第13章

CHAPTERXLIII

WHEREINISSHOWNHOWTHEARTFULDODGERGOTINTOTROUBLE

\'Andsoitwasyouthatwasyourownfriend，wasit?\'askedMr。

Claypole，otherwiseBolter，when，byvirtueofthecompactenteredintobetweenthem，hehadremovednextdaytoFagin\'shouse。\'\'Cod，Ithoughtasmuchlastnight！\'

\'Everyman\'shisownfriend，mydear，\'repliedFagin，withhismostinsinuatinggrin。\'Hehasn\'tasgoodaoneashimselfanywhere。\'

\'Exceptsometimes，\'repliedMorrisBolter，assumingtheairofamanoftheworld。\'Somepeoplearenobody\'senemiesbuttheirown，yerknow。\'

\'Don\'tbelievethat，\'saidFagin。\'Whenaman\'shisownenemy，it\'sonlybecausehe\'stoomuchhisownfriend；notbecausehe\'scarefulforeverybodybuthimself。Pooh！pooh！Thereain\'tsuchathinginnature。\'

\'Thereoughn\'ttobe，ifthereis，\'repliedMr。Bolter。

\'Thatstandstoreason。Someconjurerssaythatnumberthreeisthemagicnumber，andsomesaynumberseven。It\'sneither，myfriend，neither。It\'snumberone。

\'Ha！ha！\'criedMr。Bolter。\'Numberoneforever。\'

\'Inalittlecommunitylikeours，mydear，\'saidFagin，whofeltitnecessarytoqualifythisposition，\'wehaveageneralnumberone，withoutconsideringmetooasthesame，andalltheotheryoungpeople。\'

\'Oh，thedevil！\'exclaimedMr。Bolter。

\'Yousee，\'pursuedFagin，affectingtodisregardthisinterruption，\'wearesomixeduptogether，andidentifiedinourinterests，thatitmustbeso。Forinstance，it\'syourobjecttotakecareofnumberone——meaningyourself。\'

\'Certainly，\'repliedMr。Bolter。\'Yeraboutrightthere。\'

\'Well！Youcan\'ttakecareofyourself，numberone，withouttakingcareofme，numberone。\'

\'Numbertwo，youmean，\'saidMr。Bolter，whowaslargelyendowedwiththequalityofselfishness。

\'No，Idon\'t！\'retortedFagin。\'I\'mofthesameimportancetoyou，asyouaretoyourself。\'

\'Isay，\'interruptedMr。Bolter，\'yeraveryniceman，andI\'mveryfondofyer；butweain\'tquitesothicktogether，asallthatcomesto。\'

\'Onlythink，\'saidFagin，shrugginghisshoulders，andstretchingouthishands；\'onlyconsider。You\'vedonewhat\'saveryprettything，andwhatIloveyoufordoing；butwhatatthesametimewouldputthecravatroundyourthroat，that\'ssoveryeasilytiedandsoverydifficulttounloose——inplainEnglish，thehalter！\'

Mr。Bolterputhishandtohisneckerchief，asifhefeltitinconvenientlytight；andmurmuredanassent，qualifiedintonebutnotinsubstance。

\'Thegallows，\'continuedFagin，\'thegallows，mydear，isanuglyfinger-post，whichpointsoutaveryshortandsharpturningthathasstoppedmanyaboldfellow\'scareeronthebroadhighway。Tokeepintheeasyroad，andkeepitatadistance，isobjectnumberonewithyou。\'

\'Ofcourseitis，\'repliedMr。Bolter。\'Whatdoyertalkaboutsuchthingsfor?\'

\'Onlytoshowyoumymeaningclearly，\'saidtheJew，raisinghiseyebrows。\'Tobeabletodothat，youdependuponme。Tokeepmylittlebusinessallsnug，Idependuponyou。Thefirstisyournumberone，thesecondmynumberone。Themoreyouvalueyournumberone，themorecarefulyoumustbeofmine；sowecomeatlasttowhatItoldyouatfirst——thataregardfornumberoneholdsusalltogether，andmustdoso，unlesswewouldallgotopiecesincompany。\'

\'That\'strue，\'rejoinedMr。Bolter，thoughtfully。\'Oh！yeracunningoldcodger！\'

Mr。Faginsaw，withdelight，thatthistributetohispowerswasnomerecompliment，butthathehadreallyimpressedhisrecruitwithasenseofhiswilygenius，whichitwasmostimportantthatheshouldentertainintheoutsetoftheiracquaintance。Tostrengthenanimpressionsodesirableanduseful，hefolloweduptheblowbyacquaintinghim，insomedetail，withthemagnitudeandextentofhisoperations；blendingtruthandfictiontogether，asbestservedhispurpose；andbringingbothtobear，withsomuchart，thatMr。Bolter\'srespectvisiblyincreased，andbecametempered，atthesametime，withadegreeofwholesomefear，whichitwashighlydesirabletoawaken。

\'It\'sthismutualtrustwehaveineachotherthatconsolesmeunderheavylosses，\'saidFagin。\'Mybesthandwastakenfromme，yesterdaymorning。\'

\'Youdon\'tmeantosayhedied?\'criedMr。Bolter。

\'No，no，\'repliedFagin，\'notsobadasthat。Notquitesobad。\'

\'What，Isupposehewas——\'

\'Wanted，\'interposedFagin。\'Yes，hewaswanted。\'

\'Veryparticular?\'inquiredMr。Bolter。

\'No，\'repliedFagin，\'notvery。Hewaschargedwithattemptingtopickapocket，andtheyfoundasilversnuff-boxonhim，——hisown，mydear，hisown，forhetooksnuffhimself，andwasveryfondofit。Theyremandedhimtillto-day，fortheythoughttheyknewtheowner。Ah！hewasworthfiftyboxes，andI\'dgivethepriceofasmanytohavehimback。YoushouldhaveknowntheDodger，mydear；youshouldhaveknowntheDodger。\'

\'Well，butIshallknowhim，Ihope；don\'tyerthinkso?\'saidMr。Bolter。

\'I\'mdoubtfulaboutit，\'repliedFagin，withasigh。\'Iftheydon\'tgetanyfreshevidence，it\'llonlybeasummaryconviction，andweshallhavehimbackagainaftersixweeksorso；but，iftheydo，it\'sacaseoflagging。Theyknowwhatacleverladheis；he\'llbealifer。They\'llmaketheArtfulnothinglessthanalifer。\'

\'Whatdoyoumeanbylaggingandalifer?\'demandedMr。Bolter。

\'What\'sthegoodoftalkinginthatwaytome；whydon\'tyerspeaksoasIcanunderstandyer?\'

Faginwasabouttotranslatethesemysteriousexpressionsintothevulgartongue；and，beinginterpreted，Mr。Bolterwouldhavebeeninformedthattheyrepresentedthatcombinationofwords，\'transportationforlife，\'whenthedialoguewascutshortbytheentryofMasterBates，withhishandsinhisbreeches-pockets，andhisfacetwistedintoalookofsemi-comicalwoe。

\'It\'sallup，Fagin，\'saidCharley，whenheandhisnewcompanionhadbeenmadeknowntoeachother。

\'Whatdoyoumean?\'

\'They\'vefoundthegentlemanasownsthebox；twoorthreemore\'sacomingto\'dentifyhim；andtheArtful\'sbookedforapassageout，\'repliedMasterBates。\'Imusthaveafullsuitofmourning，Fagin，andahatband，towisithimin，aforehesetsoutuponhistravels。TothinkofJackDawkins——lummyJack——theDodger——theArtfulDodger——goingabroadforacommontwopenny-halfpennysneeze-box！Ineverthoughthe\'dadoneitunderagoldwatch，chain，andseals，atthelowest。Oh，whydidn\'therobsomericholdgentlemanofallhiswalables，andgooutasagentleman，andnotlikeacommonprig，withoutnohonournorglory！\'

Withthisexpressionoffeelingforhisunfortunatefriend，MasterBatessathimselfonthenearestchairwithanaspectofchagrinanddespondency。

