWITHLIGHTS,ANDWOULDFINDTHEPEOPLE,INAGHOSTLYMANNERINTHEDEADOFTHENIGHT,CIRCLINGHANDINHANDROUNDASHRIVELLEDTREEOFLIBERTY,ORALLDRAWNUPTOGETHERSINGINGALIBERTYSONG.HAPPILY,HOWEVER,THEREWASSLEEPINBEAUVAISTHATNIGHTTOHELPTHEMOUTOFITANDTHEYPASSEDONONCEMOREINTOSOLITUDEANDLONELINESS:JINGLINGTHROUGHTHEUNTIMELYCOLDANDWET,AMONGIMPOVERISHEDFIELDSTHATHADYIELDEDNOFRUITSOFTHEEARTHTHATYEAR,DIVERSIFIEDBYTHEBLACKENEDREMAINSOFBURNTHOUSES,ANDBYTHESUDDENEMERGENCEFROMAMBUSCADE,ANDSHARPREININGUPACROSSTHEIRWAY,OFPATRIOTPATROLSONTHEWATCHONALLTHEROADS.DAYLIGHTATLASTFOUNDTHEMBEFORETHEWALLOFPARIS.THEBARRIERWASCLOSEDANDSTRONGLYGUARDEDWHENTHEYRODEUPTOIT."WHEREARETHEPAPERSOFTHISPRISONER?"DEMANDEDARESOLUTE-LOOKINGMANINAUTHORITY,WHOWASSUMMONEDOUTBYTHEGUARD.NATURALLYSTRUCKBYTHEDISAGREEABLEWORD,CHARLESDARNAYREQUESTEDTHESPEAKERTOTAKENOTICETHATHEWASAFREETRAVELLERANDFRENCHCITIZEN,INCHARGEOFANESCORTWHICHTHEDISTURBEDSTATEOFTHECOUNTRYHADIMPOSEDUPONHIM,ANDWHICHHEHADPAIDFOR."WHERE,"REPEATEDTHESAMEPERSONAGE,WITHOUTTAKINGANYHEEDOFHIMWHATEVER,"ARETHEPAPERSOFTHISPRISONER?"THEDRUNKENPATRIOTHADTHEMINHISCAP,ANDPRODUCEDTHEM.CASTINGHISEYESOVERGABELLE'SLETTER,THESAMEPERSONAGEINAUTHORITYSHOWEDSOMEDISORDERANDSURPRISE,ANDLOOKEDATDARNAYWITHACLOSEATTENTION.HELEFTESCORTANDESCORTEDWITHOUTSAYINGAWORD,HOWEVER,ANDWENTINTOTHEGUARD-ROOM;MEANWHILE,THEYSATUPONTHEIRHORSESOUTSIDETHEGATE.LOOKINGABOUTHIMWHILEINTHISSTATEOFSUSPENSE,CHARLESDARNAYOBSERVEDTHATTHEGATEWASHELDBYAMIXEDGUARDOFSOLDIERSANDPATRIOTS,THELATTERFAROUTNUMBERINGTHEFORMER;ANDTHATWHILEINGRESSINTOTHECITYFORPEASANTS'CARTSBRINGINGINSUPPLIES,ANDFORSIMILARTRAFFICANDTRAFFICKERS,WASEASYENOUGH,EGRESS,EVENFORTHEHOMELIESTPEOPLE,WASVERYDIFFICULT.ANUMEROUSMEDLEYOFMENANDWOMEN,NOTTOMENTIONBEASTSANDVEHICLESOFVARIOUSSORTS,WASWAITINGTOISSUEFORTH;BUT,THEPREVIOUSIDENTIFICATIONWASSOSTRICT,THATTHEYFILTEREDTHROUGHTHEBARRIERVERYSLOWLY.SOMEOFTHESEPEOPLEKNEWTHEIRTURNFOREXAMINATIONTOBESOFAROFF,THATTHEYLAYDOWNONTHEGROUNDTOSLEEPORSMOKE,WHILEOTHERSTALKEDTOGETHER,ORLOITEREDABOUT.THEREDCAPANDTRI-COLOURCOCKADEWEREUNIVERSAL,BOTHAMONGMENANDWOMEN.WHENHEHADSATINHISSADDLESOMEHALF-HOUR,TAKINGNOTEOFTHESETHINGS,DARNAYFOUNDHIMSELFCONFRONTEDBYTHESAMEMANINAUTHORITY,WHODIRECTEDTHEGUARDTOOPENTHEBARRIER.THENHEDELIVEREDTOTHEESCORT,DRUNKANDSOBER,ARECEIPTFORTHEESCORTED,ANDREQUESTEDHIMTODISMOUNT.HEDIDSO,ANDTHETWOPATRIOTS,LEADINGHISTIREDHORSE,TURNEDANDRODEAWAYWITHOUTENTERINGTHECITY.HEACCOMPANIEDHISCONDUCTORINTOAGUARD-ROOM,SMELLINGOFCOMMONWINEANDTOBACCO,WHERECERTAINSOLDIERSANDPATRIOTS,ASLEEPANDAWAKE,DRUNKANDSOBER,ANDINVARIOUSNEUTRALSTATESBETWEENSLEEPINGANDWAKING,DRUNKENNESSANDSOBRIETY,WERESTANDINGANDLYINGABOUT.THELIGHTINTHEGUARD-HOUSE,HALFDERIVEDFROMTHEWANINGOIL-LAMPSOFTHENIGHT,ANDHALFFROMTHEOVERCASTDAY,WASINACORRESPONDINGLYUNCERTAINCONDITION.SOMEREGISTERSWERELYINGOPENONADESK,ANDANOFFICEROFACOARSE,DARKASPECT,PRESIDEDOVERTHESE."CITIZENDEFARGE,"SAIDHETODARNAY'SCONDUCTOR,ASHETOOKASLIPOFPAPERTOWRITEON."ISTHISTHEEMIGRANTEVREMONDE?""THISISTHEMAN.""YOURAGE,EVREMONDE?""THIRTY-SEVEN.""MARRIED,EVREMONDE?""YES.""WHEREMARRIED?""INENGLAND.""WITHOUTDOUBT.WHEREISYOURWIFE,EVREMONDE?""INENGLAND.""WITHOUTDOUBT.YOUARECONSIGNED,EVREMONDE,TOTHEPRISONOFLAFORCE.""JUSTHEAVEN!"EXCLAIMEDDARNAY."UNDERWHATLAW,ANDFORWHATOFFENCE?"THEOFFICERLOOKEDUPFROMHISSLIPOFPAPERFORAMOMENT."WEHAVENEWLAWS,EVREMONDE,ANDNEWOFFENCES,SINCEYOUWEREHERE."HESAIDITWITHAHARDSMILE,ANDWENTONWRITING."IENTREATYOUTOOBSERVETHATIHAVECOMEHEREVOLUNTARILY,INRESPONSETOTHATWRITTENAPPEALOFAFELLOW-COUNTRYMANWHICHLIESBEFOREYOU.IDEMANDNOMORETHANTHEOPPORTUNITYTODOSOWITHOUTDELAY.ISNOTTHATMYRIGHT?""EMIGRANTSHAVENORIGHTS,EVREMONDE,"WASTHESTOLIDREPLY.THEOFFICERWROTEUNTILHEHADFINISHED,READOVERTOHIMSELFWHATHEHADWRITTEN,SANDEDIT,ANDHANDEDITTODEFARGE,WITHTHEWORDS"INSECRET."DEFARGEMOTIONEDWITHTHEPAPERTOTHEPRISONERTHATHEMUSTACCOMPANYHIM.THEPRISONEROBEYED,ANDAGUARDOFTWOARMEDPATRIOTSATTENDEDTHEM."ISITYOU,"SAIDDEFARGE,INALOWVOICE,ASTHEYWENTDOWNTHEGUARDHOUSESTEPSANDTURNEDINTOPARIS,"WHOMARRIEDTHEDAUGHTEROFDOCTORMANETTE,ONCEAPRISONERINTHEBASTILLETHATISNOMORE?""YES,"REPLIEDDARNAY,LOOKINGATHIMWITHSURPRISE."MYNAMEISDEFARGE,ANDIKEEPAWINE-SHOPINTHEQUARTERSAINTANTOINE.POSSIBLYYOUHAVEHEARDOFME.""MYWIFECAMETOYOURHOUSETORECLAIMHERFATHER?YES!"THEWORD"WIFE"SEEMEDTOSERVEASAGLOOMYREMINDERTODEFARGE,TOSAYWITHSUDDENIMPATIENCE,"INTHENAMEOFTHATSHARPFEMALENEWLY-BORN,ANDCALLEDLAGUILLOTINE,WHYDIDYOUCOMETOFRANCE?""YOUHEARDMESAYWHY,AMINUTEAGO.DOYOUNOTBELIEVEITISTHETRUTH?""ABADTRUTHFORYOU,"SAIDDEFARGE,SPEAKINGWITHKNITTEDBROWS,ANDLOOKINGSTRAIGHTBEFOREHIM."INDEEDIAMLOSTHERE.ALLHEREISSOUNPRECEDENTED,SOCHANGED,SOSUDDENANDUNFAIR,THATIAMABSOLUTELYLOST.WILLYOURENDERMEALITTLEHELP?""NONE."DEFARGESPOKE,ALWAYSLOOKINGSTRAIGHTBEFOREHIM."WILLYOUANSWERMEASINGLEQUESTION?""PERHAPS.ACCORDINGTOITSNATURE.YOUCANSAYWHATITIS.""INTHISPRISONTHATIAMGOINGTOSOUNJUSTLY,SHALLIHAVESOMEFREECOMMUNICATIONWITHTHEWORLDOUTSIDE?""YOUWILLSEE.""IAMNOTTOBEBURIEDTHERE,PREJUDGED,ANDWITHOUTANYMEANSOFPRESENTINGMYCASE?""YOUWILLSEE.BUT,WHATTHEN?OTHERPEOPLEHAVEBEENSIMILARLYBURIEDINWORSEPRISONS,BEFORENOW.""BUTNEVERBYME,CITIZENDEFARGE."DEFARGEGLANCEDDARKLYATHIMFORANSWER,ANDWALKEDONINASTEADYANDSETSILENCE.THEDEEPERHESANKINTOTHISSILENCE,THEFAINTERHOPETHEREWAS--ORSODARNAYTHOUGHT--OFHISSOFTENINGINANYSLIGHTDEGREE.HE,THEREFORE,MADEHASTETOSAY:"ITISOFTHEUTMOSTIMPORTANCETOME(YOUKNOW,CITIZEN,EVENBETTERTHANI,OFHOWMUCHIMPORTANCE),THATISHOULDBEABLETOCOMMUNICATETOMR.LORRYOFTELLSON'SBANK,ANENGLISHGENTLEMANWHOISNOWINPARIS,THESIMPLEFACT,WITHOUTCOMMENT,THATIHAVEBEENTHROWNINTOTHEPRISONOFLAFORCE.WILLYOUCAUSETHATTOBEDONEFORME?""IWILLDO,"DEFARGEDOGGEDLYREJOINED,"NOTHINGFORYOU.MYDUTYISTOMYCOUNTRYANDTHEPEOPLE.IAMTHESWORNSERVANTOFBOTH,AGAINSTYOU.IWILLDONOTHINGFORYOU."CHARLESDARNAYFELTITHOPELESSTOENTREATHIMFURTHER,ANDHISPRIDEWASTOUCHEDBESIDES.ASTHEYWALKEDONINSILENCE,HECOULDNOTBUTSEEHOWUSEDTHEPEOPLEWERETOTHESPECTACLEOFPRISONERSPASSINGALONGTHESTREETS.THEVERYCHILDRENSCARCELYNOTICEDHIM.AFEWPASSERSTURNEDTHEIRHEADS,ANDAFEWSHOOKTHEIRFINGERSATHIMASANARISTOCRAT;OTHERWISE,THATAMANINGOODCLOTHESSHOULDBEGOINGTOPRISON,WASNOMOREREMARKABLETHANTHATALABOURERINWORKINGCLOTHESSHOULDBEGOINGTOWORK.INONENARROW,DARK,ANDDIRTYSTREETTHROUGHWHICHTHEYPASSED,ANEXCITEDORATOR,MOUNTEDONASTOOL,WASADDRESSINGANEXCITEDAUDIENCEONTHECRIMESAGAINSTTHEPEOPLE,OFTHEKINGANDTHEROYALFAMILY.THEFEWWORDSTHATHECAUGHTFROMTHISMAN'SLIPS,FIRSTMADEITKNOWNTOCHARLESDARNAYTHATTHEKINGWASINPRISON,ANDTHATTHEFOREIGNAMBASSADORSHADONEANDALLLEFTPARIS.ONTHEROAD(EXCEPTATBEAUVAIS)HEHADHEARDABSOLUTELYNOTHING.THEESCORTANDTHEUNIVERSALWATCHFULNESSHADCOMPLETELYISOLATEDHIM.THATHEHADFALLENAMONGFARGREATERDANGERSTHANTHOSEWHICHHADDEVELOPEDTHEMSELVESWHENHELEFTENGLAND,HEOFCOURSEKNEWNOW.THATPERILSHADTHICKENEDABOUTHIMFAST,ANDMIGHTTHICKENFASTERANDFASTERYET,HEOFCOURSEKNEWNOW.HECOULDNOTBUTADMITTOHIMSELFTHATHEMIGHTNOTHAVEMADETHISJOURNEY,IFHECOULDHAVEFORESEENTHEEVENTSOFAFEWDAYS.ANDYETHISMISGIVINGSWERENOTSODARKAS,IMAGINEDBYTHELIGHTOFTHISLATERTIME,THEYWOULDAPPEAR.TROUBLEDASTHEFUTUREWAS,ITWASTHEUNKNOWNFUTURE,ANDINITSOBSCURITYTHEREWASIGNORANTHOPE.THEHORRIBLEMASSACRE,DAYSANDNIGHTSLONG,WHICH,WITHINAFEWROUNDSOFTHECLOCK,WASTOSETAGREATMARKOFBLOODUPONTHEBLESSEDGARNERINGTIMEOFHARVEST,WASASFAROUTOFHISKNOWLEDGEASIFITHADBEENAHUNDREDTHOUSANDYEARSAWAY.THE"SHARPFEMALENEWLY-BORN,ANDCALLEDLAGUILLOTINE,"WASHARDLYKNOWNTOHIM,ORTOTHEGENERALITYOFPEOPLE,BYNAME.THEFRIGHTFULDEEDSTHATWERETOBESOONDONE,WEREPROBABLYUNIMAGINEDATTHATTIMEINTHEBRAINSOFTHEDOERS.HOWCOULDTHEYHAVEAPLACEINTHESHADOWYCONCEPTIONSOFAGENTLEMIND?OFUNJUSTTREATMENTINDETENTIONANDHARDSHIP,ANDINCRUELSEPARATIONFROMHISWIFEANDCHILD,HEFORESHADOWEDTHELIKELIHOOD,ORTHECERTAINTY;BUT,BEYONDTHIS,HEDREADEDNOTHINGDISTINCTLY.WITHTHISONHISMIND,WHICHWASENOUGHTOCARRYINTOADREARYPRISONCOURTYARD,HEARRIVEDATTHEPRISONOFLAFORCE.AMANWITHABLOATEDFACEOPENEDTHESTRONGWICKET,TOWHOMDEFARGEPRESENTED"THEEMIGRANTEVREMONDE.""WHATTHEDEVIL!HOWMANYMOREOFTHEM!"EXCLAIMEDTHEMANWITHTHEBLOATEDFACE.DEFARGETOOKHISRECEIPTWITHOUTNOTICINGTHEEXCLAMATION,ANDWITHDREW,WITHHISTWOFELLOW-PATRIOTS."WHATTHEDEVIL,ISAYAGAIN!"EXCLAIMEDTHEGAOLER,LEFTWITHHISWIFE."HOWMANYMORE!"THEGAOLER'SWIFE,BEINGPROVIDEDWITHNOANSWERTOTHEQUESTION,MERELYREPLIED,"ONEMUSTHAVEPATIENCE,MYDEAR!"THREETURNKEYSWHOENTEREDRESPONSIVETOABELLSHERANG,ECHOEDTHESENTIMENT,ANDONEADDED,"FORTHELOVEOFLIBERTY;"WHICHSOUNDEDINTHATPLACELIKEANINAPPROPRIATECONCLUSION.THEPRISONOFLAFORCEWASAGLOOMYPRISON,DARKANDFILTHY,ANDWITHAHORRIBLESMELLOFFOULSLEEPINIT.EXTRAORDINARYHOWSOONTHENOISOMEFLAVOUROFIMPRISONEDSLEEP,BECOMESMANIFESTINALLSUCHPLACESTHATAREILLCAREDFOR!"INSECRET,TOO,"GRUMBLEDTHEGAOLER,LOOKINGATTHEWRITTENPAPER."ASIFIWASNOTALREADYFULLTOBURSTING!"HESTUCKTHEPAPERONAFILE,INANILL-HUMOUR,ANDCHARLESDARNAYAWAITEDHISFURTHERPLEASUREFORHALFANHOUR:SOMETIMES,PACINGTOANDFROINTHESTRONGARCHEDROOM:SOMETIMES,RESTINGONASTONESEAT:INEITHERCASEDETAINEDTOBEIMPRINTEDONTHEMEMORYOFTHECHIEFANDHISSUBORDINATES."COME!"SAIDTHECHIEF,ATLENGTHTAKINGUPHISKEYS,"COMEWITHME,EMIGRANT."THROUGHTHEDISMALPRISONTWILIGHT,HISNEWCHARGEACCOMPANIEDHIMBYCORRIDORANDSTAIRCASE,MANYDOORSCLANGINGANDLOCKINGBEHINDTHEM,UNTILTHEYCAMEINTOALARGE,LOW,VAULTEDCHAMBER,CROWDEDWITHPRISONERSOFBOTHSEXES.THEWOMENWERESEATEDATALONGTABLE,READINGANDWRITING,KNITTING,SEWING,ANDEMBROIDERING;THEMENWEREFORTHEMOSTPARTSTANDINGBEHINDTHEIRCHAIRS,ORLINGERINGUPANDDOWNTHEROOM.INTHEINSTINCTIVEASSOCIATIONOFPRISONERSWITHSHAMEFULCRIMEANDDISGRACE,THENEW-COMERRECOILEDFROMTHISCOMPANY.BUTTHECROWNINGUNREALITYOFHISLONGUNREALRIDE,WAS,THEIRALLATONCERISINGTORECEIVEHIM,WITHEVERYREFINEMENTOFMANNERKNOWNTOTHETIME,ANDWITHALLTHEENGAGINGGRACESANDCOURTESIESOFLIFE.SOSTRANGELYCLOUDEDWERETHESEREFINEMENTSBYTHEPRISONMANNERSANDGLOOM,SOSPECTRALDIDTHEYBECOMEINTHEINAPPROPRIATESQUALORANDMISERYTHROUGHWHICHTHEYWERESEEN,THATCHARLESDARNAYSEEMEDTOSTANDINACOMPANYOFTHEDEAD.GHOSTSALL!THEGHOSTOFBEAUTY,THEGHOSTOFSTATELINESS,THEGHOSTOFELEGANCE,THEGHOSTOFPRIDE,THEGHOSTOFFRIVOLITY,THEGHOSTOFWIT,THEGHOSTOFYOUTH,THEGHOSTOFAGE,ALLWAITINGTHEIRDISMISSALFROMTHEDESOLATESHORE,ALLTURNINGONHIMEYESTHATWERECHANGEDBYTHEDEATHTHEYHADDIEDINCOMINGTHERE.ITSTRUCKHIMMOTIONLESS.THEGAOLERSTANDINGATHISSIDE,ANDTHEOTHERGAOLERSMOVINGABOUT,WHOWOULDHAVEBEENWELLENOUGHASTOAPPEARANCEINTHEORDINARYEXERCISEOFTHEIRFUNCTIONS,LOOKEDSOEXTRAVAGANTLYCOARSECONTRASTEDWITHSORROWINGMOTHERSANDBLOOMINGDAUGHTERSWHOWERETHERE--WITHTHEAPPARITIONSOFTHECOQUETTE,THEYOUNGBEAUTY,ANDTHEMATUREWOMANDELICATELYBRED--THATTHEINVERSIONOFALLEXPERIENCEANDLIKELIHOODWHICHTHESCENEOFSHADOWSPRESENTED,WASHEIGHTENEDTOITSUTMOST.SURELY,GHOSTSALL.SURELY,THELONGUNREALRIDESOMEPROGRESSOFDISEASETHATHADBROUGHTHIMTOTHESEGLOOMYSHADES!"INTHENAMEOFTHEASSEMBLEDCOMPANIONSINMISFORTUNE,"SAIDAGENTLEMANOFCOURTLYAPPEARANCEANDADDRESS,COMINGFORWARD,"IHAVETHEHONOUROFGIVINGYOUWELCOMETOLAFORCE,ANDOFCONDOLINGWITHYOUONTHECALAMITYTHATHASBROUGHTYOUAMONGUS.MAYITSOONTERMINATEHAPPILY!ITWOULDBEANIMPERTINENCEELSEWHERE,BUTITISNOTSOHERE,TOASKYOURNAMEANDCONDITION?"CHARLESDARNAYROUSEDHIMSELF,ANDGAVETHEREQUIREDINFORMATION,INWORDSASSUITABLEASHECOULDFIND."BUTIHOPE,"SAIDTHEGENTLEMAN,FOLLOWINGTHECHIEFGAOLERWITHHISEYES,WHOMOVEDACROSSTHEROOM,"THATYOUARENOTINSECRET?""IDONOTUNDERSTANDTHEMEANINGOFTHETERM,BUTIHAVEHEARDTHEMSAYSO.""AH,WHATAPITY!WESOMUCHREGRETIT!BUTTAKECOURAGE;SEVERALMEMBERSOFOURSOCIETYHAVEBEENINSECRET,ATFIRST,ANDITHASLASTEDBUTASHORTTIME."THENHEADDED,RAISINGHISVOICE,"IGRIEVETOINFORMTHESOCIETY--INSECRET."THEREWASAMURMUROFCOMMISERATIONASCHARLESDARNAYCROSSEDTHEROOMTOAGRATEDDOORWHERETHEGAOLERAWAITEDHIM,ANDMANYVOICES--AMONGWHICH,THESOFTANDCOMPASSIONATEVOICESOFWOMENWERECONSPICUOUS--GAVEHIMGOODWISHESANDENCOURAGEMENT.HETURNEDATTHEGRATEDDOOR,TORENDERTHETHANKSOFHISHEART;ITCLOSEDUNDERTHEGAOLER'SHAND;ANDTHEAPPARITIONSVANISHEDFROMHISSIGHTFOREVER.THEWICKETOPENEDONASTONESTAIRCASE,LEADINGUPWARD.WHENTHEYHADASCENDEDFORTYSTEPS(THEPRISONEROFHALFANHOURALREADYCOUNTEDTHEM),THEGAOLEROPENEDALOWBLACKDOOR,ANDTHEYPASSEDINTOASOLITARYCELL.ITSTRUCKCOLDANDDAMP,BUTWASNOTDARK."YOURS,"SAIDTHEGAOLER."WHYAMICONFINEDALONE?""HOWDOIKNOW!""ICANBUYPEN,INK,ANDPAPER?""SUCHARENOTMYORDERS.YOUWILLBEVISITED,ANDCANASKTHEN.ATPRESENT,YOUMAYBUYYOURFOOD,ANDNOTHINGMORE."THEREWEREINTHECELL,ACHAIR,ATABLE,ANDASTRAWMATTRESS.ASTHEGAOLERMADEAGENERALINSPECTIONOFTHESEOBJECTS,ANDOFTHEFOURWALLS,BEFOREGOINGOUT,AWANDERINGFANCYWANDEREDTHROUGHTHEMINDOFTHEPRISONERLEANINGAGAINSTTHEWALLOPPOSITETOHIM,THATTHISGAOLERWASSOUNWHOLESOMELYBLOATED,BOTHINFACEANDPERSON,ASTOLOOKLIKEAMANWHOHADBEENDROWNEDANDFILLEDWITHWATER.WHENTHEGAOLERWASGONE,HETHOUGHTINTHESAMEWANDERINGWAY,"NOWAMILEFT,ASIFIWEREDEAD."STOPPINGTHEN,TOLOOKDOWNATTHEMATTRESS,HETURNEDFROMITWITHASICKFEELING,ANDTHOUGHT,"ANDHEREINTHESECRAWLINGCREATURESISTHEFIRSTCONDITIONOFTHEBODYAFTERDEATH.""FIVEPACESBYFOURANDAHALF,FIVEPACESBYFOURANDAHALF,FIVEPACESBYFOURANDAHALF."THEPRISONERWALKEDTOANDFROINHISCELL,COUNTINGITSMEASUREMENT,ANDTHEROAROFTHECITYAROSELIKEMUFFLEDDRUMSWITHAWILDSWELLOFVOICESADDEDTOTHEM."HEMADESHOES,HEMADESHOES,HEMADESHOES."THEPRISONERCOUNTEDTHEMEASUREMENTAGAIN,ANDPACEDFASTER,TODRAWHISMINDWITHHIMFROMTHATLATTERREPETITION."THEGHOSTSTHATVANISHEDWHENTHEWICKETCLOSED.THEREWASONEAMONGTHEM,THEAPPEARANCEOFALADYDRESSEDINBLACK,WHOWASLEANINGINTHEEMBRASUREOFAWINDOW,ANDSHEHADALIGHTSHININGUPONHERGOLDENHAIR,ANDSHELOOKEDLIKE****LETUSRIDEONAGAIN,FORGOD'SSAKE,THROUGHTHEILLUMINATEDVILLAGESWITHTHEPEOPLEALLAWAKE!****HEMADESHOES,HEMADESHOES,HEMADESHOES.