r the 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 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 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 assures us that you will ascertain it for
yourself better than we can describe it. Enough. Will you please to
enter the carriage?'

"I could do nothing but comply, and I entered it in silence. They both
entered after me--the 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