\'Whatdoyoutalkabouthishavingneitherhonournorgloryfor！\'

exclaimedFagin，dartinganangrylookathispupil。\'Wasn\'thealwaysthetop-sawyeramongyouall！Isthereoneofyouthatcouldtouchhimorcomenearhimonanyscent！Eh?\'

\'Notone，\'repliedMasterBates，inavoicerenderedhuskybyregret；\'notone。\'

\'Thenwhatdoyoutalkof?\'repliedFaginangrily；\'whatareyoublubberingfor?\'

\'\'Causeitisn\'tontherec-ord，isit?\'saidCharley，chafedintoperfectdefianceofhisvenerablefriendbythecurrentofhisregrets；\'\'causeitcan\'tcomeoutinthe\'dictment；\'causenobodywillneverknowhalfofwhathewas。HowwillhestandintheNewgateCalendar?P\'rapsnotbethereatall。Oh，myeye，myeye，wotablowitis！\'

\'Ha！ha！\'criedFagin，extendinghisrighthand，andturningtoMr。Bolterinafitofchucklingwhichshookhimasthoughhehadthepalsy；\'seewhatapridetheytakeintheirprofession，mydear。Ain\'titbeautiful?\'

Mr。Bolternoddedassent，andFagin，aftercontemplatingthegriefofCharleyBatesforsomesecondswithevidentsatisfaction，steppeduptothatyounggentlemanandpattedhimontheshoulder。

\'Nevermind，Charley，\'saidFaginsoothingly；\'it\'llcomeout，it\'llbesuretocomeout。They\'llallknowwhatacleverfellowhewas；he\'llshowithimself，andnotdisgracehisoldpalsandteachers。Thinkhowyoungheistoo！Whatadistinction，Charley，tobelaggedathistimeoflife！\'

\'Well，itisahonourthatis！\'saidCharley，alittleconsoled。

\'Heshallhaveallhewants，\'continuedtheJew。\'HeshallbekeptintheStoneJug，Charley，likeagentleman。Likeagentleman！Withhisbeereveryday，andmoneyinhispockettopitchandtosswith，ifhecan\'tspendit。\'

\'No，shallhethough?\'criedCharleyBates。

\'Ay，thatheshall，\'repliedFagin，\'andwe\'llhaveabig-wig，Charley:onethat\'sgotthegreatestgiftofthegab:tocarryonhisdefence；andheshallmakeaspeechforhimselftoo，ifhelikes；andwe\'llreaditallinthepapers——“ArtfulDodger——shrieksoflaughter——herethecourtwasconvulsed“——eh，Charley，eh?\'

\'Ha！ha！laughedMasterBates，\'whatalarkthatwouldbe，wouldn\'tit，Fagin?Isay，howtheArtfulwouldbother\'emwouldn\'the?\'

\'Would！\'criedFagin。\'Heshall——hewill！\'

\'Ah，tobesure，sohewill，\'repeatedCharley，rubbinghishands。

\'IthinkIseehimnow，\'criedtheJew，bendinghiseyesuponhispupil。

\'SodoI，\'criedCharleyBates。\'Ha！ha！ha！sodoI。Iseeitallaforeme，uponmysoulIdo，Fagin。Whatagame！Whataregulargame！Allthebig-wigstryingtolooksolemn，andJackDawkinsaddressingof\'emasintimateandcomfortableasifhewasthejudge\'sownsonmakingaspeecharterdinner——ha！ha！

ha！\'

Infact，Mr。Faginhadsowellhumouredhisyoungfriend\'seccentricdisposition，thatMasterBates，whohadatfirstbeendisposedtoconsidertheimprisonedDodgerratherinthelightofavictim，nowlookeduponhimasthechiefactorinasceneofmostuncommonandexquisitehumour，andfeltquiteimpatientforthearrivalofthetimewhenhisoldcompanionshouldhavesofavourableanopportunityofdisplayinghisabilities。

\'Wemustknowhowhegetsonto-day，bysomehandymeansorother，\'saidFagin。\'Letmethink。\'

\'ShallIgo?\'askedCharley。

\'Notfortheworld，\'repliedFagin。\'Areyoumad，mydear，starkmad，thatyou\'dwalkintotheveryplacewhere——No，Charley，no。

Oneisenoughtoloseatatime。\'

\'Youdon\'tmeantogoyourself，Isuppose?\'saidCharleywithahumorousleer。

\'Thatwouldn\'tquitefit，\'repliedFaginshakinghishead。

\'Thenwhydon\'tyousendthisnewcove?\'askedMasterBates，layinghishandonNoah\'sarm。\'Nobodyknowshim。\'

\'Why，ifhedidn\'tmind——\'observedFagin。

\'Mind！\'interposedCharley。\'Whatshouldhehavetomind?\'

\'Reallynothing，mydear，\'saidFagin，turningtoMr。Bolter，\'reallynothing。\'

\'Oh，Idaresayaboutthat，yerknow，\'observedNoah，backingtowardsthedoor，andshakinghisheadwithakindofsoberalarm。\'No，no——noneofthat。It\'snotinmydepartment，thatain\'t。\'

\'Wotdepartmenthashegot，Fagin?\'inquiredMasterBates，surveyingNoah\'slankformwithmuchdisgust。\'Thecuttingawaywhenthere\'sanythingwrong，andtheeatingallthewittleswhenthere\'severythingright；isthathisbranch?\'

\'Nevermind，\'retortedMr。Bolter；\'anddon\'tyertakelibertieswithyersuperiors，littleboy，oryer\'llfindyerselfinthewrongshop。\'

MasterBateslaughedsovehementlyatthismagnificentthreat，thatitwassometimebeforeFagincouldinterpose，andrepresenttoMr。Bolterthatheincurrednopossibledangerinvisitingthepolice-office；that，inasmuchasnoaccountofthelittleaffairinwhichhehadengaged，noranydescriptionofhisperson，hadyetbeenforwardedtothemetropolis，itwasveryprobablethathewasnotevensuspectedofhavingresortedtoitforshelter；

andthat，ifhewereproperlydisguised，itwouldbeassafeaspotforhimtovisitasanyinLondon，inasmuchasitwouldbe，ofallplaces，theverylast，towhichhecouldbesupposedlikelytoresortofhisownfreewill。

Persuaded，inpart，bytheserepresentations，butoverborneinamuchgreaterdegreebyhisfearofFagin，Mr。Bolteratlengthconsented，withaverybadgrace，toundertaketheexpedition。

ByFagin\'sdirections，heimmediatelysubstitutedforhisownattire，awaggoner\'sfrock，velveteenbreeches，andleatherleggings:allofwhicharticlestheJewhadathand。Hewaslikewisefurnishedwithafelthatwellgarnishedwithturnpiketickets；andacarter\'swhip。Thusequipped，hewastosaunterintotheoffice，assomecountryfellowfromCoventGardenmarketmightbesupposedtodoforthegratificationofhiscuriousity；

andashewasasawkward，ungainly，andraw-bonedafellowasneedbe，Mr。Faginhadnofearbutthathewouldlooktheparttoperfection。

Thesearrangementscompleted，hewasinformedofthenecessarysignsandtokensbywhichtorecognisetheArtfulDodger，andwasconveyedbyMasterBatesthroughdarkandwindingwaystowithinaveryshortdistanceofBowStreet。Havingdescribedtheprecisesituationoftheoffice，andaccompanieditwithcopiousdirectionshowhewastowalkstraightupthepassage，andwhenhegotintotheside，andpulloffhishatashewentintotheroom，CharleyBatesbadehimhurryonalone，andpromisedtobidehisreturnonthespotoftheirparting。

NoahClaypole，orMorrisBolterasthereaderpleases，punctuallyfollowedthedirectionshehadreceived，which——MasterBatesbeingprettywellacquaintedwiththelocality——weresoexactthathewasenabledtogainthemagisterialpresencewithoutaskinganyquestion，ormeetingwithanyinterruptionbytheway。

