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'sdinnerbitoffish，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。Ihadallmymoneyaboutmehavingneverletitoutofmyownpossessionduringmystayinthered-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，andthereverendgentlemanafterwaitingcharacteristicallyforthewoman'sladdermountedtohisplaceontheroof，behindthecoachman。Onemansattherewhohadgotupbeforehim——andwhoshouldthatmanbe，butthechiefoftheBowStreetrunners，whohadrashlytriedtotakeDoctorDulciferintocustody!
　　Therecouldnotbetheleastdoubtofhisidentity；Ishouldhaveknownhisfaceagainamongahundred。HelookedatmeasItookmyplacebyhisside，withonesharpsearchingglance——thenturnedhisheadawaytowardtheroad。Knowingthathehadneverseteyesonmyfacethankstotheconvenientpeepholeatthered-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。AtsomehourofthedaywithwhichIwasnotacquaintedformywatchhadstoppedforwantofwindingup，IwassetdowninacleanlittlestreetofaprimlittletownthenameofwhichIneverthoughtofasking，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，whethertwogentlemenfriendsofmine，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。"IhaveheardmygrandmotherLadyMalkinshawsaythat，'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。