第6章

Iraisedmyhead，andgatheredthebillsandletterstogether，andstoodupamanagain，wonderingatthevariablenessofmyowntemper，atthecuriouselasticityofthattoughestofallthevitalsubstanceswithinus，whichwecallHope。\"Sittingandsighingatthefootofthistree，\"Ithought，\"isnotthewaytofindAlicia，ortosecuremyownsafety。Letmecirculatemybloodandrousemyingenuity，bytakingtotheroadagain。” BeforeIforcedmywaybacktotheopensideofthehedge，I thoughtitdesirabletotearupthebillsandletters，forfearofbeingtracedbythemiftheywerefoundintheplantation。ThedeskIleftwhereitwas，therebeingnonameonit。Thenote-paperandpensIpocketed——forlornasmysituationwas，itdidnotauthorizemetowastestationery。Theblotting-paperwasthelastthinglefttodisposeof:twoneatly-foldedsheets，quiteclean，exceptinoneplace，wheretheimpressionofafewlinesofwritingappeared。Iwasabouttoputtheblotting-paperintomypocketafterthepens，whensomethinginthelookofthewritingimpressedonit，stoppedme。 Fourblurredlinesappearedofnotmorethantwoorthreewordseach，runningoutonebeyondanotherregularlyfromlefttoright。Hadthedoctorbeencomposingpoetryandblottingitinaviolenthurry？Atafirstglance，thatwasmorethanIcouldtell。Theorderofthewrittenletters，whatevertheymightbe，wasreversedonthefaceoftheimpressiontakenofthembytheblotting-paper。Iturnedtotheothersideoftheleaf。Theorderoftheletterswasnowright，butthelettersthemselvesweresometimestoofaintlyimpressed，sometimestoomuchblurredtogethertobelegible。Iheldtheleafuptothelight——andtherewasacompletechange:theblurredlettersgrewclearer，theinvisibleconnectinglinesappeared——Icouldreadthewordsfromfirsttolast。 Thewritingmusthavebeenhurried，andithadtoallappearancebeenhurriedlydriedtowardthecornerofaperfectlycleanleafoftheblotting-paper。Aftertwicereading，IfeltsurethatI hadmadeoutcorrectlythefollowingaddress: MissGiles，2ZionPlace，Crickgelly，N。Wales。 Itwashardunderthecircumstances，toformanopinionastothehandwriting；butIthoughtIcouldrecognizethecharacterofsomeofthedoctor\'sletters，evenintheblottedimpressionofthem。SupposingIwasright，whowasMissGiles？ SomeWelshfriendofthedoctor\'s，unknowntome？Probablyenough。ButwhynotAliciaherselfunderanassumedname？Havingsentherfromhometokeepheroutofmyway，itseemednexttoacertaintythatherfatherwouldtakeallpossiblemeasurestopreventmytracingher，andwould，therefore，asacommonactofprecaution，forbidhertotravelunderherownname。Crickgelly，NorthWales，wasassuredlyaveryremoteplacetobanishherto； butthenthedoctorwasnotamantodothingsbyhalves:heknewthelengthstowhichmycunningandresolutionwerecapableofcarryingme；andhewouldhavebeeninnocentindeedifhehadhiddenhisdaughterfrommeinanyplacewithinreasonabledistanceofBarkingham。Last，andnotleastimportant，MissGilessoundedinmyearsexactlylikeanassumedname。 WasthereeveranywomanabsolutelyandliterallynamedMissGiles？HoweverImayhavealteredmyopiniononthispointsince，mymindwasnotinaconditionatthattimetoadmitthepossibleexistenceofanysuchindividualasamaidenGiles。Before，therefore，Ihadputthepreciousblotting-paperintomypocket，Ihadsatisfiedmyselfthatmyfirstduty，underallthecircumstances，wastoshapemyflightimmediatelytoCrickgelly。 Icouldbecertainofnothing——notevenofidentifyingthedoctor\'shandwritingbytheimpressionontheblotting-paper。ButprovidedIkeptclearofBarkingham，itwasallthesametomewhatpartoftheUnitedKingdomIwentto；and，intheabsenceofanyactualclewtoherplaceofresidence，therewasconsolationandencouragementeveninfollowinganimaginarytrace。MyspiritsrosetotheirnaturalheightasIstruckintothehighroadagain，andbeheldacrossthelevelplainthesmoke，chimneys，andchurchspiresofalargemanufacturingtown。ThereIsawthewelcomepromiseofacoach——thehappychanceofmakingmyjourneytoCrickgellyeasyandrapidfromtheveryoutset。 Onmywaytothetown，IwasremindedbythestaringofallthepeopleIpassedontheroad，ofoneimportantconsiderationwhichIhadhithertomostunaccountablyoverlooked——thenecessityofmakingsomeradicalchangeinmypersonalappearance。 IhadnocausetodreadtheBowStreetrunners，fornotoneofthemhadseenme；butIhadthestrongestpossiblereasonsfordistrustingameetingwithmyenemy，Screw。Hewouldcertainlybemadeuseofbytheofficersforthepurposeofidentifyingthecompanionswhomhehadbetrayed；andIhadthebestreasonsintheworldtobelievethathewouldratherassistinthetakingofmethaninthecaptureofalltherestofthecoininggangputtogether——thedoctorhimselfnotexcepted。Mypresentcostumewasofthedandysort——rathershabby，butgayincolorandoutrageousincut。Ihadnotaltereditforanartisan\'ssuitinthedoctor\'shouse，becauseIneverhadanyintentionofstayingthereadaylongerthanIcouldpossiblyhelp。