****FIVEPACESBYFOURANDAHALF."WITHSUCHSCRAPSTOSSINGANDROLLINGUPWARDFROMTHEDEPTHSOFHISMIND,THEPRISONERWALKEDFASTERANDFASTER,OBSTINATELYCOUNTINGANDCOUNTING;ANDTHEROAROFTHECITYCHANGEDTOTHISEXTENT--THATITSTILLROLLEDINLIKEMUFFLEDDRUMS,BUTWITHTHEWAILOFVOICESTHATHEKNEW,INTHESWELLTHATROSEABOVETHEM.II.THEGRINDSTONETELLSON'SBANK,ESTABLISHEDINTHESAINTGERMAINQUARTEROFPARIS,WASINAWINGOFALARGEHOUSE,APPROACHEDBYACOURTYARDANDSHUTOFFFROMTHESTREETBYAHIGHWALLANDASTRONGGATE.THEHOUSEBELONGEDTOAGREATNOBLEMANWHOHADLIVEDINITUNTILHEMADEAFLIGHTFROMTHETROUBLES,INHISOWNCOOK'SDRESS,ANDGOTACROSSTHEBORDERS.AMEREBEASTOFTHECHASEFLYINGFROMHUNTERS,HEWASSTILLINHISMETEMPSYCHOSISNOOTHERTHANTHESAMEMONSEIGNEUR,THEPREPARATIONOFWHOSECHOCOLATEFORWHOSELIPSHADONCEOCCUPIEDTHREESTRONGMENBESIDESTHECOOKINQUESTION.MONSEIGNEURGONE,ANDTHETHREESTRONGMENABSOLVINGTHEMSELVESFROMTHESINOFHAVINGDRAWNHISHIGHWAGES,BYBEINGMORETHANREADYANDWILLINGTOCUTHISTHROATONTHEALTAROFTHEDAWNINGREPUBLICONEANDINDIVISIBLEOFLIBERTY,EQUALITY,FRATERNITY,ORDEATH,MONSEIGNEUR'SHOUSEHADBEENFIRSTSEQUESTRATED,ANDTHENCONFISCATED.FOR,ALLTHINGSMOVEDSOFAST,ANDDECREEFOLLOWEDDECREEWITHTHATFIERCEPRECIPITATION,THATNOWUPONTHETHIRDNIGHTOFTHEAUTUMNMONTHOFSEPTEMBER,PATRIOTEMISSARIESOFTHELAWWEREINPOSSESSIONOFMONSEIGNEUR'SHOUSE,ANDHADMARKEDITWITHTHETRI-COLOUR,ANDWEREDRINKINGBRANDYINITSSTATEAPARTMENTS.APLACEOFBUSINESSINLONDONLIKETELLSON'SPLACEOFBUSINESSINPARIS,WOULDSOONHAVEDRIVENTHEHOUSEOUTOFITSMINDANDINTOTHEGAZETTE.FOR,WHATWOULDSTAIDBRITISHRESPONSIBILITYANDRESPECTABILITYHAVESAIDTOORANGE-TREESINBOXESINABANKCOURTYARD,ANDEVENTOACUPIDOVERTHECOUNTER?YETSUCHTHINGSWERE.TELLSON'SHADWHITEWASHEDTHECUPID,BUTHEWASSTILLTOBESEENONTHECEILING,INTHECOOLESTLINEN,AIMING(ASHEVERYOFTENDOES)ATMONEYFROMMORNINGTONIGHT.BANKRUPTCYMUSTINEVITABLYHAVECOMEOFTHISYOUNGPAGAN,INLOMBARD-STREET,LONDON,ANDALSOOFACURTAINEDALCOVEINTHEREAROFTHEIMMORTALBOY,ANDALSOOFALOOKING-GLASSLETINTOTHEWALL,ANDALSOOFCLERKSNOTATALLOLD,WHODANCEDINPUBLICONTHESLIGHTESTPROVOCATION.YET,AFRENCHTELLSON'SCOULDGETONWITHTHESETHINGSEXCEEDINGLYWELL,AND,ASLONGASTHETIMESHELDTOGETHER,NOMANHADTAKENFRIGHTATTHEM,ANDDRAWNOUTHISMONEY.WHATMONEYWOULDBEDRAWNOUTOFTELLSON'SHENCEFORTH,ANDWHATWOULDLIETHERE,LOSTANDFORGOTTEN;WHATPLATEANDJEWELSWOULDTARNISHINTELLSON'SHIDING-PLACES,WHILETHEDEPOSITORSRUSTEDINPRISONS,ANDWHENTHEYSHOULDHAVEVIOLENTLYPERISHED;HOWMANYACCOUNTSWITHTELLSON'SNEVERTOBEBALANCEDINTHISWORLD,MUSTBECARRIEDOVERINTOTHENEXT;NOMANCOULDHAVESAID,THATNIGHT,ANYMORETHANMR.JARVISLORRYCOULD,THOUGHHETHOUGHTHEAVILYOFTHESEQUESTIONS.HESATBYANEWLY-LIGHTEDWOODFIRE(THEBLIGHTEDANDUNFRUITFULYEARWASPREMATURELYCOLD),ANDONHISHONESTANDCOURAGEOUSFACETHEREWASADEEPERSHADETHANTHEPENDENTLAMPCOULDTHROW,ORANYOBJECTINTHEROOMDISTORTEDLYREFLECT--ASHADEOFHORROR.HEOCCUPIEDROOMSINTHEBANK,INHISFIDELITYTOTHEHOUSEOFWHICHHEHADGROWNTOBEAPART,LIKESTRONGROOT-IVY.ITCHANCEDTHATTHEYDERIVEDAKINDOFSECURITYFROMTHEPATRIOTICOCCUPATIONOFTHEMAINBUILDING,BUTTHETRUE-HEARTEDOLDGENTLEMANNEVERCALCULATEDABOUTTHAT.ALLSUCHCIRCUMSTANCESWEREINDIFFERENTTOHIM,SOTHATHEDIDHISDUTY.ONTHEOPPOSITESIDEOFTHECOURTYARD,UNDERACOLONNADE,WASEXTENSIVESTANDING--FORCARRIAGES--WHERE,INDEED,SOMECARRIAGESOFMONSEIGNEURYETSTOOD.AGAINSTTWOOFTHEPILLARSWEREFASTENEDTWOGREATFLARINGFLAMBEAUX,ANDINTHELIGHTOFTHESE,STANDINGOUTINTHEOPENAIR,WASALARGEGRINDSTONE:AROUGHLYMOUNTEDTHINGWHICHAPPEAREDTOHAVEHURRIEDLYBEENBROUGHTTHEREFROMSOMENEIGHBOURINGSMITHY,OROTHERWORKSHOP.RISINGANDLOOKINGOUTOFWINDOWATTHESEHARMLESSOBJECTS,MR.LORRYSHIVERED,ANDRETIREDTOHISSEATBYTHEFIRE.HEHADOPENED,NOTONLYTHEGLASSWINDOW,BUTTHELATTICEBLINDOUTSIDEIT,ANDHEHADCLOSEDBOTHAGAIN,ANDHESHIVEREDTHROUGHHISFRAME.FROMTHESTREETSBEYONDTHEHIGHWALLANDTHESTRONGGATE,THERECAMETHEUSUALNIGHTHUMOFTHECITY,WITHNOWANDTHENANINDESCRIBABLERINGINIT,WEIRDANDUNEARTHLY,ASIFSOMEUNWONTEDSOUNDSOFATERRIBLENATUREWEREGOINGUPTOHEAVEN."THANKGOD,"SAIDMR.LORRY,CLASPINGHISHANDS,"THATNOONENEARANDDEARTOMEISINTHISDREADFULTOWNTO-NIGHT.MAYHEHAVEMERCYONALLWHOAREINDANGER!"SOONAFTERWARDS,THEBELLATTHEGREATGATESOUNDED,ANDHETHOUGHT,"THEYHAVECOMEBACK!"ANDSATLISTENING.BUT,THEREWASNOLOUDIRRUPTIONINTOTHECOURTYARD,ASHEHADEXPECTED,ANDHEHEARDTHEGATECLASHAGAIN,ANDALLWASQUIET.THENERVOUSNESSANDDREADTHATWEREUPONHIMINSPIREDTHATVAGUEUNEASINESSRESPECTINGTHEBANK,WHICHAGREATCHANGEWOULDNATURALLYAWAKEN,WITHSUCHFEELINGSROUSED.ITWASWELLGUARDED,ANDHEGOTUPTOGOAMONGTHETRUSTYPEOPLEWHOWEREWATCHINGIT,WHENHISDOORSUDDENLYOPENED,ANDTWOFIGURESRUSHEDIN,ATSIGHTOFWHICHHEFELLBACKINAMAZEMENT.LUCIEANDHERFATHER!LUCIEWITHHERARMSSTRETCHEDOUTTOHIM,ANDWITHTHATOLDLOOKOFEARNESTNESSSOCONCENTRATEDANDINTENSIFIED,THATITSEEMEDASTHOUGHITHADBEENSTAMPEDUPONHERFACEEXPRESSLYTOGIVEFORCEANDPOWERTOITINTHISONEPASSAGEOFHERLIFE."WHATISTHIS?"CRIEDMR.LORRY,BREATHLESSANDCONFUSED."WHATISTHEMATTER?LUCIE!MANETTE!WHATHASHAPPENED?WHATHASBROUGHTYOUHERE?WHATISIT?"WITHTHELOOKFIXEDUPONHIM,INHERPALENESSANDWILDNESS,SHEPANTEDOUTINHISARMS,IMPLORINGLY,"OMYDEARFRIEND!MYHUSBAND!""YOURHUSBAND,LUCIE?""CHARLES.""WHATOFCHARLES?""HERE."HERE,INPARIS?""HASBEENHERESOMEDAYS--THREEORFOUR--IDON'TKNOWHOWMANY--ICAN'TCOLLECTMYTHOUGHTS.ANERRANDOFGENEROSITYBROUGHTHIMHEREUNKNOWNTOUS;HEWASSTOPPEDATTHEBARRIER,ANDSENTTOPRISON."THEOLDMANUTTEREDANIRREPRESSIBLECRY.ALMOSTATTHESAMEMOMENT,THEBEGOFTHEGREATGATERANGAGAIN,ANDALOUDNOISEOFFEETANDVOICESCAMEPOURINGINTOTHECOURTYARD."WHATISTHATNOISE?"SAIDTHEDOCTOR,TURNINGTOWARDSTHEWINDOW."DON'TLOOK!"CRIEDMR.LORRY."DON'TLOOKOUT!MANETTE,FORYOURLIFE,DON'TTOUCHTHEBLIND!"THEDOCTORTURNED,WITHHISHANDUPONTHEFASTENINGOFTHEWINDOW,ANDSAID,WITHACOOL,BOLDSMILE:"MYDEARFRIEND,IHAVEACHARMEDLIFEINTHISCITY.IHAVEBEENABASTILLEPRISONER.THEREISNOPATRIOTINPARIS--INPARIS?INFRANCE--WHO,KNOWINGMETOHAVEBEENAPRISONERINTHEBASTILLE,WOULDTOUCHME,EXCEPTTOOVERWHELMMEWITHEMBRACES,ORCARRYMEINTRIUMPH.MYOLDPAINHASGIVENMEAPOWERTHATHASBROUGHTUSTHROUGHTHEBARRIER,ANDGAINEDUSNEWSOFCHARLESTHERE,ANDBROUGHTUSHERE.IKNEWITWOULDBESO;IKNEWICOULDHELPCHARLESOUTOFALLDANGER;ITOLDLUCIESO.--WHATISTHATNOISE?"HISHANDWASAGAINUPONTHEWINDOW."DON'TLOOK!"CRIEDMR.LORRY,ABSOLUTELYDESPERATE."NO,LUCIE,MYDEAR,NORYOU!"HEGOTHISARMROUNDHER,ANDHELDHER."DON'TBESOTERRIFIED,MYLOVE.ISOLEMNLYSWEARTOYOUTHATIKNOWOFNOHARMHAVINGHAPPENEDTOCHARLES;THATIHADNOSUSPICIONEVENOFHISBEINGINTHISFATALPLACE.WHATPRISONISHEIN?""LAFORCE!""LAFORCE!LUCIE,MYCHILD,IFEVERYOUWEREBRAVEANDSERVICEABLEINYOURLIFE--ANDYOUWEREALWAYSBOTH--YOUWILLCOMPOSEYOURSELFNOW,TODOEXACTLYASIBIDYOU;FORMOREDEPENDSUPONITTHANYOUCANTHINK,ORICANSAY.THEREISNOHELPFORYOUINANYACTIONONYOURPARTTO-NIGHT;YOUCANNOTPOSSIBLYSTIROUT.ISAYTHIS,BECAUSEWHATIMUSTBIDYOUTODOFORCHARLES'SSAKE,ISTHEHARDESTTHINGTODOOFALL.YOUMUSTINSTANTLYBEOBEDIENT,STILL,ANDQUIET.YOUMUSTLETMEPUTYOUINAROOMATTHEBACKHERE.YOUMUSTLEAVEYOURFATHERANDMEALONEFORTWOMINUTES,ANDASTHEREARELIFEANDDEATHINTHEWORLDYOUMUSTNOTDELAY.""IWILLBESUBMISSIVETOYOU.ISEEINYOURFACETHATYOUKNOWICANDONOTHINGELSETHANTHIS.IKNOWYOUARETRUE."THEOLDMANKISSEDHER,ANDHURRIEDHERINTOHISROOM,ANDTURNEDTHEKEY;THEN,CAMEHURRYINGBACKTOTHEDOCTOR,ANDOPENEDTHEWINDOWANDPARTLYOPENEDTHEBLIND,ANDPUTHISHANDUPONTHEDOCTOR'SARM,ANDLOOKEDOUTWITHHIMINTOTHECOURTYARD.LOOKEDOUTUPONATHRONGOFMENANDWOMEN:NOTENOUGHINNUMBER,ORNEARENOUGH,TOFILLTHECOURTYARD:NOTMORETHANFORTYORFIFTYINALL.THEPEOPLEINPOSSESSIONOFTHEHOUSEHADLETTHEMINATTHEGATE,ANDTHEYHADRUSHEDINTOWORKATTHEGRINDSTONE;ITHADEVIDENTLYBEENSETUPTHEREFORTHEIRPURPOSE,ASINACONVENIENTANDRETIREDSPOT.BUT,SUCHAWFULWORKERS,ANDSUCHAWFULWORK!THEGRINDSTONEHADADOUBLEHANDLE,AND,TURNINGATITMADLYWERETWOMEN,WHOSEFACES,ASTHEIRLONGHAIRFLAPPEDBACKWHENTHEWHIRLINGSOFTHEGRINDSTONEBROUGHTTHEIRFACESUP,WEREMOREHORRIBLEANDCRUELTHANTHEVISAGESOFTHEWILDESTSAVAGESINTHEIRMOSTBARBAROUSDISGUISE.FALSEEYEBROWSANDFALSEMOUSTACHESWERESTUCKUPONTHEM,ANDTHEIRHIDEOUSCOUNTENANCESWEREALLBLOODYANDSWEATY,ANDALLAWRYWITHHOWLING,ANDALLSTARINGANDGLARINGWITHBEASTLYEXCITEMENTANDWANTOFSLEEP.ASTHESERUFFIANSTURNEDANDTURNED,THEIRMATTEDLOCKSNOWFLUNGFORWARDOVERTHEIREYES,NOWFLUNGBACKWARDOVERTHEIRNECKS,SOMEWOMENHELDWINETOTHEIRMOUTHSTHATTHEYMIGHTDRINK;ANDWHATWITHDROPPINGBLOOD,ANDWHATWITHDROPPINGWINE,ANDWHATWITHTHESTREAMOFSPARKSSTRUCKOUTOFTHESTONE,ALLTHEIRWICKEDATMOSPHERESEEMEDGOREANDFIRE.THEEYECOULDNOTDETECTONECREATUREINTHEGROUPFREEFROMTHESMEAROFBLOOD.SHOULDERINGONEANOTHERTOGETNEXTATTHESHARPENING-STONE,WEREMENSTRIPPEDTOTHEWAIST,WITHTHESTAINALLOVERTHEIRLIMBSANDBODIES;MENINALLSORTSOFRAGS,WITHTHESTAINUPONTHOSERAGS;MENDEVILISHLYSETOFFWITHSPOILSOFWOMEN'SLACEANDSILKANDRIBBON,WITHTHESTAINDYEINGTHOSETRIFLESTHROUGHANDTHROUGH.HATCHETS,KNIVES,BAYONETS,SWORDS,ALLBROUGHTTOBESHARPENED,WEREALLREDWITHIT.SOMEOFTHEHACKEDSWORDSWERETIEDTOTHEWRISTSOFTHOSEWHOCARRIEDTHEM,WITHSTRIPSOFLINENANDFRAGMENTSOFDRESS:LIGATURESVARIOUSINKIND,BUTALLDEEPOFTHEONECOLOUR.ANDASTHEFRANTICWIELDERSOFTHESEWEAPONSSNATCHEDTHEMFROMTHESTREAMOFSPARKSANDTOREAWAYINTOTHESTREETS,THESAMEREDHUEWASREDINTHEIRFRENZIEDEYES;--EYESWHICHANYUNBRUTALISEDBEHOLDERWOULDHAVEGIVENTWENTYYEARSOFLIFE,TOPETRIFYWITHAWELL-DIRECTEDGUN.ALLTHISWASSEENINAMOMENT,ASTHEVISIONOFADROWNINGMAN,OROFANYHUMANCREATUREATANYVERYGREATPASS,COULDSEEAWORLDIFITWERETHERE.THEYDREWBACKFROMTHEWINDOW,ANDTHEDOCTORLOOKEDFOREXPLANATIONINHISFRIEND'SASHYFACE."THEYARE,"MR.LORRYWHISPEREDTHEWORDS,GLANCINGFEARFULLYROUNDATTHELOCKEDROOM,"MURDERINGTHEPRISONERS.IFYOUARESUREOFWHATYOUSAY;IFYOUREALLYHAVETHEPOWERYOUTHINKYOUHAVE--ASIBELIEVEYOUHAVE--MAKEYOURSELFKNOWNTOTHESEDEVILS,ANDGETTAKENTOLAFORCE.ITMAYBETOOLATE,IDON'TKNOW,BUTLETITNOTBEAMINUTELATER!"DOCTORMANETTEPRESSEDHISHAND,HASTENEDBAREHEADEDOUTOFTHEROOM,ANDWASINTHECOURTYARDWHENMR.LORRYREGAINEDTHEBLIND.HISSTREAMINGWHITEHAIR,HISREMARKABLEFACE,ANDTHEIMPETUOUSCONFIDENCEOFHISMANNER,ASHEPUTTHEWEAPONSASIDELIKEWATER,CARRIEDHIMINANINSTANTTOTHEHEARTOFTHECONCOURSEATTHESTONE.FORAFEWMOMENTSTHEREWASAPAUSE,ANDAHURRY,ANDAMURMUR,ANDTHEUNINTELLIGIBLESOUNDOFHISVOICE;ANDTHENMR.LORRYSAWHIM,SURROUNDEDBYALL,ANDINTHEMIDSTOFALINEOFTWENTYMENLONG,ALLLINKEDSHOULDERTOSHOULDER,ANDHANDTOSHOULDER,HURRIEDOUTWITHCRIESOF--"LIVETHEBASTILLEPRISONER!HELPFORTHEBASTILLEPRISONER'SKINDREDINLAFORCE!ROOMFORTHEBASTILLEPRISONERINFRONTTHERE!SAVETHEPRISONEREVREMONDEATLAFORCE!"ANDATHOUSANDANSWERINGSHOUTS.HECLOSEDTHELATTICEAGAINWITHAFLUTTERINGHEART,CLOSEDTHEWINDOWANDTHECURTAIN,HASTENEDTOLUCIE,ANDTOLDHERTHATHERFATHERWASASSISTEDBYTHEPEOPLE,ANDGONEINSEARCHOFHERHUSBAND.HEFOUNDHERCHILDANDMISSPROSSWITHHER;BUT,ITNEVEROCCURREDTOHIMTOBESURPRISEDBYTHEIRAPPEARANCEUNTILALONGTIMEAFTERWARDS,WHENHESATWATCHINGTHEMINSUCHQUIETASTHENIGHTKNEW.LUCIEHAD,BYTHATTIME,FALLENINTOASTUPORONTHEFLOORATHISFEET,CLINGINGTOHISHAND.MISSPROSSHADLAIDTHECHILDDOWNONHISOWNBED,ANDHERHEADHADGRADUALLYFALLENONTHEPILLOWBESIDEHERPRETTYCHARGE.OTHELONG,LONGNIGHT,WITHTHEMOANSOFTHEPOORWIFE!ANDOTHELONG,LONGNIGHT,WITHNORETURNOFHERFATHERANDNOTIDINGS!TWICEMOREINTHEDARKNESSTHEBELLATTHEGREATGATESOUNDED,ANDTHEIRRUPTIONWASREPEATED,ANDTHEGRINDSTONEWHIRLEDANDSPLUTTERED."WHATISIT?"CRIEDLUCIE,AFFRIGHTED."HUSH!THESOLDIERS'SWORDSARESHARPENEDTHERE,"SAIDMR.LORRY."THEPLACEISNATIONALPROPERTYNOW,ANDUSEDASAKINDOFARMOURY,MYLOVE."TWICEMOREINALL;BUT,THELASTSPELLOFWORKWASFEEBLEANDFITFUL.SOONAFTERWARDSTHEDAYBEGANTODAWN,ANDHESOFTLYDETACHEDHIMSELFFROMTHECLASPINGHAND,ANDCAUTIOUSLYLOOKEDOUTAGAIN.AMAN,SOBESMEAREDTHATHEMIGHTHAVEBEENASORELYWOUNDEDSOLDIERCREEPINGBACKTOCONSCIOUSNESSONAFIELDOFSLAIN,WASRISINGFROMTHEPAVEMENTBYTHESIDEOFTHEGRINDSTONE,ANDLOOKINGABOUTHIMWITHAVACANTAIR.SHORTLY,THISWORN-OUTMURDERERDESCRIEDINTHEIMPERFECTLIGHTONEOFTHECARRIAGESOFMONSEIGNEUR,AND,STAGGERINGTOTHATGORGEOUSVEHICLE,CLIMBEDINATTHEDOOR,ANDSHUTHIMSELFUPTOTAKEHISRESTONITSDAINTYCUSHIONS.THEGREATGRINDSTONE,EARTH,HADTURNEDWHENMR.LORRYLOOKEDOUTAGAIN,ANDTHESUNWASREDONTHECOURTYARD.BUT,THELESSERGRINDSTONESTOODALONETHEREINTHECALMMORNINGAIR,WITHAREDUPONITTHATTHESUNHADNEVERGIVEN,ANDWOULDNEVERTAKEAWAY.III.THESHADOWONEOFTHEFIRSTCONSIDERATIONSWHICHAROSEINTHEBUSINESSMINDOFMR.LORRYWHENBUSINESSHOURSCAMEROUND,WASTHIS:--THATHEHADNORIGHTTOIMPERILTELLSON'SBYSHELTERINGTHEWIFEOFANEMIGRANTPRISONERUNDERTHEBANKROOF.HISOWNPOSSESSIONS,SAFETY,LIFE,HEWOULDHAVEHAZARDEDFORLUCIEANDHERCHILD,WITHOUTAMOMENT'SDEMUR;BUTTHEGREATTRUSTHEHELDWASNOTHISOWN,ANDASTOTHATBUSINESSCHARGEHEWASASTRICTMANOFBUSINESS.ATFIRST,HISMINDREVERTEDTODEFARGE,ANDHETHOUGHTOFFINDINGOUTTHEWINE-SHOPAGAINANDTAKINGCOUNSELWITHITSMASTERINREFERENCETOTHESAFESTDWELLING-PLACEINTHEDISTRACTEDSTATEOFTHECITY.BUT,THESAMECONSIDERATIONTHATSUGGESTEDHIM,REPUDIATEDHIM;HELIVEDINTHEMOSTVIOLENTQUARTER,ANDDOUBTLESSWASINFLUENTIALTHERE,ANDDEEPINITSDANGEROUSWORKINGS.NOONCOMING,ANDTHEDOCTORNOTRETURNING,ANDEVERYMINUTE'SDELAYTENDINGTOCOMPROMISETELLSON'S,MR.LORRYADVISEDWITHLUCIE.SHESAIDTHATHERFATHERHADSPOKENOFHIRINGALODGINGFORASHORTTERM,INTHATQUARTER,NEARTHEBANKING-HOUSE.ASTHEREWASNOBUSINESSOBJECTIONTOTHIS,ANDASHEFORESAWTHATEVENIFITWEREALLWELLWITHCHARLES,ANDHEWERETOBERELEASED,HECOULDNOTHOPETOLEAVETHECITY,MR.LORRYWENTOUTINQUESTOFSUCHALODGING,ANDFOUNDASUITABLEONE,HIGHUPINAREMOVEDBY-STREETWHERETHECLOSEDBLINDSINALLTHEOTHERWINDOWSOFAHIGHMELANCHOLYSQUAREOFBUILDINGSMARKEDDESERTEDHOMES.TOTHISLODGINGHEATONCEREMOVEDLUCIEANDHERCHILD,ANDMISSPROSS:GIVINGTHEMWHATCOMFORTHECOULD,ANDMUCHMORETHANHEHADHIMSELF.HELEFTJERRYWITHTHEM,ASAFIGURETOFILLADOORWAYTHATWOULDBEARCONSIDERABLEKNOCKINGONTHEHEAD,ANDRETAINEDTOHISOWNOCCUPATIONS.ADISTURBEDANDDOLEFULMINDHEBROUGHTTOBEARUPONTHEM,ANDSLOWLYANDHEAVILYTHEDAYLAGGEDONWITHHIM.ITWOREITSELFOUT,ANDWOREHIMOUTWITHIT,UNTILTHEBANKCLOSED.HEWASAGAINALONEINHISROOMOFTHEPREVIOUSNIGHT,CONSIDERINGWHATTODONEXT,WHENHEHEARDAFOOTUPONTHESTAIR.INAFEWMOMENTS,AMANSTOODINHISPRESENCE,WHO,WITHAKEENLYOBSERVANTLOOKATHIM,ADDRESSEDHIMBYHISNAME."YOURSERVANT,"SAIDMR.LORRY."DOYOUKNOWME?"HEWASASTRONGLYMADEMANWITHDARKCURLINGHAIR,FROMFORTY-FIVETOFIFTYYEARSOFAGE.FORANSWERHEREPEATED,WITHOUTANYCHANGEOFEMPHASIS,THEWORDS:"DOYOUKNOWME?""IHAVESEENYOUSOMEWHERE.""PERHAPSATMYWINE-SHOP?"MUCHINTERESTEDANDAGITATED,MR.LORRYSAID:"YOUCOMEFROMDOCTORMANETTE?""YES.ICOMEFROMDOCTORMANETTE.""ANDWHATSAYSHE?WHATDOESHESENDME?"DEFARGEGAVEINTOHISANXIOUSHAND,ANOPENSCRAPOFPAPER.ITBORETHEWORDSINTHEDOCTOR'SWRITING:"CHARLESISSAFE,BUTICANNOTSAFELYLEAVETHISPLACEYET.IHAVEOBTAINEDTHEFAVOURTHATTHEBEARERHASASHORTNOTEFROMCHARLESTOHISWIFE.LETTHEBEARERSEEHISWIFE."ITWASDATEDFROMLAFORCE,WITHINANHOUR."WILLYOUACCOMPANYME,"SAIDMR.LORRY,JOYFULLYRELIEVEDAFTERREADINGTHISNOTEALOUD,"TOWHEREHISWIFERESIDES?""YES,"RETURNEDDEFARGE.SCARCELYNOTICINGASYET,INWHATACURIOUSLYRESERVEDANDMECHANICALWAYDEFARGESPOKE,MR.LORRYPUTONHISHATANDTHEYWENTDOWNINTOTHECOURTYARD.THERE,THEYFOUNDTWOWOMEN;ONE,KNITTING."MADAMEDEFARGE,SURELY!"SAIDMR.LORRY,WHOHADLEFTHERINEXACTLYTHESAMEATTITUDESOMESEVENTEENYEARSAGO."ITISSHE,"OBSERVEDHERHUSBAND."DOESMADAMEGOWITHUS?"INQUIREDMR.LORRY,SEEINGTHATSHEMOVEDASTHEYMOVED."YES.THATSHEMAYBEABLETORECOGNISETHEFACESANDKNOWTHEPERSONS.ITISFORTHEIRSAFETY."BEGINNINGTOBESTRUCKBYDEFARGE'SMANNER,MR.LORRYLOOKEDDUBIOUSLYATHIM,ANDLEDTHEWAY.BOTHTHEWOMENFOLLOWED;THESECONDWOMANBEINGTHEVENGEANCE.THEYPASSEDTHROUGHTHEINTERVENINGSTREETSASQUICKLYASTHEYMIGHT,ASCENDEDTHESTAIRCASEOFTHENEWDOMICILE,WEREADMITTEDBYJERRY,ANDFOUNDLUCIEWEEPING,ALONE.SHEWASTHROWNINTOATRANSPORTBYTHETIDINGSMR.LORRYGAVEHEROFHERHUSBAND,ANDCLASPEDTHEHANDTHATDELIVEREDHISNOTE--LITTLETHINKINGWHATITHADBEENDOINGNEARHIMINTHENIGHT,ANDMIGHT,BUTFORACHANCE,HAVEDONETOHIM."DEAREST,--TAKECOURAGE.IAMWELL,ANDYOURFATHERHASINFLUENCEAROUNDME.YOUCANNOTANSWERTHIS.KISSOURCHILDFORME."THATWASALLTHEWRITING.ITWASSOMUCH,HOWEVER,TOHERWHORECEIVEDIT,THATSHETURNEDFROMDEFARGETOHISWIFE,ANDKISSEDONEOFTHEHANDSTHATKNITTED.ITWASAPASSIONATE,LOVING,THANKFUL,WOMANLYACTION,BUTTHEHANDMADENORESPONSE--DROPPEDCOLDANDHEAVY,ANDTOOKTOITSKNITTINGAGAIN.THEREWASSOMETHINGINITSTOUCHTHATGAVELUCIEACHECK.SHESTOPPEDINTHEACTOFPUTTINGTHENOTEINHERBOSOM,AND,WITHHERHANDSYETATHERNECK,LOOKEDTERRIFIEDATMADAMEDEFARGE.MADAMEDEFARGEMETTHELIFTEDEYEBROWSANDFOREHEADWITHACOLD,IMPASSIVESTARE."MYDEAR,"SAIDMR.LORRY,STRIKINGINTOEXPLAIN;"THEREAREFREQUENTRISINGSINTHESTREETS;AND,ALTHOUGHITISNOTLIKELYTHEYWILLEVERTROUBLEYOU,MADAMEDEFARGEWISHESTOSEETHOSEWHOMSHEHASTHEPOWERTOPROTECTATSUCHTIMES,TOTHEENDTHATSHEMAYKNOWTHEM--THATSHEMAYIDENTIFYTHEM.IBELIEVE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,RATHERHALTINGINHISREASSURINGWORDS,ASTHESTONYMANNEROFALLTHETHREEIMPRESSEDITSELFUPONHIMMOREANDMORE,"ISTATETHECASE,CITIZENDEFARGE?"DEFARGELOOKEDGLOOMILYATHISWIFE,ANDGAVENOOTHERANSWERTHANAGRUFFSOUNDOFACQUIESCENCE."YOUHADBETTER,LUCIE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,DOINGALLHECOULDTOPROPITIATE,BYTONEANDMANNER,"HAVETHEDEARCHILDHERE,ANDOURGOODPROSS.OURGOODPROSS,DEFARGE,ISANENGLISHLADY,ANDKNOWSNOFRENCH."THELADYINQUESTION,WHOSEROOTEDCONVICTIONTHATSHEWASMORETHANAMATCHFORANYFOREIGNER,WASNOTTOBESHAKENBYDISTRESSAND,DANGER,APPEAREDWITHFOLDEDARMS,ANDOBSERVEDINENGLISHTOTHEVENGEANCE,WHOMHEREYESFIRSTENCOUNTERED,"WELL,IAMSURE,BOLDFACE!IHOPE_YOU_AREPRETTYWELL!"SHEALSOBESTOWEDABRITISHCOUGHONMADAMEDEFARGE;BUT,NEITHEROFTHETWOTOOKMUCHHEEDOFHER."ISTHATHISCHILD?"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,STOPPINGINHERWORKFORTHEFIRSTTIME,ANDPOINTINGHERKNITTING-NEEDLEATLITTLELUCIEASIFITWERETHEFINGEROFFATE."YES,MADAME,"ANSWEREDMR.LORRY;"THISISOURPOORPRISONER'SDARLINGDAUGHTER,ANDONLYCHILD."THESHADOWATTENDANTONMADAMEDEFARGEANDHERPARTYSEEMEDTOFALLSOTHREATENINGANDDARKONTHECHILD,THATHERMOTHERINSTINCTIVELYKNEELEDONTHEGROUNDBESIDEHER,ANDHELDHERTOHERBREAST.THESHADOWATTENDANTONMADAMEDEFARGEANDHERPARTYSEEMEDTHENTOFALL,THREATENINGANDDARK,ONBOTHTHEMOTHERANDTHECHILD."ITISENOUGH,MYHUSBAND,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE."IHAVESEENTHEM.WEMAYGO."BUT,THESUPPRESSEDMANNERHADENOUGHOFMENACEINIT--NOTVISIBLEANDPRESENTED,BUTINDISTINCTANDWITHHELD--TOALARMLUCIEINTOSAYING,ASSHELAIDHERAPPEALINGHANDONMADAMEDEFARGE'SDRESS:"YOUWILLBEGOODTOMYPOORHUSBAND.YOUWILLDOHIMNOHARM.YOUWILLHELPMETOSEEHIMIFYOUCAN?""YOURHUSBANDISNOTMYBUSINESSHERE,"RETURNEDMADAMEDEFARGE,LOOKINGDOWNATHERWITHPERFECTCOMPOSURE."ITISTHEDAUGHTEROFYOURFATHERWHOISMYBUSINESSHERE.""FORMYSAKE,THEN,BEMERCIFULTOMYHUSBAND.FORMYCHILD'SSAKE!SHEWILLPUTHERHANDSTOGETHERANDPRAYYOUTOBEMERCIFUL.WEAREMOREAFRAIDOFYOUTHANOFTHESEOTHERS."MADAMEDEFARGERECEIVEDITASACOMPLIMENT,ANDLOOKEDATHERHUSBAND.DEFARGE,WHOHADBEENUNEASILYBITINGHISTHUMB-NAILANDLOOKINGATHER,COLLECTEDHISFACEINTOASTERNEREXPRESSION."WHATISITTHATYOURHUSBANDSAYSINTHATLITTLELETTER?"ASKEDMADAMEDEFARGE,WITHALOWERINGSMILE."INFLUENCE;HESAYSSOMETHINGTOUCHINGINFLUENCE?""THATMYFATHER,"SAIDLUCIE,HURRIEDLYTAKINGTHEPAPERFROMHERBREAST,BUTWITHHERALARMEDEYESONHERQUESTIONERANDNOTONIT,"HASMUCHINFLUENCEAROUNDHIM.""SURELYITWILLRELEASEHIM!"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE."LETITDOSO.""ASAWIFEANDMOTHER,"CRIEDLUCIE,MOSTEARNESTLY,"IIMPLOREYOUTOHAVEPITYONMEANDNOTTOEXERCISEANYPOWERTHATYOUPOSSESS,AGAINSTMYINNOCENTHUSBAND,BUTTOUSEITINHISBEHALF.OSISTER-WOMAN,THINKOFME.ASAWIFEANDMOTHER!"MADAMEDEFARGELOOKED,COLDLYASEVER,ATTHESUPPLIANT,ANDSAID,TURNINGTOHERFRIENDTHEVENGEANCE:"THEWIVESANDMOTHERSWEHAVEBEENUSEDTOSEE,SINCEWEWEREASLITTLEASTHISCHILD,ANDMUCHLESS,HAVENOTBEENGREATLYCONSIDERED?WEHAVEKNOWN_THEIR_HUSBANDSANDFATHERSLAIDINPRISONANDKEPTFROMTHEM,OFTENENOUGH?ALLOURLIVES,WEHAVESEENOURSISTER-WOMENSUFFER,INTHEMSELVESANDINTHEIRCHILDREN,POVERTY,NAKEDNESS,HUNGER,THIRST,SICKNESS,MISERY,OPPRESSIONANDNEGLECTOFALLKINDS?""WEHAVESEENNOTHINGELSE,"RETURNEDTHEVENGEANCE."WEHAVEBORNETHISALONGTIME,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,TURNINGHEREYESAGAINUPONLUCIE."JUDGEYOU!ISITLIKELYTHATTHETROUBLEOFONEWIFEANDMOTHERWOULDBEMUCHTOUSNOW?"SHERESUMEDHERKNITTINGANDWENTOUT.THEVENGEANCEFOLLOWED.DEFARGEWENTLAST,ANDCLOSEDTHEDOOR."COURAGE,MYDEARLUCIE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,ASHERAISEDHER."COURAGE,COURAGE!SOFARALLGOESWELLWITHUS--MUCH,MUCHBETTERTHANITHASOFLATEGONEWITHMANYPOORSOULS.CHEERUP,ANDHAVEATHANKFULHEART.""IAMNOTTHANKLESS,IHOPE,BUTTHATDREADFULWOMANSEEMSTOTHROWASHADOWONMEANDONALLMYHOPES.""TUT,TUT!"SAIDMR.LORRY;"WHATISTHISDESPONDENCYINTHEBRAVELITTLEBREAST?ASHADOWINDEED!NOSUBSTANCEINIT,LUCIE."BUTTHESHADOWOFTHEMANNEROFTHESEDEFARGESWASDARKUPONHIMSELF,FORALLTHAT,ANDINHISSECRETMINDITTROUBLEDHIMGREATLY.IV.CALMINSTORMDOCTORMANETTEDIDNOTRETURNUNTILTHEMORNINGOFTHEFOURTHDAYOFHISABSENCE.SOMUCHOFWHATHADHAPPENEDINTHATDREADFULTIMEASCOULDBEKEPTFROMTHEKNOWLEDGEOFLUCIEWASSOWELLCONCEALEDFROMHER,THATNOTUNTILLONGAFTERWARDS,WHENFRANCEANDSHEWEREFARAPART,DIDSHEKNOWTHATELEVENHUNDREDDEFENCELESSPRISONERSOFBOTHSEXESANDALLAGESHADBEENKILLEDBYTHEPOPULACE;THATFOURDAYSANDNIGHTSHADBEENDARKENEDBYTHISDEEDOFHORROR;ANDTHATTHEAIRAROUNDHERHADBEENTAINTEDBYTHESLAIN.SHEONLYKNEWTHATTHEREHADBEENANATTACKUPONTHEPRISONS,THATALLPOLITICALPRISONERSHADBEENINDANGER,ANDTHATSOMEHADBEENDRAGGEDOUTBYTHECROWDANDMURDERED.TOMR.LORRY,THEDOCTORCOMMUNICATEDUNDERANINJUNCTIONOFSECRECYONWHICHHEHADNONEEDTODWELL,THATTHECROWDHADTAKENHIMTHROUGHASCENEOFCARNAGETOTHEPRISONOFLAFORCE.THAT,INTHEPRISONHEHADFOUNDASELF-APPOINTEDTRIBUNALSITTING,BEFOREWHICHTHEPRISONERSWEREBROUGHTSINGLY,ANDBYWHICHTHEYWERERAPIDLYORDEREDTOBEPUTFORTHTOBEMASSACRED,ORTOBERELEASED,OR(INAFEWCASES)TOBESENTBACKTOTHEIRCELLS.THAT,PRESENTEDBYHISCONDUCTORSTOTHISTRIBUNAL,HEHADANNOUNCEDHIMSELFBYNAMEANDPROFESSIONASHAVINGBEENFOREIGHTEENYEARSASECRETANDUNACCUSEDPRISONERINTHEBASTILLE;THAT,ONEOFTHEBODYSOSITTINGINJUDGMENTHADRISENANDIDENTIFIEDHIM,ANDTHATTHISMANWASDEFARGE.THAT,HEREUPONHEHADASCERTAINED,THROUGHTHEREGISTERSONTHETABLE,THATHISSON-IN-LAWWASAMONGTHELIVINGPRISONERS,ANDHADPLEADEDHARDTOTHETRIBUNAL--OFWHOMSOMEMEMBERSWEREASLEEPANDSOMEAWAKE,SOMEDIRTYWITHMURDERANDSOMECLEAN,SOMESOBERANDSOMENOT--FORHISLIFEANDLIBERTY.THAT,INTHEFIRSTFRANTICGREETINGSLAVISHEDONHIMSELFASANOTABLESUFFERERUNDERTHEOVERTHROWNSYSTEM,ITHADBEENACCORDEDTOHIMTOHAVECHARLESDARNAYBROUGHTBEFORETHELAWLESSCOURT,ANDEXAMINED.THAT,HESEEMEDONTHEPOINTOFBEINGATONCERELEASED,WHENTHETIDEINHISFAVOURMETWITHSOMEUNEXPLAINEDCHECK(NOTINTELLIGIBLETOTHEDOCTOR),WHICHLEDTOAFEWWORDSOFSECRETCONFERENCE.THAT,THEMANSITTINGASPRESIDENTHADTHENINFORMEDDOCTORMANETTETHATTHEPRISONERMUSTREMAININCUSTODY,BUTSHOULD,FORHISSAKE,BEHELDINVIOLATEINSAFECUSTODY.THAT,IMMEDIATELY,ONASIGNAL,THEPRISONERWASREMOVEDTOTHEINTERIOROFTHEPRISONAGAIN;BUT,THATHE,THEDOCTOR,HADTHENSOSTRONGLYPLEADEDFORPERMISSIONTOREMAINANDASSUREHIMSELFTHATHISSON-IN-LAWWAS,THROUGHNOMALICEORMISCHANCE,DELIVEREDTOTHECONCOURSEWHOSEMURDEROUSYELLSOUTSIDETHEGATEHADOFTENDROWNEDTHEPROCEEDINGS,THATHEHADOBTAINEDTHEPERMISSION,ANDHADREMAINEDINTHATHALLOFBLOODUNTILTHEDANGERWASOVER.THESIGHTSHEHADSEENTHERE,WITHBRIEFSNATCHESOFFOODANDSLEEPBYINTERVALS,SHALLREMAINUNTOLD.THEMADJOYOVERTHEPRISONERSWHOWERESAVED,HADASTOUNDEDHIMSCARCELYLESSTHANTHEMADFEROCITYAGAINSTTHOSEWHOWERECUTTOPIECES.ONEPRISONERTHEREWAS,HESAID,WHOHADBEENDISCHARGEDINTOTHESTREETFREE,BUTATWHOMAMISTAKENSAVAGEHADTHRUSTAPIKEASHEPASSEDOUT.BEINGBESOUGHTTOGOTOHIMANDDRESSTHEWOUND,THEDOCTORHADPASSEDOUTATTHESAMEGATE,ANDHADFOUNDHIMINTHEARMSOFACOMPANYOFSAMARITANS,WHOWERESEATEDONTHEBODIESOFTHEIRVICTIMS.WITHANINCONSISTENCYASMONSTROUSASANYTHINGINTHISAWFULNIGHTMARE,THEYHADHELPEDTHEHEALER,ANDTENDEDTHEWOUNDEDMANWITHTHEGENTLESTSOLICITUDE--HADMADEALITTERFORHIMANDESCORTEDHIMCAREFULLYFROMTHESPOT--HADTHENCAUGHTUPTHEIRWEAPONSANDPLUNGEDANEWINTOABUTCHERYSODREADFUL,THATTHEDOCTORHADCOVEREDHISEYESWITHHISHANDS,ANDSWOONEDAWAYINTHEMIDSTOFIT.ASMR.LORRYRECEIVEDTHESECONFIDENCES,ANDASHEWATCHEDTHEFACEOFHISFRIENDNOWSIXTY-TWOYEARSOFAGE,AMISGIVINGAROSEWITHINHIMTHATSUCHDREADEXPERIENCESWOULDREVIVETHEOLDDANGER.BUT,HEHADNEVERSEENHISFRIENDINHISPRESENTASPECT:HEHADNEVERATALLKNOWNHIMINHISPRESENTCHARACTER.FORTHEFIRSTTIMETHEDOCTORFELT,NOW,THATHISSUFFERINGWASSTRENGTHANDPOWER.FORTHEFIRSTTIMEHEFELTTHATINTHATSHARPFIRE,HEHADSLOWLYFORGEDTHEIRONWHICHCOULDBREAKTHEPRISONDOOROFHISDAUGHTER'SHUSBAND,ANDDELIVERHIM."ITALLTENDEDTOAGOODEND,MYFRIEND;ITWASNOTMEREWASTEANDRUIN.ASMYBELOVEDCHILDWASHELPFULINRESTORINGMETOMYSELF,IWILLBEHELPFULNOWINRESTORINGTHEDEARESTPARTOFHERSELFTOHER;BYTHEAIDOFHEAVENIWILLDOIT!"THUS,DOCTORMANETTE.ANDWHENJARVISLORRYSAWTHEKINDLEDEYES,THERESOLUTEFACE,THECALMSTRONGLOOKANDBEARINGOFTHEMANWHOSELIFEALWAYSSEEMEDTOHIMTOHAVEBEENSTOPPED,LIKEACLOCK,FORSOMANYYEARS,ANDTHENSETGOINGAGAINWITHANENERGYWHICHHADLAINDORMANTDURINGTHECESSATIONOFITSUSEFULNESS,HEBELIEVED.GREATERTHINGSTHANTHEDOCTORHADATTHATTIMETOCONTENDWITH,WOULDHAVEYIELDEDBEFOREHISPERSEVERINGPURPOSE.WHILEHEKEPTHIMSELFINHISPLACE,ASAPHYSICIAN,WHOSEBUSINESSWASWITHALLDEGREESOFMANKIND,BONDANDFREE,RICHANDPOOR,BADANDGOOD,HEUSEDHISPERSONALINFLUENCESOWISELY,THATHEWASSOONTHEINSPECTINGPHYSICIANOFTHREEPRISONS,ANDAMONGTHEMOFLAFORCE.HECOULDNOWASSURELUCIETHATHERHUSBANDWASNOLONGERCONFINEDALONE,BUTWASMIXEDWITHTHEGENERALBODYOFPRISONERS;HESAWHERHUSBANDWEEKLY,ANDBROUGHTSWEETMESSAGESTOHER,STRAIGHTFROMHISLIPS;SOMETIMESHERHUSBANDHIMSELFSENTALETTERTOHER(THOUGHNEVERBYTHEDOCTOR'SHAND),BUTSHEWASNOTPERMITTEDTOWRITETOHIM:FOR,AMONGTHEMANYWILDSUSPICIONSOFPLOTSINTHEPRISONS,THEWILDESTOFALLPOINTEDATEMIGRANTSWHOWEREKNOWNTOHAVEMADEFRIENDSORPERMANENTCONNECTIONSABROAD.THISNEWLIFEOFTHEDOCTOR'SWASANANXIOUSLIFE,NODOUBT;STILL,THESAGACIOUSMR.LORRYSAWTHATTHEREWASANEWSUSTAININGPRIDEINIT.NOTHINGUNBECOMINGTINGEDTHEPRIDE;ITWASANATURALANDWORTHYONE;BUTHEOBSERVEDITASACURIOSITY.THEDOCTORKNEW,THATUPTOTHATTIME,HISIMPRISONMENTHADBEENASSOCIATEDINTHEMINDSOFHISDAUGHTERANDHISFRIEND,WITHHISPERSONALAFFLICTION,DEPRIVATION,ANDWEAKNESS.NOWTHATTHISWASCHANGED,ANDHEKNEWHIMSELFTOBEINVESTEDTHROUGHTHATOLDTRIALWITHFORCESTOWHICHTHEYBOTHLOOKEDFORCHARLES'SULTIMATESAFETYANDDELIVERANCE,HEBECAMESOFAREXALTEDBYTHECHANGE,THATHETOOKTHELEADANDDIRECTION,ANDREQUIREDTHEMASTHEWEAK,TOTRUSTTOHIMASTHESTRONG.THEPRECEDINGRELATIVEPOSITIONSOFHIMSELFANDLUCIEWEREREVERSED,YETONLYASTHELIVELIESTGRATITUDEANDAFFECTIONCOULDREVERSETHEM,FORHECOULDHAVEHADNOPRIDEBUTINRENDERINGSOMESERVICETOHERWHOHADRENDEREDSOMUCHTOHIM."ALLCURIOUSTOSEE,"THOUGHTMR.LORRY,INHISAMIABLYSHREWDWAY,"BUTALLNATURALANDRIGHT;SO,TAKETHELEAD,MYDEARFRIEND,ANDKEEPIT;ITCOULDN'TBEINBETTERHANDS."BUT,THOUGHTHEDOCTORTRIEDHARD,ANDNEVERCEASEDTRYING,TOGETCHARLESDARNAYSETATLIBERTY,ORATLEASTTOGETHIMBROUGHTTOTRIAL,THEPUBLICCURRENTOFTHETIMESETTOOSTRONGANDFASTFORHIM.THENEWERABEGAN;THEKINGWASTRIED,DOOMED,ANDBEHEADED;THEREPUBLICOFLIBERTY,EQUALITY,FRATERNITY,ORDEATH,DECLAREDFORVICTORYORDEATHAGAINSTTHEWORLDINARMS;THEBLACKFLAGWAVEDNIGHTANDDAYFROMTHEGREATTOWERSOFNO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NKYOUMAYTAKETHATLIBERTY,"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,"I_HAVE_SAVEDHIM.WHATWEAKNESSISTHIS,MYDEAR!LETMEGOTOTHEDOOR."HETOOKTHELAMPINHISHAND,CROSSEDTHETWOINTERVENINGOUTERROOMS,ANDOPENEDIT.ARUDECLATTERINGOFFEETOVERTHEFLOOR,ANDFOURROUGHMENINREDCAPS,ARMEDWITHSABRESANDPISTOLS,ENTEREDTHEROOM."THECITIZENEVREMONDE,CALLEDDARNAY,"SAIDTHEFIRST."WHOSEEKSHIM?"ANSWEREDDARNAY."ISEEKHIM.WESEEKHIM.IKNOWYOU,EVREMONDE;ISAWYOUBEFORETHETRIBUNALTO-DAY.YOUAREAGAINTHEPRISONEROFTHEREPUBLIC."THEFOURSURROUNDEDHIM,WHEREHESTOODWITHHISWIFEANDCHILDCLINGINGTOHIM."TELLMEHOWANDWHYAMIAGAINAPRISONER?""ITISENOUGHTHATYOURETURNSTRAIGHTTOTHECONCIERGERIE,ANDWILLKNOWTO-MORROW.YOUARESUMMONEDFORTO-MORROW."DOCTORMANETTE,WHOMTHISVISITATIONHADSOTURNEDINTOSTONE,THATHESTOODWITHTHELAMPINHISHAND,ASIFBEWOEASTATUEMADETOHOLDIT,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.EVREMONDE,WEAREPRESSED.""ONEWORD,"THEDOCTORENTREATED."WILLYOUTELLMEWHODENOUNCEDHIM?""ITISAGAINSTRULE,"ANSWEREDTHEFIRST;"BUTYOUCANASKHIMOFSAINTANTOINEHERE."THEDOCTORTURNEDHISEYESUPONTHATMAN.WHOMOVEDUNEASILYONHISFEET,RUBBEDHISBEARDALITTLE,ANDATLENGTHSAID:"WELL!TRULYITISAGAINSTRULE.BUTHEISDENOUNCED--ANDGRAVELY--BYTHECITIZENANDCITIZENESSDEFARGE.ANDBYONEOTHER.""WHATOTHER?""DO_YOU_ASK,CITIZENDOCTOR?""YES.""THEN,"SAIDHEOFSAINTANTOINE,WITHASTRANGELOOK,"YOUWILLBEANSWEREDTO-MORROW.NOW,IAMDUMB!"VIII.AHANDATCARDSHAPPILYUNCONSCIOUSOFTHENEWCALAMITYATHOME,MISSPROSSTHREADEDHERWAYALONGTHENARROWSTREETSANDCROSSEDTHERIVERBYTHEBRIDGEOFTHEPONT-NEUF,RECKONINGINHERMINDTHENUMBEROFINDISPENSABLEPURCHASESSHEHADTOMAKE.MR.CRUNCHER,WITHTHEBASKET,WALKEDATHERSIDE.THEYBOTHLOOKEDTOTHERIGHTANDTOTHELEFTINTOMOSTOFTHESHOPSTHEYPASSED,HADAWARYEYEFORALLGREGARIOUSASSEMBLAGESOFPEOPLE,ANDTURNEDOUTOFTHEIRROADTOAVOIDANYVERYEXCITEDGROUPOFTALKERS.ITWASARAWEVENING,ANDTHEMISTYRIVER,BLURREDTOTHEEYEWITHBLAZINGLIGHTSANDTOTHEEARWITHHARSHNOISES,SHOWEDWHERETHEBARGESWERESTATIONEDINWHICHTHESMITHSWORKED,MAKINGGUNSFORTHEARMYOFTHEREPUBLIC.WOETOTHEMANWHOPLAYEDTRICKSWITH_THAT_ARMY,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,AMANPARTEDFROMANOTHERMANINACORNER,ANDROSETODEPART.INGOING,HEHADTOFACEMISSPROSS.NOSOONERDIDHEFACEHER,THANMISSPROSSUTTEREDASCREAM,ANDCLAPPEDHERHANDS.INAMOMENT,THEWHOLECOMPANYWEREONTHEIRFEET.THATSOMEBODYWASASSASSINATEDBYSOMEBODYVINDICATINGADIFFERENCEOFOPINIONWASTHELIKELIESTOCCURRENCE.EVERYBODYLOOKEDTOSEESOMEBODYFALL,BUTONLYSAWAMANANDAWOMANSTANDINGSTARINGATEACHOTHER;THEMANWITHALLTHEOUTWARDASPECTOFAFRENCHMANANDATHOROUGHREPUBLICAN;THEWOMAN,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."AFTERNOTSETTINGEYESUPONYOUORHEARINGOFYOUFORSOLONGATIME,DOIFINDYOUHERE!""DON'TCALLMESOLOMON.DOYOUWANTTOBETHEDEATHOFME?"ASKEDTHEMAN,INAFURTIVE,FRIGHTENEDWAY."BROTHER,BROTHER!"CRIEDMISSPROSS,BURSTINGINTOTEARS."HAVEIEVERBEENSOHARDWITHYOUTHATYOUASKMESUCHACRUELQUESTION?""THENHOLDYOURMEDDLESOMETONGUE,"SAIDSOLOMON,"ANDCOMEOUT,IFYOUWANTTOSPEAKTOME.PAYFORYOURWINE,ANDCOMEOUT.WHO'STHISMAN?"MISSPROSS,SHAKINGHERLOVINGANDDEJECTEDHEADATHERBYNOMEANSAFFECTIONATEBROTHER,SAIDTHROUGHHERTEARS,"MR.CRUNCHER.""LETHIMCOMEOUTTOO,"SAIDSOLOMON."DOESHETHINKMEAGHOST?"APPARENTLY,MR.CRUNCHERDID,TOJUDGEFROMHISLOOKS.HESAIDNOTAWORD,HOWEVER,ANDMISSPROSS,EXPLORINGTHEDEPTHSOFHERRETICULETHROUGHHERTEARSWITHGREATDIFFICULTYPAIDFORHERWINE.ASSHEDIDSO,SOLOMONTURNEDTOTHEFOLLOWERSOFTHEGOODREPUBLICANBRUTUSOFANTIQUITY,ANDOFFEREDAFEWWORDSOFEXPLANATIONINTHEFRENCHLANGUAGE,WHICHCAUSEDTHEMALLTORELAPSEINTOTHEIRFORMERPLACESANDPURSUITS."NOW,"SAIDSOLOMON,STOPPINGATTHEDARKSTREETCORNER,"WHATDOYOUWANT?""HOWDREADFULLYUNKINDINABROTHERNOTHINGHASEVERTURNEDMYLOVEAWAYFROM!"CRIEDMISSPROSS,"TOGIVEMESUCHAGREETING,ANDSHOWMENOAFFECTION.""THERE.CONFOUNDIT!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,WITHAFARMOREGRUDGINGCONDESCENSIONANDPATRONAGETHANHECOULDHAVESHOWNIFTHEIRRELATIVEMERITSANDPOSITIONSHADBEENREVERSED(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.AND_I_KNOWYOU'REJOHN,YOUKNOW.WHICHOFTHETWOGOESFIRST?ANDREGARDINGTHATNAMEOFPROSS,LIKEWISE.THATWARN'TYOURNAMEOVERTHEWATER.""WHATDOYOUMEAN?""WELL,IDON'TKNOWALLIMEAN,FORICAN'TCALLTOMINDWHATYOURNAMEWAS,OVERTHEWATER.""NO?""NO.BUTI'LLSWEARITWASANAMEOFTWOSYLLABLES.""INDEED?""YES.T'OTHERONE'SWASONESYLLABLE.IKNOWYOU.YOUWASASPY--WITNESSATTHEBAILEY.WHAT,INTHENAMEOFTHEFATHEROFLIES,OWNFATHERTOYOURSELF,WASYOUCALLEDATTHATTIME?""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."ASHETOOKACHAIRHIMSELF,HESUPPLIEDTHELINKTHATMR.LORRYWANTED,BYSAYINGTOHIMWITHAFROWN,"WITNESSATTHATTRIAL."MR.LORRYIMMEDIATELYREMEMBERED,ANDREGARDEDHISNEWVISITORWITHANUNDISGUISEDLOOKOFABHORRENCE."MR.BARSADHASBEENRECOGNISEDBYMISSPROSSASTHEAFFECTIONATEBROTHERYOUHAVEHEARDOF,"SAIDSYDNEY,"ANDHASACKNOWLEDGEDTHERELATIONSHIP.IPASSTOWORSENEWS.DARNAYHASBEENARRESTEDAGAIN."STRUCKWITHCONSTERNATION,THEOLDGENTLEMANEXCLAIMED,"WHATDOYOUTELLME!ILEFTHIMSAFEANDFREEWITHINTHESETWOHOURS,ANDAMABOUTTORETURNTOHIM!""ARRESTEDFORALLTHAT.WHENWASITDONE,MR.BARSAD?""JUSTNOW,IFATALL.""MR.BARSADISTHEBESTAUTHORITYPOSSIBLE,SIR,"SAIDSYDNEY,"ANDIHAVEITFROMMR.BARSAD'SCOMMUNICATIONTOAFRIENDANDBROTHERSHEEPOVERABOTTLEOFWINE,THATTHEARRESTHASTAKENPLACE.HELEFTTHEMESSENGERSATTHEGATE,ANDSAWTHEMADMITTEDBYTHEPORTER.THEREISNOEARTHLYDOUBTTHATHEISRETAKEN."MR.LORRY'SBUSINESSEYEREADINTHESPEAKER'SFACETHATITWASLOSSOFTIMETODWELLUPONTHEPOINT.CONFUSED,BUTSENSIBLETHATSOMETHINGMIGHTDEPENDONHISPRESENCEOFMIND,HECOMMANDEDHIMSELF,ANDWASSILENTLYATTENTIVE."NOW,ITRUST,"SAIDSYDNEYTOHIM,"THATTHENAMEANDINFLUENCEOFDOCTORMANETTEMAYSTANDHIMINASGOODSTEADTO-MORROW--YOUSAIDHEWOULDBEBEFORETHETRIBUNALAGAINTO-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,MAYBECONDEMNEDTOMORROW.NOW,THESTAKEIHAVERESOLVEDTOPLAYFOR,INCASEOFTHEWORST,ISAFRIENDINTHECONCIERGERIE.ANDTHEFRIENDIPURPOSETOMYSELFTOWIN,ISMR.BARSAD.""YOUNEEDHAVEGOODCARDS,SIR,"SAIDTHESPY."I'LLRUNTHEMOVER.I'LLSEEWHATIHOLD,--MR.LORRY,YOUKNOWWHATABRUTEIAM;IWISHYOU'DGIVEMEALITTLEBRANDY."ITWASPUTBEFOREHIM,ANDHEDRANKOFFAGLASSFUL--DRANKOFFANOTHERGLASSFUL--PUSHEDTHEBOTTLETHOUGHTFULLYAWAY."MR.BARSAD,"HEWENTON,INTHETONEOFONEWHOREALLYWASLOOKINGOVERAHANDATCARDS:"SHEEPOFTHEPRISONS,EMISSARYOFREPUBLICANCOMMITTEES,NOWTURNKEY,NOWPRISONER,ALWAYSSPYANDSECRETINFORMER,SOMUCHTHEMOREVALUABLEHEREFORBEINGENGLISHTHATANENGLISHMANISLESSOPENTOSUSPICIONOFSUBORNATIONINTHOSECHARACTERSTHANAFRENCHMAN,REPRESENTSHIMSELFTOHISEMPLOYERSUNDERAFALSENAME.THAT'SAVERYGOODCARD.MR.BARSAD,NOWINTHEEMPLOYOFTHEREPUBLICANFRENCHGOVERNMENT,WASFORMERLYINTHEEMPLOYOFTHEARISTOCRATICENGLISHGOVERNMENT,THEENEMYOFFRANCEANDFREEDOM.THAT'SANEXCELLENTCARD.INFERENCECLEARASDAYINTHISREGIONOFSUSPICION,THATMR.BARSAD,STILLINTHEPAYOFTHEARISTOCRATICENGLISHGOVERNMENT,ISTHESPYOFPITT,THETREACHEROUSFOEOFTHEREPUBLICCROUCHINGINITSBOSOM,THEENGLISHTRAITORANDAGENTOFALLMISCHIEFSOMUCHSPOKENOFANDSODIFFICULTTOFIND.THAT'SACARDNOTTOBEBEATEN.HAVEYOUFOLLOWEDMYHAND,MR.BARSAD?""NOTTOUNDERSTANDYOURPLAY,"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.IADMITTHAT_I_AMASPY,ANDTHATITISCONSIDEREDADISCREDITABLESTATION--THOUGHITMUSTBEFILLEDBYSOMEBODY;BUTTHISGENTLEMANISNOSPY,ANDWHYSHOULDHESODEMEANHIMSELFASTOMAKEHIMSELFONE?""IPLAYMYACE,MR.BARSAD,"SAIDCARTON,TAKINGTHEANSWERONHIMSELF,ANDLOOKINGATHISWATCH,"WITHOUTANYSCRUPLE,INAVERYFEWMINUTES.""ISHOULDHAVEHOPED,GENTLEMENBOTH,"SAIDTHESPY,ALWAYSSTRIVINGTOHOOKMR.LORRYINTOTHEDISCUSSION,"THATYOURRESPECTFORMYSISTER--""ICOULDNOTBETTERTESTIFYMYRESPECTFORYOURSISTERTHANBYFINALLYRELIEVINGHEROFHERBROTHER,"SAIDSYDNEYCARTON."YOUTHINKNOT,SIR?""IHAVETHOROUGHLYMADEUPMYMINDABOUTIT."THESMOOTHMANNEROFTHESPY,CURIOUSLYINDISSONANCEWITHHISOSTENTATIOUSLYROUGHDRESS,ANDPROBABLYWITHHISUSUALDEMEANOUR,RECEIVEDSUCHACHECKFROMTHEINSCRUTABILITYOFCARTON,--WHO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HEWEAKNESSOFTHEPOSITION.THEREISNOHELPFORIT.""BUTACCESSTOHIM,"SAIDMR.LORRY,"IFITSHOULDGOILLBEFORETHETRIBUNAL,WILLNOTSAVEHIM.""INEVERSAIDITWOULD."MR.LORRY'SEYESGRADUALLYSOUGHTTHEFIRE;HISSYMPATHYWITHHISDARLING,ANDTHEHEAVYDISAPPOINTMENTOFHISSECONDARREST,GRADUALLYWEAKENEDTHEM;HEWASANOLDMANNOW,OVERBORNEWITHANXIETYOFLATE,ANDHISTEARSFELL."YOUAREAGOODMANANDATRUEFRIEND,"SAIDCARTON,INANALTEREDVOICE."FORGIVEMEIFINOTICETHATYOUAREAFFECTED.ICOULDNOTSEEMYFATHERWEEP,ANDSITBY,CARELESS.ANDICOULDNOTRESPECTYOURSORROWMORE,IFYOUWEREMYFATHER.YOUAREFREEFROMTHATMISFORTUNE,HOWEVER."THOUGHHESAIDTHELASTWORDS,WITHASLIPINTOHISUSUALMANNER,THEREWASATRUEFEELINGANDRESPECTBOTHINHISTONEANDINHISTOUCH,THATMR.LORRY,WHOHADNEVERSEENTHEBETTERSIDEOFHIM,WASWHOLLYUNPREPAREDFOR.HEGAVEHIMHISHAND,ANDCARTONGENTLYPRESSEDIT."TORETURNTOPOORDARNAY,"SAIDCARTON."DON'TTELLHEROFTHISINTERVIEW,ORTHISARRANGEMENT.ITWOULDNOTENABLEHERTOGOTOSEEHIM.SHEMIGHTTHINKITWASCONTRIVED,INCASEOFTHEWORSE,TOCONVEYTOHIMTHEMEANSOFANTICIPATINGTHESENTENCE."MR.LORRYHADNOTTHOUGHTOFTHAT,ANDHELOOKEDQUICKLYATCARTONTOSEEIFITWEREINHISMIND.ITSEEMEDTOBE;HERETURNEDTHELOOK,ANDEVIDENTLYUNDERSTOODIT."SHEMIGHTTHINKATHOUSANDTHINGS,"CARTONSAID,"ANDANYOFTHEMWOULDONLYADDTOHERTROUBLE.DON'TSPEAKOFMETOHER.ASISAIDTOYOUWHENIFIRSTCAME,IHADBETTERNOTSEEHER.ICANPUTMYHANDOUT,TODOANYLITTLEHELPFULWORKFORHERTHATMYHANDCANFINDTODO,WITHOUTTHAT.YOUAREGOINGTOHER,IHOPE?SHEMUSTBEVERYDESOLATETO-NIGHT.""IAMGOINGNOW,DIRECTLY.""IAMGLADOFTHAT.SHEHASSUCHASTRONGATTACHMENTTOYOUANDRELIANCEONYOU.HOWDOESSHELOOK?""ANXIOUSANDUNHAPPY,BUTVERYBEAUTIFUL.""AH!"ITWASALONG,GRIEVINGSOUND,LIKEASIGH--ALMOSTLIKEASOB.ITATTRACTEDMR.LORRY'SEYESTOCARTON'SFACE,WHICHWASTURNEDTOTHEFIRE.ALIGHT,ORASHADE(THEOLDGENTLEMANCOULDNOTHAVESAIDWHICH),PASSEDFROMITASSWIFTLYASACHANGEWILLSWEEPOVERAHILL-SIDEONAWILDBRIGHTDAY,ANDHELIFTEDHISFOOTTOPUTBACKONEOFTHELITTLEFLAMINGLOGS,WHICHWASTUMBLINGFORWARD.HEWORETHEWHITERIDING-COATANDTOP-BOOTS,THENINVOGUE,ANDTHELIGHTOFTHEFIRETOUCHINGTHEIRLIGHTSURFACESMADEHIMLOOKVERYPALE,WITHHISLONGBROWNHAIR,ALLUNTRIMMED,HANGINGLOOSEABOUTHIM.HISINDIFFERENCETOFIREWASSUFFICIENTLYREMARKABLETOELICITAWORDOFREMONSTRANCEFROMMR.LORRY;HISBOOTWASSTILLUPONTHEHOTEMBERSOFTHEFLAMINGLOG,WHENITHADBROKENUNDERTHEWEIGHTOFHISFOOT."IFORGOTIT,"HESAID.MR.LORRY'SEYESWEREAGAINATTRACTEDTOHISFACE.TAKINGNOTEOFTHEWASTEDAIRWHICHCLOUDEDTHENATURALLYHANDSOMEFEATURES,ANDHAVINGTHEEXPRESSIONOFPRISONERS'FACESFRESHINHISMIND,HEWASSTRONGLYREMINDEDOFTHATEXPRESSION."ANDYOURDUTIESHEREHAVEDRAWNTOANEND,SIR?"SAIDCARTON,TURNINGTOHIM."YES.ASIWASTELLINGYOULASTNIGHTWHENLUCIECAMEINSOUNEXPECTEDLY,IHAVEATLENGTHDONEALLTHATICANDOHERE.IHOPEDTOHAVELEFTTHEMINPERFECTSAFETY,ANDTHENTOHAVEQUITTEDPARIS.IHAVEMYLEAVETOPASS.IWASREADYTOGO."THEYWEREBOTHSILENT."YOURSISALONGLIFETOLOOKBACKUPON,SIR?"SAIDCARTON,WISTFULLY."IAMINMYSEVENTY-EIGHTHYEAR.""YOUHAVEBEENUSEFULALLYOURLIFE;STEADILYANDCONSTANTLYOCCUPIED;TRUSTED,RESPECTED,ANDLOOKEDUPTO?""IHAVEBEENAMANOFBUSINESS,EVERSINCEIHAVEBEENAMAN.INDEED,IMAYSAYTHATIWASAMANOFBUSINESSWHENABOY.""SEEWHATAPLACEYOUFILLATSEVENTY-EIGHT.HOWMANYPEOPLEWILLMISSYOUWHENYOULEAVEITEMPTY!""ASOLITARYOLDBACHELOR,"ANSWEREDMR.LORRY,SHAKINGHISHEAD."THEREISNOBODYTOWEEPFORME.""HOWCANYOUSAYTHAT?WOULDN'TSHEWEEPFORYOU?WOULDN'THERCHILD?""YES,YES,THANKGOD.IDIDN'TQUITEMEANWHATISAID.""IT_IS_ATHINGTOTHANKGODFOR;ISITNOT?""SURELY,SURELY.""IFYOUCOULDSAY,WITHTRUTH,TOYOUROWNSOLITARYHEART,TO-NIGHT,'IHAVESECUREDTOMYSELFTHELOVEANDATTACHMENT,THEGRATITUDEORRESPECT,OFNOHUMANCREATURE;IHAVEWONMYSELFATENDERPLACEINNOREGARD;IHAVEDONENOTHINGGOODORSERVICEABLETOBEREMEMBEREDBY!'YOURSEVENTY-EIGHTYEARSWOULDBESEVENTY-EIGHTHEAVYCURSES;WOULDTHEYNOT?""YOUSAYTRULY,MR.CARTON;ITHINKTHEYWOULDBE."SYDNEYTURNEDHISEYESAGAINUPONTHEFIRE,AND,AFTERASILENCEOFAFEWMOMENTS,SAID:"ISHOULDLIKETOASKYOU:--DOESYOURCHILDHOODSEEMFAROFF?DOTHEDAYSWHENYOUSATATYOURMOTHER'SKNEE,SEEMDAYSOFVERYLONGAGO?"RESPONDINGTOHISSOFTENEDMANNER,MR.LORRYANSWERED:"TWENTYYEARSBACK,YES;ATTHISTIMEOFMYLIFE,NO.FOR,ASIDRAWCLOSERANDCLOSERTOTHEEND,ITRAVELINTHECIRCLE,NEARERANDNEARERTOTHEBEGINNING.ITSEEMSTOBEONEOFTHEKINDSMOOTHINGSANDPREPARINGSOFTHEWAY.MYHEARTISTOUCHEDNOW,BYMANYREMEMBRANCESTHATHADLONGFALLENASLEEP,OFMYPRETTYYOUNGMOTHER(ANDISOOLD!),ANDBYMANYASSOCIATIONSOFTHEDAYSWHENWHATWECALLTHEWORLDWASNOTSOREALWITHME,ANDMYFAULTSWERENOTCONFIRMEDINME.""IUNDERSTANDTHEFEELING!"EXCLAIMEDCARTON,WITHABRIGHTFLUSH."ANDYOUARETHEBETTERFORIT?""IHOPESO."CARTONTERMINATEDTHECONVERSATIONHERE,BYRISINGTOHELPHIMONWITHHISOUTERCOAT;"BUTYOU,"SAIDMR.LORRY,REVERTINGTOTHETHEME,"YOUAREYOUNG.""YES,"SAIDCARTON."IAMNOTOLD,BUTMYYOUNGWAYWASNEVERTHEWAYTOAGE.ENOUGHOFME.""ANDOFME,IAMSURE,"SAIDMR.LORRY."AREYOUGOINGOUT?""I'LLWALKWITHYOUTOHERGATE.YOUKNOWMYVAGABONDANDRESTLESSHABITS.IFISHOULDPROWLABOUTTHESTREETSALONGTIME,DON'TBEUNEASY;ISHALLREAPPEARINTHEMORNING.YOUGOTOTHECOURTTO-MORROW?""YES,UNHAPPILY.""ISHALLBETHERE,BUTONLYASONEOFTHECROWD.MYSPYWILLFINDAPLACEFORME.TAKEMYARM,SIR."MR.LORRYDIDSO,ANDTHEYWENTDOWN-STAIRSANDOUTINTHESTREETS.AFEWMINUTESBROUGHTTHEMTOMR.LORRY'SDESTINATION.CARTONLEFTHIMTHERE;BUTLINGEREDATALITTLEDISTANCE,ANDTU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OTHINGINTHISACTIONTOATTRACTMYPARTICULARATTENTION,FORIHADSEENCOMMONPEOPLESTRUCKMORECOMMONLYTHANDOGS.BUT,THEOTHEROFTHETWO,BEINGANGRYLIKEWISE,STRUCKTHEMANINLIKEMANNERWITHHISARM;THELOOKANDBEARINGOFTHEBROTHERSWERETHENSOEXACTLYALIKE,THATITHENFIRSTPERCEIVEDTHEMTOBETWINBROTHERS."FROMTHETIMEOFOURALIGHTINGATTHEOUTERGATE(WHICHWEFOUNDLOCKED,ANDWHICHONEOFTHEBROTHERSHADOPENEDTOADMITUS,ANDHADRELOCKED),IHADHEARDCRIESPROCEEDINGFROMANUPPERCHAMBER.IWASCONDUCTEDTOTHISCHAMBERSTRAIGHT,THECRIESGROWINGLOUDERASWEASCENDEDTHESTAIRS,ANDIFOUNDAPATIENTINAHIGHFEVEROFTHEBRAIN,LYINGONABED."THEPATIENTWASAWOMANOFGREATBEAUTY,ANDYOUNG;ASSUREDLYNOTMUCHPASTTWENTY.HERHAIRWASTORNANDRAGGED,ANDHERARMSWEREBOUNDTOHERSIDESWITHSASHESANDHANDKERCHIEFS.INOTICEDTHATTHESEBONDSWEREALLPORTIONSOFAGENTLEMAN'SDRESS.ONONEOFTHEM,WHICHWASAFRINGEDSCARFFORADRESSOFCEREMONY,ISAWTHEARMORIALBEARINGSOFANOBLE,ANDTHELETTERE."ISAWTHIS,WITHINTHEFIRSTMINUTEOFMYCONTEMPLATIONOFTHEPATIENT;FOR,INHERRESTLESSSTRIVINGSSHEHADTURNEDOVERONHERFACEONTHEEDGEOFTHEBED,HADDRAWNTHEENDOFTHESCARFINTOHERMOUTH,ANDWASINDANGEROFSUFFOCATION.MYFIRSTACTWASTOPUTOUTMYHANDTORELIEVEHERBREATHING;ANDINMOVINGTHESCARFASIDE,THEEMBROIDERYINTHECORNERCAUGHTMYSIGHT."ITURNEDHERGENTLYOVER,PLACEDMYHANDSUPONHERBREASTTOCALMHERANDKEEPHERDOWN,ANDLOOKEDINTOHERFACE.HEREYESWEREDILATEDANDWILD,ANDSHECONSTANTLYUTTEREDPIERCINGSHRIEKS,ANDREPEATEDTHEWORDS,'MYHUSBAND,MYFATHER,ANDMYBROTHER!'ANDTHENCOUNTEDUPTOTWELVE,ANDSAID,'HUSH!'FORANINSTANT,ANDNOMORE,SHEWOULDPAUSETOLISTEN,ANDTHENTHEPIERCINGSHRIEKSWOULDBEGINAGAIN,ANDSHEWOULDREPEATTHECRY,'MYHUSBAND,MYFATHER,ANDMYBROTHER!'ANDWOULDCOUNTUPTOTWELVE,ANDSAY,'HUSH!'THEREWASNOVARIATIONINTHEORDER,ORTHEMANNER.THEREWASNOCESSATION,BUTTHEREGULARMOMENT'SPAUSE,INTHEUTTERANCEOFTHESESOUNDS."'HOWLONG,'IASKED,'HASTHISLASTED?'"TODISTINGUISHTHEBROTHERS,IWILLCALLTHEMTHEELDERANDTHEYOUNGER;BYTHEELDER,IMEANHIMWHOEXERCISEDTHEMOSTAUTHORITY.ITWASTHEELDERWHOREPLIED,'SINCEABOUTTHISHOURLASTNIGHT.'"'SHEHASAHUSBAND,AFATHER,ANDABROTHER?'"'ABROTHER.'"'IDONOTADDRESSHERBROTHER?'"HEANSWEREDWITHGREATCONTEMPT,'NO.'"'SHEHASSOMERECENTASSOCIATIONWITHTHENUMBERTWELVE?'"THEYOUNGERBROTHERIMPATIENTLYREJOINED,'WITHTWELVEO'CLOCK?'"'SEE,GENTLEMEN,'SAIDI,STILLKEEPINGMYHANDSUPONHERBREAST,'HOWUSELESSIAM,ASYOUHAVEBROUGHTME!IFIHADKNOWNWHATIWASCOMINGTOSEE,ICOULDHAVECOMEPROVIDED.ASITIS,TIMEMUSTBELOST.THEREARENOMEDICINESTOBEOBTAINEDINTHISLONELYPLACE.'"THEELDERBROTHERLOOKEDTOTHEYOUNGER,WHOSAIDHAUGHTILY,'THEREISACASEOFMEDICINESHERE;'ANDBROUGHTITFROMACLOSET,ANDPUTITONTHETABLE.