Hefoundhimselfjostledamongacrowdofpeople，chieflywomen，whowerehuddledtogetherinadirtyfrowsyroom，attheupperendofwhichwasaraisedplatformrailedofffromtherest，withadockfortheprisonersonthelefthandagainstthewall，aboxforthewitnessesinthemiddle，andadeskforthemagistratesontheright；theawfullocalitylastnamed，beingscreenedoffbyapartitionwhichconcealedthebenchfromthecommongaze，andleftthevulgartoimagine(iftheycould)thefullmajestyofjustice。

Therewereonlyacoupleofwomeninthedock，whowerenoddingtotheiradmiringfriends，whiletheclerkreadsomedepositionstoacoupleofpolicemenandamaninplainclotheswholeantoverthetable。Ajailerstoodrecliningagainstthedock-rail，tappinghisnoselistlesslywithalargekey，exceptwhenherepressedanunduetendencytoconversationamongtheidlers，byproclaimingsilence；orlookedsternlyuptobidsomewoman\'Takethatbabyout，\'whenthegravityofjusticewasdisturbedbyfeeblecries，half-smotheredinthemother\'sshawl，fromsomemeagreinfant。Theroomsmeltcloseandunwholesome；thewallsweredirt-discoloured；andtheceilingblackened。Therewasanoldsmokybustoverthemantel-shelf，andadustyclockabovethedock——theonlythingpresent，thatseemedtogoonasitought；

fordepravity，orpoverty，oranhabitualacquaintancewithboth，hadleftataintonalltheanimatematter，hardlylessunpleasantthanthethickgreasyscumoneveryinaminateobjectthatfrowneduponit。

NoahlookedeagerlyabouthimfortheDodger；butalthoughtherewereseveralwomenwhowouldhavedoneverywellforthatdistinguishedcharacter\'smotherorsister，andmorethanonemanwhomightbesupposedtobearastrongresemblancetohisfather，nobodyatallansweringthedescriptiongivenhimofMr。Dawkinswastobeseen。Hewaitedinastateofmuchsuspenseanduncertaintyuntilthewomen，beingcommittedfortrial，wentflauntingout；andthenwasquicklyrelievedbytheappearanceofanotherprisonerwhohefeltatoncecouldbenootherthantheobjectofhisvisit。

ItwasindeedMr。Dawkins，who，shufflingintotheofficewiththebigcoatsleevestuckedupasusual，hislefthandinhispocket，andhishatinhisrighthand，precededthejailer，witharollinggaitaltogetherindescribable，and，takinghisplaceinthedock，requestedinanaudiblevoicetoknowwhathewasplacedinthat\'eredisgracefulsitivationfor。

\'Holdyourtongue，willyou?\'saidthejailer。

\'I\'manEnglishman，ain\'tI?\'rejoinedtheDodger。\'Wherearemypriwileges?\'

\'You\'llgetyourprivilegessoonenough，\'retortedthejailer，\'andpepperwith\'em。\'

\'We\'llseewottheSecretaryofStatefortheHomeAffairshasgottosaytothebeaks，ifIdon\'t，\'repliedMr。Dawkins。\'Nowthen！Wotisthisherebusiness?Ishallthankthemadg\'stratestodisposeofthisherelittleaffair，andnottokeepmewhiletheyreadthepaper，forI\'vegotanappointmentwithagenelmanintheCity，andasIamamanofmywordandwerypunctualinbusinessmatters，he\'llgoawayifIain\'ttheretomytime，andthenpr\'apstherwon\'tbeanactionfordamageagainstthemaskepmeaway。Ohno，certainlynot！\'

Atthispoint，theDodger，withashowofbeingveryparticularwithaviewtoproceedingstobehadthereafter，desiredthejailertocommunicate\'thenamesofthemtwofilesaswasonthebench。\'Whichsotickledthespectators，thattheylaughedalmostasheartilyasMasterBatescouldhavedoneifhehadheardtherequest。

\'Silencethere！\'criedthejailer。

\'Whatisthis?\'inquiredoneofthemagistrates。

\'Apick-pocketingcase，yourworship。\'

\'Hastheboyeverbeenherebefore?\'

\'Heoughttohavebeen，amanytimes，\'repliedthejailer。\'Hehasbeenprettywelleverywhereelse。_I_knowhimwell，yourworship。\'

\'Oh！youknowme，doyou?\'criedtheArtful，makinganoteofthestatement。\'Werygood。That\'sacaseofdeformationofcharacter，anyway。\'

Heretherewasanotherlaugh，andanothercryofsilence。

\'Nowthen，wherearethewitnesses?\'saidtheclerk。

\'Ah！that\'sright，\'addedtheDodger。\'Wherearethey?Ishouldliketosee\'em。\'

Thiswishwasimmediatelygratified，forapolicemansteppedforwardwhohadseentheprisonerattemptthepocketofanunknowngentlemaninacrowd，andindeedtakeahandkerchieftherefrom，which，beingaveryoldone，hedeliberatelyputbackagain，aftertryinginonhisowncountenance。Forthisreason，hetooktheDodgerintocustodyassoonashecouldgetnearhim，andthesaidDodger，beingsearched，haduponhispersonasilversnuff-box，withtheowner\'snameengraveduponthelid。ThisgentlemanhadbeendiscoveredonreferencetotheCourtGuide，andbeingthenandtherepresent，sworethatthesnuff-boxwashis，andthathehadmisseditonthepreviousday，themomenthehaddisengagedhimselffromthecrowdbeforereferredto。Hehadalsoremarkedayounggentlemaninthethrong，particularlyactiveinmakinghiswayabout，andthatyounggentlemanwastheprisonerbeforehim。

\'Haveyouanythingtoaskthiswitness，boy?\'saidthemagistrate。

\'Iwouldn\'tabasemyselfbydescendingtoholdnoconversationwithhim\'repliedtheDodger。

\'Haveyouanythingtosayatall?\'

\'Doyouhearhisworshipaskifyou\'veanythingtosay?\'inquiredthejailer，nudgingthesilentDodgerwithhiselbow。

\'Ibegyourpardon，\'saidtheDodger，lookingupwithanairofabstraction。\'Didyouredressyourselftome，myman?\'

\'Ineverseesuchanout-and-outyoungwagabond，yourworship，\'

observedtheofficerwithagrin。\'Doyoumeantosayanything，youyoungshaver?\'

\'No，\'repliedtheDodger，\'nothere，forthisain\'ttheshopforjustice:besideswhich，myattorneyisa-breakfastingthismorningwiththeWicePresidentoftheHouseofCommons；butI

shallhavesomethingtosayelsewhere，andsowillhe，andsowillawerynumerousand\'spectablecircleofacquaintanceas\'llmakethembeakswishthey\'dneverbeenborn，orthatthey\'dgottheirfootmentohang\'emuptotheirownhat-pegs，aforetheylet\'emcomeoutthismorningtotryitonuponme。I\'ll——\'

\'There！He\'sfullycommitted！\'interposedtheclerk。\'Takehimaway。\'

\'Comeon，\'saidthejailer。

\'Ohah！I\'llcomeon，\'repliedtheDodger，brushinghishatwiththepalmofhishand。\'Ah！(totheBench)it\'snouseyourlookingfrightened；Iwon\'tshowyounomercy，notaha\'porthofit。YOU\'LLpayforthis，myfinefellers。Iwouldn\'tbeyouforsomething！Iwouldn\'tgofree，now，ifyouwastofalldownonyourkneesandaskme。Here，carrymeofftoprison！Takemeaway！\'

Withtheselastwords，theDodgersufferedhimselftobeledoffbythecollar；threatening，tillhegotintotheyard，tomakeaparliamentarybusinessofit；andthengrinningintheofficer\'sface，withgreatgleeandself-approval。

Havingseenhimlockedupbyhimselfinalittlecell，NoahmadethebestofhiswaybacktowherehehadleftMasterBates。