TheaproninwhichIhadwrappedthewriting-deskwastheonlyapproachIhadmadetowardwearingthehonorableuniformoftheworkingman。 Woulditbewisenowtomakemytransformationcomplete，byaddingtotheapronavelveteenjacketandasealskincap？No:myhandsweretoowhite，mymannerstooinveteratelygentleman-like，forallartisandisguise。Itwouldbesafertoassumeaseriouscharacter——toshaveoffmywhiskers，cropmyhair，buyamodesthatandumbrella，anddressentirelyinblack。AtthefirstslopshopIencounteredinthesuburbsofthetown，Igotacarpet-bagandaclerical-lookingsuit。Atthefirsteasyshaving-shopIpassed，Ihadmyhaircroppedandmywhiskerstakenoff。AfterthatIretreatedagaintothecountry——walkedbacktillIfoundaconvenienthedgedownalaneoffthehighroad——changedmyuppergarmentsbehindit，andemerged，bashful，black，andreverend，withmycottonumbrellatuckedmodestlyundermyarm，myeyesontheground，myheadintheair，andmyhatoffmyforehead。WhenIfoundtwolaborerstouchingtheircapstomeonmywaybacktothetown，Iknewthatitwasallright，andthatImightnowsetthevindictiveeyesofScrewhimselfsafelyatdefiance。 IhadnotthemostdistantnotionwhereIwaswhenIreachedtheHighStreet，andstoppedatTheGreenBullHotelandCoach-office。However，ImanagedtomentionmymodestwishestobeconveyedatonceinthedirectionofWales，withnomorethanabecomingconfusionofmanner。 TheanswerwasnotsoencouragingasIcouldhavewished。ThecoachtoShrewsburyhadleftanhourbefore，andtherewouldbenootherpublicconveyancerunninginmydirectionuntilthenextmorning。Findingmyselfthusobligedtoyieldtoadversecircumstances，Isubmittedresignedly，andbookedaplaceoutsidebythenextday\'scoach，inthenameoftheReverendJohnJones。 IthoughtitdesirabletobeatonceunassumingandWelshintheselectionofatravelingname；andthereforeconsideredJohnJonescalculatedtofitme，inmypresentemergency，toahair。 Aftersecuringabedatthehotel，andorderingafrugalcurate\'sdinner(bitoffish，twochops，mashedpotatoes，semolinapudding，half-pintofsherry)，Isalliedouttolookatthetown。 Notknowingthenameofit，andnotdaringtoexcitesurprisebyasking，Ifoundtheplacefullofvagueyetmysteriousinterest。 HereIwas，somewhereincentralEngland，justasignorantoflocalitiesasifIhadbeensuddenlydepositedinCentralAfrica。 Mylivelyfancyrevelledinthenewsensation。Iinventedanameforthetown，acodeoflawsfortheinhabitants，productions，antiquities，chalybeatesprings，population，statisticsofcrime，andsoon，whileIwalkedaboutthestreets，lookedinattheshop-windows，andattentivelyexaminedtheMarket-placeandTown-hall。Experiencedtravelers，whohaveexhaustedallnovelties，woulddowelltofollowmyexample；theymaybecertain，foronedayatleast，ofgettingsomefreshideas，andfeelinganewsensation。 Onreturningtodinnerinthecoffee-room，IfoundalltheLondonpapersonthetable。 The_MorningPost_happenedtolieuppermost，soItookitawaytomyownseattooccupythetime，whilemyunpretendingbitoffishwasfrying。Glancinglazilyattheadvertisementsonthefirstpage，tobeginwith，Iwasastonishedbytheappearanceofthefollowinglines，atthetopofacolumn: \"IfF——KS——FTL——Ywillcommunicatewithhisdistressedandalarmedrelatives，Mr。andMrs。B——TT——RB——RY，hewillhearofsomethingtohisadvantage，andmaybeassuredthatallwillbeoncemoreforgiven。A——B——LLAentreatshimtowrite。” What，inthenameofallthatismostmysterious，doesthismean! wasmyfirstthoughtafterreadingtheadvertisement。CanLadyMalkinshawhavetakenafreshleaseofthatimpregnablevitaltenement，atthedoorofwhichDeathhasbeenknockingvainlyforsomanyyearspast？(Nothingmorelikely。)WasmyfeloniousconnectionwithDoctorDulcifersuspected？(Itseemedimprobable。)Onething，however，wascertain:Iwasmissed，andtheBatterburyswerenaturallyanxiousaboutme——anxiousenoughtoadvertiseinthepublicpapers。 IdebatedwithmyselfwhetherIshouldanswertheirpatheticappealornot。Ihadallmymoneyaboutme(havingneverletitoutofmyownpossessionduringmystayinthered-brickhouse)，andtherewasplentyofitforthepresent；soIthoughtitbesttoleavethealarmanddistressofmyanxiousrelativesunrelievedforalittlewhilelonger，andtoreturnquietlytotheperusalofthe_MorningPost。_ Fiveminutesofdesultoryreadingbroughtmeunexpectedlytoanexplanationoftheadvertisement，intheshapeofthefollowingparagraph: \"ALARMINGILLNESSOFLADYMALKINSHAW——WeregrettoannouncethatthisvenerableladywasseizedwithanalarmingillnessonSaturdaylast，athermansionintown。Theattacktookthecharacterofafit——ofwhatprecisenaturewehavenotbeenabletolearn。Herladyship\'smedicalattendantandnearrelative，DoctorSoftly，wasimmediatelycalledin，andpredictedthemostfatalresults。Freshmedicalattendancewassecured，andherladyship\'snearestsurvivingrelatives，Mrs。Softly，andMr。andMrs。Batterbury，ofDuskydalePark，weresummoned。Atthetimeoftheirarrivalherladyship\'sconditionwascomatose，herbreathingbeinghighlystertorous。