第5章

andkeepaguardonyourtongue。” Thedooropened，andfourmenentered。OnewasanoldmanwhomI hadnotseenbefore；intheotherthreeIrecognizedtheworkman-likefootman，andthetwosinisterartisanswhomIhadmetatthehouse-gate。Theyallstarted，guiltilyenough，atseeingme。 \"Letmeintroduceyou，\"saidthedoctor，takingmebythearm。 \"OldFileandYoungFile，MillandScrew——Mr。FrankSoftly。Wehavenicknamesinthisworkshop，Mr。Softly，derivedhumorouslyfromourprofessionaltoolsandmachinery。Whenyouhavebeenherelongenough，youwillgetanickname，too。Gentlemen，\"hecontinued，turningtotheworkmen，\"thisisanewrecruit，withaknowledgeofchemistrywhichwillbeusefultous。Heisperfectlywellawarethatthenatureofourvocationmakesussuspiciousofallnewcomers，andhe，therefore，desirestogiveyoupracticalproofthatheistobedependedon，bymakinghalf-a-crownimmediately，andsendingthesameup，alongwithourhandiwork，directedinhisownhandwriting，toourestimablecorrespondentsinLondon。Whenyouhaveallseenhimdothisofhisownfreewill，andtherebyputhisownlifeascompletelywithinthepowerofthelawaswehaveputours，youwillknowthatheisreallyoneofus，andwillbeundernoapprehensionsforthefuture。Takegreatpainswithhim，andassoonasheturnsoutatolerablyneatarticle，fromthesimpleflattedplates，underyourinspection，letmeknow。Ishalltakeafewhours\'reposeonmycamp-bedinthestudy，andshallbefoundtherewheneveryouwantme。” Henoddedtousallroundinthemostfriendlymanner，andlefttheroom。 Ilookedwithconsiderablesecretdistrustatthefourgentlemenwhoweretoinstructmeintheartofmakingfalsecoin。YoungFilewastheworkman-likefootman；OldFilewashisfather；MillandScrewwerethetwosinisterartisans。ThemanofthecompanywhoselooksIlikedleastwasScrew。Hehadwickedlittletwinklingeyes——andtheyfollowedmeabouttreacherouslywheneverImoved。\"YouandI，Screw，arelikelytoquarrel，\"Ithoughttomyself，asItriedvainlytostarehimoutofcountenance。 Ienteredonmynewandfeloniousfunctionsforthwith。Resistancewasuseless，andcallingforhelpwouldhavebeensheerinsanity。 Itwasmidnight；and，evensupposingthewindowshadnotbeenbarred，thehousewasamilefromanyhumanhabitation。 Accordingly，Iabandonedmyselftofatewithmyusualmagnanimity。OnlyletmeendinwinningAlicia，andIamresignedtothelossofwhateversmallshredsandpatchesofrespectabilitystillhangaboutme——suchwasmyphilosophy。I wishIcouldhavetakenhighermoralgroundwithequallyconsolingresultstomyownfeelings。 Thesameregardforthewell-beingofsocietywhichledmetoabstainfromenteringintoparticularsonthesubjectofOldMaster-making，whenIwasapprenticedtoMr。IshmaelPickup，nowcommandsmetobeequallydiscreetonthekindredsubjectofHalf-Crown-making，undertheauspicesofOldFile，YoungFile，Mill，andScrew。 LetmemerelyrecordthatIwasakindofmachineinthehandsofthesefourskilledworkmen。Imovedfromroomtoroom，andfromprocesstoprocess，thecreatureoftheirdirectingeyesandguidinghands。Icutmyself，Iburnedmyself，Igotspeechlessfromfatigue，andgiddyfromwantofsleep。Inshort，thesunofthenewdaywashighintheheavensbeforeitwasnecessarytodisturbDoctorDulcifer。Ithadabsolutelytakenmealmostaslongtomanufactureahalf-a-crownfeloniouslyasittakesarespectablemantomakeithonestly。Thisissayingagreatdeal； butitisliterallytrueforallthat。 Lookingquitefreshandrosyafterhisnight\'ssleep，thedoctorinspectedmycoinwiththeairofaschoolmasterexaminingalittleboy\'sexercise；thenhandedittoOldFiletoputthefinishedtouchesandcorrectthemistakes。Itwasafterwardreturnedtome。Myownhandplaceditinoneoftherouleauxoffalsehalf-crowns；andmyownhandalsodirectedthespuriouscoin，whenithadbeensafelypackedup，toacertainLondondealerwhowastobeonthelookoutforitbythenextnight\'smail。Thatdone，myinitiationwassofarcomplete。 \"Ihavesentforyourluggage，andpaidyourbillattheinn，\" saidthedoctor；\"ofcourseinyourname。YouarenowtoenjoythehospitalitythatIcouldnotextendtoyoubefore。Aroomupstairshasbeenpreparedforyou。Youarenotexactlyinastateofconfinement；but，untilyourstudiesarecompleted，I thinkyouhadbetternotinterruptthembygoingout。” \"Aprisoner!