第4章

OutsideTellson"s——neverbyanymeansinit，unlesscalledin——wasanodd-job-man，anoccasionalporterandmessenger，whoservedasthelivesignofthehouse。Hewasneverabsentduringbusinesshours，unlessuponanerrand，andthenhewasrepresentedbyhisson:agrislyurchinoftwelve，whowashisexpressimage。PeopleunderstoodthatTellson"s，inastatelyway，toleratedtheodd-job-man。Thehousehadalwaystoleratedsomepersoninthatcapacity，andtimeandtidehaddriftedthispersontothepost。

HissurnamewasCruncher，andontheyouthfuloccasionofhisrenouncingbyproxytheworksofdarkness，intheeasterlyparishchurchofHoundsditch，hehadreceivedtheaddedappellationofJerry。

ThescenewasMr。Cruncher"sprivatelodginginHanging-sword-alley，Whitefriars:thetime，half-pastsevenoftheclockonawindyMarchmorning，AnnoDominiseventeenhundredandeighty。(Mr。CruncherhimselfalwaysspokeoftheyearofourLordasAnnaDominoes:apparentlyundertheimpressionthattheChristianeradatedfromtheinventionofapopulargame，byaladywhohadbestowedhernameuponit。)

Mr。Cruncher"sapartmentswerenotinasavouryneighbourhood，andwerebuttwoinnumber，evenifaclosetwithasinglepaneofglassinitmightbecountedasone。Buttheywereverydecentlykept。Earlyasitwas，onthewindyMarchmorning，theroominwhichhelaya-bedwasalreadyscrubbedthroughout；andbetweenthecupsandsaucersarrangedforbreakfast，andthelumberingdealtable，averycleanwhiteclothwasspread。

Mr。Cruncherreposedunderapatchworkcounterpane，likeaHarlequinathome。Atfirst，hesleptheavily，but，bydegrees，begantorollandsurgeinbed，untilheroseabovethesurface，withhisspikyhairlookingasifitmusttearthesheetstoribbons。Atwhichjuncture，heexclaimed，inavoiceofdireexasperation:

`Bustme，ifsheain"tatitagin!"

Awomanoforderlyandindustriousappearancerosefromherkneesinacorner，withsufficienthasteandtrepidationtoshowthatshewasthepersonreferredto。

`What!"saidMr。Cruncher，lookingoutofbedforaboot。

`You"reatitagin，areyou?

Afterhailingthemornwiththissecondsalutation，hethrewabootatthewomanasathird。Itwasaverymuddyboot，andmayintroducetheoddcircumstanceconnectedwithMr。Cruncher"sdomesticeconomy，that，whereasheoftencamehomeafterbankinghourswithcleanboots，heoftengotupnextmorningtofindthesamebootscoveredwithclay。

`What，"saidMr。Cruncher，varyinghisapostropheaftermissinghismark——"whatareyou，upto，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，`thattheworthofyourprayersmaybe?Namethepricethatyouputyourprayersat!"

`Theyonlycomefromtheheart，Jerry。Theyareworthnomorethanthat。"

`Worthnomorethanthat，"repeatedMr。Cruncher。`Theyain"tworthmuch，then。Whetherorno，Iwon"tbeprayedagin，Itellyou。I

can"taffordit。I"mnotagoingtobemadeunluckybyyoursneaking。

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。Iamasricketyasahackneycoach，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?Atitagin?"

Hiswifeexplainedthatshehadmerely`askedablessing。"

`Don"tdoit!"saidMr。Cruncher，lookingabout，asifheratherexpectedtoseetheloafdisappearundertheefficacyofhiswife"spetitions。

`Iain"tagoingtobeblestoutofhouseandhome。Iwon"thavemywittlesblestoffmytable。Keepstill!"