*****"IOPENEDSOMEOFTHEBOTTLES,SMELTTHEM,ANDPUTTHESTOPPERSTOMYLIPS.IFIHADWANTEDTOUSEANYTHINGSAVENARCOTICMEDICINESTHATWEREPOISONSINTHEMSELVES,IWOULDNOTHAVEADMINISTEREDANYOFTHOSE."'DOYOUDOUBTTHEM?'ASKEDTHEYOUNGERBROTHER."'YOUSEE,MONSIEUR,IAMGOINGTOUSETHEM,'IREPLIED,ANDSAIDNOMORE."IMADETHEPATIENTSWALLOW,WITHGREATDIFFICULTY,ANDAFTERMANYEFFORTS,THEDOSETHATIDESIREDTOGIVE.ASIINTENDEDTOREPEATITAFTERAWHILE,ANDASITWASNECESSARYTOWATCHITSINFLUENCE,ITHENSATDOWNBYTHESIDEOFTHEBED.THEREWASATIMIDANDSUPPRESSEDWOMANINATTENDANCE(WIFEOFTHEMANDOWN-STAIRS),WHOHADRETREATEDINTOACORNER.THEHOUSEWASDAMPANDDECAYED,INDIFFERENTLYFURNISHED--EVIDENTLY,RECENTLYOCCUPIEDANDTEMPORARILYUSED.SOMETHICKOLDHANGINGSHADBEENNAILEDUPBEFORETHEWINDOWS,TODEADENTHESOUNDOFTHESHRIEKS.THEYCONTINUEDTOBEUTTEREDINTHEIRREGULARSUCCESSION,WITHTHECRY,'MYHUSBAND,MYFATHER,ANDMYBROTHER!'THECOUNTINGUPTOTWELVE,AND'HUSH!'THEFRENZYWASSOVIOLENT,THATIHADNOTUNFASTENEDTHEBANDAGESRESTRAININGTHEARMS;BUT,IHADLOOKEDTOTHEM,TOSEETHATTHEYWERENOTPAINFUL.THEONLYSPARKOFENCOURAGEMENTINTHECASE,WAS,THATMYHANDUPONTHESUFFERER'SBREASTHADTHISMUCHSOOTHINGINFLUENCE,THATFORMINUTESATATIMEITTRANQUILLISEDTHEFIGURE.ITHADNOEFFECTUPONTHECRIES;NOPENDULUMCOULDBEMOREREGULAR."FORTHEREASONTHATMYHANDHADTHISEFFECT(IASSUME),IHADSATBYTHESIDEOFTHEBEDFORHALFANHOUR,WITHTHETWOBROTHERSLOOKINGON,BEFORETHEELDERSAID:"'THEREISANOTHERPATIENT.'"IWASSTARTLED,ANDASKED,'ISITAPRESSINGCASE?'"'YOUHADBETTERSEE,'HECARELESSLYANSWERED;ANDTOOKUPALIGHT.*****"THEOTHERPATIENTLAYINABACKROOMACROSSASECONDSTAIRCASE,WHICHWASASPECIESOFLOFTOVERASTABLE.THEREWASALOWPLASTEREDCEILINGTOAPARTOFIT;THERESTWASOPEN,TOTHERIDGEOFTHETILEDROOF,ANDTHEREWEREBEAMSACROSS.HAYANDSTRAWWERESTOREDINTHATPORTIONOFTHEPLACE,FAGOTSFORFIRING,ANDAHEAPOFAPPLESINSAND.IHADTOPASSTHROUGHTHATPART,TOGETATTHEOTHER.MYMEMORYISCIRCUMSTANTIALANDUNSHAKEN.ITRYITWITHTHESEDETAILS,ANDISEETHEMALL,INTHISMYCELLINTHEBASTILLE,NEARTHECLOSEOFTHETENTHYEAROFMYCAPTIVITY,ASISAWTHEMALLTHATNIGHT."ONSOMEHAYONTHEGROUND,WITHACUSHIONTHROWNUNDERHISHEAD,LAYAHANDSOMEPEASANTBOY--ABOYOFNOTMORETHANSEVENTEENATTHEMOST.HELAYONHISBACK,WITHHISTEETHSET,HISRIGHTHANDCLENCHEDONHISBREAST,ANDHISGLARINGEYESLOOKINGSTRAIGHTUPWARD.ICOULDNOTSEEWHEREHISWOUNDWAS,ASIKNEELEDONONEKNEEOVERHIM;BUT,ICOULDSEETHATHEWASDYINGOFAWOUNDFROMASHARPPOINT."'IAMADOCTOR,MYPOORFELLOW,'SAIDI.'LETMEEXAMINEIT.'"'IDONOTWANTITEXAMINED,'HEANSWERED;'LETITBE.'"ITWASUNDERHISHAND,ANDISOOTHEDHIMTOLETMEMOVEHISHANDAWAY.THEWOUNDWASASWORD-THRUST,RECEIVEDFROMTWENTYTOTWENTY-FOURHOURSBEFORE,BUTNOSKILLCOULDHAVESAVEDHIMIFITHADBEENLOOKEDTOWITHOUTDELAY.HEWASTHENDYINGFAST.ASITURNEDMYEYESTOTHEELDERBROTHER,ISAWHIMLOOKINGDOWNATTHISHANDSOMEBOYWHOSELIFEWASEBBINGOUT,ASIFHEWEREAWOUNDEDBIRD,ORHARE,ORRABBIT;NOTATALLASIFHEWEREAFELLOW-CREATURE."'HOWHASTHISBEENDONE,MONSIEUR?'SAIDI."'ACRAZEDYOUNGCOMMONDOG!ASERF!FORCEDMYBROTHERTODRAWUPONHIM,ANDHASFALLENBYMYBROTHER'SSWORD--LIKEAGENTLEMAN.'"THEREWASNOTOUCHOFPITY,SORROW,ORKINDREDHUMANITY,INTHISANSWER.THESPEAKERSEEMEDTOACKNOWLEDGETHATITWASINCONVENIENTTOHAVETHATDIFFERENTORDEROFCREATUREDYINGTHERE,ANDTHATITWOULDHAVEBEENBETTERIFHEHADDIEDINTHEUSUALOBSCUREROUTINEOFHISVERMINKIND.HEWASQUITEINCAPABLEOFANYCOMPASSIONATEFEELINGABOUTTHEBOY,ORABOUTHISFATE."THEBOY'SEYESHADSLOWLYMOVEDTOHIMASHEHADSPOKEN,ANDTHEYNOWSLOWLYMOVEDTOME."'DOCTOR,THEYAREVERYPROUD,THESENOBLES;BUTWECOMMONDOGSAREPROUDTOO,SOMETIMES.THEYPLUNDERUS,OUTRAGEUS,BEATUS,KILLUS;BUTWEHAVEALITTLEPRIDELEFT,SOMETIMES.SHE--HAVEYOUSEENHER,DOCTOR?'"THESHRIEKSANDTHECRIESWEREAUDIBLETHERE,THOUGHSUBDUEDBYTHEDISTANCE.HEREFERREDTOTHEM,ASIFSHEWERELYINGINOURPRESENCE."ISAID,'IHAVESEENHER.'"'SHEISMYSISTER,DOCTOR.THEYHAVEHADTHEIRSHAMEFULRIGHTS,THESENOBLES,INTHEMODESTYANDVIRTUEOFOURSISTERS,MANYYEARS,BUTWEHAVEHADGOODGIRLSAMONGUS.IKNOWIT,ANDHAVEHEARDMYFATHERSAYSO.SHEWASAGOODGIRL.SHEWASBETROTHEDTOAGOODYOUNGMAN,TOO:ATENANTOFHIS.WEWEREALLTENANTSOFHIS--THATMAN'SWHOSTANDSTHERE.THEOTHERISHISBROTHER,THEWORSTOFABADRACE.'"ITWASWITHTHEGREATESTDIFFICULTYTHATTHEBOYGATHEREDBODILYFORCETOSPEAK;BUT,HISSPIRITSPOKEWITHADREADFULEMPHASIS."'WEWERESOROBBEDBYTHATMANWHOSTANDSTHERE,ASALLWECOMMONDOGSAREBYTHOSESUPERIORBEINGS--TAXEDBYHIMWITHOUTMERCY,OBLIGEDTOWORKFORHIMWITHOUTPAY,OBLIGEDTOGRINDOURCORNATHISMILL,OBLIGEDTOFEEDSCORESOFHISTAMEBIRDSONOURWRETCHEDCROPS,ANDFORBIDDENFOROURLIVESTOKEEPASINGLETAMEBIRDOFOUROWN,PILLAGEDANDPLUNDEREDTOTHATDEGREETHATWHENWECHANCEDTOHAVEABITOFMEAT,WEATEITINFEAR,WITHTHEDOORBARREDANDTHESHUTTERSCLOSED,THATHISPEOPLESHOULDNOTSEEITANDTAKEITFROMUS--ISAY,WEWERESOROBBED,ANDHUNTED,ANDWEREMADESOPOOR,THATOURFATHERTOLDUSITWASADREADFULTHINGTOBRINGACHILDINTOTHEWORLD,ANDTHATWHATWESHOULDMOSTPRAYFOR,WAS,THATOURWOMENMIGHTBEBARRENANDOURMISERABLERACEDIEOUT!'"IHADNEVERBEFORESEENTHESENSEOFBEINGOPPRESSED,BURSTINGFORTHLIKEAFIRE.IHADSUPPOSEDTHATITMUSTBELATENTINTHEPEOPLESOMEWHERE;BUT,IHADNEVERSEENITBREAKOUT,UNTILISAWITINTHEDYINGBOY."'NEVERTHELESS,DOCTOR,MYSISTERMARRIED.HEWASAILINGATTHATTIME,POORFELLOW,ANDSHEMARRIEDHERLOVER,THATSHEMIGHTTENDANDCOMFORTHIMINOURCOTTAGE--OURDOG-HUT,ASTHATMANWOULDCALLIT.SHEHADNOTBEENMARRIEDMANYWEEKS,WHENTHATMAN'SBROTHERSAWHERANDADMIREDHER,ANDASKEDTHATMANTOLENDHERTOHIM--FORWHATAREHUSBANDSAMONGUS!HEWASWILLINGENOUGH,BUTMYSISTERWASGOODANDVIRTUOUS,ANDHATEDHISBROTHERWITHAHATREDASSTRONGASMINE.WHATDIDTHETWOTHEN,TOPERSUADEHERHUSBANDTOUSEHISINFLUENCEWITHHER,TOMAKEHERWILLING?'"THEBOY'SEYES,WHICHHADBEENFIXEDONMINE,SLOWLYTURNEDTOTHELOOKER-ON,ANDISAWINTHETWOFACESTHATALLHESAIDWASTRUE.THETWOOPPOSINGKINDSOFPRIDECONFRONTINGONEANOTHER,ICANSEE,EVENINTHISBASTILLE;THEGENTLEMAN'S,ALLNEGLIGENTINDIFFERENCE;THEPEASANT'S,ALLTRODDEN-DOWNSENTIMENT,ANDPASSIONATEREVENGE."'YOUKNOW,DOCTOR,THATITISAMONGTHERIGHTSOFTHESENOBLESTOHARNESSUSCOMMONDOGSTOCARTS,ANDDRIVEUS.THEYSOHARNESSEDHIMANDDROVEHIM.YOUKNOWTHATITISAMONGTHEIRRIGHTSTOKEEPUSINTHEIRGROUNDSALLNIGHT,QUIETINGTHEFROGS,INORDERTHATTHEIRNOBLESLEEPMAYNOTBEDISTURBED.THEYKEPTHIMOUTINTHEUNWHOLESOMEMISTSATNIGHT,ANDORDEREDHIMBACKINTOHISHARNESSINTHEDAY.BUTHEWASNOTPERSUADED.NO!TAKENOUTOFHARNESSONEDAYATNOON,TOFEED--IFHECOULDFINDFOOD--HESOBBEDTWELVETIMES,ONCEFOREVERYSTROKEOFTHEBELL,ANDDIEDONHERBOSOM.'"NOTHINGHUMANCOULDHAVEHELDLIFEINTHEBOYBUTHISDETERMINATIONTOTELLALLHISWRONG.HEFORCEDBACKTHEGATHERINGSHADOWSOFDEATH,ASHEFORCEDHISCLENCHEDRIGHTHANDTOREMAINCLENCHED,ANDTOCOVERHISWOUND."'THEN,WITHTHATMAN'SPERMISSIONANDEVENWITHHISAID,HISBROTHERTOOKHERAWAY;INSPITEOFWHATIKNOWSHEMUSTHAVETOLDHISBROTHER--ANDWHATTHATIS,WILLNOTBELONGUNKNOWNTOYOU,DOCTOR,IFITISNOW--HISBROTHERTOOKHERAWAY--FORHISPLEASUREANDDIVERSION,FORALITTLEWHILE.ISAWHERPASSMEONTHEROAD.WHENITOOKTHETIDINGSHOME,OURFATHER'SHEARTBURST;HENEVERSPOKEONEOFTHEWORDSTHATFILLEDIT.ITOOKMYYOUNGSISTER(FORIHAVEANOTHER)TOAPLACEBEYONDTHEREACHOFTHISMAN,ANDWHERE,ATLEAST,SHEWILLNEVERBE_HIS_VASSAL.THEN,ITRACKEDTHEBROTHERHERE,ANDLASTNIGHTCLIMBEDIN--ACOMMONDOG,BUTSWORDINHAND.--WHEREISTHELOFTWINDOW?ITWASSOMEWHEREHERE?'"THEROOMWASDARKENINGTOHISSIGHT;THEWORLDWASNARROWINGAROUNDHIM.IGLANCEDABOUTME,ANDSAWTHATTHEHAYANDSTRAWWERETRAMPLEDOVERTHEFLOOR,ASIFTHEREHADBEENASTRUGGLE."'SHEHEARDME,ANDRANIN.ITOLDHERNOTTOCOMENEARUSTILLHEWASDEAD.HECAMEINANDFIRSTTOSSEDMESOMEPIECESOFMONEY;THENSTRUCKATMEWITHAWHIP.BUTI,THOUGHACOMMONDOG,SOSTRUCKATHIMASTOMAKEHIMDRAW.LETHIMBREAKINTOASMANYPIECESASHEWILL,THESWORDTHATHESTAINEDWITHMYCOMMONBLOOD;HEDREWTODEFENDHIMSELF--THRUSTATMEWITHALLHISSKILLFORHISLIFE.'"MYGLANCEHADFALLEN,BUTAFEWMOMENTSBEFORE,ONTHEFRAGMENTSOFABROKENSWORD,LYINGAMONGTHEHAY.THATWEAPONWASAGENTLEMAN'S.INANOTHERPLACE,LAYANOLDSWORDTHATSEEMEDTOHAVEBEENASOLDIER'S."'NOW,LIFTMEUP,DOCTOR;LIFTMEUP.WHEREISHE?'"'HEISNOTHERE,'ISAID,SUPPORTINGTHEBOY,ANDTHINKINGTHATHEREFERREDTOTHEBROTHER."'HE!PROUDASTHESENOBLESARE,HEISAFRAIDTOSEEME.WHEREISTHEMANWHOWASHERE?TURNMYFACETOHIM.'"IDIDSO,RAISINGTHEBOY'SHEADAGAINSTMYKNEE.BUT,INVESTEDFORTHEMOMENTWITHEXTRAORDINARYPOWER,HERAISEDHIMSELFCOMPLETELY:OBLIGINGMETORISETOO,ORICOULDNOTHAVESTILLSUPPORTEDHIM."'MARQUIS,'SAIDTHEBOY,TURNEDTOHIMWITHHISEYESOPENEDWIDE,ANDHISRIGHTHANDRAISED,'INTHEDAYSWHENALLTHESETHINGSARETOBEANSWEREDFOR,ISUMMONYOUANDYOURS,TOTHELASTOFYOURBADRACE,TOANSWERFORTHEM.IMARKTHISCROSSOFBLOODUPONYOU,ASASIGNTHATIDOIT.INTHEDAYSWHENALLTHESETHINGSARETOBEANSWEREDFOR,ISUMMONYOURBROTHER,THEWORSTOFTHEBADRACE,TOANSWERFORTHEMSEPARATELY.IMARKTHISCROSSOFBLOODUPONHIM,ASASIGNTHATIDOIT.'"TWICE,HEPUTHISHANDTOTHEWOUNDINHISBREAST,ANDWITHHISFOREFINGERDREWACROSSINTHEAIR.HESTOODFORANINSTANTWITHTHEFINGERYETRAISED,ANDASITDROPPED,HEDROPPEDWITHIT,ANDILAIDHIMDOWNDEAD.*****"WHENIRETURNEDTOTHEBEDSIDEOFTHEYOUNGWOMAN,IFOUNDHERRAVINGINPRECISELYTHESAMEORDEROFCONTINUITY.IKNEWTHATTHISMIGHTLASTFORMANYHOURS,ANDTHATITWOULDPROBABLYENDINTHESILENCEOFTHEGRAVE."IREPEATEDTHEMEDICINESIHADGIVENHER,ANDISATATTHESIDEOFTHEBEDUNTILTHENIGHTWASFARADVANCED.SHENEVERABATEDTHEPIERCINGQUALITYOFHERSHRIEKS,NEVERSTUMBLEDINTHEDISTINCTNESSORTHEORDEROFHERWORDS.THEYWEREALWAYS'MYHUSBAND,MYFATHER,ANDMYBROTHER!ONE,TWO,THREE,FOUR,FIVE,SIX,SEVEN,EIGHT,NINE,TEN,ELEVEN,TWELVE.HUSH!'"THISLASTEDTWENTY-SIXHOURSFROMTHETIMEWHENIFIRSTSAWHER.IHADCOMEANDGONETWICE,ANDWASAGAINSITTINGBYHER,WHENSHEBEGANTOFALTER.IDIDWHATLITTLECOULDBEDONETOASSISTTHATOPPORTUNITY,ANDBY-AND-BYESHESANKINTOALETHARGY,ANDLAYLIKETHEDEAD."ITWASASIFTHEWINDANDRAINHADLULLEDATLAST,AFTERALONGANDFEARFULSTORM.IRELEASEDHERARMS,ANDCALLEDTHEWOMANTOASSISTMETOCOMPOSEHERFIGUREANDTHEDRESSSHEHADTORN.ITWASTHENTHATIKNEWHERCONDITIONTOBETHATOFONEINWHOMTHEFIRSTEXPECTATIONSOFBEINGAMOTHERHAVEARISEN;ANDITWASTHENTHATILOSTTHELITTLEHOPEIHADHADOFHER."'ISSHEDEAD?'ASKEDTHEMARQUIS,WHOMIWILLSTILLDESCRIBEASTHEELDERBROTHER,COMINGBOOTEDINTOTHEROOMFROMHISHORSE."'NOTDEAD,'SAIDI;'BUTLIKETODIE.'"'WHATSTRENGTHTHEREISINTHESECOMMONBODIES!'HESAID,LOOKINGDOWNATHERWITHSOMECURIOSITY."'THEREISPRODIGIOUSSTRENGTH,'IANSWEREDHIM,'INSORROWANDDESPAIR.'"HEFIRSTLAUGHEDATMYWORDS,ANDTHENFROWNEDATTHEM.HEMOVEDACHAIRWITHHISFOOTNEARTOMINE,ORDEREDTHEWOMANAWAY,ANDSAIDINASUBDUEDVOICE,"'DOCTOR,FINDINGMYBROTHERINTHISDIFFICULTYWITHTHESEHINDS,IRECOMMENDEDTHATYOURAIDSHOULDBEINVITED.YOURREPUTATIONISHIGH,AND,ASAYOUNGMANWITHYOURFORTUNETOMAKE,YOUAREPROBABLYMINDFULOFYOURINTEREST.THETHINGSTHATYOUSEEHERE,ARETHINGSTOBESEEN,ANDNOTSPOKENOF.'"ILISTENEDTOTHEPATIENT'SBREATHING,ANDAVOIDEDANSWERING."'DOYOUHONOURMEWITHYOURATTENTION,DOCTOR?'"'MONSIEUR,'SAIDI,'INMYPROFESSION,THECOMMUNICATIONSOFPATIENTSAREALWAYSRECEIVEDINCONFIDENCE.'IWASGUARDEDINMYANSWER,FORIWASTROUBLEDINMYMINDWITHWHATIHADHEARDANDSEEN."HERBREATHINGWASSODIFFICULTTOTRACE,THATICAREFULLYTRIEDTHEPULSEANDTHEHEART.THEREWASLIFE,ANDNOMORE.LOOKINGROUNDASIRESUMEDMYSEAT,IFOUNDBOTHTHEBROTHERSINTENTUPONME.*****"IWRITEWITHSOMUCHDIFFICULTY,THECOLDISSOSEVERE,IAMSOFEARFULOFBEINGDETECTEDANDCONSIGNEDTOANUNDERGROUNDCELLANDTOTALDARKNESS,THATIMUSTABRIDGETHISNARRATIVE.THEREISNOCONFUSIONORFAILUREINMYMEMORY;ITCANRECALL,ANDCOULDDETAIL,EVERYWORDTHATWASEVERSPOKENBETWEENMEANDTHOSEBROTHERS."SHELINGEREDFORAWEEK.TOWARDSTHELAST,ICOULDUNDERSTANDSOMEFEWSYLLABLESTHATSHESAIDTOME,BYPLACINGMYEARCLOSETOHERLIPS.SHEASKEDMEWHERESHEWAS,ANDITOLDHER;WHOIWAS,ANDITOLDHER.ITWASINVAINTHATIASKEDHERFORHERFAMILYNAME.SHEFAINTLYSHOOKHERHEADUPONTHEPILLOW,ANDKEPTHERSECRET,ASTHEBOYHADDONE."IHADNOOPPORTUNITYOFASKINGHERANYQUESTION,UNTILIHADTOLDTHEBROTHERSSHEWASSINKINGFAST,ANDCOULDNOTLIVEANOTHERDAY.UNTILTHEN,THOUGHNOONEWASEVERPRESENTEDTOHERCONSCIOUSNESSSAVETHEWOMANANDMYSELF,ONEOROTHEROFTHEMHADALWAYSJEALOUSLYSATBEHINDTHECURTAINATTHEHEADOFTHEBEDWHENIWASTHERE.BUTWHENITCAMETOTHAT,THEYSEEMEDCARELESSWHATCOMMUNICATIONIMIGHTHOLDWITHHER;ASIF--THETHOUGHTPASSEDTHROUGHMYMIND--IWEREDYINGTOO."IALWAYSOBSERVEDTHATTHEIRPRIDEBITTERLYRESENTEDTHEYOUNGERBROTHER'S(ASICALLHIM)HAVINGCROSSEDSWORDSWITHAPEASANT,ANDTHATPEASANTABOY.THEONLYCONSIDERATIONTHATAPPEAREDTOAFFECTTHEMINDOFEITHEROFTHEMWASTHECONSIDERATIONTHATTHISWASHIGHLYDEGRADINGTOTHEFAMILY,ANDWASRIDICULOUS.ASOFTENASICAUGHTTHEYOUNGERBROTHER'SEYES,THEIREXPRESSIONREMINDEDMETHATHEDISLIKEDMEDEEPLY,FORKNOWINGWHATIKNEWFROMTHEBOY.HEWASSMOOTHERANDMOREPOLITETOMETHANTHEELDER;BUTISAWTHIS.IALSOSAWTHATIWASANINCUMBRANCEINTHEMINDOFTHEELDER,TOO."MYPATIENTDIED,TWOHOURSBEFOREMIDNIGHT--ATATIME,BYMYWATCH,ANSWERINGALMOSTTOTHEMINUTEWHENIHADFIRSTSEENHER.IWASALONEWITHHER,WHENHERFORLORNYOUNGHEADDROOPEDGENTLYONONESIDE,ANDALLHEREARTHLYWRONGSANDSORROWSENDED."THEBROTHERSWEREWAITINGINAROOMDOWN-STAIRS,IMPATIENTTORIDEAWAY.IHADHEARDTHEM,ALONEATTHEBEDSIDE,STRIKINGTHEIRBOOTSWITHTHEIRRIDING-WHIPS,ANDLOITERINGUPANDDOWN."'ATLASTSHEISDEAD?'SAIDTHEELDER,WHENIWENTIN."'SHEISDEAD,'SAIDI."'ICONGRATULATEYOU,MYBROTHER,'WEREHISWORDSASHETURNEDROUND."HEHADBEFOREOFFEREDMEMONEY,WHICHIHADPOSTPONEDTAKING.HENOWGAVEMEAROULEAUOFGOLD.ITOOKITFROMHISHAND,BUTLAIDITONTHETABLE.IHADCONSIDEREDTHEQUESTION,ANDHADRESOLVEDTOACCEPTNOTHING."'PRAYEXCUSEME,'SAIDI.'UNDERTHE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HERBLOOMINGCHEEKAGAINSTHISFACE.HEPUTHERGENTLYFROMHIM,ANDLOOKEDATHERUNCONSCIOUSMOTHER."BEFOREIGO,"HESAID,ANDPAUSED--"IMAYKISSHER?"ITWASREMEMBEREDAFTERWARDSTHATWHENHEBENTDOWNANDTOUCHEDHERFACEWITHHISLIPS,HEMURMUREDSOMEWORDS.THECHILD,WHOWASNEARESTTOHIM,TOLDTHEMAFTERWARDS,ANDTOLDHERGRANDCHILDRENWHENSHEWASAHANDSOMEOLDLADY,THATSHEHEARDHIMSAY,"ALIFEYOULOVE."WHENHEHADGONEOUTINTOTHENEXTROOM,HETURNEDSUDDENLYONMR.LORRYANDHERFATHER,WHOWEREFOLLOWING,ANDSAIDTOTHELATTER:"YOUHADGREATINFLUENCEBUTYESTERDAY,DOCTORMANETTE;LETITATLEASTBETRIED.THESEJUDGES,ANDALLTHEMENINPOWER,AREVERYFRIENDLYTOYOU,ANDVERYRECOGNISANTOFYOURSERVICES;ARETHEYNOT?""NOTHINGCONNECTEDWITHCHARLESWASCONCEALEDFROMME.IHADTHESTRONGESTASSURANCESTHATISHOULDSAVEHIM;ANDIDID."HERETURNEDTHEANSWERINGREATTROUBLE,ANDVERYSLOWLY."TRYTHEMAGAIN.THEHOURSBETWEENTHISANDTO-MORROWAFTERNOONAREFEWANDSHORT,BUTTRY.""IINTENDTOTRY.IWILLNOTRESTAMOMENT.""THAT'SWELL.IHAVEKNOWNSUCHENERGYASYOURSDOGREATTHINGSBEFORENOW--THOUGHNEVER,"HEADDED,WITHASMILEANDASIGHTOGETHER,"SUCHGREATTHINGSASTHIS.BUTTRY!OFLITTLEWORTHASLIFEISWHENWEMISUSEIT,ITISWORTHTHATEFFORT.ITWOULDCOSTNOTHINGTOLAYDOWNIFITWERENOT.""IWILLGO,"SAIDDOCTORMANETTE,"TOTHEPROSECUTORANDTHEPRESIDENTSTRAIGHT,ANDIWILLGOTOOTHERSWHOMITISBETTERNOTTONAME.IWILLWRITETOO,AND--BUTSTAY!THEREISACELEBRATIONINTHESTREETS,ANDNOONEWILLBEACCESSIBLEUNTILDARK.""THAT'STRUE.WELL!ITISAFORLORNHOPEATTHEBEST,ANDNOTMUCHTHEFORLORNERFORBEINGDELAYEDTILLDARK.ISHOULDLIKETOKNOWHOWYOUSPEED;THOUGH,MIND!IEXPECTNOTHING!WHENAREYOULIKELYTOHAVESEENTHESEDREADPOWERS,DOCTORMANETTE?""IMMEDIATELYAFTERDARK,ISHOULDHOPE.WITHINANHOURORTWOFROMTHIS.""ITWILLBEDARKSOONAFTERFOUR.LETUSSTRETCHTHEHOURORTWO.IFIGOTOMR.LORRY'SATNINE,SHALLIHEARWHATYOUHAVEDONE,EITHERFROMOURFRIENDORFROMYOURSELF?""YES.""MAYYOUPROSPER!"MR.LORRYFOLLOWEDSYDNEYTOTHEOUTERDOOR,AND,TOUCHINGHIMONTHESHOULDERASHEWASGOINGAWAY,CAUSEDHIMTOTURN."IHAVENOHOPE,"SAIDMR.LORRY,INALOWANDSORROWFULWHISPER."NORHAVEI.""IFANYONEOFTHESEMEN,ORALLOFTHESEMEN,WEREDISPOSEDTOSPAREHIM--WHICHISALARGESUPPOSITION;FORWHATISHISLIFE,ORANYMAN'STOTHEM!