第 65 节
作者:
恐龙王 更新:2022-11-23 12:10 字数:9321
to several wine…shops; she stopped at the sign of The Good Republican Brutus of Antiquity; not far from the National Palace; once (and twice) the Tuileries; where the aspect of things rather took her fancy。 It had a quieter look than any other place of the same description they had passed; and; though red with patriotic caps; was not so red as the rest。 Sounding Mr。 Cruncher; and finding him of her opinion; Miss Pross resorted to The Good Republican Brutus of Antiquity; attended by her cavalier。
Slightly observant of the smoky lights; of the people; pipe in mouth; playing with limp cards and yellow dominoes; of the one bare…breasted; bare…armed; soot…begrimed workman reading a journal aloud; and of the others listening to him; of the weapons worn; or laid aside to be resumed; of the two or three customers fallen forward asleep; who in the popular high… shouldered shaggy black spencer looked; in that attitude; like slumbering bears or dogs; the two outlandish customers approached the counter; and showed what they wanted。
As their wine was measuring out; a man parted from another man in a comer; and rose to depart。 In going; he had to face Miss Pross。 No sooner did he face her; than Miss Pross uttered a scream; and clapped her hands。
In a moment; the whole company were on their feet。 That somebody was assassinated by somebody vindicating a difference of opinion was the likeliest occurrence。 Everybody looked to see somebody fall; but only saw a man and a woman standing staring at each other; the man with all the outward aspect of a Frenchman and a thorough Republicans the woman; evidently English。
What was said in this disappointing anti…climax; by the disciples of the Good Republican Brutus of Antiquity; except that it was something very voluble and loud; would have been as so much Hebrew or Chaldean to Miss Pross and her protector; though they had been all ears。 But; they had no ears for anything in their surprise。 For; it must be recorded; that not only was Miss Pross lost in amazement and agitation; but; Mr。 Cruncherthough it seemed on his own separate and individual accountwas in a state of the greatest wonder。
‘What is the matter?' said the man who had caused Miss Pross to scream; speaking in a vexed; abrupt voice (though in a low tone); and in English。
‘Oh; Solomon; dear Solomon!' cried Miss Pross; clapping her hands again。 ‘Alter not setting eyes upon you or hearing of you for so long a time; do I find you here!'
Don't call me Solomon。 Do you want to be the death of me?' asked the man; in a furtive; frightened way。
‘Brother; brother!' cried Miss Pross; bursting into tears。 ‘Have I ever been so hard with you that you ask me such a cruel question?'
Then hold your meddlesome tongue;' said Solomon; ‘and come out; if you want to speak to me。 Pay for your wine; and come out。 Who's this man?'
Miss Pross; shaking her loving and dejected had at her by no means affectionate brother; said through her tears; ‘Mr。 Cruncher。'
‘Let him come out too;' said Solomon。 ‘Does he think me a ghost?'
Apparently; Mr。 Cruncher did; to judge from his looks。 He said not a word; however; and Miss Pross; exploring the depths of her reticule through her tears with great difficulty; paid for her wine。 As she did so; Solomon turned to the followers of the Good Republican Brutus of Antiquity; and offered a few words of explanation in the French language; which caused them all to relapse into their former places and pursuits。
‘Now;' said Solomon; stopping at the dark street corner; ‘what do you want?'
‘How dreadfully unkind in a brother nothing has ever turned my love away from!' cried Miss Pross; ‘to give me such a greeting; and show me no affection。'
‘There。 Con…found it! There;' said Solomon; making a dab at Miss Pross's lips with his own。 ‘Now are you content?'
Miss Pross only shook her head and wept in silence。
‘If you expect me to be surprised;' said her brother Solomon; ‘I am not surprised; I knew you were here; I know of most people who are here。 If you really don't want to endanger my existencewhich I half believe you dogo your ways as soon as possible; and let me go mine。 I am busy。 I am an official。'
‘My English brother Solomon;' mourned Miss Pross; casting up her tear…fraught eyes; ‘that had the makings in him of one of the best and greatest of men in his native country; an official among foreigners; and such foreigners! I would almost sooner have seen the dear boy lying in his…'
‘I said so!' cried her brother; interrupting。 ‘I knew it。 You want to be the death of me。 I shall be rendered Suspected; by my own sister。 Just as I am getting on!'
