第14章

\'Nothing，sir，\'rejoinedthegirl，weeping。\'Youcandonothingtohelpme。Iampastallhope，indeed。\'

\'Youputyourselfbeyonditspale，\'saidthegentleman。\'Thepasthasbeenadrearywastewithyou，ofyouthfulenergiesmis-spent，andsuchpricelesstreasureslavished，astheCreatorbestowsbutonceandnevergrantsagain，but，forthefuture，youmayhope。

Idonotsaythatitisinourpowertoofferyoupeaceofheartandmind，forthatmustcomeasyouseekit；butaquietasylum，eitherinEngland，or，ifyoufeartoremainhere，insomeforeigncountry，itisnotonlywithinthecompassofourabilitybutourmostanxiouswishtosecureyou。Beforethedawnofmorning，beforethisriverwakestothefirstglimpseofday-light，youshallbeplacedasentirelybeyondthereachofyourformerassociates，andleaveasutteranabsenceofalltracebehindyou，asifyouweretodisappearfromtheearththismoment。Come！Iwouldnothaveyougobacktoexchangeonewordwithanyoldcompanion，ortakeonelookatanyoldhaunt，orbreathetheveryairwhichispestilenceanddeathtoyou。Quitthemall，whilethereistimeandopportunity！\'

\'Shewillbepersuadednow，\'criedtheyounglady。\'Shehesitates，Iamsure。\'

\'Ifearnot，mydear，\'saidthegentleman。

\'Nosir，Idonot，\'repliedthegirl，afterashortstruggle。\'I

amchainedtomyoldlife。Iloatheandhateitnow，butI

cannotleaveit。Imusthavegonetoofartoturnback，——andyetIdon\'tknow，forifyouhadspokentomeso，sometimeago，I

shouldhavelaugheditoff。But，\'shesaid，lookinghastilyround，\'thisfearcomesovermeagain。Imustgohome。\'

\'Home！\'repeatedtheyounglady，withgreatstressupontheword。

\'Home，lady，\'rejoinedthegirl。\'TosuchahomeasIhaveraisedformyselfwiththeworkofmywholelife。Letuspart。

Ishallbewatchedorseen。Go！Go！IfIhavedoneyouanyserviceallIaskis，thatyouleaveme，andletmegomywayalone。\'

\'Itisuseless，\'saidthegentleman，withasigh。\'Wecompromisehersafety，perhaps，bystayinghere。Wemayhavedetainedherlongerthansheexpectedalready。\'

\'Yes，yes，\'urgedthegirl。\'Youhave。\'

\'What，\'criedtheyounglady。\'canbetheendofthispoorcreature\'slife！\'

\'What！\'repeatedthegirl。\'Lookbeforeyou，lady。Lookatthatdarkwater。HowmanytimesdoyoureadofsuchasIwhospringintothetide，andleavenolivingthing，tocarefor，orbewailthem。Itmaybeyearshence，oritmaybeonlymonths，butI

shallcometothatatlast。\'

\'Donotspeakthus，pray，\'returnedtheyounglady，sobbing。

\'Itwillneverreachyourears，dearlady，andGodforbidsuchhorrorsshould！\'repliedthegirl。\'Good-night，good-night！\'

Thegentlemanturnedaway。

\'Thispurse，\'criedtheyounglady。\'Takeitformysake，thatyoumayhavesomeresourceinanhourofneedandtrouble。\'

\'No！\'repliedthegirl。\'Ihavenotdonethisformoney。Letmehavethattothinkof。Andyet——givemesomethingthatyouhaveworn:Ishouldliketohavesomething——no，no，notaring——yourglovesorhandkerchief——anythingthatIcankeep，ashavingbelongedtoyou，sweetlady。There。Blessyou！Godblessyou。

Good-night，good-night！\'

Theviolentagitationofthegirl，andtheapprehensionofsomediscoverywhichwouldsubjecthertoill-usageandviolence，seemedtodeterminethegentlemantoleaveher，assherequested。

Thesoundofretreatingfootstepswereaudibleandthevoicesceased。

Thetwofiguresoftheyoungladyandhercompanionsoonafterwardsappeareduponthebridge。Theystoppedatthesummitofthestairs。

\'Hark！\'criedtheyounglady，listening。\'Didshecall！I

thoughtIheardhervoice。\'

\'No，mylove，\'repliedMr。Brownlow，lookingsadlyback。\'Shehasnotmoved，andwillnottillwearegone。\'

RoseMaylielingered，buttheoldgentlemandrewherarmthroughhis，andledher，withgentleforce，away。Astheydisappeared，thegirlsunkdownnearlyatherfulllengthupononeofthestonestairs，andventedtheanguishofherheartinbittertears。

Afteratimeshearose，andwithfeebleandtotteringstepsascendedthestreet。Theastonishedlistenerremainedmotionlessonhispostforsomeminutesafterwards，andhavingascertained，withmanycautiousglancesroundhim，thathewasagainalone，creptslowlyfromhishiding-place，andreturned，stealthilyandintheshadeofthewall，inthesamemannerashehaddescended。

Peepingout，morethanonce，whenhereachedthetop，tomakesurethathewasunobserved，NoahClaypoledartedawayathisutmostspeed，andmadefortheJew\'shouseasfastashislegswouldcarryhim。

CHAPTERXLVII

FATALCONSEQUENCES

Itwasnearlytwohoursbeforeday-break；thattimewhichintheautumnoftheyear，maybetrulycalledthedeadofnight；whenthestreetsaresilentanddeserted；whenevensoundsappeartoslumber，andprofligacyandriothavestaggeredhometodream；itwasatthisstillandsilenthour，thatFaginsatwatchinginhisoldlair，withfacesodistortedandpale，andeyessoredandblood-shot，thathelookedlesslikeaman，thanlikesomehideousphantom，moistfromthegrave，andworriedbyanevilspirit。

Hesatcrouchingoveracoldhearth，wrappedinanoldtorncoverlet，withhisfaceturnedtowardsawastingcandlethatstooduponatablebyhisside。Hisrighthandwasraisedtohislips，andas，absorbedinthought，hehithislongblacknails，hedisclosedamonghistoothlessgumsafewsuchfangsasshouldhavebeenadog\'sorrat\'s。

Stretcheduponamattressonthefloor，layNoahClaypole，fastasleep。Towardshimtheoldmansometimesdirectedhiseyesforaninstant，andthenbroughtthembackagaintothecandle；whichwithalong-burntwickdroopingalmostdouble，andhotgreasefallingdowninclotsuponthetable，plainlyshowedthathisthoughtswerebusyelsewhere。

Indeedtheywere。Mortificationattheoverthrowofhisnotablescheme；hatredofthegirlwhohaddaredtopalterwithstrangers；andutterdistrustofthesincerityofherrefusaltoyieldhimup；bitterdisappointmentatthelossofhisrevengeonSikes；thefearofdetection，andruin，anddeath；andafierceanddeadlyragekindledbyall；thesewerethepassionateconsiderationswhich，followingcloseuponeachotherwithrapidandceaselesswhirl，shotthroughthebrainofFagin，aseveryevilthoughtandblackestpurposelayworkingathisheart。

Hesatwithoutchanginghisattitudeintheleast，orappearingtotkaethesmallestheedoftime，untilhisquickearseemedtobeattractedbyafootstepinthestreet。