Afterwaitingheresometime，hewasjoinedbythatyounggentleman，whohadprudentlyabstainedfromshowinghimselfuntilhehadlookedcarefullyabroadfromasnugretreat，andascertainedthathisnewfriendhadnotbeenfollowedbyanyimpertinentperson。

Thetwohastenedbacktogether，tobeartoMr。FagintheanimatingnewsthattheDodgerwasdoingfulljusticetohisbringing-up，andestablishingforhimselfagloriousreputation。

CHAPTERXLIV

THETIMEARRIVESFORNANCYTOREDEEMHERPLEDGETOROSEMAYLIE。

SHEFAILS。

Adeptasshewas，inalltheartsofcunninganddissimulation，thegirlNancycouldnotwhollyconcealtheeffectwhichtheknowledgeofthestepshehadtaken，wroughtuponhermind。SherememberedthatboththecraftyJewandthebrutalSikeshadconfidedtoherschemes，whichhadbeenhiddenfromallothers:

inthefullconfidencethatshewastrustworthyandbeyondthereachoftheirsuspicion。Vileasthoseschemeswere，desperateasweretheiroriginators，andbitteraswereherfeelingstowardsFagin，whohadledher，stepbystep，deeperanddeeperdownintoanabyssofcrimeandmisery，whencewasnoescape；

still，thereweretimeswhen，eventowardshim，shefeltsomerelenting，lestherdisclosureshouldbringhimwithintheirongrasphehadsolongeluded，andheshouldfallatlast——richlyashemeritedsuchafate——byherhand。

But，thesewerethemerewanderingsofamindunwhollytodetachitselffromoldcompanionsandassociations，thoughenabledtofixitselfsteadilyononeobject，andresolvednottobeturnedasidebyanyconsideration。HerfearsforSikeswouldhavebeenmorepowerfulinducementstorecoilwhiletherewasyettime；butshehadstipulatedthathersecretshouldberigidlykept，shehaddroppednocluewhichcouldleadtohisdiscovery，shehadrefused，evenforhissake，arefugefromalltheguiltandwretchednessthatencompassesher——andwhatmorecouldshedo！

Shewasresolved。

Thoughallhermentalstrugglesterminatedinthisconclusion，theyforcedthemselvesuponher，againandagain，andlefttheirtracestoo。Shegrewpaleandthin，evenwithinafewdays。Attimes，shetooknoheedofwhatwaspassingbeforeher，ornopartinconversationswhereonce，shewouldhavebeentheloudest。Atothertimes，shelaughedwithoutmerriment，andwasnoisywithoutamomentafterwards——shesatsilentanddejected，broodingwithherheaduponherhands，whiletheveryeffortbywhichsherousedherself，told，moreforciblythaneventheseindications，thatshewasillatease，andthatherthoughtswereoccupiedwithmattersverydifferentanddistantfromthoseinthecourseofdiscussionbyhercompanions。

ItwasSundaynight，andthebellofthenearestchurchstruckthehour。SikesandtheJewweretalking，buttheypausedtolisten。Thegirllookedupfromthelowseatonwhichshecrouched，andlistenedtoo。Eleven。

\'Anhourthissideofmidnight，\'saidSikes，raisingtheblindtolookoutandreturningtohisseat。\'Darkandheavyitistoo。

Agoodnightforbusinessthis。\'

\'Ah！\'repliedFagin。\'Whatapity，Bill，mydear，thatthere\'snonequitereadytobedone。\'

\'You\'rerightforonce，\'repliedSikesgruffly。\'Itisapity，forI\'minthehumourtoo。\'

Faginsighed，andshookhisheaddespondingly。

\'Wemustmakeupforlosttimewhenwe\'vegotthingsintoagoodtrain。That\'sallIknow，\'saidSikes。

\'That\'sthewaytotalk，mydear，\'repliedFagin，venturingtopathimontheshoulder。\'Itdoesmegoodtohearyou。\'

\'Doesyougood，doesit！\'criedSikes。\'Well，sobeit。\'

\'Ha！ha！ha！\'laughedFagin，asifhewererelievedbyeventhisconcession。\'You\'relikeyourselfto-night，Bill。Quitelikeyourself。\'

\'Idon\'tfeellikemyselfwhenyoulaythatwitheredoldclawonmyshoulder，sotakeitaway，\'saidSikes，castingofftheJew\'shand。

\'Itmakeyounervous，Bill，——remindsyouofbeingnabbed，doesit?\'saidFagin，determinednottobeoffended。

\'Remindsmeofbeingnabbedbythedevil，\'returnedSikes。\'Thereneverwasanothermanwithsuchafaceasyours，unlessitwasyourfather，andIsupposeHEissingeinghisgrizzledredbeardbythistime，unlessyoucamestraightfromtheold\'unwithoutanyfatheratallbetwixtyou；whichIshouldn\'twonderat，abit。\'

Faginofferednoreplytothiscompliment:but，pullingSikesbythesleeve，pointedhisfingertowardsNancy，whohadtakenadvantageoftheforegoingconversationtoputonherbonnet，andwasnowleavingtheroom。

\'Hallo！\'criedSikes。\'Nance。Where\'sthegalgoingtoatthistimeofnight?\'

\'Notfar。\'

\'Whatanswer\'sthat?\'retortedSikes。\'Doyouhearme?\'

\'Idon\'tknowwhere，\'repliedthegirl。

\'ThenIdo，\'saidSikes，moreinthespiritofobstinacythanbecausehehadanyrealobjectiontothegirlgoingwhereshelisted。\'Nowhere。Sitdown。\'

\'I\'mnotwell。Itoldyouthatbefore，\'rejoinedthegirl。\'I

wantabreathofair。\'

\'Putyourheadoutofthewinder，\'repliedSikes。

\'There\'snotenoughthere，\'saidthegirl。\'Iwantitinthestreet。\'

\'Thenyouwon\'thaveit，\'repliedSikes。Withwhichassuranceherose，lockedthedoor，tookthekeyout，andpullingherbonnetfromherhead，flungituptothetopofanoldpress。\'There，\'

saidtherobber。\'Nowstopquietlywhereyouare，willyou?\'

\'It\'snotsuchamatterasabonnetwouldkeepme，\'saidthegirlturningverypale。\'Whatdoyoumean，Bill?Doyouknowwhatyou\'redoing?\'

\'KnowwhatI\'m——Oh！\'criedSikes，turningtoFagin，\'she\'soutofhersenses，youknow，orshedaren\'ttalktomeinthatway。\'

\'You\'lldrivemeonthesomethingdesperate，\'mutteredthegirlplacingbothhandsuponherbreast，asthoughtokeepdownbyforcesomeviolentoutbreak。\'Letmego，willyou，——thisminute——thisinstant。\'

\'No！\'saidSikes。

\'Tellhimtoletmego，Fagin。Hehadbetter。It\'llbebetterforhim。Doyouhearme?\'criedNancystampingherfootupontheground。

\'Hearyou！\'repeatedSikesturningroundinhischairtoconfronther。\'Aye！AndifIhearyouforhalfaminutelonger，thedogshallhavesuchagriponyourthroatas\'lltearsomeofthatscreamingvoiceout。Wothascomeoveryou，youjade！Wotisit?\'

\'Letmego，\'saidthegirlwithgreatearnestness；thensittingherselfdownonthefloor，beforethedoor，shesaid，\'Bill，letmego；youdon\'tknowwhatyouaredoing。Youdon\'t，indeed。Foronlyonehour——do——do！\'

\'Cutmylimbsoffonebyone！\'criedSikes，seizingherroughlybythearm，\'IfIdon\'tthinkthegal\'sstarkravingmad。Getup。\'

\'Nottillyouletmego——nottillyouletmego——Never——never！\'

screamedthegirl。Sikeslookedon，foraminute，watchinghisopportunity，andsuddenlypinioningherhandsdraggedher，strugglingandwrestlingwithhimbytheway，intoasmallroomadjoining，wherehesathimselfonabench，andthrustingherintoachair，heldherdownbyforce。Shestruggledandimploredbyturnsuntiltwelveo\'clockhadstruck，andthen，weariedandexhausted，ceasedtocontestthepointanyfurther。Withacaution，backedbymanyoaths，tomakenomoreeffortstogooutthatnight，SikeslefthertorecoveratleisureandrejoinedFagin。