Exceedinglyred-eyedandgrim，asifhehadbeenupallnightatapartywhichhadtakenanythingbutaconvivialturn，JerryCruncherworriedhisbreakfastratherthanateit，growlingoveritlikeanyfour-footedinmateofamenagerie。Towardsnineo"clockhesmoothedhisruffledaspect，and，presentingasrespectfulandbusiness-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，——andwasalmostasill-looking。

Encampedataquarterbeforenine，ingoodtimetotouchhisthree-corneredhattotheoldestofmenastheypassedintoTellson"s，JerrytookuphisstationonthiswindyMarchmorning，withyoungJerrystandingbyhim，whennotengagedinmakingforaysthroughtheBar，toinflictbodilyandmentalinjuriesofanacutedescriptiononpassingboyswhoweresmallenoughforhisamiablepurpose。Fatherandson，extremelylikeeachother，lookingsilentlyonatthemorningtrafficinFleet-street，withtheirtwoheadsasneartooneanotherasthetwoeyesofeachwere，boreaconsiderableresemblancetoapairofmonkeys。Theresemblancewasnotlessenedbytheaccidentalcircumstance，thatthematureJerrybitandspatoutstraw，whilethetwinklingeyesoftheyouthfulJerrywereasrestlesslywatchfulofhimasofeverythingelseinFleet-street。

TheheadofoneoftheregularindoormessengersattachedtoTellson"sestablishmentwasputthroughthedoor，andthewordwasgiven。

`Porterwanted!"

`Hooray，father!Here"sanearlyjobtobeginwith!"

HavingthusgivenhisparentGodspeed，youngJerryseatedhimselfonthestool，enteredonhisreversionaryinterestinthestrawhisfatherhadbeenchewing，andcogitated。

`Alwaysrusty!Hisfingersisal-waysrusty!"mutteredyoungJerry。

`Wheredoesmyfathergetallthatironrustfrom?Hedon"tgetnoironrusthere!"

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIIASight`YOUknowtheOldBaileywell，nodoubt?"saidoneoftheoldestofclerkstoJerrythemessenger。

`Ye-es，sir，"returnedJerry，insomethingofadoggedmanner。

`IdoknowtheBailey。"

`Justso。AndyouknowMr。Lorry。"

`IknowMr。Lorry，sir，muchbetterthanIknowtheBailey。Muchbetter，"saidJerry，notunlikeareluctantwitnessattheestablishmentinquestion，`thanI，asahonesttradesman，wishtoknowtheBailey。"

`Verywell。Findthedoorwherethewitnessesgoin，andshowthedoor-keeperthisnoteforMr。Lorry。Hewillthenletyouin。"

`Intothecourt，sir?"

`Intothecourt。"

Mr。Cruncher"seyesseemedtogetalittleclosertooneanother，andtointerchangetheinquiry，`Whatdoyouthinkofthis?"

`AmItowaitinthecourt，sir?"heasked，astheresultofthatconference。

`Iamgoingtotellyou。Thedoor-keeperwillpassthenotetoMr。Lorry，anddoyoumakeanygesturethatwillattractMr。Lorry"sattention，andshowhimwhereyoustand。Thenwhatyouhavetodo，is，toremainthereuntilhewantsyou。"

`Isthatall，sir?"

`That"sall。Hewishestohaveamessengerathand。Thisistotellhimyouarethere。"

Astheancientclerkdeliberatelyfoldedandsuperscribedthenote，Mr。Cruncher，aftersurveyinghiminsilenceuntilhecametotheblotting-paperstage，remarked:

`Isupposethey"llbetryingForgeriesthismorning?"

`Treason!"

`That"squartering，"saidJerry。`Barbarous!"

`Itisthelaw，"remarkedtheancientclerk，turninghissurprisedspectaclesuponhim。`Itisthelaw。

`It`shardinthelawtospileaman，Ithink。It`shardenoughtokillhim，butit"sweryhardtospilehim，sir。"

`Notatall，"returnedtheancientclerk。`Speakwellofthelaw。

Takecareofyourchestandvoice，mygoodfriend，andleavethelawtotakecareofitself。Igiveyouthatadvice。"

`It"sthedamp，sir，whatsettlesonmychestandvoice，"saidJerry。`Ileaveyoutojudgewhatadampwayofearningalivingmineis。"

`Well，well，"saidtheoldclerk；`weallhaveourvariouswaysofgainingalivelihood。Someofushavedampways，andsomeofushavedryways。Hereistheletter。Goalong。"

Jerrytooktheletter，and，remarkingtohimselfwithlessinternaldeferencethanhemadeanoutwardshowof，`Youarealeanoldone，too，"

madehisbow，informedhisson，inpassing，of[`isdestination，andwenthisway。

TheyhangedatTyburn，inthosedays，sothestreetoutsideNewgatehadnotobtainedoneinfamousnotorietythathassinceattachedtoit。