\'Atlast，\'hemuttered，wipinghisdryandfeveredmouth。\'Atlast！\'

Thebellranggentlyashespoke。Hecreptupstairstothedoor，andpresentlyreturnedaccompaniedbyamanmuffledtothechin，whocarriedabundleunderonearm。Sittingdownandthrowingbackhisoutercoat，themandisplayedtheburlyframeofSikes。

\'There！\'hesaid，layingthebundleonthetable。\'Takecareofthat，anddothemostyoucanwithit。It\'sbeentroubleenoughtoget；IthoughtIshouldhavebeenhere，threehoursago。\'

Faginlaidhishanduponthebundle，andlockingitinthecupboard，satdownagainwithoutspeaking。Buthedidnottakehiseyesofftherobber，foraninstant，duringthisaction；andnowthattheysatoveragainsteachother，facetoface，helookedfixedlyathim，withhislipsquiveringsoviolently，andhisfacesoalteredbytheemotionswhichhadmasteredhim，thatthehousebreakerinvoluntarilydrewbackhischair，andsurveyedhimwithalookofrealaffright。

\'Wotnow?\'criedSikes。\'Wotdoyoulookatamansofor?\'

Faginraisedhisrighthand，andshookhistremblingforefingerintheair；buthispassionwassogreat，thatthepowerofspeechwasforthemomentgone。

\'Damme！\'saidSikes，feelinginhisbreastwithalookofalarm。

\'He\'sgonemad。Imustlooktomyselfhere。\'

\'No，no，\'rejoinedFagin，findinghisvoice。\'It\'snot——you\'renottheperson，Bill。I\'veno——nofaulttofindwithyou。\'

\'Oh，youhaven\'t，haven\'tyou?\'saidSikes，lookingsternlyathim，andostentatiouslypassingapistolintoamoreconvenientpocket。\'That\'slucky——foroneofus。Whichonethatis，don\'tmatter。\'

\'I\'vegotthattotellyou，Bill，\'saidFagin，drawinghischairnearer，\'willmakeyouworsethanme。\'

\'Aye?\'returnedtherobberwithanincredulousair。\'Tellaway！

Looksharp，orNancewillthinkI\'mlost。\'

\'Lost！\'criedFagin。\'Shehasprettywellsettledthat，inherownmind，already。\'

SikeslookedwithanaspectofgreatperplexityintotheJew\'sface，andreadingnosatisfactoryexplanationoftheriddlethere，clenchedhiscoatcollarinhishugehandandshookhimsoundly。

\'Speak，willyou！\'hesaid；\'orifyoudon\'t，itshallbeforwantofbreath。Openyourmouthandsaywotyou\'vegottosayinplainwords。Outwithit，youthunderingoldcur，outwithit！\'

\'Supposethatladthat\'slayingthere——\'Faginbegan。

SikesturnedroundtowhereNoahwassleeping，asifhehadnotpreviouslyobservedhim。\'Well！\'hesaid，resuminghisformerposition。

\'Supposethatlad，\'pursuedFagin，\'wastopeach——toblowuponusall——firstseekingouttherightfolksforthepurpose，andthenhavingameetingwith\'eminthestreettopaintourlikenesses，describeeverymarkthattheymightknowusby，andthecribwherewemightbemosteasilytaken。Supposehewastodoallthis，andbesidestoblowuponaplantwe\'veallbeenin，moreorless——ofhisownfancy；notgrabbed，trapped，tried，earwiggedbytheparsonandbroughttoitonbreadandwater，——butofhisownfancy；topleasehisowntaste；stealingoutatnightstofindthosemostinterestedagainstus，andpeachingtothem。Doyouhearme?\'criedtheJew，hiseyesflashingwithrage。\'Supposehedidallthis，whatthen?\'

\'Whatthen！\'repliedSikes；withatremendousoath。\'IfhewasleftalivetillIcame，I\'dgrindhisskullundertheironheelofmybootintoasmanygrainsastherearehairsuponhishead。\'

\'WhatifIdidit！\'criedFaginalmostinayell。\'I，thatknowssomuch，andcouldhangsomanybesidesmyself！\'

\'Idon\'tknow，\'repliedSikes，clenchinghisteethandturningwhiteatthemeresuggestion。\'I\'ddosomethinginthejailthat\'udgetmeputinirons；andifIwastriedalongwithyou，I\'dfalluponyouwiththemintheopencourt，andbeatyourbrainsoutaforethepeople。Ishouldhavesuchstrength，\'mutteredtherobber，poisinghisbrawnyarm，\'thatIcouldsmashyourheadasifaloadedwaggonhadgoneoverit。\'

\'Youwould?\'

\'WouldI！\'saidthehousebreaker。\'Tryme。\'

\'IfitwasCharley，ortheDodger，orBet，or——\'

\'Idon\'tcarewho，\'repliedSikesimpatiently。\'Whoeveritwas，I\'dservethemthesame。\'

Faginlookedhardattherobber；and，motioninghimtobesilent，stoopedoverthebeduponthefloor，andshookthesleepertorousehim。Sikesleantforwardinhischair:lookingonwithhishandsuponhisknees，asifwonderingmuchwhatallthisquestioningandpreparationwastoendin。

\'Bolter，Bolter！Poorlad！\'saidFagin，lookingupwithanexpressionofdevilishanticipation，andspeakingslowlyandwithmarkedemphasis。\'He\'stired——tiredwithwatchingforhersolong，——watchingforher，Bill。\'

\'Wotd\'yemean?\'askedSikes，drawingback。

Faginmadenoanswer，butbendingoverthesleeperagain，hauledhimintoasittingposture。Whenhisassumednamehadbeenrepeatedseveraltimes，Noahrubbedhiseyes，and，givingaheavyyawn，lookedsleepilyabouthim。

\'Tellmethatagain——onceagain，justforhimtohear，\'saidtheJew，pointingtoSikesashespoke。

\'Tellyerwhat?\'askedthesleepyNoah，shakinghimselfpettishy。

\'Thatabout——NANCY，\'saidFagin，clutchingSikesbythewrist，asiftopreventhisleavingthehousebeforehehadheardenough。

\'Youfollowedher?\'

\'Yes。\'

\'ToLondonBridge?\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Whereshemettwopeople。\'

\'Soshedid。\'

\'Agentlemanandaladythatshehadgonetoofherownaccordbefore，whoaskedhertogiveupallherpals，andMonksfirst，whichshedid——andtodescribehim，whichshedid——andtotellherwhathouseitwasthatwemeetat，andgoto，whichshedid——andwhereitcouldbebestwatchedfrom，whichshedid——andwhattimethepeoplewentthere，whichshedid。Shedidallthis。Shetolditalleverywordwithoutathreat，withoutamurmur——shedid——didshenot?\'criedFagin，halfmadwithfury。

\'Allright，\'repliedNoah，scratchinghishead。\'That\'sjustwhatitwas！\'

\'Whatdidtheysay，aboutlastSunday?\'

\'AboutlastSunday！\'repliedNoah，considering。\'WhyItoldyerthatbefore。\'

\'Again。Tellitagain！\'criedFagin，tighteninghisgrasponSikes，andbrandishinghisotherhandaloft，asthefoamflewfromhislips。

\'Theyaskedher，\'saidNoah，who，ashegrewmorewakeful，seemedtohaveadawningperceptionwhoSikeswas，\'theyaskedherwhyshedidn\'tcome，lastSunday，asshepromised。Shesaidshecouldn\'t。\'