Ifwearerightlyinformed，DoctorSoftlyandtheothermedicalgentlemenpresentgaveitastheiropinionthatifthepulseofthevenerablesuffererdidnotrallyinthecourseofaquarterofauhouratmost，verylamentableresultsmightbeanticipated。Forfourteenminutes，asourreporterwasinformed，nochangetookplace；but，strangetorelate，immediatelyafterwardherladyship\'spulseralliedsuddenlyinthemostextraordinarymanner。Shewasobservedtoopenhereyesverywide，andwasheard，tothesurpriseanddelightofallsurroundingthecouch，toaskwhyherladyship\'susuallunchofchicken-brothwithaglassofAmontilladosherrywasnotplacedonthetableasusual。Theserefreshmentshavingbeenproduced，underthesanctionofthemedicalgentlemen，theagedpatientpartookofthemwithanappearanceoftheutmostrelish。Sincethishappyalterationforthebetter，herladyship\'shealthhas，werejoicetosay，rapidlyimproved；andtheanswernowgiventoallfriendlyandfashionableinquirersis，inthevenerablelady\'sownhumorousphraseology，\'Muchbetterthancouldbeexpected。\'\" Welldone，myexcellentgrandmother!myfirm，myunwearied，myundyingfriend!NevercanIsaythatmycaseisdesperatewhileyoucanswallowyourchicken-brothandsipyourAmontilladosherry。ThemomentIwantmoney，IwillwritetoMr。Batterbury，andcutanotherlittlegoldensliceoutofthatpossiblethree-thousand-pound-cake，forwhichhehasalreadysufferedandsacrificedsomuch。Inthemeantime，OvenerableprotectressofthewanderingRogue!letmegratefullydrinkyourhealthinthenastiestandsmallesthalf-pintofsherrythispalateevertasted，ortheseeyeseverbeheld! Iwenttobedthatnightingreatspirits。Myluckseemedtobereturningtome；andIbegantofeelmorethanhopefulofreallydiscoveringmybelovedAliciaatCrickgelly，underthealiasofMissGiles。 ThenextmorningtheRev。JohnJonesdescendedtobreakfastsorosy，bland，andsmiling，thatthechambermaidssimperedashetrippedbytheminthepassage，andthelandladybowedgraciouslyashepassedherparlordoor。Thecoachdroveup，andthereverendgentleman(afterwaitingcharacteristicallyforthewoman\'sladder)mountedtohisplaceontheroof，behindthecoachman。Onemansattherewhohadgotupbeforehim——andwhoshouldthatmanbe，butthechiefoftheBowStreetrunners，whohadrashlytriedtotakeDoctorDulciferintocustody! Therecouldnotbetheleastdoubtofhisidentity；Ishouldhaveknownhisfaceagainamongahundred。HelookedatmeasItookmyplacebyhisside，withonesharpsearchingglance——thenturnedhisheadawaytowardtheroad。Knowingthathehadneverseteyesonmyface(thankstotheconvenientpeepholeatthered-brickhouse)，Ithoughtmymeetingwithhimwaslikelytoberatheradvantageousthanotherwise。Ihadnowanopportunityofwatchingtheproceedingsofoneofourpursuers，atanyrate——andsurelythiswassomethinggained。 \"Finemorning，sir，\"Isaidpolitely。 \"Yes，\"herepliedinthegruffestofmonosyllables。 Iwasnotoffended:Icouldmakeallowanceforthefeelingsofamanwhohadbeenlockedupbyhisownprisoner。 \"Veryfinemorning，indeed，\"Irepeated，soothinglyandcheerfully。 Therunneronlygruntedthistime。Well，well!weallhaveourlittleinfirmities。Idon\'tthinktheworseofthemannow，forhavingbeenrudetome，thatmorning，onthetopoftheShrewsburycoach。 Thenextpassengerwhogotupandplacedhimselfbymysidewasaflorid，excitable，confused-lookinggentleman，excessivelytalkativeandfamiliar。Hewasfollowedbyasulkyagriculturalyouthintop-boots——andthen，thecomplementofpassengersonourseatbehindthecoachmanwascomplete。 \"Heardthenews，sir？\"saidthefloridman，turningtome。 \"NotthatIamawareof，\"Ianswered。 \"It\'sthemosttremendousthingthathashappenedthesefiftyyears，\"saidthefloridman。\"Agangofcoiners，sir，discoveredatBarkingham——inahousetheyusedtocalltheGrange。Allthedreadfullotofbadsilverthat\'sbeenabout，they\'reatthebottomof。Andtheheadofthegangnottaken!——escaped，sir，likeaghostonthestage，throughatrap-door，afteractuallylockingtherunnersintohisworkshop。TheblacksmithsfromBarkinghamhadtobreakthemout；thewholehousewasfoundfullofirondoors，backstaircases，andallthatsortofthing，justliketheInquisition。Amostrespectableman，theoriginalproprietor!Thinkwhatamisfortunetohavelethishousetoascoundrelwhohasturnedthewholeinsideintotraps，furnaces，andirondoors。Thefellow\'sreference，sir，wasactuallyataLondonbank，wherehekeptafirst-rateaccount。Whatistobecomeofsociety？whereisourprotection？Whereareourcharacters，whenweareleftatthemercyofscoundrels？Thetimesareawful——uponmysoul，thetimesweliveinareperfectlyawful!\" \"Pray，sir，isthereanychanceofcatchingthiscoiner？\"I inquiredinnocently。 \"Ihopeso，sir；forthesakeofoutragedsociety，Ihopeso，\" saidtheexcitableman。\"They\'veprintedhandbillsatBarkingham，offeringarewardfortakinghim。Iwaswithmyfriendthemayor，earlythismorning，andsawthemissued。