--IDOUBTIFTHEYDURSTSPAREHIMAFTERTHEDEMONSTRATIONINTHECOURT.""ANDSODOI.IHEARDTHEFALLOFTHEAXEINTHATSOUND."MR.LORRYLEANEDHISARMUPONTHEDOOR-POST,ANDBOWEDHISFACEUPONIT."DON'TDESPOND,"SAIDCARTON,VERYGENTLY;"DON'TGRIEVE.IENCOURAGEDDOCTORMANETTEINTHISIDEA,BECAUSEIFELTTHATITMIGHTONEDAYBECONSOLATORYTOHER.OTHERWISE,SHEMIGHTTHINK'HISLIFEWASWANTONLYTHROWNAWAYORWASTED,'ANDTHATMIGHTTROUBLEHER.""YES,YES,YES,"RETURNEDMR.LORRY,DRYINGHISEYES,"YOUARERIGHT.BUTHEWILLPERISH;THEREISNOREALHOPE.""YES.HEWILLPERISH:THEREISNOREALHOPE,"ECHOEDCARTON.ANDWALKEDWITHASETTLEDSTEP,DOWN-STAIRS.XII.DARKNESSSYDNEYCARTONPAUSEDINTHESTREET,NOTQUITEDECIDEDWHERETOGO."ATTELLSON'SBANKING-HOUSEATNINE,"HESAID,WITHAMUSINGFACE."SHALLIDOWELL,INTHEMEANTIME,TOSHOWMYSELF?ITHINKSO.ITISBESTTHATTHESEPEOPLESHOULDKNOWTHEREISSUCHAMANASIHERE;ITISASOUNDPRECAUTION,ANDMAYBEANECESSARYPREPARATION.BUTCARE,CARE,CARE!LETMETHINKITOUT!"CHECKINGHISSTEPSWHICHHADBEGUNTOTENDTOWARDSANOBJECT,HETOOKATURNORTWOINTHEALREADYDARKENINGSTREET,ANDTRACEDTHETHOUGHTINHISMINDTOITSPOSSIBLECONSEQUENCES.HISFIRSTIMPRESSIONWASCONFIRMED."ITISBEST,"HESAID,FINALLYRESOLVED,"THATTHESEPEOPLESHOULDKNOWTHEREISSUCHAMANASIHERE."ANDHETURNEDHISFACETOWARDSSAINTANTOINE.DEFARGEHADDESCRIBEDHIMSELF,THATDAY,ASTHEKEEPEROFAWINE-SHOPINTHESAINTANTOINESUBURB.ITWASNOTDIFFICULTFORONEWHOKNEWTHECITYWELL,TOFINDHISHOUSEWITHOUTASKINGANYQUESTION.HAVINGASCERTAINEDITSSITUATION,CARTONCAMEOUTOFTHOSECLOSERSTREETSAGAIN,ANDDINEDATAPLACEOFREFRESHMENTANDFELLSOUNDASLEEPAFTERDINNER.FORTHEFIRSTTIMEINMANYYEARS,HEHADNOSTRONGDRINK.SINCELASTNIGHTHEHADTAKENNOTHINGBUTALITTLELIGHTTHINWINE,ANDLASTNIGHTHEHADDROPPEDTHEBRANDYSLOWLYDOWNONMR.LORRY'SHEARTHLIKEAMANWHOHADDONEWITHIT.ITWASASLATEASSEVENO'CLOCKWHENHEAWOKEREFRESHED,ANDWENTOUTINTOTHESTREETSAGAIN.ASHEPASSEDALONGTOWARDSSAINTANTOINE,HESTOPPEDATASHOP-WINDOWWHERETHEREWASAMIRROR,ANDSLIGHTLYALTEREDTHEDISORDEREDARRANGEMENTOFHISLOOSECRAVAT,ANDHISCOAT-COLLAR,ANDHISWILDHAIR.THISDONE,HEWENTONDIRECTTODEFARGE'S,ANDWENTIN.THEREHAPPENEDTOBENOCUSTOMERINTHESHOPBUTJACQUESTHREE,OFTHERESTLESSFINGERSANDTHECROAKINGVOICE.THISMAN,WHOMHEHADSEENUPONTHEJURY,STOODDRINKINGATTHELITTLECOUNTER,INCONVERSATIONWITHTHEDEFARGES,MANANDWIFE.THEVENGEANCEASSISTEDINTHECONVERSATION,LIKEAREGULARMEMBEROFTHEESTABLISHMENT.ASCARTONWALKEDIN,TOOKHISSEATANDASKED(INVERYINDIFFERENTFRENCH)FORASMALLMEASUREOFWINE,MADAMEDEFARGECASTACARELESSGLANCEATHIM,ANDTHENAKEENER,ANDTHENAKEENER,ANDTHENADVANCEDTOHIMHERSELF,ANDASKEDHIMWHATITWASHEHADORDERED.HEREPEATEDWHATHEHADALREADYSAID."ENGLISH?"ASKEDMADAMEDEFARGE,INQUISITIVELYRAISINGHERDARKEYEBROWS.AFTERLOOKINGATHER,ASIFTHESOUNDOFEVENASINGLEFRENCHWORDWERESLOWTOEXPRESSITSELFTOHIM,HEANSWERED,INHISFORMERSTRONGFOREIGNACCENT."YES,MADAME,YES.IAMENGLISH!"MADAMEDEFARGERETURNEDTOHERCOUNTERTOGETTHEWINE,AND,ASHETOOKUPAJACOBINJOURNALANDFEIGNEDTOPOREOVERITPUZZLINGOUTITSMEANING,HEHEARDHERSAY,"ISWEARTOYOU,LIKEEVREMONDE!"DEFARGEBROUGHTHIMTHEWINE,ANDGAVEHIMGOODEVENING."HOW?""GOODEVENING.""OH!GOODEVENING,CITIZEN,"FILLINGHISGLASS."AH!ANDGOODWINE.IDRINKTOTHEREPUBLIC."DEFARGEWENTBACKTOTHECOUNTER,ANDSAID,"CERTAINLY,ALITTLELIKE."MADAMESTERNLYRETORTED,"ITELLYOUAGOODDEALLIKE."JACQUESTHREEPACIFICALLYREMARKED,"HEISSOMUCHINYOURMIND,SEEYOU,MADAME."THEAMIABLEVENGEANCEADDED,WITHALAUGH,"YES,MYFAITH!ANDYOUARELOOKINGFORWARDWITHSOMUCHPLEASURETOSEEINGHIMONCEMORETO-MORROW!"CARTONFOLLOWEDTHELINESANDWORDSOFHISPAPER,WITHASLOWFOREFINGER,ANDWITHASTUDIOUSANDABSORBEDFACE.THEYWEREALLLEANINGTHEIRARMSONTHECOUNTERCLOSETOGETHER,SPEAKINGLOW.AFTERASILENCEOFAFEWMOMENTS,DURINGWHICHTHEYALLLOOKEDTOWARDSHIMWITHOUTDISTURBINGHISOUTWARDATTENTIONFROMTHEJACOBINEDITOR,THEYRESUMEDTHEIRCONVERSATION."ITISTRUEWHATMADAMESAYS,"OBSERVEDJACQUESTHREE."WHYSTOP?THEREISGREATFORCEINTHAT.WHYSTOP?""WELL,WELL,"REASONEDDEFARGE,"BUTONEMUSTSTOPSOMEWHERE.AFTERALL,THEQUESTIONISSTILLWHERE?""ATEXTERMINATION,"SAIDMADAME."MAGNIFICENT!"CROAKEDJACQUESTHREE.THEVENGEANCE,ALSO,HIGHLYAPPROVED."EXTERMINATIONISGOODDOCTRINE,MYWIFE,"SAIDDEFARGE,RATHERTROUBLED;"INGENERAL,ISAYNOTHINGAGAINSTIT.BUTTHISDOCTORHASSUFFEREDMUCH;YOUHAVESEENHIMTO-DAY;YOUHAVEOBSERVEDHISFACEWHENTHEPAPERWASREAD.""IHAVEOBSERVEDHISFACE!"REPEATEDMADAME,CONTEMPTUOUSLYANDANGRILY."YES.IHAVEOBSERVEDHISFACE.IHAVEOBSERVEDHISFACETOBENOTTHEFACEOFATRUEFRIENDOFTHEREPUBLIC.LETHIMTAKECAREOFHISFACE!""ANDYOUHAVEOBSERVED,MYWIFE,"SAIDDEFARGE,INADEPRECATORYMANNER,"THEANGUISHOFHISDAUGHTER,WHICHMUSTBEADREADFULANGUISHTOHIM!""IHAVEOBSERVEDHISDAUGHTER,"REPEATEDMADAME;"YES,IHAVEOBSERVEDHISDAUGHTER,MORETIMESTHANONE.IHAVEOBSERVEDHERTO-DAY,ANDIHAVEOBSERVEDHEROTHERDAYS.IHAVEOBSERVEDHERINTHECOURT,ANDIHAVEOBSERVEDHERINTHESTREETBYTHEPRISON.LETMEBUTLIFTMYFINGER--!"SHESEEMEDTORAISEIT(THELISTENER'SEYESWEREALWAYSONHISPAPER),ANDTOLETITFALLWITHARATTLEONTHELEDGEBEFOREHER,ASIFTHEAXEHADDROPPED."THECITIZENESSISSUPERB!"CROAKEDTHEJURYMAN."SHEISANANGEL!"SAIDTHEVENGEANCE,ANDEMBRACEDHER."ASTOTHEE,"PURSUEDMADAME,IMPLACABLY,ADDRESSINGHERHUSBAND,"IFITDEPENDEDONTHEE--WHICH,HAPPILY,ITDOESNOT--THOUWOULDSTRESCUETHISMANEVENNOW.""NO!"PROTESTEDDEFARGE."NOTIFTOLIFTTHISGLASSWOULDDOIT!BUTIWOULDLEAVETHEMATTERTHERE.ISAY,STOPTHERE.""SEEYOUTHEN,JACQUES,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,WRATHFULLY;"ANDSEEYOU,TOO,MYLITTLEVENGEANCE;SEEYOUBOTH!LISTEN!FOROTHERCRIMESASTYRANTSANDOPPRESSORS,IHAVETHISRACEALONGTIMEONMYREGISTER,DOOMEDTODESTRUCTIONANDEXTERMINATION.ASKMYHUSBAND,ISTHATSO.""ITISSO,"ASSENTEDDEFARGE,WITHOUTBEINGASKED."INTHEBEGINNINGOFTHEGREATDAYS,WHENTHEBASTILLEFALLS,HEFINDSTHISPAPEROFTO-DAY,ANDHEBRINGSITHOME,ANDINTHEMIDDLEOFTHENIGHTWHENTHISPLACEISCLEARANDSHUT,WEREADIT,HEREONTHISSPOT,BYTHELIGHTOFTHISLAMP.ASKHIM,ISTHATSO.""ITISSO,"ASSENTEDDEFARGE."THATNIGHT,ITELLHIM,WHENTHEPAPERISREADTHROUGH,ANDTHELAMPISBURNTOUT,ANDTHEDAYISGLEAMINGINABOVETHOSESHUTTERSANDBETWEENTHOSEIRONBARS,THATIHAVENOWASECRETTOCOMMUNICATE.ASKHIM,ISTHATSO.""ITISSO,"ASSENTEDDEFARGEAGAIN."ICOMMUNICATETOHIMTHATSECRET.ISMITETHISBOSOMWITHTHESETWOHANDSASISMITEITNOW,ANDITELLHIM,'DEFARGE,IWASBROUGHTUPAMONGTHEFISHERMENOFTHESEA-SHORE,ANDTHATPEASANTFAMILYSOINJUREDBYTHETWOEVREMONDEBROTHERS,ASTHATBASTILLEPAPERDESCRIBES,ISMYFAMILY.DEFARGE,THATSISTEROFTHEMORTALLYWOUNDEDBOYUPONTHEGROUNDWASMYSISTER,THATHUSBANDWASMYSISTER'SHUSBAND,THATUNBORNCHILDWASTHEIRCHILD,THATBROTHERWASMYBROTHER,THATFATHERWASMYFATHER,THOSEDEADAREMYDEAD,ANDTHATSUMMONSTOANSWERFORTHOSETHINGSDESCENDSTOME!'ASKHIM,ISTHATSO.""ITISSO,"ASSENTEDDEFARGEONCEMORE."THENTELLWINDANDFIREWHERETOSTOP,"RETURNEDMADAME;"BUTDON'TTELLME."BOTHHERHEARERSDERIVEDAHORRIBLEENJOYMENTFROMTHEDEADLYNATUREOFHERWRATH--THELISTENERCOULDFEELHOWWHITESHEWAS,WITHOUTSEEINGHER--ANDBOTHHIGHLYCOMMENDEDIT.DEFARGE,AWEAKMINORITY,INTERPOSEDAFEWWORDSFORTHEMEMORYOFTHECOMPASSIONATEWIFEOFTHEMARQUIS;BUTONLYELICITEDFROMHISOWNWIFEAREPETITIONOFHERLASTREPLY."TELLTHEWINDANDTHEFIREWHERETOSTOP;NOTME!"CUSTOMERSENTERED,ANDTHEGROUPWASBROKENUP.THEENGLISHCUSTOMERPAIDFORWHATHEHADHAD,PERPLEXEDLYCOUNTEDHISCHANGE,ANDASKED,ASASTRANGER,TOBEDIRECTEDTOWARDSTHENATIONALPALACE.MADAMEDEFARGETOOKHIMTOTHEDOOR,ANDPUTHERARMONHIS,INPOINTINGOUTTHEROAD.THEENGLISHCUSTOMERWASNOTWITHOUTHISREFLECTIONSTHEN,THATITMIGHTBEAGOODDEEDTOSEIZETHATARM,LIFTIT,ANDSTRIKEUNDERITSHARPANDDEEP.BUT,HEWENTHISWAY,ANDWASSOONSWALLOWEDUPINTHESHADOWOFTHEPRISONWALL.ATTHEAPPOINTEDHOUR,HEEMERGEDFROMITTOPRESENTHIMSELFINMR.LORRY'SROOMAGAIN,WHEREHEFOUNDTHEOLDGENTLEMANWALKINGTOANDFROINRESTLESSANXIETY.HESAIDHEHADBEENWITHLUCIEUNTILJUSTNOW,ANDHADONLYLEFTHERFORAFEWMINUTES,TOCOMEANDKEEPHISAPPOINTMENT.HERFATHERHADNOTBEENSEEN,SINCEHEQUITTEDTHEBANKING-HOUSETOWARDSFOURO'CLOCK.SHEHADSOMEFAINTHOPESTHATHISMEDIATIONMIGHTSAVECHARLES,BUTTHEYWEREVERYSLIGHT.HEHADBEENMORETHANFIVEHOURSGONE:WHERECOULDHEBE?MR.LORRYWAITEDUNTILTEN;BUT,DOCTORMANETTENOTRETURNING,ANDHEBEINGUNWILLINGTOLEAVELUCIEANYLONGER,ITWASARRANGEDTHATHESHOULDGOBACKTOHER,ANDCOMETOTHEBANKING-HOUSEAGAINATMIDNIGHT.INTHEMEANWHILE,CARTONWOULDWAITALONEBYTHEFIREFORTHEDOCTOR.HEWAITEDANDWAITED,ANDTHECLOCKSTRUCKTWELVE;BUTDOCTORMANETTEDIDNOTCOMEBACK.MR.LORRYRETURNED,ANDFOUNDNOTIDINGSOFHIM,ANDBROUGHTNONE.WHERECOULDHEBE?THEYWEREDISCUSSINGTHISQUESTION,ANDWEREALMOSTBUILDINGUPSOMEWEAKSTRUCTUREOFHOPEONHISPR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IRLIKETHISOFMINE!"WITHWONDERFULQUICKNESS,ANDWITHASTRENGTHBOTHOFWILLANDACTION,THATAPPEAREDQUITESUPERNATURAL,HEFORCEDALLTHESECHANGESUPONHIM.THEPRISONERWASLIKEAYOUNGCHILDINHISHANDS."CARTON!DEARCARTON!ITISMADNESS.ITCANNOTBEACCOMPLISHED,ITNEVERCANBEDONE,ITHASBEENATTEMPTED,ANDHASALWAYSFAILED.IIMPLOREYOUNOTTOADDYOURDEATHTOTHEBITTERNESSOFMINE.""DOIASKYOU,MYDEARDARNAY,TOPASSTHEDOOR?WHENIASKTHAT,REFUSE.THEREAREPENANDINKANDPAPERONTHISTABLE.ISYOURHANDSTEADYENOUGHTOWRITE?""ITWASWHENYOUCAMEIN.""STEADYITAGAIN,ANDWRITEWHATISHALLDICTATE.QUICK,FRIEND,QUICK!"PRESSINGHISHANDTOHISBEWILDEREDHEAD,DARNAYSATDOWNATTHETABLE.CARTON,WITHHISRIGHTHANDINHISBREAST,STOODCLOSEBESIDEHIM."WRITEEXACTLYASISPEAK.""TOWHOMDOIADDRESSIT?""TONOONE."CARTONSTILLHADHISHANDINHISBREAST."DOIDATEIT?""NO."THEPRISONERLOOKEDUP,ATEACHQUESTION.CARTON,STANDINGOVERHIMWITHHISHANDINHISBREAST,LOOKEDDOWN."'IFYOUREMEMBER,'"SAIDCARTON,DICTATING,"'THEWORDSTHATPASSEDBETWEENUS,LONGAGO,YOUWILLREADILYCOMPREHENDTHISWHENYOUSEEIT.YOUDOREMEMBERTHEM,IKNOW.ITISNOTINYOURNATURETOFORGETTHEM.'"HEWASDRAWINGHISHANDFROMHISBREAST;THEPRISONERCHANCINGTOLOOKUPINHISHURRIEDWONDERASHEWROTE,THEHANDSTOPPED,CLOSINGUPONSOMETHING."HAVEYOUWRITTEN'FORGETTHEM'?"CARTONASKED."IHAVE.ISTHATAWEAPONINYOURHAND?""NO;IAMNOTARMED.""WHATISITINYOURHAND?""YOUSHALLKNOWDIRECTLY.WRITEON;THEREAREBUTAFEWWORDSMORE."HEDICTATEDAGAIN."'IAMTHANKFULTHATTHETIMEHASCOME,WHENICANPROVETHEM.THATIDOSOISNOSUBJECTFORREGRETORGRIEF.'"ASHESAIDTHESEWORDSWITHHISEYESFIXEDONTHEWRITER,HISHANDSLOWLYANDSOFTLYMOVEDDOWNCLOSETOTHEWRITER'SFACE.THEPENDROPPEDFROMDARNAY'SFINGERSONTHETABLE,ANDHELOOKEDABOUTHIMVACANTLY."WHATVAPOURISTHAT?"HEASKED."VAPOUR?""SOMETHINGTHATCROSSEDME?""IAMCONSCIOUSOFNOTHING;THERECANBENOTHINGHERE.TAKEUPTHEPENANDFINISH.HURRY,HURRY!"ASIFHISMEMORYWEREIMPAIRED,ORHISFACULTIESDISORDERED,THEPRISONERMADEANEFFORTTORALLYHISATTENTION.ASHELOOKEDATCARTONWITHCLOUDEDEYESANDWITHANALTEREDMANNEROFBREATHING,CARTON--HISHANDAGAININHISBREAST--LOOKEDSTEADILYATHIM."HURRY,HURRY!"THEPRISONERBENTOVERTHEPAPER,ONCEMORE."'IFITHADBEENOTHERWISE;'"CARTON'SHANDWASAGAINWATCHFULLYANDSOFTLYSTEALINGDOWN;"'INEVERSHOULDHAVEUSEDTHELONGEROPPORTUNITY.IFITHADBEENOTHERWISE;'"THEHANDWASATTHEPRISONER'SFACE;"'ISHOULDBUTHAVEHADSOMUCHTHEMORETOANSWERFOR.IFITHADBEENOTHERWISE--'"CARTONLOOKEDATTHEPENANDSAWITWASTRAILINGOFFINTOUNINTELLIGIBLESIGNS.CARTON'SHANDMOVEDBACKTOHISBREASTNOMORE.THEPRISONERSPRANGUPWITHAREPROACHFULLOOK,BUTCARTON'SHANDWASCLOSEANDFIRMATHISNOSTRILS,ANDCARTON'SLEFTARMCAUGHTHIMROUNDTHEWAIST.FORAFEWSECONDSHEFAINTLYSTRUGGLEDWITHTHEMANWHOHADCOMETOLAYDOWNHISLIFEFORHIM;BUT,WITHINAMINUTEORSO,HEWASSTRETCHEDINSENSIBLEONTHEGROUND.QUICKLY,BUTWITHHANDSASTRUETOTHEPURPOSEASHISHEARTWAS,CARTONDRESSEDHIMSELFINTHECLOTHESTHEPRISONERHADLAIDASIDE,COMBEDBACKHISHAIR,ANDTIEDITWITHTHERIBBONTHEPRISONERHADWORN.THEN,HESOFTLYCALLED,"ENTERTHERE!COMEIN!"ANDTHESPYPRESENTEDHIMSELF."YOUSEE?"SAIDCARTON,LOOKINGUP,ASHEKNEELEDONONEKNEEBESIDETHEINSENSIBLEFIGURE,PUTTINGTHEPAPERINTHEBREAST:"ISYOURHAZARDVERYGREAT?""MR.CARTON,"THESPYANSWERED,WITHATIMIDSNAPOFHISFINGERS,"MYHAZARDISNOT_THAT_,INTHETHICKOFBUSINESSHERE,IFYOUARETRUETOTHEWHOLEOFYOURBARGAIN.""DON'TFEARME.IWILLBETRUETOTHEDEATH.""YOUMUSTBE,MR.CARTON,IFTHETALEOFFIFTY-TWOISTOBERIGHT.BEINGMADERIGHTBYYOUINTHATDRESS,ISHALLHAVENOFEAR.""HAVENOFEAR!ISHALLSOONBEOUTOFTHEWAYOFHARMINGYOU,ANDTHERESTWILLSOONBEFARFROMHERE,PLEASEGOD!NOW,GETASSISTANCEANDTAKEMETOTHECOACH.""YOU?"SAIDTHESPYNERVOUSLY."HIM,MAN,WITHWHOMIHAVEEXCHANGED.YOUGOOUTATTHEGATEBYWHICHYOUBROUGHTMEIN?""OFCOURSE.""IWASWEAKANDFAINTWHENYOUBROUGHTMEIN,ANDIAMFAINTERNOWYOUTAKEMEOUT.THEPARTINGINTERVIEWHASOVERPOWEREDME.SUCHATHINGHASHAPPENEDHERE,OFTEN,ANDTOOOFTEN.YOURLIFEISINYOUROWNHANDS.QUICK!CALLASSISTANCE!""YOUSWEARNOTTOBETRAYME?"SAIDTHETREMBLINGSPY,ASHEPAUSEDFORALASTMOMENT."MAN,MAN!"RETURNEDCARTON,STAMPINGHISFOOT;"HAVEISWORNBYNOSOLEMNVOWALREADY,TOGOTHROUGHWITHTHIS,THATYOUWASTETHEPRECIOUSMOMENTSNOW?TAKEHIMYOURSELFTOTHECOURTYARDYOUKNOWOF,PLACEHIMYOURSELFINTHECARRIAGE,SHOWHIMYOURSELFTOMR.LORRY,TELLHIMYOURSELFTOGIVEHIMNORESTORATIVEBUTAIR,ANDTOREMEMBERMYWORDSOFLASTNIGHT,ANDHISPROMISEOFLASTNIGHT,ANDDRIVEAWAY!"THESPYWITHDREW,ANDCARTONSEATEDHIMSELFATTHETABLE,RESTINGHISFOREHEADONHISHANDS.THESPYRETURNEDIMMEDIATELY,WITHTWOMEN."HOW,THEN?"SAIDONEOFTHEM,CONTEMPLATINGTHEFALLENFIGURE."SOAFFLICTEDTOFINDTHATHISFRIENDHASDRAWNAPRIZEINTHELOTTERYOFSAINTEGUILLOTINE?""AGOODPATRIOT,"SAIDTHEOTHER,"COULDHARDLYHAVEBEENMOREAFFLICTEDIFTHEARISTOCRATHADDRAWNABLANK."THEYRAISEDTHEUNCONSCIOUSFIGURE,PLACEDITONALITTERTHEYHADBROUGHTTOTHEDOOR,ANDBENTTOCARRYITAWAY."THETIMEISSHORT,EVREMONDE,"SAIDTHESPY,INAWARNINGVOICE."IKNOWITWELL,"ANSWEREDCARTON."BECAREFULOFMYFRIEND,IENTREATYOU,ANDLEAVEME.""COME,THEN,MYCHILDREN,"SAIDBARSAD."LIFTHIM,ANDCOMEAWAY!"THEDOORCLOSED,ANDCARTONWASLEFTALONE.STRAININGHISPOWERSOFLISTENINGTOTHEUTMOST,HELISTENEDFORANYSOUNDTHATMIGHTDENOTESUSPICIONORALARM.THEREWASNONE.KEYSTURNED,DOORSCLASHED,FOOTSTEPSPASSEDALONGDISTANTPASSAGES:NOCRYWASRAISED,ORHURRYMADE,THATSEEMEDUNUSUAL.BREATHINGMOREFREELYINALITTLEWHILE,HESATDOWNATTHETABLE,ANDLIS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RROAD?ISNOTTHISTHESAMEPLACETWICEOVER?THANKHEAVEN,NO.AVILLAGE.LOOKBACK,LOOKBACK,ANDSEEIFWEAREPURSUED!HUSH!THEPOSTING-HOUSE.LEISURELY,OURFOURHORSESARETAKENOUT;LEISURELY,THECOACHSTANDSINTHELITTLESTREET,BEREFTOFHORSES,ANDWITHNOLIKELIHOODUPONITOFEVERMOVINGAGAIN;LEISURELY,THENEWHORSESCOMEINTOVISIBLEEXISTENCE,ONEBYONE;LEISURELY,THENEWPOSTILIONSFOLLOW,SUCKINGANDPLAITINGTHELASHESOFTHEIRWHIPS;LEISURELY,THEOLDPOSTILIONSCOUNTTHEIRMONEY,MAKEWRONGADDITIONS,ANDARRIVEATDISSATISFIEDRESULTS.ALLTHETIME,OUROVERFRAUGHTHEARTSAREBEATINGATARATETHATWOULDFAROUTSTRIPTHEFASTESTGALLOPOFTHEFASTESTHORSESEVERFOALED.ATLENGTHTHENEWPOSTILIONSAREINTHEIRSADDLES,ANDTHEOLDARELEFTBEHIND.WEARETHROUGHTHEVILLAGE,UPTHEHILL,ANDDOWNTHEHILL,ANDONTHELOWWATERYGROUNDS.SUDDENLY,THEPOSTILIONSEXCHANGESPEECHWITHANIMATEDGESTICULATION,ANDTHEHORSESAREPULLEDUP,ALMOSTONTHEIRHAUNCHES.WEAREPURSUED?"HO!WITHINTHECARRIAGETHERE.SPEAKTHEN!""WHATISIT?"ASKSMR.LORRY,LOOKINGOUTATWINDOW."HOWMANYDIDTHEYSAY?""IDONOTUNDERSTANDYOU.""--ATTHELASTPOST.HOWMANYTOTHEGUILLOTINETO-DAY?""FIFTY-TWO.""ISAIDSO!ABRAVENUMBER!MYFELLOW-CITIZENHEREWOULDHAVEITFORTY-TWO;TENMOREHEADSAREWORTHHAVING.THEGUILLOTINEGOESHANDSOMELY.ILOVEIT.HIFORWARD.WHOOP!"THENIGHTCOMESONDARK.HEMOVESMORE;HEISBEGINNINGTOREVIVE,ANDTOSPEAKINTELLIGIBLY;HETHINKSTHEYARESTILLTOGETHER;HEASKSHIM,BYHISNAME,WHATHEHASINHISHAND.OPITYUS,KINDHEAVEN,ANDHELPUS!LOOKOUT,LOOKOUT,ANDSEEIFWEAREPURSUED.THEWINDISRUSHINGAFTERUS,ANDTHECLOUDSAREFLYINGAFTERUS,ANDTHEMOONISPLUNGINGAFTERUS,ANDTHEWHOLEWILDNIGHTISINPURSUITOFUS;BUT,SOFAR,WEAREPURSUEDBYNOTHINGELSE.XIV.THEKNITTINGDONEINTHATSAMEJUNCTUREOFTIMEWHENTHEFIFTY-TWOAWAITEDTHEIRFATEMADAMEDEFARGEHELDDARKLYOMINOUSCOUNCILWITHTHEVENGEANCEANDJACQUESTHREEOFTHEREVOLUTIONARYJURY.NOTINTHEWINE-SHOPDIDMADAMEDEFARGECONFERWITHTHESEMINISTERS,BUTINTHESHEDOFTHEWOOD-SAWYER,ERSTAMENDEROFROADS.THESAWYERHIMSELFDIDNOTPARTICIPATEINTHECONFERENCE,BUTABIDEDATALITTLEDISTANCE,LIKEANOUTERSATELLITEWHOWASNOTTOSPEAKUNTILREQUIRED,ORTOOFFERANOPINIONUNTILINVITED."BUTOURDEFARGE,"SAIDJACQUESTHREE,"ISUNDOUBTEDLYAGOODREPUBLICAN?EH?""THEREISNOBETTER,"THEVOLUBLEVENGEANCEPROTESTEDINHERSHRILLNOTES,"INFRANCE.""PEACE,LITTLEVENGEANCE,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,LAYINGHERHANDWITHASLIGHTFROWNONHERLIEUTENANT'SLIPS,"HEARMESPEAK.MYHUSBAND,FELLOW-CITIZEN,ISAGOODREPUBLICANANDABOLDMAN;HEHASDESERVEDWELLOFTHEREPUBLIC,ANDPOSSESSESITSCONFIDENCE.BUTMYHUSBANDHASHISWEAKNESSES,ANDHEISSOWEAKASTORELENTTOWARDSTHISDOCTOR.""ITISAGREATPITY,"CROAKEDJACQUESTHREE,DUBIOUSLYSHAKINGHISHEAD,WITHHISCRUELFINGERSATHISHUNGRYMOUTH;"ITISNOTQUITELIKEAGOODCITIZEN;ITISATHINGTOREGRET.""SEEYOU,"SAIDMADAME,"ICARENOTHINGFORTHISDOCTOR,I.HEMAYWEARHISHEADORLOSEIT,FORANYINTERESTIHAVEINHIM;ITISALLONETOME.BUT,THEEVREMONDEPEOPLEARETOBEEXTERMINATED,ANDTHEWIFEANDCHILDMUSTFOLLOWTHEHUSBANDANDFATHER.""SHEHASAFINEHEADFORIT,"CROAKEDJACQUESTHREE."IHAVESEENBLUEEYESANDGOLDENHAIRTHERE,ANDTHEYLOOKEDCHARMINGWHENSAMSONHELDTHEMUP."OGRETHATHEWAS,HESPOKELIKEANEPICURE.MADAMEDEFARGECASTDOWNHEREYES,ANDREFLECTEDALITTLE."THECHILDALSO,"OBSERVEDJACQUESTHREE,WITHAMEDITATIVEENJOYMENTOFHISWORDS,"HASGOLDENHAIRANDBLUEEYES.ANDWESELDOMHAVEACHILDTHERE.ITISAPRETTYSIGHT!""INAWORD,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,COMINGOUTOFHERSHORTABSTRACTION,"ICANNOTTRUSTMYHUSBANDINTHISMATTER.NOTONLYDOIFEEL,SINCELASTNIGHT,THATIDARENOTCONFIDETOHIMTHEDETAILSOFMYPROJECTS;BUTALSOIFEELTHATIFIDELAY,THEREISDANGEROFHISGIVINGWARNING,ANDTHENTHEYMIGHTESCAPE.""THATMUSTNEVERBE,"CROAKEDJACQUESTHREE;"NOONEMUSTESCAPE.WEHAVENOTHALFENOUGHASITIS.WEOUGHTTOHAVESIXSCOREADAY.""INAWORD,"MADAMEDEFARGEWENTON,"MYHUSBANDHASNOTMYREASONFORPURSUINGTHISFAMILYTOANNIHILATION,ANDIHAVENOTHISREASONFORREGARDINGTHISDOCTORWITHANYSENSIBILITY.IMUSTACTFORMYSELF,THEREFORE.COMEHITHER,LITTLECITIZEN."THEWOOD-SAWYER,WHOHELDHERINTHERESPECT,ANDHIMSELFINTHESUBMISSION,OFMORTALFEAR,ADVANCEDWITHHISHANDTOHISREDCAP."TOUCHINGTHOSESIGNALS,LITTLECITIZEN,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,STERNLY,"THATSHEMADETOTHEPRISONERS;YOUAREREADYTOBEARWITNESSTOTHEMTHISVERYDAY?""AY,AY,WHYNOT!"CRIEDTHESAWYER."EVERYDAY,INALLWEATHERS,FROMTWOTOFOUR,ALWAYSSIGNALLING,SOMETIMESWITHTHELITTLEONE,SOMETIMESWITHOUT.IKNOWWHATIKNOW.IHAVESEENWITHMYEYES."HEMADEALLMANNEROFGESTURESWHILEHESPOKE,ASIFININCIDENTALIMITATIONOFSOMEFEWOFTHEGREATDIVERSITYOFSIGNALSTHATHEHADNEVERSEEN."CLEARLYPLOTS,"SAIDJACQUESTHREE."TRANSPARENTLY!""THEREISNODOUBTOFTHEJURY?"INQUIREDMADAMEDEFARGE,LETTINGHEREYESTURNTOHIMWITHAGLOOMYSMILE."RELYUPONTHEPATRIOTICJURY,DEARCITIZENESS.IANSWERFORMYFELLOW-JURYMEN.""NOW,LETMESEE,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,PONDERINGAGAIN."YETONCEMORE!CANISPARETHISDOCTORTOMYHUSBAND?IHAVENOFEELINGEITHERWAY.CANISPAREHIM?""HEWOULDCOUNTASONEHEAD,"OBSERVEDJACQUESTHREE,INALOWVOICE."WEREALLYHAVENOTHEADSENOUGH;ITWOULDBEAPITY,ITHINK.""HEWASSIGNALLINGWITHHERWHENISAWHER,"ARGUEDMADAMEDEFARGE;"ICANNOTSPEAKOFONEWITHOUTTHEOTHER;ANDIMUSTNOTBESILENT,ANDTRUSTTHECASEWHOLLYTOHIM,THISLITTLECITIZENHERE.FOR,IAMNOTABADWITNESS."THEVENGEANCEANDJACQUESTHREEVIEDWITHEACHOTHERINTHEIRFERVENTPROTESTATIONSTHATSHEWASTHEMOSTADMIRABLEANDMARVELLOUSOFWITNESSES.THELITTLECITIZEN,NOTTOBEOUTDONE,DECLAREDHERTOBEACELESTIALWITNESS."HEMUSTTAKEHISCHANCE,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE."NO,ICANNOTSPAREHIM!YOUAREENGAGEDATTHREEO'CLOCK;YOUAREGOINGTOSEETHEBATCHOFTO-DAYEXECUTED.--YOU?"THEQUESTIONWASADDRESSEDTOTHEWOOD-SAWYER,WHOHURRIEDLYREPLIEDINTHEAFFIRMATIVE:SEIZINGTHEOCCASIONTOADDTHATHEWASTHEMOSTARDENTOFREPUBLICANS,ANDTHATHEWOULDBEINEFFECTTHEMOSTDESOLATEOFREPUBLICANS,IFANYTHINGPREVENTEDHIMFROMENJOYINGTHEPLEASUREOFSMOKINGHISAFTERNOONPIPEINTHECONTEMPLATIONOFTHEDROLLNATIONALBARBER.HEWASSOVERYDEMONSTRATIVEHEREIN,THATHEMIGHTHAVEBEENSUSPECTED(PERHAPSWAS,BYTHEDARKEYESTHATLOOKEDCONTEMPTUOUSLYATHIMOUTOFMADAMEDEFARGE'SHEAD)OFHAVINGHISSMALLINDIVIDUALFEARSFORHISOWNPERSONALSAFETY,EVERYHOURINTHEDAY."I,"SAIDMADAME,"AMEQUALLYENGAGEDATTHESAMEPLACE.AFTERITISOVER--SAYATEIGHTTO-NIGHT--COMEYOUTOME,INSAINTANTOINE,ANDWEWILLGIVEINFORMATIONAGAINSTTHESEPEOPLEATMYSECTION."THEWOOD-SAWYERSAIDHEWOULDBEPROUDANDFLATTEREDTOATTENDTHECITIZENESS.THECITIZENESSLOOKINGATHIM,HEBECAMEEMBARRASSED,EVADEDHERGLANCEASASMALLDOGWOULDHAVEDONE,RETREATEDAMONGHISWOOD,ANDHIDHISCONFUSIONOVERTHEHANDLEOFHISSAW.MADAMEDEFARGEBECKONEDTHEJURYMANANDTHEVENGEANCEALITTLENEARERTOTHEDOOR,ANDTHEREEXPOUNDEDHERFURTHERVIEWSTOTHEMTHUS:"SHEWILLNOWBEATHOME,AWAITINGTHEMOMENTOFHISDEATH.SHEWILLBEMOURNINGANDGRIEVING.SHEWILLBEINASTATEOFMINDTOIMPEACHTHEJUSTICEOFTHEREPUBLIC.SHEWILLBEFULLOFSYMPATHYWITHITSENEMIES.IWILLGOTOHER.""WHATANADMIRABLEWOMAN;WHATANADORABLEWOMAN!"EXCLAIMEDJACQUESTHREE,RAPTUROUSLY."AH,MYCHERISHED!"CRIEDTHEVENGEANCE;ANDEMBRACEDHER."TAKEYOUMYKNITTING,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,PLACINGITINHERLIEUTENANT'SHANDS,"ANDHAVEITREADYFORMEINMYUSUALSEAT.KEEPMEMYUSUALCHAIR.GOYOUTHERE,STRAIGHT,FORTHEREWILLPROBABLYBEAGREATERCONCOURSETHANUSUAL,TO-DAY.""IWILLINGLYOBEYTHEORDERSOFMYCHIEF,"SAIDTHEVENGEANCEWITHALACRITY,ANDKISSINGHERCHEEK."YOUWILLNOTBELATE?""ISHALLBETHEREBEFORETHECOMMENCEMENT.""ANDBEFORETHETUMBRILSARRIVE.BESUREYOUARETHERE,MYSOUL,"SAIDTHEVENGEANCE,CALLINGAFTERHER,FORSHEHADALREADYTURNEDINTOTHESTREET,"BEFORETHETUMBRILSARRIVE!"MADAMEDEFARGESLIGHTLYWAVEDHERHAND,TOIMPLYTHATSHEHEARD,ANDMIGHTBERELIEDUPONTOARRIVEINGOODTIME,ANDSOWENTTHROUGHTHEMUD,ANDROUNDTHECORNEROFTHEPRISONWALL.THEVENGEANCEANDTHEJURYMAN,LOOKINGAFTERHERASSHEWALKEDAWAY,WEREHIGHLYAPPRECIATIVEOFHERFINEFIGURE,ANDHERSUPERBMORALENDOWMENTS.THEREWEREMANYWOMENATTHATTIME,UPONWHOMTHETIMELAIDADREADFULLYDISFIGURINGHAND;BUT,THEREWASNOTONEAMONGTHEMMORETOBEDREADEDTHANTHISRUTHLESSWOMAN,NOWTAKINGHERWAYALONGTHESTREETS.OFASTRONGANDFEARLESSCHARACTER,OFSHREWDSENSEANDREADINESS,OFGREATDETERMINATION,OFTHATKINDOFBEAUTYWHICHNOTONLYSEEMSTOIMPARTTOITSPOSSESSORFIRMNESSANDANIMOSITY,BUTTOSTRIKEINTOOTHERSANINSTINCTIVERECOGNITIONOFTHOSEQUALITIES;THETROUBLEDTIMEWOULDHAVEHEAVEDHERUP,UNDERANYCIRCUMSTANCES.BUT,IMBUEDFROMHERCHILDHOODWITHABROODINGSENSEOFWRONG,ANDANINVETERATEHATREDOFACLASS,OPPORTUNITYHADDEVELOPEDHERINTOATIGRESS.SHEWASABSOLUTELYWITHOUTPITY.IFSHEHADEVERHADTHEVIRTUEINHER,ITHADQUITEGONEOUTOFHER.ITWASNOTHINGTOHER,THATANINNOCENTMANWASTODIEFORTHESINSOFHISFOREFATHERS;SHESAW,NOTHIM,BUTTHEM.ITWASNOTHINGTOHER,THATHISWIFEWASTOBEMADEAWIDOWANDHISDAUGHTERANORPHAN;THATWASINSUFFICIENTPUNISHMENT,BECAUSETHEYWEREHERNATURALENEMIESANDHERPREY,ANDASSUCHHADNORIGHTTOLIVE.TOAPPEALTOHER,WASMADEHOPELESSBYHERHAVINGNOSENSEOFPITY,EVENFORHERSELF.IFSHEHADBEENLAIDLOWINTHESTREETS,INANYOFTHEMANYENCOUNTERSINWHICHSHEHADBEENENGAGED,SHEWOULDNOTHAVEPITIEDHERSELF;NOR,IFSHEHADBEENORDEREDTOTHEAXETO-MORROW,WOULDSHEHAVEGONETOITWITHANYSOFTERFEELINGTHANAFIERCEDESIRETOCHANGEPLACESWITHTHEMANWHOSENTHERTHERE.SUCHAHEARTMADAMEDEFARGECARRIEDUNDERHERROUGHROBE.CARELESSLYWORN,ITWASABECOMINGROBEENOUGH,INACERTAINWEIRDWAY,ANDHERDARKHAIRLOOKEDRICHUNDERHERCOARSEREDCAP.LYINGHIDDENINHERBOSOM,WASALOADEDPISTOL.LYINGHIDDENATHERWAIST,WASASHARPENEDDAGGER.THUSACCOUTRED,ANDWALKINGWITHTHECONFIDENTTREADOFSUCHACHARACTER,ANDWITHTHESUPPLEFREEDOMOFAWOMANWHOHADHABITUALLYWALKEDINHERGIRLHOOD,BARE-FOOTANDBARE-LEGGED,ONTHEBROWNSEA-SAND,MADAMEDEFARGETOOKHERWAYALONGTHESTREETS.NOW,WHENTHEJOURNEYOFTHETRAVELLINGCOACH,ATTHATVERYMOMENTWAITINGFORTHECOMPLETIONOFITSLOAD,HADBEENPLANNEDOUTLASTNIGHT,THEDIFFICULTYOFTAKINGMISSPROSSINITHADMUCHENGAGEDMR.LORRY'SATTENTION.ITWASNOTMERELYDESIRABLETOAVOIDOVERLOADINGTHECOACH,BUTITWASOFTHEHIGHESTIMPORTANCETHATTHETIMEOCCUPIEDINEXAMININGITANDITSPASSENGERS,SHOULDBEREDUCEDTOTHEUTMOST;SINCETHEIRESCAPEMIGHTDEPENDONTHESAVINGOFONLYAFEWSECONDSHEREANDTHERE.FINALLY,HEHADPROPOSED,AFTERANXIOUSCONSIDERATION,THATMISSPROSSANDJERRY,WHOWEREATLIBERTYTOLEAVETHECITY,SHOULDLEAVEITATTHREEO'CLOCKINTHELIGHTEST-WHEELEDCONVEYANCEKNOWNTOTHATPERIOD.UNENCUMBEREDWITHLUGGAGE,THEYWOULDSOONOVERTAKETHECOACH,AND,PASSINGITANDPRECEDINGITONTHEROAD,WOULDORDERITSHORSESINADVANCE,ANDGREATLYFACILITATEITSPROGRESSDURINGTHEPRECIOUSHOURSOFTHENIGHT,WHENDELAYWASTHEMOSTTOBEDREADED.SEEINGINTHISARRANGEMENTTHEHOPEOFRENDERINGREALSERVICEINTHATPRESSINGEMERGENCY,MISSPROSSHAILEDITWITHJOY.SHEANDJERRYHADBEHELDTHECOACHSTART,HADKNOWNWHOITWASTHATSOLOMONBROUGHT,HADPASSEDSOMETENMINUTESINTORTURESOFSUSPENSE,ANDWERENOWCONCLUDINGTHEIRARRANGEMENTSTOFOLLOWTHECOACH,EVENASMADAMEDEFARGE,TAKINGHERWAYTHROUGHTHESTREETS,NOWDREWNEARERANDNEARERTOTHEELSE-DESERTEDLODGINGINWHICHTHEYHELDTHEIRCONSULTATION."NOWWHATDOYOUTHINK,MR.CRUNCHER,"SAIDMISSPROSS,WHOSEAGITATIONWASSOGREATTHATSHECOULDHARDLYSPEAK,ORSTAND,ORMOVE,ORLIVE:"WHATDOYOUTHINKOFOURNOTSTARTINGFROMTHISCOURTYARD?ANOTHERCARRIAGEHAVINGALREADYGONEFROMHERETO-DAY,ITMIGHTAWAKENSUSPICION.""MYOPINION,MISS,"RETURNEDMR.CRUNCHER,"ISASYOU'RERIGHT.LIKEWISEWOTI'LLSTANDBYYOU,RIGHTORWRONG.""IAMSODISTRACTEDWITHFEARANDHOPEFOROURPRECIOUSCREATURES,"SAIDMISSPROSS,WILDLYCRYING,"THATIAMINCAPABLEOFFORMINGANYPLAN.ARE_YOU_CAPABLEOFFORMINGANYPLAN,MYDEARGOODMR.CRUNCHER?""RESPECTIN'AFUTURESPEARO'LIFE,MISS,"RETURNEDMR.CRUNCHER,"IHOPESO.RESPECTIN'ANYPRESENTUSEO'THISHEREBLESSEDOLDHEADO'MINE,ITHINKNOT.WOULDYOUDOMETHEFAVOUR,MISS,TOTAKENOTICEO'TWOPROMISESANDWOWSWOTITISMYWISHESFURTORECORDINTHISHERECRISIS?""OH,FORGRACIOUSSAKE!"CRIEDMISSPROSS,STILLWILDLYCRYING,"RECORDTHEMATONCE,ANDGETTHEMOUTOFTHEWAY,LIKEANEXCELLENTMAN.""FIRST,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,WHOWASALLINATREMBLE,ANDWHOSPOKEWITHANASHYANDSOLEMNVISAGE,"THEMPOORTHINGSWELLOUTO'THIS,NEVERNOMOREWILLIDOIT,NEVERNOMORE!""IAMQUITESURE,MR.CRUNCHER,"RETURNEDMISSPROSS,"THATYOUNEVERWILLDOITAGAIN,WHATEVERITIS,ANDIBEGYOUNOTTOTHINKITNECESSARYTOMENTIONMOREPARTICULARLYWHATITIS.""NO,MISS,"RETURNEDJERRY,"ITSHALLNOTBENAMEDTOYOU.SECOND:THEMPOORTHINGSWELLOUTO'THIS,ANDNEVERNOMOREWILLIINTERFEREWITHMRS.CRUNCHER'SFLOPPING,NEVERNOMORE!""WHATEVERHOUSEKEEPINGARRANGEMENTTHATMAYBE,"SAIDMISSPROSS,STRIVINGTODRYHEREYESANDCOMPOSEHERSELF,"IHAVENODOUBTITISBESTTHATMRS.CRUNCHERSHOULDHAVEITENTIRELYUNDERHEROWNSUPERINTENDENCE.