\'Whew！\'saidthehousebreakerwipingtheperspirationfromhisface。\'Wotapreciousstrangegalthatis！\'

\'Youmaysaythat，Bill，\'repliedFaginthoughtfully。\'Youmaysaythat。\'

\'Wotdidshetakeitintoherheadtogooutto-nightfor，doyouthink?\'askedSikes。\'Come；youshouldknowherbetterthanme。

Wotdoesismean?\'

\'Obstinacy；woman\'sobstinacy，Isuppose，mydear。\'

\'Well，Isupposeitis，\'growledSikes。\'IthoughtIhadtamedher，butshe\'sasbadasever。\'

\'Worse，\'saidFaginthoughtfully。\'Ineverknewherlikethis，forsuchalittlecause。\'

\'NorI，\'saidSikes。\'Ithinkshe\'sgotatouchofthatfeverinherbloodyet，anditwon\'tcomeout——eh?\'

\'Likeenough。\'

\'I\'llletheralittleblood，withouttroublingthedoctor，ifshe\'stookthatwayagain，\'saidSikes。

Faginnoddedanexpressiveapprovalofthismodeoftreatment。

\'Shewashangingaboutmeallday，andnighttoo，whenIwasstretchedonmyback；andyou，likeablackheartedwolfasyouare，keptyourselfaloof，\'saidSikes。\'Wewaspoortoo，allthetime，andIthink，onewayorother，it\'sworriedandfrettedher；andthatbeingshutupheresolonghasmadeherrestless——eh?\'

\'That\'sit，mydear，\'repliedtheJewinawhisper。\'Hush！\'

Asheutteredthesewords，thegirlherselfappearedandresumedherformerseat。Hereyeswereswollenandred；sherockedherselftoandfro；tossedherhead；and，afteralittletime，burstoutlaughing。

\'Why，nowshe\'sontheothertack！\'exclaimedSikes，turningalookofexcessivesurpriseonhiscompanion。

Faginnoddedtohimtotakenofurthernoticejustthen；and，inafewminutes，thegirlsubsidedintoheraccustomeddemeanour。

WhisperingSikesthattherewasnofearofherrelapsing，Fagintookuphishatandbadehimgood-night。Hepausedwhenhereachedtheroom-door，andlookinground，askedifsomebodywouldlighthimdownthedarkstairs。

\'Lighthimdown，\'saidSikes，whowasfillinghispipe。\'It\'sapityheshouldbreakhisneckhimself，anddisappointthesight-seers。Showhimalight。\'

Nancyfollowedtheoldmandownstairs，withacandle。Whentheyreachedthepassage，helaidhisfingeronhislip，anddrawingclosetothegirl，said，inawhisper。

\'Whatisit，Nancy，dear?\'

\'Whatdoyoumean?\'repliedthegirl，inthesametone。

\'Thereasonofallthis，\'repliedFagin。\'IfHE\'——hepointedwithhisskinnyfore-fingerupthestairs——\'issohardwithyou(he\'sabrute，Nance，abrute-beast)，whydon\'tyou——\'

\'Well?\'saidthegirl，asFaginpaused，withhismouthalmosttouchingherear，andhiseyeslookingintohers。

\'Nomatterjustnow。We\'lltalkofthisagain。Youhaveafriendinme，Nance；astaunchfriend。Ihavethemeansathand，quietandclose。Ifyouwantrevengeonthosethattreatyoulikeadog——likeadog！worsethanhisdog，forhehumourshimsometimes——cometome。Isay，cometome。Heisthemerehoundofaday，butyouknowmeofold，Nance。\'

\'Iknowyouwell，\'repliedthegirls，withoutmanifestingtheleastemotion。\'Good-night。\'

Sheshrankback，asFaginofferedtolayhishandonhers，butsaidgood-nightagain，inasteadyvoice，and，answeringhispartinglookwithanodofintelligence，closedthedoorbetweenthem。

Faginwalkedtowardshishome，intentuponthethoughtsthatwereworkingwithinhisbrain。Hehadconceivedtheidea——notfromwhathadjustpassedthoughthathadtendedtoconfirmhim，butslowlyandbydegrees——thatNancy，weariedofthehousebreaker\'sbrutality，hadconceivedanattachmentforsomenewfriend。Heralteredmanner，herrepeatedabsencesfromhomealone，hercomparativeindifferencetotheinterestsofthegangforwhichshehadoncebeensozealous，and，addedtothese，herdesperateimpatiencetoleavehomethatnightataparticularhour，allfavouredthesupposition，andrenderedit，tohimatleast，almostmatterofcertainty。Theobjectofthisnewlikingwasnotamonghismyrmidons。HewouldbeavaluableacquisitionwithsuchanassistantasNancy，andmust(thusFaginargued)besecuredwithoutdelay。

Therewasanother，andadarkerobject，tobegained。Sikesknewtoomuch，andhisruffiantauntshadnotgalledFagintheless，becausethewoundswerehidden。Thegirlmustknow，well，thatifsheshookhimoff，shecouldneverbesafefromhisfury，andthatitwouldbesurelywreaked——tothemaimingoflimbs，orperhapsthelossoflife——ontheobjectofhermorerecentfancy。

\'Withalittlepersuasion，\'thoughtFagin，\'whatmorelikelythanthatshewouldconsenttopoisonhim?Womenhavedonesuchthings，andworse，tosecurethesameobjectbeforenow。Therewouldbethedangerousvillain:themanIhate:gone；anothersecuredinhisplace；andmyinfluenceoverthegirl，withaknowledgeofthiscrimetobackit，unlimited。\'

ThesethingspassedthroughthemindofFagin，duringtheshorttimehesatalone，inthehousebreaker\'sroom；andwiththemuppermostinhisthoughts，hehadtakentheopportunityafterwardsaffordedhim，ofsoundingthegirlinthebrokenhintshethrewoutatparting。Therewasnoexpressionofsurprise，noassumptionofaninabilitytounderstandhismeaning。Thegirlclearlycomprehendedit。HerglanceatpartingshowedTHAT。

ButperhapsshewouldrecoilfromaplottotakethelifeofSikes，andthatwasoneofthechiefendstobeattained。\'How，\'

thoughtFagin，ashecrepthomeward，\'canIincreasemyinfluencewithher?whatnewpowercanIacquire?\'

Suchbrainsarefertileinexpedients。If，withoutextractingaconfessionfromherself，helaidawatch，discoveredtheobjectofheralteredregard，andthreatenedtorevealthewholehistorytoSikes(ofwhomshestoodinnocommonfear)unlesssheenteredintohisdesigns，couldhenotsecurehercompliance?