\'Why——why?Tellhimthat。\'

\'BecauseshewasforciblykeptathomebyBill，themanshehadtoldthemofbefore，\'repliedNoah。

\'Whatmoreofhim?\'criedFagin。\'Whatmoreofthemanshehadtoldthemofbefore?Tellhimthat，tellhimthat。\'

\'Why，thatshecouldn\'tveryeasilygetoutofdoorsunlessheknewwhereshewasgoingto，\'saidNoah；\'andsothefirsttimeshewenttoseethelady，she——ha！ha！ha！itmademelaughwhenshesaidit，thatitdid——shegavehimadrinkoflaudanum。\'

\'Hell\'sfire！\'criedSikes，breakingfiercelyfromtheJew。\'Letmego！\'

Flingingtheoldmanfromhim，herushedfromtheroom，anddarted，wildlyandfuriously，upthestairs。

\'Bill，Bill！\'criedFagin，followinghimhastily。\'Aword。Onlyaword。\'

Thewordwouldnothavebeenexchanged，butthatthehousebreakerwasunabletoopenthedoor:onwhichhewasexpendingfruitlessoathsandviolence，whentheJewcamepantingup。

\'Letmeout，\'saidSikes。\'Don\'tspeaktome；it\'snotsafe。

Letmeout，Isay！\'

\'Hearmespeakaword，\'rejoinedFagin，layinghishanduponthelock。\'Youwon\'tbe——\'

\'Well，\'repliedtheother。

\'Youwon\'tbe——too——violent，Bill?\'

Thedaywasbreaking，andtherewaslightenoughforthementoseeeachother\'sfaces。Theyexchangedonebriefglance；therewasafireintheeyesofboth，whichcouldnotbemistaken。

\'Imean，\'saidFagin，showingthathefeltalldisguisewasnowuseless，\'nottooviolentforsafety。Becrafty，Bill，andnottoobold。\'

Sikesmadenoreply；but，pullingopenthedoor，ofwhichFaginhadturnedthelock，dashedintothesilentstreets。

Withoutonepause，ormoment\'sconsideration；withoutonceturninghisheadtotherightorleft，orraisinghiseyestothesky，orloweringthemtotheground，butlookingstraightbeforehimwithsavageresolution:histeethsotightlycompressedthatthestrainedjawseemedstartingthroughhisskin；therobberheldonhisheadlongcourse，normutteredaword，norrelaxedamuscle，untilhereachedhisowndoor。Heopenedit，softly，withakey；strodelightlyupthestairs；andenteringhisownroom，double-lockedthedoor，andliftingaheavytableagainstit，drewbackthecurtainofthebed。

Thegirlwaslying，half-dressed，uponit。Hehadrousedherfromhersleep，forsheraisedherselfwithahurriedandstartledlook。

\'Getup！\'saidtheman。

\'Itisyou，Bill！\'saidthegirl，withanexpressionofpleasureathisreturn。

\'Itis，\'wasthereply。\'Getup。\'

Therewasacandleburning，butthemanhastilydrewitfromthecandlestick，andhurleditunderthegrate。Seeingthefaintlightofearlydaywithout，thegirlrosetoundrawthecurtain。

\'Letitbe，\'saidSikes，thrustinghishandbeforeher。\'There\'senoughlightforwotI\'vegottodo。\'

\'Bill，\'saidthegirl，inthelowvoiceofalarm，\'whydoyoulooklikethatatme！\'

Therobbersatregardingher，forafewseconds，withdilatednostrilsandheavingbreast；andthen，graspingherbytheheadandthroat，draggedherintothemiddleoftheroom，andlookingoncetowardsthedoor，placedhisheavyhanduponhermouth。

\'Bill，Bill！\'gaspedthegirl，wrestlingwiththestrengthofmortalfear，——\'I——Iwon\'tscreamorcry——notonce——hearme——speaktome——tellmewhatIhavedone！\'

\'Youknow，youshedevil！\'returnedtherobber，suppressinghisbreath。\'Youwerewatchedto-night；everywordyousaidwasheard。\'

\'ThensparemylifefortheloveofHeaven，asIsparedyours，\'

rejoinedthegirl，clingingtohim。\'Bill，dearBill，youcannothavethehearttokillme。Oh！thinkofallIhavegivenup，onlythisonenight，foryou。YouSHALLhavetimetothink，andsaveyourselfthiscrime；Iwillnotloosemyhold，youcannotthrowmeoff。Bill，Bill，fordearGod\'ssake，foryourown，formine，stopbeforeyouspillmyblood！Ihavebeentruetoyou，uponmyguiltysoulIhave！\'

Themanstruggledviolently，toreleasehisarms；butthoseofthegirlwereclaspedroundhis，andtearherashewould，hecouldnottearthemaway。

\'Bill，\'criedthegirl，strivingtolayherheaduponhisbreast，\'thegentlemanandthatdearlady，toldmeto-nightofahomeinsomeforeigncountrywhereIcouldendmydaysinsolitudeandpeace。Letmeseethemagain，andbegthem，onmyknees，toshowthesamemercyandgoodnesstoyou；andletusbothleavethisdreadfulplace，andfarapartleadbetterlives，andforgethowwehavelived，exceptinprayers，andneverseeeachothermore。

Itisnevertoolatetorepent。Theytoldmeso——Ifeelitnow——butwemusthavetime——alittle，littletime！\'

Thehousebreakerfreedonearm，andgraspedhispistol。Thecertaintyofimmediatedetectionifhefired，flashedacrosshismindeveninthemidstofhisfury；andhebeatittwicewithalltheforcehecouldsummon，upontheupturnedfacethatalmosttouchedhisown。

Shestaggeredandfell:nearlyblindedwiththebloodthatraineddownfromadeepgashinherforehead；butraisingherself，withdifficulty，onherknees，drewfromherbosomawhitehandkerchief——RoseMaylie\'sown——andholdingitup，inherfoldedhands，ashightowardsHeavenasherfeeblestrengthwouldallow，breathedoneprayerformercytoherMaker。

Itwasaghastlyfiguretolookupon。Themurdererstaggeringbackwardtothewall，andshuttingoutthesightwithhishand，seizedaheavyclubandstruckherdown。

CHAPTERXLVIII

THEFLIGHTOFSIKES

Ofallbaddeedsthat，undercoverofthedarkness，hadbeencommittedwithwideLondon\'sboundssincenighthungoverit，thatwastheworst。Ofallthehorrorsthatrosewithanillscentuponthemorningair，thatwasthefoulestandmostcruel。

Thesun——thebrightsun，thatbringsback，notlightalone，butnewlife，andhope，andfreshnesstoman——burstuponthecrowdedcityinclearandradiantglory。Throughcostly-colouredglassandpaper-mendedwindow，throughcathedraldomeandrottencrevice，itsheditsequalray。Itlighteduptheroomwherethemurderedwomanlay。Itdid。Hetriedtoshutitout，butitwouldstreamin。Ifthesighthadbeenaghastlyoneinthedullmorning，whatwasit，now，inallthatbrilliantlight！

Hehadnotmoved；hehadbeenafraidtostir。Therehadbeenamoanandmotionofthehand；and，withterroraddedtorage，hehadstruckandstruckagain。Oncehethrewarugoverit；butitwasworsetofancytheeyes，andimaginethemmovingtowardshim，thantoseethemglaringupward，asifwatchingthereflectionofthepoolofgorethatquiveredanddancedinthesunlightontheceiling。Hehadpluckeditoffagain。Andtherewasthebody——merefleshandblood，normore——butsuchflesh，andsomuchblood！

Hestruckalight，kindledafire，andthrusttheclubintoit。

Therewashairupontheend，whichblazedandshrunkintoalightcinder，and，caughtbytheair，whirledupthechimney。Eventhatfrightenedhim，sturdyashewas；butheheldtheweapontillitbroke，andthenpileditonthecoalstoburnaway，andsmoulderintoashes。Hewashedhimself，andrubbedhisclothes；

therewerespotsthatwouldnotberemoved，buthecutthepiecesout，andburntthem。Howthosestainsweredispersedabouttheroom！Theveryfeetofthedogwerebloody。

Allthistimehehad，neveronce，turnedhisbackuponthecorpse；no，notforamoment。Suchpreparationscompleted，hemoved，backward，towardsthedoor:draggingthedogwithhim，lestheshouldsoilhisfeetanewandcarryoutnewevidenceofthecrimeintothestreets。Heshutthedoorsoftly，lockedit，tookthekey，andleftthehouse。

Hecrossedover，andglancedupatthewindow，tobesurethatnothingwasvisiblefromtheoutside。Therewasthecurtainstilldrawn，whichshewouldhaveopenedtoadmitthelightsheneversawagain。Itlaynearlyunderthere。HEknewthat。God，howthesunpoureddownupontheveryspot！

Theglancewasinstantaneous。Itwasarelieftohavegotfreeoftheroom。Hewhistledonthedog，andwalkedrapidlyaway。

HewentthroughIslington；strodeupthehillatHighgateonwhichstandsthestoneinhonourofWhittington；turneddowntoHighgateHill，unsteadyofpurpose，anduncertainwheretogo；

struckofftotherightagain，almostassoonashebegantodescendit；andtakingthefoot-pathacrossthefields，skirtedCaenWood，andsocameonHampsteadHeath。TraversingthehollowbytheValeofHeath，hemountedtheoppositebank，andcrossingtheroadwhichjoinsthevillagesofHampsteadandHighgate，madealongtheremainingportionoftheheathtothefieldsatNorthEnd，inoneofwhichhelaidhimselfdownunderahedge，andslept。

Soonhewasupagain，andaway，——notfarintothecountry，butbacktowardsLondonbythehigh-road——thenbackagain——thenoveranotherpartofthesamegroundashealreadytraversed——thenwanderingupanddowninfields，andlyingonditches\'brinkstorest，andstartinguptomakeforsomeotherspot，anddothesame，andrambleonagain。

Wherecouldhego，thatwasnearandnottoopublic，togetsomemeatanddrink?Hendon。Thatwasagoodplace，notfaroff，andoutofmostpeople\'sway。Thitherhedirectedhissteps，——runningsometimes，andsometimes，withastrangeperversity，loiteringatasnail\'space，orstoppingaltogetherandidlybreakingthehedgeswithastick。Butwhenhegotthere，allthepeoplehemet——theverychildrenatthedoors——seemedtoviewhimwithsuspicion。Backheturnedagain，withoutthecouragetopurchasebitordrop，thoughhehadtastednofoodformanyhours；andoncemorehelingeredontheHeath，uncertainwheretogo。

Hewanderedovermilesandmilesofground，andstillcamebacktotheoldplace。Morningandnoonhadpassed，andthedaywasonthewane，andstillherambledtoandfro，andupanddown，androundandround，andstilllingeredaboutthesamespot。Atlasthegotaway，andshapedhiscourseforHatfield。

Itwasnineo\'clockatnight，whentheman，quitetiredout，andthedog，limpingandlamefromtheunaccustomedexercise，turneddownthehillbythechurchofthequietvillage，andploddingalongthelittlestreet，creptintoasmallpublic-house，whosescantylighthadguidedthemtothespot。Therewasafireinthetap-room，andsomecountry-labourersweredrinkingbeforeit。

Theymaderoomforthestranger，buthesatdowninthefurthestcorner，andateanddrankalone，orratherwithhisdog:towhomhecastamorseloffoodfromtimetotime。

Theconversationofthemenassembledhere，turnedupontheneighboringland，andfarmers；andwhenthosetopicswereexhausted，upontheageofsomeoldmanwhohadbeenburiedonthepreviousSunday；theyoungmenpresentconsideringhimveryold，andtheoldmenpresentdeclaringhimtohavebeenquiteyoung——notolder，onewhite-hairedgrandfathersaid，thanhewas——withtenorfifteenyearoflifeinhimatleast——ifhehadtakencare；ifhehadtakencare。

Therewasnothingtoattractattention，orexcitealarminthis。

Therobber，afterpayinghisreckoning，satsilentandunnoticedinhiscorner，andhadalmostdroppedasleep，whenhewashalfwakenedbythenoisyentranceofanewcomer。

Thiswasananticfellow，halfpedlarandhalfmountebank，whotravelledaboutthecountryonfoottovendhones，stops，razors，washballs，harness-paste，medicinefordogsandhorses，cheapperfumery，cosmetics，andsuch-likewares，whichhecarriedinacaseslungtohisback。Hisentrancewasthesignalforvarioushomelyjokeswiththecountrymen，whichslackenednotuntilhehadmadehissupper，andopenedhisboxoftreasures，whenheingeniouslycontrivedtounitebusinesswithamusement。

\'Andwhatbethatstoof?Goodtoeat，Harry?\'askedagrinningcountryman，pointingtosomecomposition-cakesinonecorner。

\'This，\'saidthefellow，producingone，\'thisistheinfallibleandinvaluablecompositionforremovingallsortsofstain，rust，dirt，mildew，spick，speck，spot，orspatter，fromsilk，satin，linen，cambrick，cloth，crape，stuff，carpet，merino，muslin，bombazeen，orwoollenstuff。Wine-stains，fruit-stains，beer-stains，water-stains，paint-stains，pitch-stains，anystains，allcomeoutatonerubwiththeinfallibleandinvaluablecomposition。Ifaladystainsherhonour，shehasonlyneedtoswallowonecakeandshe\'scuredatonce——forit\'spoison。Ifagentlemanwantstoprovethis，hehasonlyneedtoboltonelittlesquare，andhehasputitbeyondquestion——forit\'squiteassatisfactoryasapistol-bullet，andagreatdealnastierintheflavour，consequentlythemorecreditintakingit。Onepennyasquare。Withallthesevirtues，onepennyasquare！\'

Thereweretwobuyersdirectly，andmoreofthelistenersplainlyhesitated。Thevendorobservingthis，increasedinloquacity。

\'It\'sallboughtupasfastasitcanbemade，\'saidthefellow。

\'Therearefourteenwater-mills，sixsteam-engines，andagalvanicbattery，alwaysa-workinguponit，andtheycan\'tmakeitfastenough，thoughthemenworksohardthattheydieoff，andthewidowsispensioneddirectly，withtwentypounda-yearforeachofthechildren，andapremiumoffiftyfortwins。Onepennyasquare！Twohalf-penceisallthesame，andfourfarthingsisreceivedwithjoy。Onepennyasquare！

