refreshment of the frosty air, at an hour’s distance from my place

of residence in the Street of the School of Medicine, when a

carriage came along behind me, driven very fast. As I stood aside

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to let that carriage pass, apprehensive that it might otherwise run

me down, a head was put out at the window, and a voice called to

the driver to stop.

“The carriage stopped as soon as the driver could rein in his

horses, and the same voice called to me by my name. I answered.

The carriage was then so far in advance of me that two gentlemen

had time to open the door and alight before I came up with it. I

observed that they were both wrapped in cloaks, and appeared to

conceal themselves. As they stood side by side near the carriage

door, I also observed that they both looked of about my own age,

or rather younger, and that they were greatly alike, in stature,

manner, voice, and (as far as I could see) face too.

“‘You are Doctor Manette?’ said one.

“‘I am.’ “‘Doctor Manette, formerly of Beauvais,’ said the other;

‘the young physician, originally an expert surgeon, who within the

last year or two has made a rising reputation in Paris?’

“‘Gentlemen,’ I returned, ‘I am that Doctor Manette of whom you

speak so graciously.’ “‘We have been to your residence,’ said the

first, ‘and not being so fortunate as to find you there, and being

informed that you were probably walking in this direction, we

followed, in the hope of overtaking you. Will you please to enter

the carriage?’ “The manner of both was imperious, and they both

moved, as these words were spoken, so as to place me between

themselves and the carriage door. They were armed. I was not.

“‘Gentlemen,’ said I, ‘pardon me; but I usually inquire who does

me the honour to seek my assistance, and what is the nature of the

case to which I am summoned.’ “The reply to this was made by

him who had spoken second. ‘Doctor, your clients are people of

condition. As to the nature of the case, our confidence in your skill

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assures us that you will ascertain it for yourself better than we can

describe it. Enough. Will you please enter the carriage?’ “I could

do nothing but comply, and I entered it in silence. They both

entered after methe last springing in, after putting up the steps.

The carriage turned about, and drove on at its former speed.

“I repeat this conversation exactly as it occurred. I have no

doubt that it is, word for word, the same. I describe everything

exactly as it took place, constraining my mind not to wander from

the task. When I make the broken marks that follow here, I leave

off for the time, and put my paper in its hiding place.

“The carriage left the streets behind, passed the North Barrier,

and emerged upon the country road. At two-thirds of a league

from the BarrierI did not estimate the distance at that time, but

afterwards when I traversed itit struck out of the main avenue,

and presently stopped at a solitary house. We all three alighted,

and walked, by a damp soft footpath in a garden where a