refreshment of the frosty air, at an hour’s distance from my place

of residence in the Street of the School of Medicine, when a

carriage came along behind me, driven very fast. As I stood aside

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

to let that carriage pass, apprehensive that it might otherwise run

me down, a head was put out at the window, and a voice called to

the driver to stop.

“The carriage stopped as soon as the driver could rein in his

horses, and the same voice called to me by my name. I answered.

The carriage was then so far in advance of me that two gentlemen

had time to open the door and alight before I came up with it. I

observed that they were both wrapped in cloaks, and appeared to

conceal themselves. As they stood side by side near the carriage

door, I also observed that they both looked of about my own age,

or rather younger, and that they were greatly alike, in stature,

manner, voice, and (as far as I could see) face too.

“‘You are Doctor Manette?’ said one.

“‘I am.’ “‘Doctor Manette, formerly of Beauvais,’ said the other;

‘the young physician, originally an expert surgeon, who within the

last year or two has made a rising reputation in Paris?’

“‘Gentlemen,’ I returned, ‘I am that Doctor Manette of whom you

speak so graciously.’ “‘We have been to your residence,’ said the

first, ‘and not being so fortunate as to find you there, and being

informed that you were probably walking in this direction, we