\'Ican，\'saidFagin，almostaloud。\'Shedurstnotrefusemethen。Notforherlife，notforherlife！Ihaveitall。Themeansareready，andshallbesettowork。Ishallhaveyouyet！\'

Hecastbackadarklook，andathreateningmotionofthehand，towardsthespotwherehehadlefttheboldervillian；andwentonhisway:busyinghisbonyhandsinthefoldsofhistatteredgarment，whichhewrenchedtightlyinhisgrasp，asthoughtherewereahatedenemycrushedwitheverymotionofhisfingers。

CHAPTERXLV

NOAHCLAYPOLEISEMPLOYEDBYFAGINONASECRETMISSION

Theoldmanwasup，betimes，nextmorning，andwaitedimpatientlyfortheappearanceofhisnewassociate，whoafteradelaythatseemedinterminable，atlengthpresentedhimself，andcommencedavoraciousassaultonthebreakfast。

\'Bolter，\'saidFagin，drawingupachairandseatinghimselfoppositeMorrisBolter。

\'Well，hereIam，\'returnedNoah。\'What\'sthematter?Don\'tyeraskmetodoanythingtillIhavedoneeating。That\'sagreatfaultinthisplace。Yernevergettimeenoughoveryermeals。\'

\'Youcantalkasyoueat，can\'tyou?\'saidFagin，cursinghisdearyoungfriend\'sgreedinessfromtheverybottomofhisheart。

\'Ohyes，Icantalk。IgetonbetterwhenItalk，\'saidNoah，cuttingamonstroussliceofbread。\'Where\'sCharlotte?\'

\'Out，\'saidFagin。\'Isentheroutthismorningwiththeotheryoungwoman，becauseIwantedustobealone。\'

\'Oh！\'saidNoah。\'Iwishyer\'dorderedhertomakesomebutteredtoastfirst。Well。Talkaway。Yerwon\'tinterruptme。\'

Thereseemed，indeed，nogreatfearofanythinginterruptinghim，ashehadevidentlysatdownwithadeterminationtodoagreatdealofbusiness。

\'Youdidwellyesterday，mydear，\'saidFagin。\'Beautiful！Sixshillingsandninepencehalfpennyontheveryfirstday！Thekinchinlaywillbeafortunetoyou。\'

\'Don\'tyouforgettoaddthreepint-potsandamilk-can，\'saidMr。Bolter。

\'No，no，mydear。Thepint-potsweregreatstrokesofgenius:

butthemilk-canwasaperfectmasterpiece。\'

\'Prettywell，Ithink，forabeginner，\'remarkedMr。Boltercomplacently。\'ThepotsItookoffairyrailings，andthemilk-canwasstandingbyitselfoutsideapublic-house。I

thoughtitmightgetrustywiththerain，orcatchcold，yerknow。Eh?Ha！ha！ha！\'

Faginaffectedtolaughveryheartily；andMr。Bolterhavinghadhislaughout，tookaseriesoflargebites，whichfinishedhisfirsthunkofbreadandbutter，andassistedhimselftoasecond。

\'Iwantyou，Bolter，\'saidFagin，leaningoverthetable，\'todoapieceofworkforme，mydear，thatneedsgreatcareandcaution。\'

\'Isay，\'rejoinedBolter，\'don\'tyergoshovingmeintodanger，orsendingmeanymoreo\'yerpolice-offices。Thatdon\'tsuitme，thatdon\'t；andsoItellyer。\'

\'That\'snotthesmallestdangerinit——nottheverysmallest，\'

saidtheJew；\'it\'sonlytododgeawoman。\'

\'Anoldwoman?\'demandedMr。Bolter。

\'Ayoungone，\'repliedFagin。

\'Icandothatprettywell，Iknow，\'saidBolter。\'IwasaregularcunningsneakwhenIwasatschool。WhatamItododgeherfor?Notto——\'

\'Nottodoanything，buttotellmewhereshegoes，whoshesees，and，ifpossible，whatshesays；torememberthestreet，ifitisastreet，orthehouse，ifitisahouse；andtobringmebackalltheinformationyoucan。\'

\'What\'llyergiveme?\'askedNoah，settingdownhiscup，andlookinghisemployer，eagerly，intheface。

\'Ifyoudoitwell，apound，mydear。Onepound，\'saidFagin，wishingtointeresthiminthescentasmuchaspossible。\'Andthat\'swhatInevergaveyet，foranyjobofworkwheretherewasn\'tvaluableconsiderationtobegained。\'

\'Whoisshe?\'inquiredNoah。

\'Oneofus。\'

\'OhLor！\'criedNoah，curlinguphisnose。\'Yerdoubtfulofher，areyer?\'

\'Shehadfoundoutsomenewfriends，mydear，andImustknowwhotheyare，\'repliedFagin。

\'Isee，\'saidNoah。\'Justtohavethepleasureofknowingthem，ifthey\'rerespectablepeople，eh?Ha！ha！ha！I\'myourman。\'

\'Iknewyouwouldbe，\'criedFagin，eleatedbythesuccessofhisproposal。

\'Ofcourse，ofcourse，\'repliedNoah。\'Whereisshe?WhereamI

towaitforher?WhereamItogo?\'

\'Allthat，mydear，youshallhearfromme。I\'llpointheroutatthepropertime，\'saidFagin。\'Youkeepready，andleavetheresttome。\'

Thatnight，andthenext，andthenextagain，thespysatbootedandequippedinhiscarter\'sdress:readytoturnoutatawordfromFagin。Sixnightspassed——sixlongwearynights——andoneach，Fagincamehomewithadisappointedface，andbrieflyintimatedthatitwasnotyettime。Ontheseventh，hereturnedearlier，andwithanexultationhecouldnotconceal。ItwasSunday。

\'Shegoesabroadto-night，\'saidFagin，\'andontherighterrand，I\'msure；forshehasbeenaloneallday，andthemansheisafraidofwillnotbebackmuchbeforedaybreak。Comewithme。

Quick！\'

Noahstartedupwithoutsayingaword；fortheJewwasinastateofsuchintenseexcitementthatitinfectedhim。Theyleftthehousestealthily，andhurryingthroughalabyrinthofstreets，arrivedatlengthbeforeapublic-house，whichNoahrecognisedasthesameinwhichhehadslept，onthenightofhisarrivalinLondon。

Itwaspasteleveno\'clock，andthedoorwasclosed。ItopenedsoftlyonitshingesasFagingavealowwhistle。Theyentered，withoutnoise；andthedoorwasclosedbehindthem。

Scarcelyventuringtowhisper，butsubstitutingdumbshowforwords，Fagin，andtheyoungJewwhohadadmittedthem，pointedoutthepaneofglasstoNoah，andsignedtohimtoclimbupandobservethepersonintheadjoiningroom。

\'Isthatthewoman?\'heasked，scarcelyabovehisbreath。

Faginnoddedyes。

\'Ican\'tseeherfacewell，\'whisperedNoah。\'Sheislookingdown，andthecandleisbehindher。

\'Staythere，\'whisperedFagin。HesignedtoBarney，whowithdrew。Inaninstant，theladenteredtheroomadjoining，and，underpretenceofsnuffingthecandle，moveditintherequiredposition，and，speakingtothegirl，causedhertoraiseherface。

\'Iseehernow，\'criedthespy。

\'Plainly?\'

\'Ishouldknowheramongathousand。\'

Hehastilydescended，astheroom-dooropened，andthegirlcameout。Fagindrewhimbehindasmallpartitionwhichwascurtainedoff，andtheyheldtheirbreathsasshepassedwithinafewfeetoftheirplaceofconcealment，andemergedbythedooratwhichtheyhadentered。

\'Hist！\'criedtheladwhoheldthedoor。\'Dow。\'

NoahexchangedalookwithFagin，anddartedout。

\'Totheleft，\'whisperedthelad；\'takethelefthad，andkeepodtheotherside。\'

Hedidso；and，bythelightofthelamps，sawthegirl\'sretreatingfigure，alreadyatsomedistancebeforehim。Headvancedasnearasheconsideredprudent，andkeptontheoppositesideofthestreet，thebettertoobservehermotions。

Shelookednervouslyround，twiceorthrice，andoncestoppedtolettwomenwhowerefollowingclosebehindher，passon。Sheseemedtogathercourageassheadvanced，andtowalkwithasteadierandfirmerstep。Thespypreservedthesamerelativedistancebetweenthem，andfollowed:withhiseyeuponher。

CHAPTERXLVI

THEAPPOINTMENTKEPT

Thechurchclockschimedthreequarterspasteleven，astwofiguresemergedonLondonBridge。One，whichadvancedwithaswiftandrapidstep，wasthatofawomanwholookedeagerlyaboutherasthoughinquestofsomeexpectedobject；theotherfigurewasthatofaman，whoslunkalonginthedeepestshadowhecouldfind，and，atsomedistance，accommodatedhispacetohers:stoppingwhenshestopped:andasshemovedagain，creepingstealthilyon:butneverallowinghimself，intheardourofhispursuit，togainuponherfootsteps。Thus，theycrossedthebridge，fromtheMiddlesextotheSurreyshore，whenthewoman，apparentlydisappointedinheranxiousscrutinyofthefoot-passengers，turnedback。Themovementwassudden；buthewhowatchedher，wasnotthrownoffhisguardbyit；for，shrinkingintooneoftherecesseswhichsurmountthepiersofthebridge，andleaningovertheparapetthebettertoconcealhisfigure，hesufferedhertopassontheoppositepavement。