--OMYPOORDARLINGS!""IGOSOFARASTOSAY,MISS,MOREOVER,"PROCEEDEDMR.CRUNCHER,WITHAMOSTALARMINGTENDENCYTOHOLDFORTHASFROMAPULPIT--"ANDLETMYWORDSBETOOKDOWNANDTOOKTOMRS.CRUNCHERTHROUGHYOURSELF--THATWOTMYOPINIONSRESPECTIN'FLOPPINGHASUNDERGONEACHANGE,ANDTHATWOTIONLYHOPEWITHALLMYHEARTASMRS.CRUNCHERMAYBEAFLOPPINGATTHEPRESENTTIME.""THERE,THERE,THERE!IHOPESHEIS,MYDEARMAN,"CRIEDTHEDISTRACTEDMISSPROSS,"ANDIHOPESHEFINDSITANSWERINGHEREXPECTATIONS.""FORBIDIT,"PROCEEDEDMR.CRUNCHER,WITHADDITIONALSOLEMNITY,ADDITIONALSLOWNESS,ANDADDITIONALTENDENCYTOHOLDFORTHANDHOLDOUT,"ASANYTHINGWOTIHAVEEVERSAIDORDONESHOULDBEWISITEDONMYEARNESTWISHESFORTHEMPOORCREETURSNOW!FORBIDITASWESHOULDN'TALLFLOP(IFITWASANYWAYSCONWENIENT)TOGET'EMOUTO'THISHEREDISMALRISK!FORBIDIT,MISS!WOTISAY,FOR-_BID_IT!"THISWASMR.CRUNCHER'SCONCLUSIONAFTERAPROTRACTEDBUTVAINENDEAVOURTOFINDABETTERONE.ANDSTILLMADAMEDEFARGE,PURSUINGHERWAYALONGTHESTREETS,CAMENEARERANDNEARER."IFWEEVERGETBACKTOOURNATIVELAND,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"YOUMAYRELYUPONMYTELLINGMRS.CRUNCHERASMUCHASIMAYBEABLETOREMEMBERANDUNDERSTANDOFWHATYOUHAVESOIMPRESSIVELYSAID;ANDATALLEVENTSYOUMAYBESURETHATISHALLBEARWITNESSTOYOURBEINGTHOROUGHLYINEARNESTATTHISDREADFULTIME.NOW,PRAYLETUSTHINK!MYESTEEMEDMR.CRUNCHER,LETUSTHINK!"STILL,MADAMEDEFARGE,PURSUINGHERWAYALONGTHESTREETS,CAMENEARERANDNEARER."IFYOUWERETOGOBEFORE,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"ANDSTOPTHEVEHICLEANDHORSESFROMCOMINGHERE,ANDWERETOWAITSOMEWHEREFORME;WOULDN'TTHATBEBEST?"MR.CRUNCHERTHOUGHTITMIGHTBEBEST."WHERECOULDYOUWAITFORME?"ASKEDMISSPROSS.MR.CRUNCHERWASSOBEWILDEREDTHATHECOULDTHINKOFNOLOCALITYBUTTEMPLEBAR.ALAS!TEMPLEBARWASHUNDREDSOFMILESAWAY,ANDMADAMEDEFARGEWASDRAWINGVERYNEARINDEED."BYTHECATHEDRALDOOR,"SAIDMISSPROSS."WOULDITBEMUCHOUTOFTHEWAY,TOTAKEMEIN,NEARTHEGREATCATHEDRALDOORBETWEENTHETWOTOWERS?""NO,MISS,"ANSWEREDMR.CRUNCHER."THEN,LIKETHEBESTOFMEN,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"GOTOTHEPOSTING-HOUSESTRAIGHT,ANDMAKETHATCHANGE.""IAMDOUBTFUL,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,HESITATINGANDSHAKINGHISHEAD,"ABOUTLEAVINGOFYOU,YOUSEE.WEDON'TKNOWWHATMAYHAPPEN.""HEAVENKNOWSWEDON'T,"RETURNEDMISSPROSS,"BUTHAVENOFEARFORME.TAKEMEINATTHECATHEDRAL,ATTHREEO'CLOCK,ORASNEARITASYOUCAN,ANDIAMSUREITWILLBEBETTERTHANOURGOINGFROMHERE.IFEELCERTAINOFIT.THERE!BLESSYOU,MR.CRUNCHER!THINK-NOTOFME,BUTOFTHELIVESTHATMAYDEPENDONBOTHOFUS!"THISEXORDIUM,ANDMISSPROSS'STWOHANDSINQUITEAGONISEDENTREATYCLASPINGHIS,DECIDEDMR.CRUNCHER.WITHANENCOURAGINGNODORTWO,HEIMMEDIATELYWENTOUTTOALTERTHEARRANGEMENTS,ANDLEFTHERBYHERSELFTOFOLLOWASSHEHADPROPOSED.THEHAVINGORIGINATEDAPRECAUTIONWHICHWASALREADYINCOURSEOFEXECUTION,WASAGREATRELIEFTOMISSPROSS.THENECESSITYOFCOMPOSINGHERAPPEARANCESOTHATITSHOULDATTRACTNOSPECIALNOTICEINTHESTREETS,WASANOTHERRELIEF.SHELOOKEDATHERWATCH,ANDITWASTWENTYMINUTESPASTTWO.SHEHADNOTIMETOLOSE,BUTMUSTGETREADYATONCE.AFRAID,INHEREXTREMEPERTURBATION,OFTHELONELINESSOFTHEDESERTEDROOMS,ANDOFHALF-IMAGINEDFACESPEEPINGFROMBEHINDEVERYOPENDOORINTHEM,MISSPROSSGOTABASINOFCOLDWATERANDBEGANLAVINGHEREYES,WHICHWERESWOLLENANDRED.HAUNTEDBYHERFEVERISHAPPREHENSIONS,SHECOULDNOTBEARTOHAVEHERSIGHTOBSCUREDFORAMINUTEATATIMEBYTHEDRIPPINGWATER,BUTCONSTANTLYPAUSEDANDLOOKEDROUNDTOSEETHATTHEREWASNOONEWATCHINGHER.INONEOFTHOSEPAUSESSHERECOILEDANDCRIEDOUT,FORSHESAWAFIGURESTANDINGINTHEROOM.THEBASINFELLTOTHEGROUNDBROKEN,ANDTHEWATERFLOWEDTOTHEFEETOFMADAMEDEFARGE.BYSTRANGESTERNWAYS,ANDTHROUGHMUCHSTAININGBLOOD,THOSEFEETHADCOMETOMEETTHATWATER.MADAMEDEFARGELOOKEDCOLDLYATHER,ANDSAID,"THEWIFEOFEVREMONDE;WHEREISSHE?"ITFLASHEDUPONMISSPROSS'SMINDTHATTHEDOORSWEREALLSTANDINGOPEN,ANDWOULDSUGGESTTHEFLIGHT.HERFIRSTACTWASTOSHUTTHEM.THEREWEREFOURINTHEROOM,ANDSHESHUTTHEMALL.SHETHENPLACEDHERSELFBEFORETHEDOOROFTHECHAMBERWHICHLUCIEHADOCCUPIED.MADAMEDEFARGE'SDARKEYESFOLLOWEDHERTHROUGHTHISRAPIDMOVEMENT,ANDRESTEDONHERWHENITWASFINISHED.MISSPROSSHADNOTHINGBEAUTIFULABOUTHER;YEARSHADNOTTAMEDTHEWILDNESS,ORSOFTENEDTHEGRIMNESS,OFHERAPPEARANCE;BUT,SHETOOWASADETERMINEDWOMANINHERDIFFERENTWAY,ANDSHEMEASUREDMADAMEDEFARGEWITHHEREYES,EVERYINCH."YOUMIGHT,FROMYOURAPPEARANCE,BETHEWIFEOFLUCIFER,"SAIDMISSPROSS,INHERBREATHING."NEVERTHELESS,YOUSHALLNOTGETTHEBETTEROFME.IAMANENGLISHWOMAN."MADAMEDEFARGELOOKEDATHERSCORNFULLY,BUTSTILLWITHSOMETHINGOFMISSPROSS'SOWNPERCEPTIONTHATTHEYTWOWEREATBAY.SHESAWATIGHT,HARD,WIRYWOMANBEFOREHER,ASMR.LORRYHADSEENINTHESAMEFIGUREAWOMANWITHASTRONGHAND,INTHEYEARSGONEBY.SHEKNEWFULLWELLTHATMISSPROSSWASTHEFAMILY'SDEVOTEDFRIEND;MISSPROSSKNEWFULLWELLTHATMADAMEDEFARGEWASTHEFAMILY'SMALEVOLENTENEMY."ONMYWAYYONDER,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,WITHASLIGHTMOVEMENTOFHERHANDTOWARDSTHEFATALSPOT,"WHERETHEYRESERVEMYCHAIRANDMYKNITTINGFORME,IAMCOMETOMAKEMYCOMPLIMENTSTOHERINPASSING.IWISHTOSEEHER.""IKNOWTHATYOURINTENTIONSAREEVIL,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"ANDYOUMAYDEPENDUPONIT,I'LLHOLDMYOWNAGAINSTTHEM."EACHSPOKEINHEROWNLANGUAGE;NEITHERUNDERSTOODTHEOTHER'SWORDS;BOTHWEREVERYWATCHFUL,ANDINTENTTODEDUCEFROMLOOKANDMANNER,WHATTHEUNINTELLIGIBLEWORDSMEANT."ITWILLDOHERNOGOODTOKEEPHERSELFCONCEALEDFROMMEATTHISMOMENT,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE."GOODPATRIOTSWILLKNOWWHATTHATMEANS.LETMESEEHER.GOTELLHERTHATIWISHTOSEEHER.DOYOUHEAR?""IFTHOSEEYESOFYOURSWEREBED-WINCHES,"RETURNEDMISSPROSS,"ANDIWASANENGLISHFOUR-POSTER,THEYSHOULDN'TLOOSEASPLINTEROFME.NO,YOUWICKEDFOREIGNWOMAN;IAMYOURMATCH."MADAMEDEFARGEWASNOTLIKELYTOFOLLOWTHESEIDIOMATICREMARKSINDETAIL;BUT,SHESOFARUNDERSTOODTHEMASTOPERCEIVETHATSHEWASSETATNAUGHT."WOMANIMBECILEANDPIG-LIKE!"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE,FROWNING."ITAKENOANSWERFROMYOU.IDEMANDTOSEEHER.EITHERTELLHERTHATIDEMANDTOSEEHER,ORSTANDOUTOFTHEWAYOFTHEDOORANDLETMEGOTOHER!"THIS,WITHANANGRYEXPLANATORYWAVEOFHERRIGHTARM."ILITTLETHOUGHT,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"THATISHOULDEVERWANTTOUNDERSTANDYOURNONSENSICALLANGUAGE;BUTIWOULDGIVEALLIHAVE,EXCEPTTHECLOTHESIWEAR,TOKNOWWHETHERYOUSUSPECTTHETRUTH,ORANYPARTOFIT."NEITHEROFTHEMFORASINGLEMOMENTRELEASEDTHEOTHER'SEYES.MADAMEDEFARGEHADNOTMOVEDFROMTHESPOTWHERESHESTOODWHENMISSPROSSFIRSTBECAMEAWAREOFHER;BUT,SHENOWADVANCEDONESTEP."IAMABRITON,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"IAMDESPERATE.IDON'TCAREANENGLISHTWOPENCEFORMYSELF.IKNOWTHATTHELONGERIKEEPYOUHERE,THEGREATERHOPETHEREISFORMYLADYBIRD.I'LLNOTLEAVEAHANDFULOFTHATDARKHAIRUPONYOURHEAD,IFYOULAYAFINGERONME!"THUSMISSPROSS,WITHASHAKEOFHERHEADANDAFLASHOFHEREYESBETWEENEVERYRAPIDSENTENCE,ANDEVERYRAPIDSENTENCEAWHOLEBREATH.THUSMISSPROSS,WHOHADNEVERSTRUCKABLOWINHERLIFE.BUT,HERCOURAGEWASOFTHATEMOTIONALNATURETHATITBROUGHTTHEIRREPRESSIBLETEARSINTOHEREYES.THISWASACOURAGETHATMADAMEDEFARGESOLITTLECOMPREHENDEDASTOMISTAKEFORWEAKNESS."HA,HA!"SHELAUGHED,"YOUPOORWRETCH!WHATAREYOUWORTH!IADDRESSMYSELFTOTHATDOCTOR."THENSHERAISEDHERVOICEANDCALLEDOUT,"CITIZENDOCTOR!WIFEOFEVREMONDE!CHILDOFEVREMONDE!ANYPERSONBUTTHISMISERABLEFOOL,ANSWERTHECITIZENESSDEFARGE!"PERHAPSTHEFOLLOWINGSILENCE,PERHAPSSOMELATENTDISCLOSUREINTHEEXPRESSIONOFMISSPROSS'SFACE,PERHAPSASUDDENMISGIVINGAPARTFROMEITHERSUGGESTION,WHISPEREDTOMADAMEDEFARGETHATTHEYWEREGONE.THREEOFTHEDOORSSHEOPENEDSWIFTLY,ANDLOOKEDIN."THOSEROOMSAREALLINDISORDER,THEREHASBEENHURRIEDPACKING,THEREAREODDSANDENDSUPONTHEGROUND.THEREISNOONEINTHATROOMBEHINDYOU!LETMELOOK.""NEVER!"SAIDMISSPROSS,WHOUNDERSTOODTHEREQUESTASPERFECTLYASMADAMEDEFARGEUNDERSTOODTHEANSWER."IFTHEYARENOTINTHATROOM,THEYAREGONE,ANDCANBEPURSUEDANDBROUGHTBACK,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGETOHERSELF."ASLONGASYOUDON'TKNOWWHETHERTHEYAREINTHATROOMORNOT,YOUAREUNCERTAINWHATTODO,"SAIDMISSPROSSTOHERSELF;"ANDYOUSHALLNOTKNOWTHAT,IFICANPREVENTYOURKNOWINGIT;ANDKNOWTHAT,ORNOTKNOWTHAT,YOUSHALLNOTLEAVEHEREWHILEICANHOLDYOU.""IHAVEBEENINTHESTREETSFROMTHEFIRST,NOTHINGHASSTOPPEDME,IWILLTEARYOUTOPIECES,BUTIWILLHAVEYOUFROMTHATDOOR,"SAIDMADAMEDEFARGE."WEAREALONEATTHETOPOFAHIGHHOUSEINASOLITARYCOURTYARD,WEARENOTLIKELYTOBEHEARD,ANDIPRAYFORBODILYSTRENGTHTOKEEPYOUHERE,WHILEEVERYMINUTEYOUAREHEREISWORTHAHUNDREDTHOUSANDGUINEASTOMYDARLING,"SAIDMISSPROSS.MADAMEDEFARGEMADEATTHEDOOR.MISSPROSS,ONTHEINSTINCTOFTHEMOMENT,SEIZEDHERROUNDTHEWAISTINBOTHHERARMS,ANDHELDHERTIGHT.ITWASINVAINFORMADAMEDEFARGETOSTRUGGLEANDTOSTRIKE;MISSPROSS,WITHTHEVIGOROUSTENACITYOFLOVE,ALWAYSSOMUCHSTRONGERTHANHATE,CLASPEDHERTIGHT,ANDEVENLIFTEDHERFROMTHEFLOORINTHESTRUGGLETHATTHEYHAD.THETWOHANDSOFMADAMEDEFARGEBUFFETEDANDTOREHERFACE;BUT,MISSPROSS,WITHHERHEADDOWN,HELDHERROUNDTHEWAIST,ANDCLUNGTOHERWITHMORETHANTHEHOLDOFADROWNINGWOMAN.SOON,MADAMEDEFARGE'SHANDSCEASEDTOSTRIKE,ANDFELTATHERENCIRCLEDWAIST."ITISUNDERMYARM,"SAIDMISSPROSS,INSMOTHEREDTONES,"YOUSHALLNOTDRAWIT.IAMSTRONGERTHANYOU,IBLESSHEAVENFORIT.IHOLDYOUTILLONEOROTHEROFUSFAINTSORDIES!"MADAMEDEFARGE'SHANDSWEREATHERBOSOM.MISSPROSSLOOKEDUP,SAWWHATITWAS,STRUCKATIT,STRUCKOUTAFLASHANDACRASH,ANDSTOODALONE--BLINDEDWITHSMOKE.ALLTHISWASINASECOND.ASTHESMOKECLEARED,LEAVINGANAWFULSTILLNESS,ITPASSEDOUTONTHEAIR,LIKETHESOULOFTHEFURIOUSWOMANWHOSEBODYLAYLIFELESSONTHEGROUND.INTHEFIRSTFRIGHTANDHORROROFHERSITUATION,MISSPROSSPASSEDTHEBODYASFARFROMITASSHECOULD,ANDRANDOWNTHESTAIRSTOCALLFORFRUITLESSHELP.HAPPILY,SHEBETHOUGHTHERSELFOFTHECONSEQUENCESOFWHATSHEDID,INTIMETOCHECKHERSELFANDGOBACK.ITWASDREADFULTOGOINATTHEDOORAGAIN;BUT,SHEDIDGOIN,ANDEVENWENTNEARIT,TOGETTHEBONNETANDOTHERTHINGSTHATSHEMUSTWEAR.THESESHEPUTON,OUTONTHESTAIRCASE,FIRSTSHUTTINGANDLOCKINGTHEDOORANDTAKINGAWAYTHEKEY.SHETHENSATDOWNONTHESTAIRSAFEWMOMENTSTOBREATHEANDTOCRY,ANDTHENGOTUPANDHURRIEDAWAY.BYGOODFORTUNESHEHADAVEILONHERBONNET,ORSHECOULDHARDLYHAVEGONEALONGTHESTREETSWITHOUTBEINGSTOPPED.BYGOODFORTUNE,TOO,SHEWASNATURALLYSOPECULIARINAPPEARANCEASNOTTOSHOWDISFIGUREMENTLIKEANYOTHERWOMAN.SHENEEDEDBOTHADVANTAGES,FORTHEMARKSOFGRIPPINGFINGERSWEREDEEPINHERFACE,ANDHERHAIRWASTORN,ANDHERDRESS(HASTILYCOMPOSEDWITHUNSTEADYHANDS)WASCLUTCHEDANDDRAGGEDAHUNDREDWAYS.INCROSSINGTHEBRIDGE,SHEDROPPEDTHEDOORKEYINTHERIVER.ARRIVINGATTHECATHEDRALSOMEFEWMINUTESBEFOREHERESCORT,ANDWAITINGTHERE,SHETHOUGHT,WHATIFTHEKEYWEREALREADYTAKENINANET,WHATIFITWEREIDENTIFIED,WHATIFTHEDOORWEREOPENEDANDTHEREMAINSDISCOVERED,WHATIFSHEWERESTOPPEDATTHEGATE,SENTTOPRISON,ANDCHARGEDWITHMURDER!INTHEMIDSTOFTHESEFLUTTERINGTHOUGHTS,THEESCORTAPPEARED,TOOKHERIN,ANDTOOKHERAWAY."ISTHEREANYNOISEINTHESTREETS?"SHEASKEDHIM."THEUSUALNOISES,"MR.CRUNCHERREPLIED;ANDLOOKEDSURPRISEDBYTHEQUESTIONANDBYHERASPECT."IDON'THEARYOU,"SAIDMISSPROSS."WHATDOYOUSAY?"ITWASINVAINFORMR.CRUNCHERTOREPEATWHATHESAID;MISSPROSSCOULDNOTHEARHIM."SOI'LLNODMYHEAD,"THOUGHTMR.CRUNCHER,AMAZED,"ATALLEVENTSSHE'LLSEETHAT."ANDSHEDID."ISTHEREANYNOISEINTHESTREETSNOW?"ASKEDMISSPROSSAGAIN,PRESENTLY.AGAINMR.CRUNCHERNODDEDHISHEAD."IDON'THEARIT.""GONEDEAFINANHOUR?"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,RUMINATING,WITHHISMINDMUCHDISTURBED;"WOT'SCOMETOHER?""IFEEL,"SAIDMISSPROSS,"ASIFTHEREHADBEENAFLASHANDACRASH,ANDTHATCRASHWASTHELASTTHINGISHOULDEVERHEARINTHISLIFE.""BLESTIFSHEAIN'TINAQUEERCONDITION!"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,MOREANDMOREDISTURBED."WOTCANSHEHAVEBEENATAKIN',TOKEEPHERCOURAGEUP?HARK!THERE'STHEROLLOFTHEMDREADFULCARTS!YOUCANHEARTHAT,MISS?""ICANHEAR,"SAIDMISSPROSS,SEEINGTHATHESPOKETOHER,"NOTHING.O,MYGOODMAN,THEREWASFIRSTAGREATCRASH,ANDTHENAGREATSTILLNESS,ANDTHATSTILLNESSSEEMSTOBEFIXEDANDUNCHANGEABLE,NEVERTOBEBROKENANYMOREASLONGASMYLIFELASTS.""IFSHEDON'THEARTHEROLLOFTHOSEDREADFULCARTS,NOWVERYNIGHTHEIRJOURNEY'SEND,"SAIDMR.CRUNCHER,GLANCINGOVERHISSHOULDER,"IT'SMYOPINIONTHATINDEEDSHENEVERWILLHEARANYTHINGELSEINTHISWORLD."ANDINDEEDSHENEVERDID.XV.THEFOOTSTEPSDIEOUTFOREVERALONGTHEPARISSTREETS,THEDEATH-CARTSRUMBLE,HOLLOWANDHARSH.SIXTUMBRILSCARRYTHEDAY'SWINETOLAGUILLOTINE.ALLTHEDEVOURINGANDINSATIATEMONSTERSIMAGINEDSINCEIMAGINATIONCOULDRECORDITSELF,AREFUSEDINTHEONEREALISATION,GUILLOTINE.ANDYETTHEREISNOTINFRANCE,WITHITSRICHVARIETYOFSOILANDCLIMATE,ABLADE,ALEAF,AROOT,ASPRIG,APEPPERCORN,WHICHWILLGROWTOMATURITYUNDERCONDITIONSMORECERTAINTHANTHOSETHATHAVEPRODUCEDTHISHORROR.CRUSHHUMANITYOUTOFSHAPEONCEMORE,UNDERSIMILARHAMMERS,ANDITWILLTWISTITSELFINTOTHESAMETORTUREDFORMS.SOWTHESAMESEEDOFRAPACIOUSLICENSEANDOPPRESSIONOVERAGAIN,ANDITWILLSURELYYIELDTHESAMEFRUITACCORDINGTOITSKIND.SIXTUMBRILSROLLALONGTHESTREETS.CHANGETHESEBACKAGAINTOWHATTHEYWERE,THOUPOWERFULENCHANTER,TIME,ANDTHEYSHALLBESEENTOBETHECARRIAGESOFABSOLUTEMONARCHS,THEEQUIPAGESOFFEUDALNOBLES,THETOILETTESOFFLARINGJEZEBELS,THECHURCHESTHATARENOTMYFATHER'SHOUSEBUTDENSOFTHIEVES,THEHUTSOFMILLIONSOFSTARVINGPEASANTS!NO;THEGREATMAGICIANWHOMAJESTICALLYWORKSOUTTHEAPPOINTEDORDEROFTHECREATOR,NEVERREVERSESHISTRANSFORMATIONS."IFTHOUBECHANGEDINTOTHISSHAPEBYTHEWILLOFGOD,"SAYTHESEERSTOTHEENCHANTED,INTHEWISEARABIANSTORIES,"THENREMAINSO!BUT,IFTHOUWEARTHISFORMTHROUGHMEREPASSINGCONJURATION,THENRESUMETHYFORMERASPECT!"CHANGELESSANDHOPELESS,THETUMBRILSROLLALONG.ASTHESOMBREWHEELSOFTHESIXCARTSGOROUND,THEYSEEMTOPLOUGHUPALONGCROOKEDFURROWAMONGTHEPOPULACEINTHESTREETS.RIDGESOFFACESARETHROWNTOTHISSIDEANDTOTHAT,ANDTHEPLOUGHSGOSTEADILYONWARD.SOUSEDARETHEREGULARINHABITANTSOFTHEHOUSESTOTHESPECTACLE,THATINMANYWINDOWSTHEREARENOPEOPLE,ANDINSOMETHEOCCUPATIONOFTHEHANDSISNOTSOMUCHASSUSPENDED,WHILETHEEYESSURVEYTHEFACESINTHETUMBRILS.HEREANDTHERE,THEINMATEHASVISITORSTOSEETHESIGHT;THENHEPOINTSHISFINGER,WITHSOMETHINGOFTHECOMPLACENCYOFACURATORORAUTHORISEDEXPONENT,TOTHISCARTANDTOTHIS,ANDSEEMSTOTELLWHOSATHEREYESTERDAY,ANDWHOTHERETHEDAYBEFORE.OFTHERIDERSINTHETUMBRILS,SOMEOBSERVETHESETHINGS,ANDALLTHINGSONTHEIRLASTROADSIDE,WITHANIMPASSIVESTARE;OTHERS,WITHALINGERINGINTERESTINTHEWAYSOFLIFEANDMEN.SOME,SEATEDWITHDROOPINGHEADS,ARESUNKINSILENTDESPAIR;AGAIN,THEREARESOMESOHEEDFULOFTHEIRLOOKSTHATTHEYCASTUPONTHEMULTITUDESUCHGLANCESASTHEYHAVESEENINTHEATRES,ANDINPICTURES.SEVERALCLOSETHEIREYES,ANDTHINK,ORTRYTOGETTHEIRSTRAYINGTHOUGHTSTOGETHER.ONLYONE,ANDHEAMISERABLECREATURE,OFACRAZEDASPECT,ISSOSHATTEREDANDMADEDRUNKBYHORROR,THATHESINGS,ANDTRIESTODANCE.NOTONEOFTHEWHOLENUMBERAPPEALSBYLOOKORGESTURE,TOTHEPITYOFTHEPEOPLE.THEREISAGUARDOFSUNDRYHORSEMENRIDINGABREASTOFTHETUMBRILS,ANDFACESAREOFTENTURNEDUPTOSOMEOFT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