\"Iexclaimedaghast。 \"Prisonerisahardword，\"answeredthedoctor。\"Letussay，aguestundersurveillance。” \"Doyouseriouslymeanthatyouintendtokeepmeshutupinthispartofthehouse，atyourwillandpleasure？\"Iinquired，myheartsinkinglowerandlowerateverywordIspoke。 \"Itisveryspaciousandairy，\"saidthedoctor；\"asforthelowerpartofthehouse，youwouldfindnocompanythere，soyoucan\'twanttogotoit。” \"Nocompany!\"Irepeatedfaintly。 \"No。Mydaughterwentawaythismorningforchangeofairandscene，accompaniedbymyhousekeeper。Youlookastonished，mydearsir——letmefranklyexplainmyself。WhileyouweretherespectablesonofDoctorSoftly，andgrandsonofLadyMalkinshaw，Iwasreadyenoughtoletmydaughterassociatewithyou，andshouldnothaveobjectedifyouhadmarriedheroffmyhandsintoahighly-connectedfamily。Now，however，whenyouarenothingbutoneoftheworkmeninmymanufactoryofmoney，yoursocialpositionisseriouslyalteredfortheworse；and，asI couldnotpossiblythinkofyouforason-in-law，IhaveconsidereditbesttopreventallchanceofyourcommunicatingwithAliciaagain，bysendingherawayfromthishousewhileyouareinit。YouwillbeinituntilIhavecompletedcertainbusinessarrangementsnowinaforwardstateofprogress——afterthat，youmaygoawayifyouplease。Prayrememberthatyouhavetothankyourselfforthepositionyounowstandin；anddomethejusticetoadmitthatmyconducttowardyouisremarkablystraightforward，andperfectlynaturalunderallthecircumstances。” Thesewordsfairlyoverwhelmedme。Ididnotevenmakeanattempttoanswerthem。Thehardtrialstomycourage，endurance，andphysicalstrength，throughwhichIhadpassedwithinthelasttwelvehours，hadcompletelyexhaustedallmypowersofresistance。Iwentawayspeechlesstomyownroom；andwhenI foundmyselfalonethere，burstoutcrying。Childish，wasitnot？ WhenIhadbeenrestedandstrengthenedbyafewhours\'sleep，I foundmyselfabletoconfrontthefuturewithtolerablecalmness。 Whatwoulditbebestformetodo？OughtItoattempttomakemyescape？Ididnotdespairofsucceeding；butwhenIbegantothinkoftheconsequencesofsuccess，Ihesitated。Mychiefobjectnowwas，notsomuchtosecuremyownfreedom，astofindmywaytoAlicia。IhadneverbeensodeeplyanddesperatelyinlovewithherasIwasnow，whenIknewshewasseparatedfromme。SupposeIsucceededinescapingfromtheclutchesofDoctorDulcifer——mightInotbecastingmyselfuselesslyontheworld，withoutachanceoffindingasingleclewtotraceherby？ Suppose，ontheotherhand，thatIremainedforthepresentinthered-brickhouse——shouldInotbythatcourseofconductbeputtingmyselfinthebestpositionformakingdiscoveries？ Inthefirstplace，therewasthechancethatAliciamightfindsomesecretmeansofcommunicatingwithmeifIremainedwhereI was。Inthesecondplace，thedoctorwould，inallprobability，haveoccasiontowritetohisdaughter，orwouldbelikelytoreceivelettersfromher；and，ifIquietedallsuspiciononmyaccount，bydocilebehavior，andkeptmyeyessharplyonthelookout，Imightfindopportunitiesofsurprisingthesecretsofhiswriting-desk。IfeltthatIneedbeundernorestraintsofhonorwithamanwhowaskeepingmeaprisoner，andwhohadmadeanaccompliceofmebythreateningmylife。Accordingly，whileresolvingtoshowoutwardlyanamiablesubmissiontomyfate，I determinedatthesametimetokeepsecretlyonthewatch，andtotaketheveryfirstchanceofoutwittingDoctorDulciferthatmighthappentopresentitself。WhenwenextmetIwasperfectlyciviltohim。Hewastoowell-bredamannottomatchmeonthecommongroundofcourtesy。 \"Permitmetocongratulateyou，\"hesaid，\"ontheimprovementinyourmannerandappearance。Youarebeginningwell，Francis。Goonasyouhavebegun。” CHAPTERX。 MYfirstfewdays\'experienceinmynewpositionsatisfiedmethatDoctorDulciferpreservedhimselffrombetrayalbyasystemofsurveillanceworthyoftheveryworstdaysoftheHolyInquisitionitself。 Nomanofuseverknewthathewasnotbeingoverlookedathome，orfollowedwhenhewentout，byanotherman。Peepholeswerepiercedinthewallofeachroom，andwewerenevercertain，whileatwork，whoseeyewasobserving，orwhoseearwaslisteninginsecret。