`What is it?' asked Mr. Lorry, eagerly.

`A moment! Let me speak of it in its place. First,' he put his hand in his coat, and took another paper from it, `that is the certificate which enables me to pass out of this city. Look at it. You see--Sydney Carton, an Englishman?'

Mr. Lorry held it open in his hand, gazing in his earnest face.

`Keep it for me until to-morrow. I shall see him to-morrow, you remember; and I had better not take it into the prison.'

`I don't know; I prefer not to do so. Now, take this paper that Doctor Manette has carried about him. It is a similar certificate, enabling him and his daughter and her child at any time, to pass the barrier and the frontier? You see?"

`Perhaps he obtained it as his last and utmost precaution against evil, yesterday. When is it dated? But no matter; don't stay to look; put it up carefully wit!, mine and your own. Now, observe! I never doubted until within this hour or two, tat he had, or could have such a paper. It is good, until recalled. But it may be soon recalled, and, I have reason to think, will be.'

`They are in great danger. They are in danger of denunciation by Madame Defarge. I know it from her own lips. I have overheard words of that woman's, to-night, which have presented their danger to me in strong colours. I have lost no time, and since then, I have seen the spy. He confirms me. He knows that a wood-sawyer, living by the prison-wall, is under the control of the Defarges, and has been rehearsed by Madame Defarge as to his having seen Her'--he never mentioned Lucie's name--'making signs and signals to prisoners. It is easy to foresee that the pretence will be the common one, a prison plot, and that it will involve her life--and perhaps her child's--and perhaps her father's--for both have been seen with her at that place. Don't look so horrified. You will save them all.'

`Heaven grant I may, Carton! But how?'