‘The gracious and merciful Heavens forbid!' cried Miss Pross。 ‘Far rather would I never see you again; dear Solomon; though I have ever loved you truly; and ever shall。 Say but one affectionate word to me; and tell me there is nothing angry or estranged between us; and I will detain you no longer。'
Good Miss Pross! As if the estrangement between them had come of any culpability of hers。 As if Mr。 Lorry had not known it for a fact; years ago; in the quiet corner in Soho; that this precious brother had spent her money and left her!
He was saying the affectionate word; however; with a far more grudging condescension and patronage than lie could have shown if their relative merits and positions had been reversed (which is invariably the case; all the world over); when Mr。 Cruncher; touching him on the shoulder; hoarsely and unexpectedly interposed with the following singular question:
‘I say! Might I ask the favour? As to whether your name is John Solomon; or Solomon John?'
The official turned towards him with sudden distrust。 He had not previously uttered a word。
‘Come!' said Mr。 Cruncher。 ‘Speak out; you know。' (Which; by the way; was more than he could do himself。) ‘John Solomon; or Solomon John? She calls you Solomon; and she must know; being your sister。 And I know you're John; you know。 Which of the two goes first? And regarding that name of Pross; likewise。 That warn't your name over the water。
‘What do you mean?'
‘Well; I don't know all I mean;; for I can't call to mind Mat your name was; over the water。
‘No。 But I'll swear it was a name of two syllables。'
‘Indeed?'
‘Yes。 T'other one's was one syllable。 I know you。 You wa; a spy…witness at the Bailey。 What; in the name of the Father of Lies; own father to yourself was you called at that time?'
‘Barsad;' said another voice; striking in。
‘That's the name for a thousand pound!' cried Jerry。
The speaker who struck in; was Sydney Carton。 He had his hands behind him under the skirts of his riding…coat; and he stood at Mr。 Cruncher's elbow as negligently as he might have stood at the Old Bailey itself。
‘Don't be alarmed; my dear Miss Pross。 I arrived at Mr。 Lorry's; to his surprise; yesterday evening; we agreed that I would not present myself elsewhere until all was well; or unless I could be useful; I present myself here; to beg a little talk with your brother。 I wish you had a better employed brother than Mr。 Barsad。 I wish for your sake Mr。 Barsad was not a Sheep of the Prisons。
Sheep was a cant word of the time for a spy; under the gaolers。 The spy; who was pale; turned paler; and asked him how he dared…
‘I'll tell you;' said Sydney。 ‘I lighted on you; Mr。 Barsad; coming out of the prison of the Conciergerie while I was contemplating the walls; an hour or more ago。 You have a face to be remembered; and I remember faces well。 Made curious by seeing you in that connection; and having a reason; to which you are no stranger; for associating you with the misfortunes of a friend now very unfortunate; I walked in your direction。 I walked into the wine…shop here; close after you; and sat near you。 I had no difficulty in deducing from your unreserved conversation; and the rumour openly going about among your admirers; the nature of your calling。 And gradually; what I had done at random; seemed to shape itself into a purpose; Mr。 Barsad。'
‘What purpose?' the spy asked。
‘It would be troublesome; and might be dangerous; to explain in the street。 Could you favour me; in confidence; with some minutes of your companyat the office of Tellson's Bank; for instance?'
‘Under a threat?'
‘Oh! Did I say that?'
‘Then; why should I go there?'
‘Really; Mr。 Barsad; I can't say; if you can't。'
‘Do you mean that you won't say; sir?' the spy irresolutely asked。
‘You apprehend me very clearly; Mr。 Barsad。 I won't。'
Carton's negligent recklessness of manner came powerfully in aid of his quickness and skill; in such a business as he had in his secret mind; and with such a man as he had to do with。 His practised eye saw it; and made the most of it。
‘Now; I told you so;' said the spy; casting a reproachful look at his sister; ‘if any trouble comes of this; it's your doing。'
‘Come; come; Mr。 Barsad!' exclaimed Sydney。 ‘Don't be ungrateful。 But for my great respect for your sister; I might not have led up so pleasantly to a little proposal that I wish to make for our mutual satisfaction。 Do you go with me to the Bank?'
‘I'll hear what you have got to say。 Yes; I‘ll go with you。'
‘I propose that we first conduct your sister safely to the corner of her own street。