Thoughwealllivedtogether，wewereprobablytheleastunitedbodyofmeneverassembledunderoneroof。Bywayofeffectuallykeepingupthewantofunionbetweenus，wewerenotalltrustedalike。IsoondiscoveredthatOldFileandYoungFileweremuchfurtheradvancedinthedoctor\'sconfidencethanMill，Screw，ormyself。Therewasalocked-uproom，andacontinually-closeddoorshuttingoffabackstaircase，ofbothofwhichOldFileandYoungFilepossessedkeysthatwereneversomuchastrustedinthepossessionoftherestofus。Therewasalsoatrap-doorintheflooroftheprincipalworkroom，theuseofwhichwasknowntonobodybutthedoctorandhistwoprivilegedmen。Ifwehadnotbeenallnearlyonanequalityinthematterofwages，thesedistinctionswouldhavemadebadbloodamongus。Asitwas，nobodyhavingreasontocomplainofunjustly-diminishedwages，nobodycaredaboutanypreferencesinwhichprofitwasnotinvolved。 Thedoctormusthavegainedagreatdealofmoneybyhisskillasacoiner。Hisprofitsinbusinesscouldneverhaveaveragedlessthanfivehundredpercent；and，todohimjustice，hewasreallyagenerousaswellasarichmaster。 EvenI，asanewhand，was，infairproportion，aswellpaidbytheweekastherest。 We，ofcourse，hadnothingtodowiththepassingoffalsemoney——weonlymanufacturedit(sometimesattherateoffourhundredpounds\'worthinaweek)；andleftitscirculationtobemanagedbyourcustomersinLondonandthelargetowns。WhateverwepaidforinBarkinghamwaspaidforinthegenuineMintcoinage。Iusedoftentocomparemyowntrueguineas，half-crownsandshillingswithourimitationsunderthedoctor\'ssupervision，andwasalwaysamazedattheresemblance。Ourscientificchiefhaddiscoveredaprocesssomethinglikewhatiscalledelectrotypingnowadays，asIimagine。Hewasveryproudofthis； buthewasprouderstilloftheringofhismetal，andwithreason:itmusthavebeenaniceearindeedthatcoulddiscoverthefalsetonesinthedoctor\'scoinage。 IfIhadbeenthemostscrupulousmanintheworld，Imuststillhavereceivedmywages，fortheverynecessarypurposeofnotappearingtodistinguishmyselfinvidiouslyfrommyfellow-workmen。Uponthewhole，Igotonwellwiththem。OldFileandIstruckupquiteafriendship。YoungFileandMillworkedharmoniouslywithme，butScrewandI(asIhadforeboded) quarreled。 Thislastmanwasnotongoodtermswithhisfellows，andhadlessofthedoctor\'sconfidencethananyoftherestofus。 Naturallynotofasweettemper，hisisolatedpositioninthehousehadsouredhim，andherashlyattemptedtoventhisill-humoronme，asanewcomer。ForsomedaysIborewithhimpatiently；butatlasthegotthebetterofmypowersofendurance；andIgavehimalessoninmanners，oneday，ontheeducationalsystemofGentlemanJones。Hedidnotreturntheblow，orcomplaintothedoctor；heonlylookedatmewickedly，andsaid:\"I\'llbeevenwithyouforthat，someofthesedays。”I soonforgotthewordsandthelook。 WithOldFile，asIhavesaid，Ibecamequitefriendly。Exceptingthesecretsofourprison-house，hewasreadyenoughtotalkonsubjectsaboutwhichIwascurious。 Hehadknownhispresentmasterasayoungman，andwasperfectlyfamiliarwithalltheeventsofhiscareer。Fromvariousconversations，atoddsandendsofsparetime，IdiscoveredthatDoctorDulciferhadbegunlifeasafootmaninagentleman\'sfamily；thathisyoungmistresshadelopedwithhim，takingawaywithhereveryarticleofvaluethatwasherownpersonalproperty，intheshapeofjewelryanddresses；thattheyhadliveduponthesaleofthesethingsforsometime；andthatthehusband，whenthewife\'smeanswereexhausted，hadturnedstrolling-playerforayearortwo。Abandoningthatpursuit，hehadnextbecomeaquack-doctor，firstinaresident，theninavagabondcapacity——takingamedicaldegreeofhisownconferring，andholdingtoitasagoodtravelingtitlefortherestofhislife。Fromthesellingofquackmedicineshehadproceededtotheadulteratingofforeignwines，variedbylucrativeeveningoccupationintheParisgamblinghouses。Onreturningtohisnativeland，hestillcontinuedtoturnhischemicalknowledgetoaccount，bygivinghisservicestothatparticularbranchofourcommercialindustrywhichiscommonlydescribedastheadulterationofcommodities；andfromthishehadgraduallyrisentothemorerefinedpursuitofadulteratinggoldandsilver——or，tousethecommonphraseagain，makingbadmoney。 