Wine-stains，fruit-stains，beer-stains，water-stains，paint-stains，pitch-stains，mud-stains，blood-stains！Hereisastainuponthehatofagentlemanincompany，thatI\'lltakecleanout，beforehecanordermeapintofale。\'

\'Hah！\'criedSikesstartingup。\'Givethatback。\'

\'I\'lltakeitcleanout，sir，\'repliedtheman，winkingtothecompany，\'beforeyoucancomeacrosstheroomtogetit。

Gentlemenall，observethedarkstainuponthisgentleman\'shat，nowiderthanashilling，butthickerthanahalf-crown。Whetheritisawine-stain，fruit-stain，beer-stain，water-stain，paint-stain，pitch-stain，mud-stain，orblood-stain——\'

Themangotnofurther，forSikeswithahideousimprecationoverthrewthetable，andtearingthehatfromhim，burstoutofthehouse。

Withthesameperversityoffeelingandirresolutionthathadfasteneduponhim，despitehimself，allday，themurderer，findingthathewasnotfollowed，andthattheymostprobablyconsideredhimsomedrunkensullenfellow，turnedbackupthetown，andgettingoutoftheglareofthelampsofastage-coachthatwasstandinginthestreet，waswalkingpast，whenherecognisedthemailfromLondon，andsawthatitwasstandingatthelittlepost-office。Healmostknewwhatwastocome；buthecrossedover，andlistened。

Theguardwasstandingatthedoor，waitingfortheletter-bag。

Aman，dressedlikeagame-keeper，cameupatthemoment，andhehandedhimabasketwhichlayreadyonthepavement。

\'That\'sforyourpeople，\'saidtheguard。\'Now，lookaliveinthere，willyou。Damnthat\'erebag，itwarn\'treadynightaforelast；thiswon\'tdo，youknow！\'

\'Anythingnewupintown，Ben?\'askedthegame-keeper，drawingbacktothewindow-shutters，thebettertoadmirethehorses。

\'No，nothingthatIknowson，\'repliedtheman，pullingonhisgloves。\'Corn\'supalittle。Iheerdtalkofamurder，too，downSpitalfieldsway，butIdon\'treckonmuchuponit。\'

\'Oh，that\'squitetrue，\'saidagentlemaninside，whowaslookingoutofthewindow。\'Andadreadfulmurderitwas。\'

\'Wasit，sir?\'rejoinedtheguard，touchinghishat。\'Manorwoman，pray，sir?\'

\'Awoman，\'repliedthegentleman。\'Itissupposed——\'

\'Now，Ben，\'repliedthecoachmanimpatiently。

\'Damnthat\'erebag，\'saidtheguard；\'areyougonetosleepinthere?\'

\'Coming！\'criedtheofficekeeper，runningout。

\'Coming，\'growledtheguard。\'Ah，andso\'stheyoung\'oomanofpropertythat\'sgoingtotakeafancytome，butIdon\'tknowwhen。Here，givehold。Allri——ight！\'

Thehornsoundedafewcheerfulnotes，andthecoachwasgone。

Sikesremainedstandinginthestreet，apparentlyunmovedbywhathehadjustheard，andagitatedbynostrongerfeelingthanadoubtwheretogo。Atlengthhewentbackagain，andtooktheroadwhichleadsfromHatfieldtoSt。Albans。

Hewentondoggedly；butasheleftthetownbehindhim，andplungedintothesolitudeanddarknessoftheroad，hefeltadreadandawecreepinguponhimwhichshookhimtothecore。

Everyobjectbeforehim，substanceorshadow，stillormoving，tookthesemblanceofsomefearfulthing；butthesefearswerenothingcomparedtothesensethathauntedhimofthatmorning\'sghastlyfigurefollowingathisheels。Hecouldtraceitsshadowinthegloom，supplythesmallestitemoftheoutline，andnotehowstiffandsolemnitseemedtostalkalong。Hecouldhearitsgarmentsrustlingintheleaves，andeverybreathofwindcameladenwiththatlastlowcry。Ifhestoppeditdidthesame。Ifheran，itfollowed——notrunningtoo:thatwouldhavebeenarelief:butlikeacorpseendowedwiththemeremachineryoflife，andborneononeslowmelancholywindthatneverroseorfell。

Attimes，heturned，withdesperatedetermination，resolvedtobeatthisphantomoff，thoughitshouldlookhimdead；butthehairroseonhishead，andhisbloodstoodstill，forithadturnedwithhimandwasbehindhimthen。Hehadkeptitbeforehimthatmorning，butitwasbehindnow——always。Heleanedhisbackagainstabank，andfeltthatitstoodabovehim，visiblyoutagainstthecoldnight-sky。Hethrewhimselfupontheroad——onhisbackupontheroad。Athisheaditstood，silent，erect，andstill——alivinggrave-stone，withitsepitaphinblood。

Letnomantalkofmurderersescapingjustice，andhintthatProvidencemustsleep。Thereweretwentyscoreofviolentdeathsinonelongminuteofthatagonyoffear。

Therewasashedinafieldhepassed，thatofferedshelterforthenight。Beforethedoor，werethreetallpoplartrees，whichmadeitverydarkwithin；andthewindmoanedthroughthemwithadismalwail。HeCOULDNOTwalkon，tilldaylightcameagain；andherehestretchedhimselfclosetothewall——toundergonewtorture。

Fornow，avisioncamebeforehim，asconstantandmoreterriblethanthatfromwhichhehadescaped。Thosewidelystaringeyes，solustrelessandsoglassy，thathehadbetterbornetoseethemthanthinkuponthem，appearedinthemidstofthedarkness:

lightinthemselves，butgivinglighttonothing。Therewerebuttwo，buttheywereeverywhere。Ifheshutoutthesight，therecametheroomwitheverywell-knownobject——some，indeed，thathewouldhaveforgotten，ifhehadgoneoveritscontentsfrommemory——eachinitsaccustomedplace。ThebodywasinITSplace，anditseyeswereashesawthemwhenhestoleaway。Hegotup，andrushedintothefieldwithout。Thefigurewasbehindhim。

Here-enteredtheshed，andshrunkdownoncemore。Theeyeswerethere，beforehehadlaidhimselfalong。

Andhereheremainedinsuchterrorasnonebuthecanknow，tremblingineverylimb，andthecoldsweatstartingfromeverypore，whensuddenlytherearoseuponthenight-windthenoiseofdistantshouting，andtheroarofvoicesmingledinalarmandwonder。Anysoundofmeninthatlonelyplace，eventhoughitconveyedarealcauseofalarm，wassomethingtohim。Heregainedhisstrengthandenergyattheprospectofpersonaldanger；andspringingtohisfeet，rushedintotheopenair。

Thebroadskyseemedonfire。Risingintotheairwithshowersofsparks，androllingoneabovetheother，weresheetsofflame，lightingtheatmosphereformilesround，anddrivingcloudsofsmokeinthedirectionwherehestood。Theshoutsgrewlouderasnewvoicesswelledtheroar，andhecouldhearthecryofFire！

mingledwiththeringingofanalarm-bell，thefallofheavybodies，andthecracklingofflamesastheytwinedroundsomenewobstacle，andshotaloftasthoughrefreshedbyfood。Thenoiseincreasedashelooked。Therewerepeoplethere——menandwomen——light，bustle。Itwaslikenewlifetohim。Hedartedonward——straight，headlong——dashingthroughbrierandbrake，andleapinggateandfenceasmadlyashisdog，whocareeredwithloudandsoundingbarkbeforehim。

