a.”

The Sheep of the prisons turned from him to Sydney Carton,

and said, with more decision, “It has come to a point. I go on duty

soon, and can’t overstay my time. You told me you had a proposal;

what is it? Now, it is of no use asking too much of me. Ask me to

do anything in my office, putting my head in great extra danger,

and I had better trust my life to the chances of a refusal than the

chances of consent. In short, I should make that choice. You talk of

desperation. We are all desperate here. Remember! I may

denounce you if I think proper, and I can swear my way through

stone walls, and so can others. Now, what do you want with me?”

“Not very much. You are a turnkey at the Conciergerie?”

“I tell you once for all, there is no such thing as an escape

possible,” said the spy firmly.

“Why need you tell me what I have not asked? You are a

turnkey at the Conciergerie?”

“I am sometimes.”

“You can be when you choose?”

“I can pass in and out when I choose.”

Sydney Carton filled another glass with brandy, poured it

slowly out upon the hearth, and watched it as it dropped. It being

all spent, he said, rising:

“So far, we have spoken before these two, because it was as well

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

that the merits of the cards should not rest solely between you and

me. Come into the dark room here, a