AccordingtoOldFile\'sstatement，thoughDoctorDulciferhadneveractuallyill-usedhiswife，hehadneverlivedonkindtermswithher:themaincauseoftheestrangementbetweenthem，inlateryears，beingMrs。Dulcifer\'sresoluteresistancetoherhusband\'splansforemergingfrompoverty，bythesimpleprocessofcoininghisownmoney。Thepoorwomanstillheldfastbysomeoftheprinciplesimpartedtoherinhappierdays；andshewasdevotedlyfondofherdaughter。Atthetimeofhersuddendeath，shewassecretlymakingarrangementstoleavethedoctor，andfindarefugeforherselfandherchildinaforeigncountry，underthecareoftheonefriendofherfamilywhohadnotcastheroff。QuestioningmyinformantaboutAlicianext，Ifoundthatheknewverylittleaboutherrelationswithherfatherinlateryears。Thatshemustlongsincehavediscoveredhimtobenotquitesorespectableamanashelooked，andthatshemightsuspectsomethingwrongwasgoingoninthehouseatthepresenttime，were，inOldFile\'sopinion，mattersofcertainty；butthatsheknewanythingpositivelyonthesubjectofherfather\'soccupations，heseemedtodoubt。Thedoctorwasnotthesortofmantogivehisdaughter，oranyotherwoman，theslightestchanceofsurprisinghissecrets。 TheseparticularsIgleanedduringonelongmonthofservitudeandimprisonmentinthefatalred-brickhouse。 DuringallthattimenottheslightestintimationreachedmeofAlicia\'swhereabouts。Hadsheforgottenme？Icouldnotbelieveit。Unlessthedearbrowneyeswerethefalsesthypocritesintheworld，itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldhaveforgottenme。Wasshewatched？Wereallmeansofcommunicatingwithme，eveninsecret，carefullyremovedfromher？Ilookedoftenerandoftenerintothedoctor\'sstudyasthosequestionsoccurredtome；butheneverquitteditwithoutlockingthewriting-deskfirst——heneverleftanypapersscatteredonthetable，andhewasneverabsentfromtheroomatanyspecialtimesandseasonsthatcouldbepreviouslycalculatedupon。Ibegantodespair，andtofeelinmylonelymomentsayearningtorenewthatchildishexperimentofcrying，whichIhavealreadyadvertedto，inthewayofconfession。MoralistswillbegladtohearthatIreallysufferedacutementalmiseryatthistimeofmylife。MystateofdepressionwouldhavegratifiedthemostexactingofMethodists； andmypenitentfacewouldhavemademyfortuneifIcouldonlyhavebeenexhibitedbyareformatoryassociationontheplatformofExeterHall。 Howmuchlongerwasthistolast？WhithershouldIturnmystepswhenIregainedmyfreedom？InwhatdirectionthroughoutallEnglandshouldIbegintolookforAlicia？ Sleepingandwalking——workingandidling——thosewerenowmyconstantthoughts。Ididmybesttopreparemyselfforeveryemergencythatcouldhappen；Itriedtoarmmyselfbeforehandagainsteverypossibleaccidentthatcouldbefallme。WhileIwasstillhardatworksharpeningmyfacultiesanddiscipliningmyenergiesinthisway，anaccidentbefellthedoctor，onthepossibilityofwhichIhadnotdaredtocalculate，eveninmymosthopefulmoments。 CHAPTERXI。 ONEmorningIwasengagedintheprincipalworkroomwithmyemployer。Wewerealone。OldFileandhissonwereoccupiedinthegarrets。ScrewhadbeensenttoBarkingham，accompanied，ontheusualprecautionaryplan，byMill。TheyhadbeengonenearlyanhourwhenthedoctorsentmeintothenextroomtomoistenandkneadupsomeplasterofParis。WhileIwasengagedinthisoccupation，Isuddenlyheardstrangevoicesinthelargeworkroom。Mycuriositywasinstantlyexcited。Idrewbackthelittleshutterfromthepeepholeinthewall，andlookedthroughit。 Isawfirstmyoldenemy，Screw，withhisvillainousfacemuchpalerthanusual；next，tworespectably-dressedstrangerswhomheappearedtohavebroughtintotheroom；andnexttothemYoungFile，addressinghimselftothedoctor。 \"Ibegyourpardon，sir，\"saidmyfriend，theworkman-likefootman；\"butbeforethesegentlemensayanythingforthemselves，Iwishtoexplain，astheyseemstrangerstoyou，thatIonlylettheminafterIhadheardthemgivethepassword。Myinstructionsaretoletanybodyinonoursideofthedooriftheycangivethepassword。Nooffense，sir，butIwantittobeunderstoodthatIhavedonemyduty。” \"Quiteright，myman，\"saidthedoctor，inhisblandestmanner。 \"Youmaygobacktoyourwork。” YoungFilelefttheroom，withascrutinizinglookforthetwostrangersandasuspiciousfrownforScrew。 \"Allowustointroduceourselves，\"begantheelderofthetwostrangers。 \"Pardonmeforamoment，\"interposedthedoctor。\"WhereisMill？\" headded，turningtoScrew。 \"DoingourerrandsatBarkingham，\"answeredScrew，turningpalerthanever。 \"Wehappenedtomeetyourtwomen，andtoaskthemthewaytoyourhouse，\"saidthestrangerwhohadjustspoken。\"Thisman，withacautionthatdoeshiminfinitecredit，requiredtoknowourbusinessbeforehetoldus。Wemanagedtointroducethepassword——\'Happy-go-lucky\'——intoouranswer。Thisofcoursequietedsuspicion；andhe，atourrequest，guidedushere，leavinghisfellow-workman，ashehasjusttoldyou，todoallerrandsatBarkingham。” Whilethesewordswerebeingspoken，IsawScrew\'seyeswanderingdiscontentedlyandamazedlyroundtheroom。Hehadleftmeinitwiththedoctorbeforehewentout:washedisappointedatnotfindingmeinitonhisreturn？ Whilethisthoughtwaspassingthroughmymind，thestrangerresumedhisexplanations。 \"Wearehere，\"hesaid，\"asagentsappointedtotransactprivatebusiness，outofLondon，forMr。Manasseh，withwhomyouhavedealings，Ithink？\" \"Certainly，\"saidthedoctor，withasmile。 \"Andwhoowesyoualittleaccount，whichweareappointedtosettle。” \"Justso!\"remarkedthedoctor，pleasantlyrubbinghishandsoneovertheother。\"Mygoodfriend，Mr。Manasseh，doesnotliketotrustthepost，Isuppose？Verygladtomakeyouracquaintance，gentlemen。Haveyougotthelittlememorandumaboutyou？\" \"Yes；butwethinkthereisaslightinaccuracyinit。Haveyouanyobjectiontoletusrefertoyourledger？\" \"Nottheleastintheworld。Screw，godownintomyprivatelaboratory，openthetable-drawernearestthewindow，andbringupalockedbook，withaparchmentcover，whichyouwillfindinit。” AsScrewobeyedIsawalookpassbetweenhimandthetwostrangerswhichmademebegintofeelalittleuneasy。Ithoughtthedoctornoticedittoo；buthepreservedhiscountenance，asusual，inastateofthemostunruffledcomposure。 \"Whatatimethatfellowisgone!\"heexclaimedgayly。\"PerhapsI hadbettergoandgetthebookmyself。” Thetwostrangershadbeengraduallylesseningthedistancebetweenthedoctorandthemselves，eversinceScrewhadlefttheroom。Thelastwordswerebarelyoutofhismouth，beforetheybothspranguponhim，andpinionedhisarmswiththeirhands。 \"Steady，myfinefellow，\"saidMr。Manasseh\'sheadagent。\"It\'snogo。WeareBowStreetrunners，andwe\'vegotyouforcoining。” \"Notadoubtofit，\"saidthedoctor，withthemostsuperbcoolness。\"Youneedn\'tholdme。I\'mnotfoolenoughtoresistwhenI\'mfairlycaught。” \"Waittillwe\'vesearchedyou；andthenwe\'lltalkaboutthat，\" saidtherunner。* Thedoctorsubmittedtothesearchingwiththepatienceofamartyr。Nooffensiveweaponbeingfoundinhispockets，theyallowedhimtositdownunmolestedinthenearestchair。 \"Screw，Isuppose？\"saidthedoctor，lookinginquiringlyattheofficers。 \"Exactly，\"saidtheprincipalmanofthetwo。\"Wehavebeensecretlycorrespondingwithhimforweekspast。Wehavenabbedthemanwhowentoutwithhim，andgothimsafeatBarkingham。 Don\'texpectScrewbackwiththeledger。Assoonashehasmadesurethattherestofyouareinthehouse，heistofetchanothermanortwoofourBowStreetlot，whoarewaitingoutsidetilltheyhearfromus。Weonlywantanoldmanandayoungone，andathirdpalofyourswhoisagentlemanborn，tomakearegularclearanceinthehouse。Whenwehaveoncegotyouall，itwillbetheprettiestcapturethat\'severbeenmadesinceIwasintheforce。” WhatthedoctoransweredtothisIcannotsay。Justastheofficerhaddonespeaking，IheardfootstepsapproachingtheroominwhichIwaslistening。WasScrewlookingforme？Iinstantlyclosedthepeepholeandgotbehindthedoor。Itopenedbackuponme，and，sureenough，Screwenteredcautiously。 Anemptyoldwardrobestoodoppositethedoor。EvidentlysuspectingthatImighthavetakenthealarmandconcealedmyselfinsideit，heapproacheditontiptoe。OntiptoealsoIfollowedhim；and，justashishandswereonthewardrobedoor，myhandswereonhisthroat。Hewasalittleman，andnomatchforme。