followed, in the hope of overtaking you. Will you please to enter

the carriage?’ “The manner of both was imperious, and they both

moved, as these words were spoken, so as to place me between

themselves and the carriage door. They were armed. I was not.

“‘Gentlemen,’ said I, ‘pardon me; but I usually inquire who does

me the honour to seek my assistance, and what is the nature of the

case to which I am summoned.’ “The reply to this was made by

him who had spoken second. ‘Doctor, your clients are people of

condition. As to the nature of the case, our confidence in your skill

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

assures us that you will ascertain it for yourself better than we can

describe it. Enough. Will you please enter the carriage?’ “I could

do nothing but comply, and I entered it in silence. They both

entered after methe last springing in, after putting up the steps.

The carriage turned about, and drove on at its former speed.

“I repeat this conversation exactly as it occurred. I have no

doubt that it is, word for word, the same. I describe everything

exactly as it took place, constraining my mind not to wander from

the task. When I make the broken marks that follow here, I leave

off for the time, and put my paper in its hiding place.

“The carriage left the streets behind, passed the North Barrier,

and emerged upon the country road. At two-thirds of a league

from the BarrierI did not estimate the distance at that tim