Hecameuponthespot。Therewerehalf-dressedfigurestearingtoandfro，someendeavouringtodragthefrightenedhorsesfromthestables，othersdrivingthecattlefromtheyardandout-houses，andotherscomingladenfromtheburningpile，amidstashoweroffallingsparks，andthetumblingdownofred-hotbeams。Theapertures，wheredoorsandwindowsstoodanhourago，disclosedamassofragingfire；wallsrockedandcrumbledintotheburningwell；themoltenleadandironpoureddown，whitehot，upontheground。Womenandchildrenshrieked，andmenencouragedeachotherwithnoisyshoutsandcheers。Theclankingoftheengine-pumps，andthespirtingandhissingofthewaterasitfellupontheblazingwood，addedtothetremendousroar。Heshouted，too，tillhewashoarse；andflyingfrommemoryandhimself，plungedintothethickestofthethrong。Hitherandthitherhedivedthatnight:nowworkingatthepumps，andnowhurryingthroughthesmokeandflame，butneverceasingtoengagehimselfwherevernoiseandmenwerethickest。Upanddowntheladders，upontheroofsofbuildings，overfloorsthatquakedandtrembledwithhisweight，undertheleeoffallingbricksandstones，ineverypartofthatgreatfirewashe；butheboreacharmedlife，andhadneitherscratchnorbruise，norwearinessnorthought，tillmorningdawnedagain，andonlysmokeandblackenedruinsremained。

Thismadexcitementover，therereturned，withten-foldforce，thedreadfulconsciousnessofhiscrime。Helookedsuspiciouslyabouthim，forthemenwereconversingingroups，andhefearedtobethesubjectoftheirtalk。Thedogobeyedthesignificantbeckofhisfinger，andtheydrewoff，stealthily，together。Hepassednearanenginewheresomemenwereseated，andtheycalledtohimtoshareintheirrefreshment。Hetooksomebreadandmeat；andashedrankadraughtofbeer，heardthefiremen，whowerefromLondon，talkingaboutthemurder。\'HehasgonetoBirmingham，theysay，\'saidone:\'butthey\'llhavehimyet，forthescoutsareout，andbyto-morrownightthere\'llbeacryallthroughthecountry。\'

Hehurriedoff，andwalkedtillhealmostdroppedupontheground；thenlaydowninalane，andhadalong，butbrokenanduneasysleep。Hewanderedonagain，irresoluteandundecided，andoppressedwiththefearofanothersolitarynight。

Suddenly，hetookthedesperateresolutiontogoingbacktoLondon。

\'There\'ssomebodytospeaktothere，atallevent，\'hethought。

\'Agoodhiding-place，too。They\'llneverexpecttonabmethere，afterthiscountryscent。Whycan\'tIliebyforaweekorso，and，forcingbluntfromFagin，getabroadtoFrance?Damme，I\'llriskit。\'

Heacteduponthisimplusewithoutdelay，andchoosingtheleastfrequentedroadsbeganhisjourneyback，resolvedtolieconcealedwithinashortdistanceofthemetropolis，and，enteringitatduskbyacircuitousroute，toproceedstraighttothatpartofitwhichhehadfixedonforhisdestination。

Thedog，though。Ifanydescriptionofhimwereout，itwouldnotbeforgottenthatthedogwasmissing，andhadprobablygonewithhim。Thismightleadtohisapprehensionashepassedalongthestreets。Heresolvedtodrownhim，andwalkedon，lookingaboutforapond:pickingupaheavystoneandtyingittohishanderkerchiefashewent。

Theanimallookedupintohismaster\'sfacewhilethesepreparationsweremaking；whetherhisinstinctapprehendedsomethingoftheirpurpose，ortherobber\'ssidelonglookathimwassternerthanordinary，heskulkedalittlefartherintherearthanusual，andcoweredashecamemoreslowlyalong。Whenhismasterhaltedatthebrinkofapool，andlookedroundtocallhim，hestoppedoutright。

\'Doyouhearmecall?Comehere！\'criedSikes。

Theanimalcameupfromtheveryforceofhabit；butasSikesstoopedtoattachthehandkerchieftohisthroat，heutteredalowgrowlandstartedback。

\'Comeback！\'saidtherobber。

Thedogwaggedhistail，butmovednot。Sikesmadearunningnooseandcalledhimagain。

Thedogadvanced，retreated，pausedaninstant，andscouredawayathishardestspeed。

Themanwhistledagainandagain，andsatdownandwaitedintheexpectationthathewouldreturn。Butnodogappeared，andatlengthheresumedhisjourney。

CHAPTERXLIX

MONKSANDMR。BROWNLOWATLENGTHMEET。THEIRCONVERSATION，AND

THEINTELLIGENCETHATINTERRUPTSIT

Thetwilightwasbeginningtoclosein，whenMr。Brownlowalightedfromahackney-coachathisowndoor，andknockedsoftly。Thedoorbeingopened，asturdymangotoutofthecoachandstationedhimselfononesideofthesteps，whileanotherman，whohadbeenseatedonthebox，dismountedtoo，andstoodupontheotherside。AtasignfromMr。Brownlow，theyhelpedoutathirdman，andtakinghimbetweenthem，hurriedhimintothehouse。ThismanwasMonks。

Theywalkedinthesamemannerupthestairswithoutspeaking，andMr。Brownlow，precedingthem，ledthewayintoaback-room。

Atthedoorofthisapartment，Monks，whohadascendedwithevidentreluctance，stopped。Thetwomenlookedattheoldgentlemanasifforinstructions。

\'Heknowsthealternative，\'saidMr。Browlow。\'Ifhehesitatesormovesafingerbutasyoubidhim，draghimintothestreet，callfortheaidofthepolice，andimpeachhimasafeloninmyname。\'

\'Howdareyousaythisofme?\'askedMonks。

\'Howdareyouurgemetoit，youngman?\'repliedMr。Brownlow，confrontinghimwithasteadylook。\'Areyoumadenoughtoleavethishouse?Unhandhim。There，sir。Youarefreetogo，andwetofollow。ButIwarnyou，byallIholdmostsolemnandmostsacred，thatinstantwillhaveyouapprehendedonachargeoffraudandrobbery。Iamresoluteandimmoveable。Ifyouaredeterminedtobethesame，yourbloodbeuponyourownhead！\'

\'BywhatauthorityamIkidnappedinthestreet，andbroughtherebythesedogs?\'askedMonks，lookingfromonetotheotherofthemenwhostoodbesidehim。

\'Bymine，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。\'Thosepersonsareindemnifiedbyme。Ifyoucomplainofbeingdeprivedofyourliberty——youhadpowerandopportunitytoretrieveitasyoucamealong，butyoudeemeditadvisabletoremainquiet——Isayagain，throwyourselfforprotectiononthelaw。Iwillappealtothelawtoo；butwhenyouhavegonetoofartorecede，donotsuetomeforleniency，whenthepowerwillhavepassedintootherhands；

anddonotsayIplungedyoudownthegulfintowhichyourushed，yourself。\'