\'Mr。Mayor，\'saysI，\'I\'mgoingWest——givemeafewcopies——letmehelptocirculatethem——forthesakeofoutragedsociety，letmehelptocirculatethem。Heretheyare——takeafew，sir，fordistribution。You\'llseethesearethreeotherfellowstobecaughtbesidestheprincipalrascal——oneofthemascampbelongingtoarespectablefamily。Oh!whattimes!Takethreecopies，andpraycirculatetheminthreeinfluentialquarters。Perhapsthatgentlemannextyouwouldlikeafew。Willyoutakethree，sir？\" \"No，Iwon\'t，\"saidtheBowStreetrunnerdoggedly。\"Noryetoneof\'em——andit\'smyopinionthatthecoining-gangwouldbenabbedallthesooner，ifyouwastogiveoverhelpingthelawtocatchthem。” Thisanswerproducedavehementexpostulationfrommyexcitableneighbor，towhichIpaidlittleattention，beingbetterengagedinreadingthehandbill。 Itdescribedthedoctor\'spersonalappearancewithremarkableaccuracy，andcautionedpersonsinseaporttownstobeonthelookoutforhim。OldFile，YoungFile，andmyselfwerealldishonorablymentionedtogetherinasecondparagraph，asrunawaysofinferiorimportanceNotawordwassaidinthehandbilltoshowthattheauthoritiesatBarkinghamevensomuchassuspectedthedirectioninwhichanyoneofushadescaped。 Thiswouldhavebeenveryencouraging，butforthepresenceoftherunnerbymyside，whichlookedasifBowStreethaditssuspicions，howeverinnocentBarkinghammightbe。 CouldthedoctorhavedirectedhisflighttowardCrickgelly？I trembledinternallyasthequestionsuggesteditselftome。 SurelyhewouldpreferwritingtoMissGilestojoinhimwhenhegottoasafeplaceofrefuge，ratherthanencumberhimselfwiththeyoungladybeforehewaswelloutofreachofthefar-stretchingarmofthelaw。Thisseemedinfinitelythemostnaturalcourseofconduct。Still，therewastherunnertravelingtowardWales——andnotcertainlywithoutaspecialmotive。Iputthehandbillsinmypocket，andlistenedforanyhintswhichmightcreepoutinhistalk；butheperverselykeptsilent。Themoremyexcitableneighbortriedtodisputewithhim，themorecontemptuouslyherefusedtobreaksilence。IbegantofeelvehementlyimpatientforourarrivalatShrewsbury；forthereonlycouldIhopetodiscoversomethingmoreofmyformidablefellow-traveler\'splans。 Thecoachstoppedfordinner；andsomeofourpassengersleftus，theexcitablemanwiththehandbillsamongthenumber。Igotdown，andstoodonthedoorstepoftheinn，pretendingtobelookingaboutme，butinrealitywatchingthemovementsoftherunner。 Rathertomysurprise，Isawhimgotothedoorofthecoachandspeaktooneoftheinsidepassengers。Afterashortconversation，ofwhichIcouldnothearoneword，therunnerleftthecoachdoorandenteredtheinn，calledforaglassofbrandyandwater，andtookitouttohisfriend，whohadnotleftthevehicle。Thefriendbentforwardtoreceiveitatthewindow。I caughtaglimpseofhisface，andfeltmykneestrembleunderme——itwasScrewhimself! Screw，paleandhaggard-looking，evidentlynotyetrecoveredfromtheeffectofmygriponhisthroat!Screw，inattendanceontherunner，travelinginsidethecoachinthecharacterofaninvalid。HemustbegoingthisjourneytohelptheBowStreetofficerstoidentifysomeoneofourscatteredgangofwhomtheywereinpursuit。Itcouldnotbethedoctor——therunnercoulddiscoverhimwithoutassistancefromanybody。Whymightitnotbeme？ Ibegantothinkwhetheritwouldbebesttotrustboldlyinmydisguise，andmyluckypositionoutsidethecoach，orwhetherI shouldabandonmyfellow-passengersimmediately。Itwasnoteasytosettleatoncewhichcoursewasthesafest——soItriedtheeffectoflookingatmytwoalternativesfromanotherpointofview。ShouldIriskeverything，andgoonresolutelytoCrickgelly，onthechanceofdiscoveringthatAliciaandMissGileswereoneandthesameperson——orshouldIgiveuponthespottheonlyprospectoffindingmylostmistress，anddirectmyattentionentirelytothebusinessoflookingaftermyownsafety？ AsthelatteralternativepracticallyresolveditselfintothesimplequestionofwhetherIshouldactlikeamanwhowasinlove，orlikeamanwhowasnot，mynaturalinstinctssettledthedifficultyinnotime。Iboldlyimitatedtheexampleofmyfellow-passengers，andwentintodinner，determinedtogoonafterwardtoCrickgelly，thoughallBowStreetshouldbefollowingatmyheels。 CHAPTERXIII。 SECUREasItriedtofeelinmychangeofcostume，mycroppedhair，andmywhiskerlesscheeks，Ikeptwellawayfromthecoach-window，whenthedinnerattheinnwasoverandthepassengerswerecalledtotaketheirplacesagain。Thusfar——thankstothestrengthofmygrasponhisneck，whichhadlefthimtooweaktobeanoutsidepassenger——Screwhadcertainlynotseenme；and，ifIplayedmycardsproperly，therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldseemebeforewegottoourdestination。 ThroughouttherestofthejourneyIobservedthestrictestcaution，andfortunesecondedmyefforts。ItwasdarkwhenwegottoShrewsbury。OnleavingthecoachIwasenabled，undercoverofthenight，tokeepasharpwatchontheproceedingsofScrewandhisBowStreetally。