But，thegaolwasavileplace，inwhichmostkindsofdebaucheryandvillainywerepractised，andwheredirediseaseswerebred，thatcameintocourtwiththeprisoners，andsometimesrushedstraightfromthedockatmyLordChiefJusticehimself，andpulledhimoffthebench。Ithadmorethanoncehappened，thattheJudgeintheblackcappronouncedhisowndoomascertainlyastheprisoner"s，andevendiedbeforehim。Fortherest，theOldBaileywasfamousasakindofdeadlyinn-yard，fromwhichpaletravellerssetoutcontinually，incartsandcoaches，onaviolentpassageintotheotherworld:traversingsometwomilesandahalfofpublicstreetandroad，andshamingfewgoodcitizens，ifany。Sopowerfulisuse，andsodesirabletobegooduseinthebeginning。Itwasfamous，too，forthepillory，awiseoldinstitution，thatinflictedapunishmentofwhichnoonecouldforeseetheextent；also，forthewhipping-post，anotherdearoldinstitution，veryhumanisingandsofteningtobeholdinaction；also，forextensivetransactionsinblood-money，anotherfragmentofancestralwisdom，systematicallyleadingtothemostfrightfulmercenarycrimesthatcouldbecommittedunderHeaven。Altogether，theOldBailey，atthatdate，wasachoiceillustrationoftheprecept，that`Whateverisisright；"anaphorismthatwouldbeasfinalasitislazy，diditnotincludethetroublesomeconsequence，thatnothingthateverwas，waswrong。

Makinghiswaythroughthetaintedcrowd，dispersedupanddownthishideoussceneofaction，withtheskillofamanaccustomedtomakehiswayquietly，themessengerfoundoutthedoorhesought，andhandedinhisletterthroughatrapinit。ForpeoplethenpaidtoseetheplayattheOldBailey，justastheypaidtoseetheplayinBedlam——onlytheformerentertainmentwasmuchthedearer。Therefore，alltheOldBaileydoorswerewellguarded——except，indeed，thesocialdoorsbywhichthecriminalsgotthere，andthosewerealwaysleftwideopen。

Aftersomedelayanddemur，thedoorgrudginglyturnedonitshingesaverylittleway，andallowedMr。JerryCrunchertosqueezehimselfintocourt。

`What"son?"heasked，inawhisper，ofthemanhefoundhimselfnextto。

`Nothingyet。"

`What"scomingon，?"

`TheTreasoncase。

`Thequarteringone，eh?"

`Ah!"returnedtheman，witharelish；`he"llbedrawnonahurdletobehalfhanged，andthenhe"llbetakendownandslicedbeforehisownface，andthenhisinsidewillbetakenoutandburntwhilehelookson，andthenhisheadwillbechoppedoff，andhe"llbecutintoquarters。

Thatthesentence。"

`Ifhe"sfoundGuilty，youmeantosay?"Jerryadded，bywayofproviso。

`Oh!they"llfindhimguilty，"saidtheother。`Don"tyoubeafraidofthat。"

Mr。Cruncher"sattentionwasheredivertedtothedoorkeeper，whomhesawmakinghiswaytoMr。Lorry，withthenoteinhishand。Mr。

Lorrysatatatable，amongthegentlemeninwigs:notfarfromawiggedgentleman，theprisoner"scounsel，whohadagreatbundleofpapersbeforehim:andnearlyoppositeanotherwiggedgentlemanwithhishandsinhispockets，whosewholeattention，whenMr。Cruncherlookedathimthenorafterwards，seemedtobeconcentratedontheceilingofthecourt。Aftersomegruffcoughingandrubbingofhischinandsigningwithhishand，JerryattractedthenoticeofMr。Lorry，whohadstooduptolookforhim，andwhoquietlynoddedandsatdownagain。

`What"s。hegottodowiththecase?"askedthemanhehadspokenwith。

`BlestifIknow，"saidJerry。

`Whathaveyougottodowithit，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，andsoarrivedcircuitouslyattheunder-standingthattheaforesaid，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。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERIIIADisappointmentMR。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(astheyknewtheywere)，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。Everkickeddown-stairs?Decidedlynot；oncereceivedakickonthetopofastaircase，andfelldown-stairsofhisownaccord。

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。Neitherdidhecallitacuriouscoincidencethattruepatriotismwashisonlymotivetoo。

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。"

`They"arehere。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。"