Page 44 - A Tale of Two Cities

Chapter 7
A Tale of Two Cities
For any traveller, the journey to Paris in the autumn of 1792 was

slow and difficult. At every town and village, anyone who was
coming or going was questioned, their name was checked on lists,
and they were then sent forwards or back. It was some time before
Charles arrived at the city walls of Paris, and he found the gates
closed and carefully guarded.

An important-looking man came out of the office at the gate to
look at his papers. When he had studied Gabelle’s letter and looked
at Charles carefully, he disappeared back into the small offi ce.
The man was gone for half an hour or more, but at last he came
out of the office, and led Charles inside.

‘Are you the emigrant Evrémonde?’ an officer at a long desk
asked.

‘My name is Evrémonde,’ Charles replied.
‘Evrémonde, you will be taken to the prison of La Force,’ said the
offi cer.
‘What?’ cried Charles. ‘For what crime, and under what law can
you do this?’

‘We have new laws since you were last here,’ the officer said with
a hard smile.
‘I came here because a Frenchman asked for my help, as you see
in that letter in front of you,’ said Charles. ‘I want only to help him.’
‘We hang emigrants here, Evrémonde,’ the officer replied, turning

to the man who had brought Charles in. ‘Take him to the prison.’

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