Theydidnotputupatthehotel，butwalkedawaytoapublichouse。There，myclericalcharacterobligedmetoleavethematthedoor。 Ireturnedtothehotel，tomakeinquiriesaboutconveyances。 TheanswersinformedmethatCrickgellywasalittlefishing-village，andthattherewasnocoachdirecttoit，butthattwocoachesrunningtotwosmallWelshtownssituatedatnearlyequaldistancesfrommydestination，oneithersideofit，wouldpassthroughShrewsburythenextmorning。Thewaiteradded，thatIcouldbookaplace——conditionally——byeitherofthesevehicles；andthat，astheywerealwayswell-filled，Ihadbetterbequickinmakingmychoicebetweenthem。Mattershadnowarrivedatsuchapass，thatnothingwasleftformebuttotrusttochance。IfIwaitedtillthemorningtoseewhetherScrewandtheBowStreetrunnertraveledinmydirection，andtofindout，incasetheydid，whichcoachtheytook，Ishouldberunningtheriskoflosingaplaceformyself，andsodelayingmyjourneyforanotherday。Thiswasnottobethoughtof。Itoldthewaitertobookmeaplaceinwhichcoachhepleased。ThetwowerecalledrespectivelyTheHummingBee，andTheRedCrossKnight。Thewaiterchosethelatter。 Sleepwasnotmuchinmywaythatnight。IrosealmostasearlyasBootshimself——breakfasted——thensatatthecoffee-roomwindowlookingoutanxiouslyforthetwocoaches。 Nobodyseemedtoagreewhichwouldpassfirst。EachoftheinnservantsofwhomIinquiredmadeitamatterofpartisanship，andbackedhisfavoritecoachwiththemostconsummateassurance。Atlast，Iheardtheguard\'shornandtheclatterofthehorses\' hoofs。Updroveacoach——Ilookedoutcautiously——itwastheHummingBee。Threeoutsideplaceswerevacant；onebehindthecoachman；twoonthedickey。Thefirstwastakenimmediatelybyafarmer，thesecond——tomyunspeakabledisgustandterror——wassecuredbytheinevitableBowStreetrunner；who，assoonashewasup，helpedtheweaklyScrewintothethirdplace，byhisside。TheyweregoingtoCrickgelly；notadoubtofit，now。 IgrewmadwithimpatienceforthearrivaloftheRedCrossKnight。Half-an-hourpassed——fortyminutes——andthenIheardanotherhornandanotherclatter——andtheRedCrossKnightrattleduptothehoteldooratfullspeed。Whatifthereshouldbenovacantplaceforme!Irantothedoorwithasinkingheart。Outside，thecoachwasdeclaredtobefull。 \"Thereisoneinsideplace，\"saidthewaiter，\"ifyoudon\'tmindpayingthe——\" Beforehecouldsaytherest，Iwasoccupyingthatoneinsideplace。Iremembernothingofthejourneyfromthetimeweleftthehoteldoor，exceptthatitwasfearfullylong。AtsomehourofthedaywithwhichIwasnotacquainted(formywatchhadstoppedforwantofwindingup)，Iwassetdowninacleanlittlestreetofaprimlittletown(thenameofwhichIneverthoughtofasking)，andwastoldthatthecoachneverwentanyfurther。 Nopost-chaisewastobehad。WithincredibledifficultyIgotfirstagig，thenamantodriveit；and，last，aponytodrawit。Wehobbledawaycrazilyfromtheinndoor。IthoughtofScrewandtheBowStreetrunnerapproachingCrickgelly，fromtheirpointofthecompass，perhapsatthefullspeedofagoodpost-chaise——Ithoughtofthat，andwouldhavegivenallthemoneyinmypocketfortwohours\'useofafastroad-hack。 Judgingbythetimeweoccupiedinmakingthejourney，andalittlealsobymyownimpatience，IshouldsaythatCrickgellymusthavebeenatleasttwentymilesdistantfromthetownwhereItookthegig。Thesunwassetting，whenwefirstheard，throughtheeveningstillness，thesoundofthesurfontheseashore。Thetwilightwasfallingasweenteredthelittlefishingvillage，andletourunfortunateponystop，forthelasttime，atasmallinndoor。 ThefirstquestionIaskedofthelandlordwas，whethertwogentlemen(friendsofmine，ofcourse，whomIexpectedtomeet) haddrivenintoCrickgelly，alittlewhilebeforeme。Thereplywasinthenegative；andthesenseofreliefitproducedseemedtorestmeatonce，bodyandmind，aftermylongandanxiousjourney。EitherIhadbeatenthespiesontheroad，ortheywerenotboundtoCrickgelly。Anyway，Ihadfirstpossessionofthefieldofaction。Ipaidthemanwhohaddrivenme，andaskedmywaytoZionPlace。Mydirectionsweresimple——Ihadonlytogothroughthevillage，andIshouldfindZionPlaceattheotherendofit。 Thevillagehadaverystrongsmell，andacurioushabitofbuildingboatsinthestreetbetweenintervalsofdetachedcottages；ahelpless，muddy，fishylittleplace。Iwalkedthroughitrapidly；turnedinlandafewhundredyards；ascendedsomerisingground；anddiscerned，inthedimtwilight，foursmalllonesomevillasstandinginpairs，withashedandasaw-pitononeside，andafewshellsofunfinishedhousesontheother。 SomemadlyspeculativebuilderwasevidentlytryingtoturnCrickgellyintoawatering-place。 ImadeoutNumberTwo，anddiscoveredthebell-handlewithdifficulty，itwasgrowingsodark。Aservant-maid——corporeallyenormous；but，asIsoonfound，inatotallyundevelopedstate，mentally——openedthedoor。 \"DoesMissGileslivehere？\"Iasked。 \"Don\'tseenovisitors，\"answeredthelargemaiden。