I easilyandgentlylaidhimonhisback，inavoicelessandhalf-suffocatedstate——throwingmyselfrightoverhim，tokeephislegsquiet。WhenIsawhisfacegettingblack，andhissmalleyesgrowinglargelyglobular，Iletgowithonehand，crammedmyemptyplasterofParisbag，whichlaycloseby，intohismouth，tieditfast，securedhishandsandfeet，andthenlefthimperfectlyharmless，whileItookcounselwithmyselfhowbesttosecuremyownsafety。 Ishouldhavemademyescapeatonce；butforwhatIheardtheofficersayaboutthemenwhowerewaitingoutside。Weretheywaitingnearoratadistance？Weretheyonthewatchatthefrontorthebackofthehouse？Ithoughtithighlydesirabletogivemyselfachanceofascertainingtheirwhereaboutsfromthetalkoftheofficersinthenextroom，beforeIriskedthepossibilityofrunningrightintotheirclutchesontheoutersideofthedoor。 Icautiouslyopenedthepeepholeoncemore。 ThedoctorappearedtobestillonthemostfriendlytermswithhisvigilantguardiansfromBowStreet。 \"Haveyouanyobjectiontomyringingforsomelunch，beforewearealltakenofftoLondontogether？\"Iheardhimaskinhismostcheerfultones。\"Aglassofwineandabitofbreadandcheesewon\'tdoyouanyharm，gentlemen，ifyouareashungryasIam。” \"Ifyouwanttoeatanddrink，orderthevictualsatonce，\" repliedoneoftherunners，sulkily。\"Wedon\'thappentowantanythingourselves。” \"Sorryforit，\"saidthedoctor。\"IhavesomeofthebestoldMadeirainEngland。” \"Likeenough，\"retortedtheofficersarcastically。\"Butyouseewearenotquitesuchfoolsaswelook；andwehaveheardofsuchathing，inourtime，ashocussedwine。” \"Ofie!fie!\"exclaimedthedoctormerrily。\"RememberhowwellI ambehavingmyself，anddon\'twoundmyfeelingsbysuspectingmeofsuchshockingtreacheryasthat!\" Hemovedtoacorneroftheroombehindhim，andtouchedaknobinthewallwhichIhadneverbeforeobserved。Abellrangdirectly，whichhadanewtoneinittomyears。 \"Toobad，\"saidthedoctor，turningroundagaintotherunners； \"reallytoobad，gentlemen，tosuspectmeofthat!\" Shakinghisheaddeprecatingly，hemovedbacktothecorner，pulledasidesomethinginthewall，disclosedthemouthofapipewhichwasaperfectnoveltytome，andcalleddownit。 \"Moses!\" ItwasthefirsttimeIhadheardthatnameinthehouse。 \"WhoisMoses？\"inquiredtheofficersbothtogether，advancingonhimsuspiciously。 \"Onlymyservant，\"answeredthedoctor。Heturnedoncemoretothepipe，andcalleddownit: \"BringuptheStiltonCheese，andabottleoftheOldMadeira。” ThecheesewehadinuseatthattimewasofpurelyDutchextraction。IrememberedPort，Sherry，andClaretinmypalmydinner-daysatthedoctor\'sfamily-table；butcertainlynotOldMadeira。Perhapsheselfishlykepthisbestwineandhischoicestcheeseforhisownconsumption。 \"Sam，\"saidoneoftherunnerstotheother，\"youlooktoourcivilfriendhere，andI\'llgrabMoseswhenhebringsupthelunch。” \"Wouldyouliketoseewhattheoperationofcoiningis，whilemymanisgettingthelunchready？\"saidthedoctor。\"Itmaybeofusetomeatthetrial，ifyoucantestifythatIaffordedyoueveryfacilityforfindingoutanythingyoumightwanttoknow。 Onlymentionmypoliteanxietytomakethingseasyandinstructivefromtheveryfirst，andImaygetrecommendedtomercy。Seehere——thisqueer-lookingmachine，gentlemen(fromwhichtwoofmymenderivetheirnicknames)，iswhatwecallaMill-and-Screw。” Hebegantoexplainthemachinewiththemannerandtoneofalectureratascientificinstitution。Inspiteofthemselves，theofficersburstoutlaughing。IlookedroundatScrewasthedoctorgotdeeperintohisexplanations。Thetraitorwasrollinghiswickedeyeshorriblyatme。Theypresentedsoshockingasight，thatIlookedawayagain。WhatwasItodonext？Theminutesweregettingon，andIhadnotheardawordyet，throughthepeephole，onthesubjectofthereserveofBowStreetrunnersoutside。Woulditnotbebesttoriskeverything，andgetawayatoncebythebackofthehouse？ JustasIhadresolvedonventuringtheworst，andmakingmyescapeforthwith，Iheardtheofficersinterruptthedoctor\'slecture。 \"Yourlunchisalongtimecoming，\"saidoneofthem。 \"Mosesislazy，\"answeredthedoctor；\"andtheMadeiraisinaremotepartofthecellar。ShallIringagain？