Whenshewasaboutthesamedistanceinadvanceasshehadbeenbefore，heslippedquietlydown，andfollowedheragain。Atnearlythecentreofthebridge，shestopped。Themanstoppedtoo。

Itwasaverydarknight。Thedayhadbeenunfavourable，andatthathourandplacetherewerefewpeoplestirring。Suchastherewere，hurriedquicklypast:verypossiblywithoutseeing，butcertainlywithoutnoticing，eitherthewoman，orthemanwhokeptherinview。TheirappearancewasnotcalculatedtoattracttheimportunateregardsofsuchofLondon\'sdestitutepopulation，aschancedtotaketheirwayoverthebridgethatnightinsearchofsomecoldarchordoorlesshovelwhereintolaytheirheads；theystoodthereinsilence:neitherspeakingnorspokento，byanyonewhopassed。

Amisthungovertheriver，deepeningtheredglareofthefiresthatburntuponthesmallcraftmooredoffthedifferentwharfs，andrenderingdarkerandmoreindistinctthemurkybuildingsonthebanks。Theoldsmoke-stainedstorehousesoneitherside，roseheavyanddullfromthedensemassofroofsandgables，andfrownedsternlyuponwatertooblacktoreflecteventheirlumberingshapes。ThetowerofoldSaintSaviour\'sChurch，andthespireofSaintMagnus，solongthegiant-wardersoftheancientbridge，werevisibleinthegloom；buttheforestofshippingbelowbridge，andthethicklyscatteredspiresofchurchesabove，werenearlyallhiddenfromsight。

Thegirlhadtakenafewrestlessturnstoandfro——closelywatchedmeanwhilebyherhiddenobserver——whentheheavybellofSt。Paul\'stolledforthedeathofanotherday。Midnighthadcomeuponthecrowdedcity。Thepalace，thenight-cellar，thejail，themadhouse:thechambersofbirthanddeath，ofhealthandsickness，therigidfaceofthecorpseandthecalmsleepofthechild:midnightwasuponthemall。

Thehourhadnotstrucktwominutes，whenayounglady，accompaniedbyagrey-hairedgentleman，alightedfromahackney-carriagewithinashortdistanceofthebridge，and，havingdismissedthevehicle，walkedstraighttowardsit。Theyhadscarcelysetfootuponitspavement，whenthegirlstarted，andimmediatelymadetowardsthem。

Theywalkedonward，lookingaboutthemwiththeairofpersonswhoentertainedsomeveryslightexpectationwhichhadlittlechanceofbeingrealised，whentheyweresuddenlyjoinedbythisnewassociate。Theyhaltedwithanexclamationofsurprise，butsuppresseditimmediately；foramaninthegarmentsofacountrymancamecloseup——brushedagainstthem，indeed——atthatprecisemoment。

\'Nothere，\'saidNancyhurriedly，\'Iamafraidtospeaktoyouhere。Comeaway——outofthepublicroad——downthestepsyonder！\'

Assheutteredthesewords，andindicated，withherhand，thedirectioninwhichshewishedthemtoproceed，thecountrymanlookedround，androughlyaskingwhattheytookupthewholepavementfor，passedon。

Thestepstowhichthegirlhadpointed，werethosewhich，ontheSurreybank，andonthesamesideofthebridgeasSaintSaviour\'sChurch，formalanding-stairsfromtheriver。Tothisspot，themanbearingtheappearanceofacountryman，hastenedunobserved；andafteramoment\'ssurveyoftheplace，hebegantodescend。

Thesestairsareapartofthebridge；theyconsistofthreeflights。Justbelowtheendofthesecond，goingdown，thestonewallontheleftterminatesinanornamentalpilasterfacingtowardstheThames。Atthispointthelowerstepswiden:sothatapersonturningthatangleofthewall，isnecessarilyunseenbyanyothersonthestairswhochancetobeabovehim，ifonlyastep。Thecountrymanlookedhastilyround，whenhereachedthispoint；andasthereseemednobetterplaceofconcealment，and，thetidebeingout，therewasplentyofroom，heslippedaside，withhisbacktothepilaster，andtherewaited:prettycertainthattheywouldcomenolower，andthatevenifhecouldnothearwhatwassaid，hecouldfollowthemagain，withsafety。

Sotardilystolethetimeinthislonelyplace，andsoeagerwasthespytopenetratethemotivesofaninterviewsodifferentfromwhathehadbeenledtoexpect，thathemorethanoncegavethematterupforlost，andpersuadedhimself，eitherthattheyhadstoppedfarabove，orhadresortedtosomeentirelydifferentspottoholdtheirmysteriousconversation。Hewasonthepointofemergingfromhishiding-place，andregainingtheroadabove，whenheheardthesoundoffootsteps，anddirectlyafterwardsofvoicesalmostcloseathisear。

Hedrewhimselfstraightuprightagainstthewall，and，scarcelybreathing，listenedattentively。

\'Thisisfarenough，\'saidavoice，whichwasevidentlythatofthegentleman。\'Iwillnotsuffertheyoungladytogoanyfarther。Manypeoplewouldhavedistrustedyoutoomuchtohavecomeevensofar，butyouseeIamwillingtohumouryou。\'

\'Tohumourme！\'criedthevoiceofthegirlwhomhehadfollowed。

\'You\'reconsiderate，indeed，sir。Tohumourme！Well，well，it\'snomatter。\'

\'Why，forwhat，\'saidthegentlemaninakindertone，\'forwhatpurposecanyouhavebroughtustothisstrangeplace?Whynothaveletmespeaktoyou，abovethere，whereitislight，andthereissomethingstirring，insteadofbringingustothisdarkanddismalhole?\'

\'Itoldyoubefore，\'repliedNancy，\'thatIwasafraidtospeaktoyouthere。Idon\'tknowwhyitis，\'saidthegirl，shuddering，\'butIhavesuchafearanddreaduponmeto-nightthatIcanhardlystand。\'

\'Afearofwhat?\'askedthegentleman，whoseemedtopityher。

\'Iscarcelyknowofwhat，\'repliedthegirl。\'IwishIdid。

Horriblethoughtsofdeath，andshroudswithblooduponthem，andafearthathasmademeburnasifIwasonfire，havebeenuponmeallday。Iwasreadingabookto-night，towilethetimeaway，andthesamethingscameintotheprint。\'

\'Imagination，\'saidthegentleman，soothingher。

\'Noimagination，\'repliedthegirlinahoarsevoice。\'I\'llswearIsaw“coffin“writtenineverypageofthebookinlargeblackletters，——aye，andtheycarriedoneclosetome，inthestreetsto-night。\'

\'Thereisnothingunusualinthat，\'saidthegentleman。\'Theyhavepassedmeoften。\'

\'REALONES，\'rejoinedthegirl。\'Thiswasnot。\'

Therewassomethingsouncommoninhermanner，thatthefleshoftheconcealedlistenercreptasheheardthegirlutterthesewords，andthebloodchilledwithinhim。Hehadneverexperiencedagreaterreliefthaninhearingthesweetvoiceoftheyoungladyasshebeggedhertobecalm，andnotallowherselftobecomethepreyofsuchfearfulfancies。

\'Speaktoherkindly，\'saidtheyoungladytohercompanion。

\'Poorcreature！Sheseemstoneedit。\'

\'YourhaughtyreligiouspeoplewouldhaveheldtheirheadsuptoseemeasIamto-night，andpreachedofflamesandvengeance，\'

criedthegirl。\'Oh，dearlady，whyar\'n\'tthosewhoclaimtobeGod\'sownfolksasgentleandaskindtouspoorwretchesasyou，who，havingyouth，andbeauty，andallthattheyhavelost，mightbealittleproudinsteadofsomuchhumbler?\'