\"\'T\'otheronetrieditandhadtogoaway。Yougo，too。” \"\'T\'othorone？\"Irepeated。\"Anothervisitor？Andwhendidhecall？\" \"Betterthananhourago。” \"Wastherenobodywithhim？\" \"No。Don\'tseenovisitors。Hewent。Yougo，too\" Justassherepeatedthatexasperatingformulaofwords，adooropenedattheendofthepassage。Myvoicehadevidentlyreachedtheearsofsomebodyinthebackparlor。WhothepersonwasI couldnotsee，butIheardtherustleofawoman\'sdress。Mysituationwasgrowingdesperate，mysuspicionswerearoused——I determinedtoriskeverything——andIcalledsoftlyinthedirectionoftheopendoor，\"Alicia!\" Avoiceanswered，\"Goodheavens!Frank？\"Itwas_her_voice。Shehadrecognizedmine。Ipushedpastthebigservant；intwostepsIwasattheendofthepassage；inonemoreIwasinthebackparlor。 Shewasthere，standingalonebythesideofatable。Seeingmychangedcostumeandalteredface，sheturneddeadlypale，andstretchedherhandbehindhermechanically，asiftotakeholdofachair。Icaughtherinmyarms；butIwasafraidtokissher——shetrembledsowhenIonlytouchedher。 \"Frank!\"shesaid，drawingherheadback。\"Whatisit？Howdidyoufindout？Formercy\'ssakewhatdoesitmean？\" \"Itmeans，love，thatI\'vecometotakecareofyoufortherestofyourlifeandmine，ifyouwillonlyletme。Don\'ttremble——there\'snothingtobeafraidof!Onlycomposeyourself，andI\'lltellyouwhyIamhereinthisstrangedisguise。Come，come，Alicia!——don\'tlooklikethatatme。YoucalledmeFrankjustnow，forthefirsttime。Wouldyouhavedonethat，ifyouhaddislikedmeorforgottenme？\" Isawhercolorbeginningtocomeback——theoldbrightglowreturningtothedearduskycheeks。IfIhadnotseenthemsonearme，Imighthaveexercisedsomeself-control——asitwas，I lostmypresenceofmindentirely，andkissedher。 Shedrewherselfawayhalf-frightened，half-confused——certainlynotoffended，and，apparently，notverylikelytofaint——whichwasmorethanIcouldhavesaidofherwhenIfirstenteredtheroom。Beforeshehadtimetoreflectontheperilandawkwardnessofourposition，Ipressedthefirstnecessaryquestionsonherrapidly，oneaftertheother。 \"WhereisMrs。Baggs？\"Iaskedfirst。 Mrs。Baggswasthehousekeeper。 Aliciapointedtotheclosedfolding-doors。\"Inthefrontparlor； asleeponthesofa。” \"Haveyouanysuspicionwhothestrangerwaswhocalledmorethananhourago？\" \"None。Theservanttoldhimwesawnovisitors，andhewentaway，withoutleavinghisname。” \"Haveyouheardfromyourfather？\" Shebegantoturnpaleagain，butcontrolledherselfbravely，andansweredinawhisper: \"Mrs。Baggshadashortnotefromhimthismorning。Itwasnotdated；anditonlysaidcircumstanceshadhappenedwhichobligedhimtoleavehomesuddenly，andthatweweretowaitheretillbewroteagain，mostlikelyinafewdays。” \"Now，Alicia，\"Isaid，aslightlyasIcould，\"Ihavethehighestpossibleopinionofyourcourage，good-sense，andself-control； andIshallexpectyoutokeepupyourreputationinmyeyes，whileyouarelisteningtowhatIhavetotellyou。” Sayingthesewords，Itookherbythehandandmadehersitclosebyme；then，breakingittoherasgentlyandgraduallyaspossible，Itoldherallthathadhappenedatthered-brickhousesincetheeveningwhensheleftthedinner-table，andweexchangedourpartinglookatthedining-roomdoor。 Itwasalmostasgreatatrialtometospeakasitwastohertohear。Shesufferedsoviolently，feltsuchevidentmiseryofshameandterror，whileIwasrelatingthestrangeeventswhichhadoccurredinherabsence，thatIonceortwicestoppedinalarm，andalmostrepentedmyboldnessintellingherthetruth。 However，fair-dealingwithher，cruelasitmightseematthetime，wasthebestandsafestcourseforthefuture。HowcouldI expecthertoputallhertrustinmeifIbeganbydeceivingher——ifIfellintoprevaricationsandexcusesattheveryoutsetofourrenewalofintercourse？Iwentondesperatelytotheend，takingahopefulviewofthemosthopelesscircumstances，andmakingmynarrativeasmercifullyshortaspossible。 WhenIhaddone，thepoorgirl，intheextremityofherforlornnessanddistress，forgotallthelittlemaidenlyconventionalitiesandyoung-lady-likerestraintsofeverydaylife——and，inaburstofnaturalgriefandhonestconfidinghelplessness，hidherfaceonmybosom，andcriedthereasifshewereachildagain，andIwasthemothertowhomshehadbeenusedtolookforcomfort。 Imadenoattempttostophertears——theywerethesafestandbestventfortheviolentagitationunderwhichshewassuffering。Isaidnothing；words，atsuchatimeasthat，wouldonlyhaveaggravatedherdistress。AllthequestionsIhadtoask；alltheproposalsIhadtomake，must，Ifelt，beputoff——nomatteratwhatrisk——untilsomelaterandclamerhour。 Therewesattogether，withonelongunsnuffedcandlelightingussmokily；withthediscordantly-grotesquesoundofthehousekeeper\'ssnoringinthefrontroom，minglingwiththesobsoftheweepinggirlonmybosom。Noothernoise，greatorsmall，insidethehouseoroutofit，wasaudible。