\" \"Hangyourringingagain!\"growledtherunner，impatiently。\"I don\'tunderstandwhyourreservemenarenothereyet。Supposeyougoandgivethemawhistle，Sam。” \"Idon\'thalflikeleavingyou，\"returnedSam。\"Thislearnedgentlemanhereisratherashiftysortofchap；anditstrikesmethattwoofusisn\'tabittoomuchtowatchhim。” \"What\'sthat？\"exclaimedSam\'scomrade，suspiciously。 Acrashofbrokencrockeryinthelowerpartofthehousehadfollowedthatlastwordofthecautiousofficer\'sspeech。 Naturally，Icoulddrawnospecialinferencefromthesound；but，forallthat，itfilledmewithabreathlessinterestandsuspicion，whichheldmeirresistiblyatthepeephole——thoughthemomentbeforeIhadmadeupmymindtoflyfromthehouse。 \"Mosesisawkwardaswellaslazy，\"saidthedoctor。\"Hehasdroppedthetray!Oh，dear，dearme!hehascertainlydroppedthetray。” \"Let\'stakeourlearnedfrienddownstairsbetweenus，\"suggestedSam。\"Ishan\'tbeeasytillwe\'vegothimoutofthehouse。” \"AndIshan\'tbeeasyifwedon\'thandcuffhimbeforeweleavetheroom，\"returnedtheother。 \"Rudeconduct，gentlemen——afterallthathaspassed，remarkablyrudeconduct，\"saidthedoctor。\"MayI，atleast，getmyhatwhilemyhandsareatliberty？Ithangsonthatpegoppositetous。”Hemovedtowarditafewstepsintothemiddleoftheroomwhilehespoke。 \"Stop!\"saidSam；\"I\'llgetyourhatforyou。We\'llseeifthere\'sanythinginsideitornot，beforeyouputiton。” Thedoctorstoodstockstill，likeasoldierattheword，Halt。 \"AndI\'llgetthehandcuffs，\"saidtheotherrunner，searchinghiscoat-pockets。 Thedoctorbowedtohimassentinglyandforgivingly。 \"Onlyobligemewithmyhat，andIshallbequitereadyforyou，\" hesaid——pausedforonemoment，thenrepeatedthewords，\"Quiteready，\"inaloudertone——andinstantlydisappearedthroughthefloor! Isawthetwoofficersrushfromoppositeendsoftheroomtoagreatopeninginthemiddleofit。Thetrap-dooronwhichthedoctorhadbeenstanding，andonwhichhehaddescended，closedupwithabangatthesamemoment；andafriendlyvoicefromthelowerregionscalledoutgayly，\"Good-by!\" Theofficersnextmadeforthedooroftheroom。Ithadbeenlockedfromtheotherside。Astheytorefuriouslyatthehandle，therollofthewheelsofthedoctor\'sgigsoundedonthedriveinfrontofthehouse；andthefriendlyvoicecalledoutoncemore，\"Good-by!\" Iwaitedjustlongenoughtoseethebaffledofficersunbarringthewindowshuttersforthepurposeofgivingthealarm，beforeI closedthepeephole，andwithafarewelllookatthedistortedfaceofmyprostrateenemy，Screw，lefttheroom。 Thedoctor\'sstudy-doorwasopenasIpasseditonmywaydownstairs。Thelockedwriting-desk，whichprobablycontainedtheonlyclewtoAlicia\'sretreatthatIwaslikelytofind，wasinitsusualplaceonthetable。Therewasnotimetobreakitopenonthespot。Irolleditupinmyapron，tookitoffbodilyundermyarm，anddescendedtotheirondooronthestaircase。JustasIwaswithinsightofit，itwasopenedfromthelandingontheotherside。Iturnedtorunupstairsagain，whenafamiliarvoicecried，\"Stop!\"andlookinground，IbeheldYoungFile。 \"Allright!\"hesaid。\"Father\'soffwiththegovernorinthegig，andtherunnersinhidingoutsideareinfullcryafterthem。IfBowStreetcangetwithinpistol-shotofthebloodmare，allI cansayis，IgiveBowStreetfullleavetofireawaywithbothbarrels!Where\'sScrew？\" \"Gaggedbymeinthecasting-room。” \"Welldone，you!Gotallyourthings，Isee，underyourarm？WaittwosecondswhileIgrabmymoney。Nevermindtherumpusupstairs——there\'snobodyoutsidetohelpthem；andthegate\'slocked，iftherewas。” Hedartedpastmeupthestairs。Icouldheartheimprisonedofficersshoutingforhelpfromthetopwindows。Theirreservemenmusthavebeenfaraway，bythistime，inpursuitofthegig； andtherewasnotmuchchanceoftheirgettingusefulhelpfromanystraycountrymanwhomightbepassingalongtheroad，exceptinthewayofsendingamessagetoBarkingham。Anyhowweweresureofahalfhourtoescapein，attheveryleast。 \"Nowthen，\"saidYoungFile，rejoiningme；\"let\'sbeoffbythebackwaythroughtheplantations。HowcameyoutolayyourluckyhandsonScrew？\"hecontinued，whenwehadpassedthroughtheirondoor，andhadcloseditafterus。 \"Tellmefirsthowthedoctormanagedtomakeaholeinthefloorjustinthenickoftime。” \"What!didyouseethetrapsprung？\" \"Isaweverything。” \"Thedevilyoudid!Hadyouanynotionthatsignalsweregoingon，allthewhileyouwereonthewatch？Wehavearegularsetofthemincaseofaccidents。It\'sarulethatfather，andme，andthedoctorarenevertobeintheworkroomtogether——soastokeeponeofusalwaysatlibertytoactonthesignals——Whereareyougoingto？\" \"Onlytogetthegardener\'sladdertohelpusoverthewall。Goon。” \"Thefirstsignalisaprivatebell——thatmeans，_Listenatthepipe。_Thenextisacalldownthepipefor\'Moses\'——thatmeans，_Danger!Lockthedoor。_\'StiltonCheese\'means，_PuttheMareto；_and\'OldMadeira\'_Standbythetrap。_Thetrapworksinthatlocked-uproomyounevergotinto；andwhenourhandsareonthemachinery，weareawkwardenoughtohavealittleaccidentwiththeluncheontray。\'QuiteReady\'isthesignaltolowerthetrap，whichwedointheregulartheater-fashion。Weloweredthedoctorsmartlyenough，asyousaw，andgotoutbythebackstaircase。Fatherwentinthegig，andIletthemoutandlockedthegatesafterthem。NowyouknowasmuchasI\'vegotbreathtotellyou。” Wescaledthewalleasilybythehelpoftheladder。Whenweweredownontheotherside，YoungFilesuggestedthatthesafestcourseforuswastoseparate，andforeachtotakehisownway。 Weshookhandsandparted。Hewentsouthward，towardLondon，andIwentwestward，towardthesea-coast，withDoctorDulcifer\'spreciouswriting-desksafeundermyarm—— *The\"BowStreetrunners\"ofthosedayswerethepredecessorsofthedetectivepoliceofthepresenttime。 CHAPTERXII。 FORacoupleofhoursIwalkedonbriskly，carelessinwhatdirectionIwent，solongasIkeptmybackturnedonBarkingham。 BythetimeIhadputsevenmilesofground，accordingtomycalculations，betweenmeandthered-brickhouse，Ibegantolookuponthedoctor\'swriting-deskratherinthelightofanincumbrance，anddeterminedtoexamineitwithoutfurtherdelay。 AccordinglyIpickedupthefirstlargestoneIcouldfindintheroad，crossedacommon，burstthroughahedge，andcametoahalt，ontheotherside，inathickwood。Here，findingmyselfwellscreenedfrompublicview，Ibrokeopenthedeskwiththehelpofthestone，andbegantolookoverthecontents。 TomyunspeakabledisappointmentIfoundbutfewpapersofanykindtoexamine。Thedeskwasbeautifullyfittedwithallthenecessarymaterialsforkeepingupalargecorrespondence；buttherewerenotmorethanhalfadozenlettersinitaltogether。 Fourwereonbusinessmatters，andtheothertwowereofafriendlynature，referringtopersonsandthingsinwhichIdidnotfeelthesmallestinterest。Ifoundbesideshalfadozenbillsreceipted(thedoctorwasamirrorofpunctualityinthepaymentoftradesmen)，noteandletter-paperofthefinestquality，clarifiedpens，aprettylittlepin-cushion，twosmallaccount-booksfilledwiththeneatestentries，andsomeleavesofblotting-paper。Nothingelse；absolutelynothingelse，inthetreacherouswriting-deskonwhichIhadimplicitlyreliedtoguidemetoAlicia\'shiding-place。 Igroanedinsheerwretchednessoverthedestructionofallmydearestplansandhopes。IftheBowStreetrunnershadcomeintotheplantationjustasIhadcompletedtheriflingofthedeskI thinkIshouldhaveletthemtakemewithoutmakingtheslightesteffortatescape。Asitwas，nolivingsoulappearedwithinsightofme。Imusthavesatatthefootofatreeforfullhalfanhour，withthedoctor\'suselessbillsandlettersbeforeme，withmyheadinmyhands，andwithallmyenergiesofbodyandmindutterlycrushedbydespair。 Attheendofthehalfhour，thenaturalrestlessnessofmyfacultiesbegantomakeitselffelt。 Whatevermaybesaidaboutitinbooks，noemotioninthisworldeverdid，oreverwill，lastforlongtogether。Thestrongfeelingmayreturnoverandoveragain；butitmusthaveitsconstantintervalsofchangeorrepose。Inreallifethebitterestgriefdoggedlytakesitsrestanddriesitseyes；theheaviestdespairsinkstoacertainlevel，andstopstheretogivehopeachanceofrising，inspiteofus。Eventhejoyofanunexpectedmeetingisalwaysanimperfectsensation，foritneverlastslongenoughtojustifyoursecretanticipations——ourhappinessdwindlestomereevery-daycontentmentbeforewehavehalfdonewithit。