After reading · Part II · Chapter 3

Part II · Chapter 3The Case Against Darnay

Reading boundary Start: Mr. Attorney-General had to inform the jury Stop after: the baffled blue-flies were dispersing in search of other carrion.

Summary

The Attorney-General depicts Darnay as a practiced French spy. His chief witness, John Barsad, claims patriotic motives, but cross-examination exposes debts, gambling, imprisonment, and possible spying. Darnay’s former servant Roger Cly also presents himself as virtuous despite searching his master’s belongings.

Mr. Lorry cannot undertake to say that Darnay was among the Dover mail’s bundled passengers. Lucie says that Darnay came aboard the Calais packet and recalls his kindness and conversation; Doctor Manette remembers nothing of that crossing. A witness’s identification is shaken when Sydney Carton’s close resemblance makes certainty doubtful. Lucie nearly collapses and is helped out before the jury retires; an hour and a half later, the jury acquits Darnay.

Who’s who

John Barsad — The prosecution’s compromised principal witness.
Roger Cly — Darnay’s former servant and another informer.
Mr. Stryver — Darnay’s defense counsel.
Sydney Carton — Stryver’s inattentive-looking colleague, remarkably like Darnay.