Thesummernightlookedblackandcloudythroughthelittlebackwindow。 Iwasnotmucheasierinmymind，nowthatthetrialofbreakingmybadnewstoAliciawasover。Thatstrangerwhohadcalledatthehouseanhourbeforeme，weighedonmyspirits。ItcouldnothavebeenDoctorDulcifer。Hewouldhavegainedadmission。CoulditbetheBowStreetrunner，orScrew？Ihadlostsightofthem，itistrue；buthadtheylostsightofme？ Alicia\'sgriefgraduallyexhausteditself。Shefeeblyraisedherhead，and，turningitawayfromme，hidherface。Isawthatshewasnotfitfortalkingyet，andbeggedhertogoupstairstothedrawing-roomandliedownalittle。Shelookedapprehensivelytowardthefolding-doorsthatshutusofffromthefrontparlor。 \"LeaveMrs。Baggstome，\"Isaid。\"Iwanttohaveafewwordswithher；and，assoonasyouaregone，I\'llmakenoiseenoughheretowakeher。” Alicialookedatmeinquiringlyandamazedly。Ididnotspeakagain。Timewasnowofterribleimportancetous——Igentlyledhertothedoor。 CHAPTERXIV。 AssoonasIwasalone，Itookfrommypocketoneofthehandbillswhichmyexcitablefellow-travelerhadpresentedtome，soastohaveitreadyforMrs。Baggsthemomentwestoodfacetoface。Armedwiththisominousletterofintroduction，Ikickedachairdownagainstthefolding-doors，bywayofgivingapreliminaryknocktoarousethehousekeeper\'sattention。Theplanwasimmediatelysuccessful。Mrs。Baggsopenedthedoorsofcommunicationviolently。Aslightsmellofspiritsenteredtheroom，andwasfollowedclosebythehousekeeperherself，withanindignantfaceandadisorderedhead-dress。 \"Whatdoyoumean，sir？Howdareyou——\"shebegan；thenstoppedaghast，lookingatmeinspeechlessastonishment。 \"Ihavebeenobligedtomakeaslightalterationinmypersonalappearance，ma\'am，\"Isaid。\"ButIamstillFrankSoftly。” \"Don\'ttalktomeaboutpersonalappearances，sir，\"criedMrs。 Baggsrecovering。\"Whatdoyoumeanbybeinghere？Leavethehouseimmediately。Ishallwritetothedoctor，Mr。Softly，thisverynight。” \"Hehasnoaddressyoucandirectto，\"Irejoined。\"Ifyoudon\'tbelieveme，readthat。”Igaveherthehandbillwithoutanotherwordofpreface。 Mrs。Baggslookedatit——lostinaninstantsomeofthefinecolorplentifullydiffusedoverherfacebysleepandspirits——satdowninthenearestchairwithathumpthatseemedtothreatentheveryfoundationsofNumberTwo，ZionPlace——andstaredmehardintheface；themostspeechlessandhelplesselderlyfemaleIeverbeheld。 \"Takeplentyoftimetocomposeyourselfma\'am，\"Isaid。\"Ifyoudon\'tseethedoctoragainsoon，underthegallows，youwillprobablynothavethepleasureofmeetingwithhimforsomeconsiderabletime。” Mrs。Baggssmotebothherhandsdistractedlyonherknees，andwhisperedadevoutejaculationtoherselfsoftly。 \"Allowmetodealwithyou，ma\'am，asawomanoftheworld，\"I wenton。\"Ifyouwillgivemehalf-an-hour\'shearing，IwillexplaintoyouhowIcometoknowwhatIdo；howIgothere；andwhatIhavetoproposetoMissAliciaandtoyou。” \"Ifyouhavethefeelingsofaman，sir，\"saidMrs。Baggs，shakingherheadandraisinghereyestoheaven，\"youwillrememberthatIhavenerves，andwillnotpresumeuponthem。” Astheoldladyutteredthelastwords，IthoughtIsawhereyesturnfromheaven，andtaketheearthlydirectionofthesofainthefrontparlor。Itstruckmealsothatherlipslookedratherdry。UponthesetwohintsIspoke。 \"MightIsuggestsomelittlestimulant？\"Iasked，withrespectfulearnestness。\"Ihaveheardmygrandmother(LadyMalkinshaw)saythat，\'adropintimesavesnine。\'\" \"Youwillfinditunderthesofapillow，\"saidMrs。Baggs，withsuddenbriskness。\"\'Adropintimesavesnine\'——mysentiments，ifImayputmyselfonaparwithherladyship。Theliqueur-glass，Mr。Softly，isinthebackgammon-board。Ihopeherladyshipwaswellthelasttimeyouheardfromher？Suffersfromhernerves，doesshe？Likeme，again。Inthebackgammon-board。 Oh，thisnews，thisawfulnews!\" Ifoundthebottleofbrandyintheplaceindicated，butnoliqueur-glassinthebackgammon-board。Therewas，however，awine-glass，accidentallyleftonachairbythesofa。Mrs。BaggsdidnotseemtonoticethedifferencewhenIbroughtitintothebackroomandfilleditwithbrandy。 \"Takeatoothfulyourself，\"saidMrs。Baggs，lightlytossingoffthedraminamoment。\"\'Adropintime\'——Ican\'thelprepeatingit，it\'ssonicelyexpressed。Still，withsubmissiontoherladyship\'sbetterjudgment，Mr。Softly，thequestionseemsnowtoarise，whether，ifonedropintimesavesnine，twodropsintimemaynotsaveeighteen。”HereMrs。Baggsforgothernervesandwinked。Ireturnedthewinkandfilledtheglassasecondtime。 \"Oh，thisnews，thisawfulnews!\"saidMrs。Baggs，rememberinghernervesagain。 JustthenIthoughtIheardfootstepsinfrontofthehouse，but，listeningmoreattentively，foundthatithadbeguntorain，andthatIhadbeendeceivedbythepatteringofthefirstheavydropsagainstthewindows。However，thebaresuspicionthatthesamestrangerwhohadcalledalreadymightbewatchingthehousenow，wasenoughtostartlemeveryseriously，andtosuggesttheabsolutenecessityofoccupyingnomoreprecioustimeinpayingattentiontothevagariesofMrs。