\'Ah！\'saidthegentleman。\'ATurkturnshisface，afterwashingitwell，totheEast，whenhesayshisprayers；thesegoodpeople，aftergivingtheirfacessucharubagainsttheWorldastotakethesmilesoff，turnwithnolessregularity，tothedarkestsideofHeaven。BetweentheMussulmanandthePharisee，commendmetothefirst！\'

Thesewordsappearedtobeaddressedtotheyounglady，andwereperhapsutteredwiththeviewofafffordingNancytimetorecoverherself。Thegentleman，shortlyafterwards，addressedhimselftoher。

\'YouwerenotherelastSundaynight，\'hesaid。

\'Icouldn\'tcome，\'repliedNancy；\'Iwaskeptbyforce。\'

\'Bywhom?\'

\'HimthatItoldtheyoungladyofbefore。\'

\'Youwerenotsuspectedofholdinganycommunicationwithanybodyonthesubjectwhichhasbroughtushereto-night，Ihope?\'askedtheoldgentleman。

\'No，\'repliedthegirl，shakingherhead。\'It\'snotveryeasyformetoleavehimunlessheknowswhy；Icouldn\'tgivehimadrinkoflaudanumbeforeIcameaway。\'

\'Didheawakebeforeyoureturned?\'inquiredthegentleman。

\'No；andneitherhenoranyofthemsuspectme。\'

\'Good，\'saidthegentleman。\'Nowlistentome。\'

\'Iamready，\'repliedthegirl，ashepausedforamoment。

\'Thisyounglady，\'thegentlemanbegan，\'hascommunicatedtome，andtosomeotherfriendswhocanbesafelytrusted，whatyoutoldhernearlyafortnightsince。IconfesstoyouthatIhaddoubts，atfirst，whetheryouweretobeimplicitlyreliedupon，butnowIfirmlybelieveyouare。\'

\'Iam，\'saidthegirlearnestly。

\'IrepeatthatIfirmlybelieveit。ToprovetoyouthatIamdisposedtotrustyou，Itellyouwithoutreserve，thatweproposetoextortthesecret，whateveritmaybe，fromthefearofthismanMonks。Butif——if——\'saidthegentleman，\'hecannotbesecured，or，ifsecured，cannotbeacteduponaswewish，youmustdeliveruptheJew。\'

\'Fagin，\'criedthegirl，recoiling。

\'Thatmanmustbedeliveredupbyyou，\'saidthegentleman。

\'Iwillnotdoit！Iwillneverdoit！\'repliedthegirl。\'Devilthatheis，andworsethandevilashehasbeentome，Iwillneverdothat。\'

\'Youwillnot?\'saidthegentleman，whoseemedfullypreparedforthisanswer。

\'Never！\'returnedthegirl。

\'Tellmewhy?\'

\'Foronereason，\'rejoinedthegirlfirmly，\'foronereason，thattheladyknowsandwillstandbymein，Iknowshewill，forI

haveherpromise:andforthisotherreason，besides，that，badlifeashehasled，Ihaveledabadlifetoo；therearemanyofuswhohavekeptthesamecoursestogether，andI\'llnotturnuponthem，whomight——anyofthem——haveturneduponme，butdidn\'t，badastheyare。\'

\'Then，\'saidthegentleman，quickly，asifthishadbeenthepointhehadbeenaimingtoattain；\'putMonksintomyhands，andleavehimtometodealwith。\'

\'Whatifheturnsagainsttheothers?\'

\'Ipromiseyouthatinthatcase，ifthetruthisforcedfromhim，therethematterwillrest；theremustbecircumstancesinOliver\'slittlehistorywhichitwouldbepainfultodragbeforethepubliceye，andifthetruthisonceelicited，theyshallgoscotfree。\'

\'Andifitisnot?\'suggestedthegirl。

\'Then，\'pursuedthegentleman，\'thisFaginshallnotbebroughttojusticewithoutyourconsent。InsuchacaseIcouldshowyoureasons，Ithink，whichwouldinduceyoutoyieldit。\'

\'HaveIthelady\'spromiseforthat?\'askedthegirl。

\'Youhave，\'repliedRose。\'Mytrueandfaithfulpledge。\'

\'Monkswouldneverlearnhowyouknewwhatyoudo?\'saidthegirl，afterashortpause。

\'Never，\'repliedthegentleman。\'Theintelligenceshouldbebroughttobearuponhim，thathecouldneverevenguess。\'

\'Ihavebeenaliar，andamongliarsfromalittlechild，\'saidthegirlafteranotherintervalofsilence，\'butIwilltakeyourwords。\'

Afterrecevinganassurancefromboth，thatshemightsafelydoso，sheproceededinavoicesolowthatitwasoftendifficultforthelistenertodiscovereventhepurportofwhatshesaid，todescribe，bynameandsituation，thepublic-housewhenceshehadbeenfollowedthatnight。Fromthemannerinwhichsheoccasionallypaused，itappearedasifthegentlemanweremakingsomehastynotesoftheinformationshecommunicated。Whenshehadthoroughlyexplainedthelocalitiesoftheplace，thebestpositionfromwhichtowatchitwithoutexcitingobservation，andthenightandhouronwhichMonkswasmostinthehabitoffrequentingit，sheseemedtoconsiderforafewmoments，forthepurposeofrecallinghisfeaturesandappearancesmoreforciblytoherrecollection。

\'Heistall，\'saidthegirl，\'andastronglymademan，butnotstout；hehasalurkingwalk；andashewalks，constantlylooksoverhisshoulder，firstononeside，andthenontheother。

Don\'tforgetthat，forhiseyesaresunkinhisheadsomuchdeeperthananyotherman\'s，thatyoumightalmosttellhimbythatalone。Hisfaceisdark，likehishairandeyes；and，althoughhecan\'tbemorethansixoreightandtwenty，witheredandhaggard。Hislipsareoftendiscolouredanddisfiguredwiththemarksofteeth；forhehasdesperatefits，andsometimesevenbiteshishandsandcoversthemwithwounds——whydidyoustart?\'

saidthegirl，stoppingsuddenly。

Thegentlemanreplied，inahurriedmanner，thathewasnotconsciousofhavingdoneso，andbeggedhertoproceed。

\'Partofthis，\'saidthegirl，\'IhavedrawnoutfromotherpeopleatthehouseItellyouof，forIhaveonlyseenhimtwice，andbothtimeshewascoveredupinalargecloak。I

thinkthat\'sallIcangiveyoutoknowhimby。Staythough，\'

sheadded。\'Uponhisthroat:sohighthatyoucanseeapartofitbelowhisneckerchiefwhenheturnshisface:thereis——\'

\'Abroadredmark，likeaburnorscald?\'criedthegentleman。

\'How\'sthis?\'saidthegirl。\'Youknowhim！\'

Theyoungladyutteredacryofsurprise，andforafewmomentstheyweresostillthatthelistenercoulddistinctlyhearthembreathe。

\'IthinkIdo，\'saidthegentleman，breakingsilence。\'Ishouldbyyourdescription。Weshallsee。Manypeoplearesingularlylikeeachother。Itmaynotbethesame。\'

Asheexpressedhimselftothiseffect，withassumedcarelessness，hetookasteportwonearertheconcealedspy，asthelattercouldtellfromthedistinctnesswithwhichheheardhimmutter，\'Itmustbehe！\'

\'Now，\'hesaid，returning:soitseemedbythesound:tothespotwherehehadstoodbefore，\'youhavegivenusmostvaluableassistance，youngwoman，andIwishyoutobethebetterforit。

WhatcanIdotoserveyou?\'

\'Nothing，\'repliedNancy。

\'Youwillnotpersistinsayingthat，\'rejoinedthegentleman，withavoiceandemphasisofkindnessthatmighthavetouchedamuchharderandmoreobdurateheart。\'Thinknow。Tellme。\'