Pagina 384 di 896

The mender of roads, blue cap in hand, wiped his swarthy forehead

with it, and said, "Where shall I commence, monsieur?"

"Commence," was Monsieur Defarge's not unreasonable reply, "at

the commencement."

"I saw him then, messieurs," began the mender of roads, "a year

ago this running summer, underneath the carriage of the Marquis,

hanging by the chain. Behold the manner of it. I leaving my work

on the road, the sun going to bed, the carriage of the Marquis

slowly ascending the hill, he hanging by the chain--like this."

Again the mender of roads went through the whole performance; in

which he ought to have been perfect by that time, seeing that it

had been the infallible resource and indispensable entertainment

of his village during a whole year.

Jacques One struck in, and asked if he had ever seen the man

before?

"Never," answered the mender of roads, recovering his

perpendicular.

Jacques Three demanded how he afterwards recognised him then?