remember, and I had better not take it into the prison.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know; I prefer not to do so. Now, take this paper that

Doctor Manette has carried about him. It is a similar certificate,

enabling him and his daughter and her child, at any time, to pass

the barrier and the frontier. You see?”

“Yes!”

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

“Perhaps he obtained it as his last and utmost precaution

against evil, yesterday. When is it dated? But no matter; don’t stay

to look; put it up carefully with mine and your own. Now, observe!

I never doubted until within this hour or two, that he had, or could

have such a paper. It is good, until recalled. But it may be soon

recalled, and I have reason to think, will be.”

“They are not in danger?”

“They are in great danger. They are in danger of denunciation

by Madame Defarge. I know it from her own lips. I have overheard

words of that woman’s, tonight, which have presented their

danger to me in strong colours. I have lost no time, and since then,

I have seen the spy. He confirms me. He knows that a woodsawyer

living by the prison-wall, is under the control of the

Defarges, and has been rehearsed by Madame Defarge as to his

having seen Her”he never mentioned Lucie’s name“making

signs and signals to prisoners. It is easy to foresee that the

pretence will be the common one, a prison plot, and that it will

involve her lifeand perhaps her child’sand perhaps her

father’sfor both have been seen with her at that place. Don’t

look so horrified. You will save them all.”

“Heaven grant I may, Carton! But how?”

“I am going to tell you how. It will depend on you, and it could

depend on no better man. This new denunciation will certainly not

take place until after tomorrow; probably not until two or three

days afterwards; more probably a week afterwards. You know it is

a capital crime to mourn for, or sympathise with, a victim of the

Guillotine. She and her father would unquestionably be guilty of

this crime, and this woman (the inveteracy of whose pursuit

cannot be described) would wait to add that strength to her case,

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

and make herself doubly sure. You follow me?”

“So attentively, and with so much confidence in what you say,

that for the moment I lose sight,” touching the back of the Doctor’s

chair, “even of this distress.”

“You have money, and can buy the means of travelling to the

seacoast as quickly as the journey can be made. Your preparations

have been completed for some days, to return to England. Early

tomorrow have your horses ready, so that they may be in starting

trim at two o’clock in the afternoon.”

“It shall be done!”

His manner was so fervent and inspiring, that Mr. Lorry caught

the flame, and was quick as youth.