Pagina 726 di 896

The Sheep of the prisons turned from him to Sydney Carton, and

said, with more decision, "It has come to a point. I go on duty

soon, and can't overstay my time. You told me you had a proposal;

what is it? Now, it is of no use asking too much of me. Ask me to

do anything in my office, putting my head in great extra danger,

and I had better trust my life to the chances of a refusal than

the chances of consent. In short, I should make that choice. You

talk of desperation. We are all desperate here. Remember! I may

denounce you if I think proper, and I can swear my way through

stone walls, and so can others. Now, what do you want with me?"

"Not very much. You are a turnkey at the Conciergerie?"

"I tell you once for all, there is no such thing as an escape

possible," said the spy, firmly.

"Why need you tell me what I have not asked? You are a turnkey at

the Conciergerie?"

"I am sometimes."

"You can be when you choose?"

"I can pass in and out when I choose."