Baggs\'nerves。ItwasalsoofsomeimportancethatIshouldspeaktoherwhileshewassoberenoughtounderstandwhatImeantinageneralway。 FeelingconvincedthatshewasinimminentdangerofbecomingdownrightdrunkifIgaveheranotherglass，Ikeptmyhandonthebottle，andforthwithtoldmystoryoveragaininaveryabridgedandunceremoniousform，andwithoutallowingheronemomentofleisureforcommentonmynarrative，whetheritmightbeoftheweeping，winking，drinking，groaning，orejaculatingkind。AsIhadanticipated，whenIcametoaconclusion，andconsequentlyallowedheranopportunityofsayingafewwords，sheaffectedtobeextremelyshockedandsurprisedathearingofthenatureofhermaster\'spursuits，andreproachedmeintermsofthemostvehementandvirtuousindignationforincurringtheguiltofabettingthem，eventhoughIhaddonesofromtheveryexcusablemotiveofsavingmyownlife。Havingalivelysenseofthehumorous，Iwasnecessarilyratheramusedbythis；butI begantogetalittlesurprisedaswell，whenwedivergedtothesubjectofthedoctor\'sescape，onfindingthatMrs。Baggsviewedthefactofhisrunningawaytosomehiding-placeofhisowninthelightofapersonalinsulttohisfaithfulandattachedhousekeeper。 \"Itshowsawantofconfidenceinme，\"saidtheoldlady，\"whichImayforgive，butcanneverforget。ThesacrificesIhavemadeforthatungratefulmanarenottobetoldinwords。Theverymorninghesentusawayhere，whatdidIdo？PackedupthemomenthesaidGo。Ihadmypreservestopot，andthekitchenchimneytobeswept，andthelockofmyboxhamperedintothebargain。Otherwomeninmyplacewouldhavegrumbled——Igotupdirectly，aslivelyasanygirlofeighteenyouliketomention。Sayshe，\'I wantAliciatakenoutofyoungSoftly\'sway，andyoumustdoit。\'——SaysI，\'Thisverymorning，sir？\'——Sayshe，\'Thisverymorning。\'——SaysI，\'Whereto？\'——Sayshe，\'Asfaroffaseveryoucango；coastofWales——Crickgelly。Iwon\'ttrusthernearer； youngSoftly\'stoocunning，andshe\'stoofondofhim。\'——\'Anymoreorders，sir？\'saysI——\'Yes；takesomefancyname——Simkins，Johnson，Giles，Jones，James，\'sayshe，\'whatyoulikebutDulcifer；forthatscampSoftlywillmoveheavenandearthtotraceher。\'——\'Whatelse？\'saysI——\'Nothing，butlooksharp，\' sayshe；\'andmindonething，thatsheseesnovisitors，andpostsnoletters。\'Beforethoselastwordshadbeenoutofhiswickedlipsanhour，wewereoff。AnicejobIhadtogetheraway——anicejobtostopherfromwritingletterstoyou——anicejobtokeepherhere。ButIdidit；Ifollowedmyorderslikeaslaveinaplantationwithawhipathisbareback。I\'vehadrheumatics，weaklegs，badnights，andmissinthesulks——allfromobeyingthedoctor\'sorders。Andwhatismyreward？Heturnscoiner，andrunsawaywithoutawordtomebeforehand，andwritesmeatrumperynote，withoutadatetoit，withoutafarthingofmoneyinit，tellingmenothing!Lookatmyconfidenceinhim，andthenlookatthewayhe\'streatedmeinreturn。Whatwoman\'snervescanstandthat？Don\'tkeepfidgetingwiththebottle!Passitthisway，Mr。Softly，oryou\'llbreakit，anddrivemedistracted。” \"Hehasnoexcuse，ma\'am，\"Isaid。\"Butwillyouallowmetochangethesubject，asIampressedfortime？YouappeartobesowellacquaintedwiththefavorableopinionwhichMissAliciaandIentertainofeachother，thatIhopeitwillbenofreshshocktoyournerves，ifIinformyou，inplainwords，thatIhavecometoCrickgellytomarryher。” \"Marryher!marry——Ifyoudon\'tleaveofffidgetingwiththebottle，Mr。Softly，andchangethesubjectdirectly，Ishallringthebell。” \"Hearmeout，ma\'am，andthenringifyoulike。Ifyoupersist，however，inconsideringyourselfstilltheconfidentialservantofafelonwhoisnowflyingforhislife，andifyoudeclineallowingtheyoungladytoactasshewishes，Iwillnotbesorudeastohintthat——assheisofage——shemaywalkoutofthishousewithme，whenevershelikes，withoutyourhavingthepowertopreventher；but，Iwillpolitelyaskinstead，whatyouwouldproposetodowithher，inthestraitenedpositionastomoneyinwhichsheandyouarelikelytobeplaced？Youcan\'tfindherfathertogiveherto；and，ifyoucould，whowouldbethebestprotectorforher？Thedoctor，whoistheprincipalcriminalintheeyeofthelaw，orI，whoamonlytheunwillingaccomplice？ HeisknowntotheBowStreetrunners——Iamnot。Thereisarewardforthetakingofhim，andnoneforthetakingofme。Hehasnorespectablerelativesandfriends，Ihaveplenty。Everywaymychancesarethebest；andconsequentlyIam，everyway，thefittestpersontotrustherto。Don\'tyouseethat？\" Mrs。Baggsdidnotimmediatelyanswer。Shesnatchedthebottleoutofmyhands——drankoffanotherdram，shookherheadatme，andejaculatedlamentably:\"Mynerves，mynerves!whataheartofstonehemusthavetopresumeonmypoornerves!\" \"Givemeoneminutemore，\"Iwenton。\"IproposetotakeyouandAliciato-morrowmorningtoScotland。Praydon\'tgroan!Ionlysuggestthejourneywithamatrimonialobject。InScotland，Mrs。