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。