Monkswasplainlydisconcerted，andalarmedbesides。Hehesitated。

\'Youwilldecidequickly，\'saidMr。Brownlow，withperfectfirmnessandcomposure。\'Ifyouwishmetoprefermychargespublicly，andconsignyoutoapunishmenttheextentofwhich，althoughIcan，withashudder，foresee，Icannotcontrol，oncemore，Isay，foryouknowtheway。Ifnot，andyouappealtomyforbearance，andthemercyofthoseyouhavedeeplyinjured，seatyourself，withoutaword，inthatchair。Ithaswaitedforyoutwowholedays。\'

Monksmutteredsomeunintelligiblewords，butwaveredstill。

\'Youwillbeprompt，\'saidMr。Brownlow。\'Awordfromme，andthealternativehasgoneforever。\'

Stillthemanhesitated。

\'Ihavenottheinclinationtoparley，\'saidMr。Brownlow，\'and，asIadvocatethedearestinterestsofothers，Ihavenottheright。\'

\'Isthere——\'demandedMonkswithafalteringtongue，——\'isthere——nomiddlecourse?\'

\'None。\'

Monkslookedattheoldgentleman，withananxiouseye；but，readinginhiscountenancenothingbutseverityanddetermination，walkedintotheroom，and，shrugginghisshoulders，satdown。

\'Lockthedoorontheoutside，\'saidMr。Brownlowtotheattendants，\'andcomewhenIring。\'

Themenobeyed，andthetwowereleftalonetogether。

\'Thisisprettytreatment，sir，\'saidMonks，throwingdownhishatandcloak，\'frommyfather\'soldestfriend。\'

\'ItisbecauseIwasyourfather\'soldestfriend，youngman，\'

returnedMr。Brownlow；\'itisbecausethehopesandwishesofyoungandhappyyearswereboundupwithhim，andthatfaircreatureofhisbloodandkindredwhorejoinedherGodinyouth，andleftmehereasolitary，lonelyman:itisbecausehekneltwithmebesidehisonlysisters\'death-bedwhenhewasyetaboy，onthemorningthatwould——butHeavenwilledotherwise——havemadehermyyoungwife；itisbecausemysearedheartclungtohim，fromthattimeforth，throughallhistrialsanderrors，tillhedied；itisbecauseoldrecollectionsandassociationsfilledmyheart，andeventhesightofyoubringswithitoldthoughtsofhim；itisbecauseofallthesethingsthatIammovedtotreatyougentlynow——yes，EdwardLeeford，evennow——andblushforyourunworthinesswhobearthename。\'

\'Whathasthenametodowithit?\'askedtheother，aftercontemplating，halfinsilence，andhalfindoggedwonder，theagitationofhiscompanion。\'Whatisthenametome?\'

\'Nothing，\'repliedMr。Brownlow，\'nothingtoyou。ButitwasHERS，andevenatthisdistanceoftimebringsbacktome，anoldman，theglowandthrillwhichIoncefelt，onlytohearitrepeatedbyastranger。Iamverygladyouhavechangedit——very——very。\'

\'Thisisallmightyfine，\'saidMonks(toretainhisassumeddesignation)afteralongsilence，duringwhichhehadjerkedhimselfinsullendefiancetoandfro，andMr。Brownlowhadsat，shadinghisfacewithhishand。\'Butwhatdoyouwantwithme?\'

\'Youhaveabrother，\'saidMr。Brownlow，rousinghimself:\'abrother，thewhisperofwhosenameinyourearwhenIcamebehindyouinthestreet，was，initself，almostenoughtomakeyouaccompanymehither，inwonderandalarm。\'

\'Ihavenobrother，\'repliedMonks。\'YouknowIwasanonlychild。Whydoyoutalktomeofbrothers?Youknowthat，aswellasI。\'

\'AttendtowhatIdoknow，andyoumaynot，\'saidMr。Brownlow。

\'Ishallinterestyoubyandby。Iknowthatofthewretchedmarriage，intowhichfamilypride，andthemostsordidandnarrowestofallambition，forcedyourunhappyfatherwhenamereboy，youwerethesoleandmostunnaturalissue。\'

\'Idon\'tcareforhardnames，\'interruptedMonkswithajeeringlaugh。\'Youknowthefact，andthat\'senoughforme。\'

\'ButIalsoknow，\'pursuedtheoldgentleman，\'themisery，theslowtorture，theprotractedanguishofthatill-assortedunion。

Iknowhowlistlesslyandwearilyeachofthatwretchedpairdraggedontheirheavychainthroughaworldthatwaspoisonedtothemboth。Iknowhowcoldformalitiesweresucceededbyopentaunts；howindifferencegaveplacetodislike，disliketohate，andhatetoloathing，untilatlasttheywrenchedtheclankingbondasunder，andretiringawidespaceapart，carriedeachagallingfragment，ofwhichnothingbutdeathcouldbreaktherivets，tohideitinnewsocietybeneaththegayestlookstheycouldassume。Yourmothersucceeded；sheforgotitsoon。Butitrustedandcankeredatyourfather\'sheartforyears。\'

\'Well，theywereseparated，\'saidMonks，\'andwhatofthat?\'

\'Whentheyhadbeenseparatedforsometime，\'returnedMr。

Brownlow，\'andyourmother，whollygivenuptocontinentalfrivolities，hadutterlyforgottentheyounghusbandtengoodyearsherjunior，who，withprospectsblighted，lingeredonathome，hefellamongnewfriends。Thiscircumstance，atleast，youknowalready。\'

\'NotI，\'saidMonks，turningawayhiseyesandbeatinghisfootupontheground，asamanwhoisdeterminedtodenyeverything。

\'NotI。\'

\'Yourmanner，nolessthanyouractions，assuresmethatyouhaveneverforgottenit，orceasedtothinkofitwithbitterness，\'

returnedMr。Brownlow。\'Ispeakoffifteenyearsago，whenyouwerenotmorethanelevenyearsold，andyourfatherbutone-and-thirty——forhewas，Irepeat，aboy，whenHISfatherorderedhimtomarry。MustIgobacktoeventswhichcastashadeuponthememoryofyourparent，orwillyouspareit，anddisclosetomethetruth?\'

\'Ihavenothingtodisclose，\'rejoinedMonks。\'Youmusttalkonifyouwill。\'

\'Thesenewfriends，then，\'saidMr。Brownlow，\'wereanavalofficerretiredfromactiveservice，whosewifehaddiedsomehalf-a-yearbefore，andlefthimwithtwochildren——therehadbeenmore，but，ofalltheirfamily，happilybuttwosurvived。

Theywerebothdaughters；oneabeautifulcreatureofnineteen，andtheotheramerechildoftwoorthreeyearsold。\'

\'What\'sthistome?\'askedMonks。

\'Theyresided，\'saidMr。Brownlow，withoutseemingtoheartheinterruption，\'inapartofthecountrytowhichyourfatherinhiswanderinghadrepaired，andwherehehadtakenuphisabode。

Acquaintance，intimacy，friendship，fastfollowedoneachother。

Yourfatherwasgiftedasfewmenare。Hehadhissister\'ssoulandperson。Astheoldofficerknewhimmoreandmore，hegrewtolovehim。Iwouldthatithadendedthere。Hisdaughterdidthesame。

Theoldgentlemanpaused；Monkswasbitinghislips，withhiseyesfixeduponthefloor；seeingthis，heimmediatelyresumed:

\'Theendofayearfoundhimcontracted，solemnlycontracted，tothatdaughter；theobjectofthefirst，true，ardent，onlypassionofaguilelessgirl。\'

\'Yourtaleisofthelongest，\'observedMonks，movingrestlesslyinhischair。

\'Itisatruetaleofgriefandtrial，andsorrow，youngman，\'

returnedMr。Brownlow，\'andsuchtalesusuallyare；ifitwereoneofunmixedjoyandhappiness，itwouldbeverybrief。Atlengthoneofthoserichrelationstostrengthenwhoseinterestandimportanceyourfatherhadbeensacrificed，asothersareoften——itisnouncommoncase——died，andtorepairthemiseryhehadbeeninstrumentalinoccasioning，lefthimhispanaceaforallgriefs——Money。ItwasnecessarythatheshouldimmediatelyrepairtoRome，whitherthismanhadspedforhealth，andwherehehaddied，leavinghisaffairsingreatconfusion。Hewent；

wasseizedwithmortalillnessthere；wasfollowed，themomenttheintelligencereachedParis，byyourmotherwhocarriedyouwithher；hediedthedayafterherarrival，leavingnowill——NO

WILL——sothatthewholepropertyfelltoherandyou。\'

AtthispartoftherecitalMonksheldhisbreath，andlistenedwithafaceofintenseeagerness，thoughhiseyeswerenotdirectedtowardsthespeaker。AsMr。Brownlowpaused，hechangedhispositionwiththeairofonewhohasexperiencedasuddenrelief，andwipedhishotfaceandhands。

\'Beforehewentabroad，andashepassedthroughLondononhisway，\'saidMr。Brownlow，slowly，andfixinghiseyesupontheother\'sface，\'hecametome。\'

\'Ineverheardofthat，\'interruptedMOnksinatoneintendedtoappearincredulous，butsavouringmoreofdisagreeablesurprise。

\'Hecametome，andleftwithme，amongsomeotherthings，apicture——aportraitpaintedbyhimself——alikenessofthispoorgirl——whichhedidnotwishtoleavebehind，andcouldnotcarryforwardonhishastyjourney。Hewaswornbyanxietyandremorsealmosttoashadow；talkedinawild，distractedway，ofruinanddishonourworkedbyhimself；confidedtomehisintentiontoconverthiswholeproperty，atanyloss，intomoney，and，havingsettledonhiswifeandyouaportionofhisrecentacquisition，toflythecountry——Iguessedtoowellhewouldnotflyalone——andneverseeitmore。Evenfromme，hisoldandearlyfriend，whosestrongattachmenthadtakenrootintheearththatcoveredonemostdeartoboth——evenfrommehewithheldanymoreparticularconfession，promisingtowriteandtellmeall，andafterthattoseemeonceagain，forthelasttimeonearth。

Alas！THATwasthelasttime。Ihadnoletter，andIneversawhimmore。\'

\'Iwent，\'saidMr。Brownlow，afterashortpause，\'Iwent，whenallwasover，tothesceneofhis——Iwillusethetermtheworldwouldfreelyuse，forworldlyharshnessorfavourarenowaliketohim——ofhisguiltylove，resolvedthatifmyfearswererealisedthaterringchildshouldfindoneheartandhometoshelterandcompassionateher。Thefamilyhadleftthatpartaweekbefore；theyhadcalledinsuchtriflingdebtsaswereoutstanding，dischargedthem，andlefttheplacebynight。Why，orwhithter，nonecantell。\'

Monksdrewhisbreathyetmorefreely，andlookedroundwithasmileoftriumph。

\'Whenyourbrother，\'saidMr。Brownlow，drawingnearertotheother\'schair，\'Whenyourbrother:afeeble，ragged，neglectedchild:wascastinmywaybyastrongerhandthanchance，andrescuedbymefromalifeofviceandinfamy——\'

\'What?\'criedMonks。

\'Byme，\'saidMr。Brownlow。\'ItoldyouIshouldinterestyoubeforelong。Isaybyme——Iseethatyourcunningassociatesuppressedmyname，althoughforoughtheknew，itwouldbequitestrangetoyourears。Whenhewasrescuedbyme，then，andlayrecoveringfromsicknessinmyhouse，hisstrongresemblancetothispictureIhavespokenof，struckmewithastonishment。EvenwhenIfirstsawhiminallhisdirtandmisery，therewasalingeringexpressioninhisfacethatcameuponmelikeaglimpseofsomeoldfriendflashingononeinavividdream。IneednottellyouhewassnaredawaybeforeIknewhishistory——\'

\'Whynot?\'askedMonkshastily。

\'Becauseyouknowitwell。\'

\'I！\'

\'Denialtomeisvain，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。\'IshallshowyouthatIknowmorethanthat。\'

\'You——you——can\'tproveanythingagainstme，\'stammeredMonks。\'I

defyyoutodoit！\'

\'Weshallsee，\'returnedtheoldgentlemanwithasearchingglance。\'Ilosttheboy，andnoeffortsofminecouldrecoverhim。Yourmotherbeingdead，Iknewthatyoualonecouldsolvethemysteryifanybodycould，andaswhenIhadlastheardofyouyouwereonyourownestateintheWestIndies——whither，asyouwellknow，youretireduponyourmother\'sdeathtoescapetheconsequencesofviciouscourseshere——Imadethevoyage。Youhadleftit，monthsbefore，andweresupposedtobeinLondon，butnoonecouldtellwhere。Ireturned。Youragentshadnocluetoyourresidence。Youcameandwent，theysaid，asstrangelyasyouhadeverdone:sometimesfordaystogetherandsometimesnotformonths:keepingtoallappearancethesamelowhauntsandminglingwiththesameinfamousherdwhohadbeenyourassociateswhenafierceungovernableboy。Iweariedthemwithnewapplications。Ipacedthestreetsbynightandday，butuntiltwohoursago，allmyeffortswerefruitless，andIneversawyouforaninstant。\'

\'Andnowyoudoseeme，\'saidMonks，risingboldly，\'whatthen?

Fraudandrobberyarehigh-soundingwords——justified，youthink，byafanciedresemblanceinsomeyoungimptoanidledaubofadeadman\'sBrother！Youdon\'tevenknowthatachildwasbornofthismaudlinpair；youdon\'tevenknowthat。\'

\'IDIDNOT，\'repliedMr。Brownlow，risingtoo；\'butwithinthelastfortnightIhavelearntitall。Youhaveabrother；youknowit，andhim。Therewasawill，whichyourmotherdestroyed，leavingthesecretandthegaintoyouatherowndeath。Itcontainedareferencetosomechildlikelytobetheresultofthissadconnection，whichchildwasborn，andaccidentallyencounteredbyyou，whenyoursuspicionswerefirstawakenedbyhisresemblancetoyourfather。Yourepairedtotheplaceofhisbirth。Thereexistedproofs——proofslongsuppressed——ofhisbirthandparentage。Thoseproofsweredestroyedbyyou，andnow，inyourownwordstoyouraccomplicetheJew，“THEONLYPROOFSOF

THEBOY\'SIDENTITYLIEATTHEBOTTOMOFTHERIVER，ANDTHEOLD

HAGTHATRECEIVEDTHEMFORMTHEMOTHERISROTTINGINHERCOFFIN。”

Unworthyson，coward，liar，——you，whoholdyourcouncilswiththievesandmurderersindarkroomsatnight，——you，whoseplotsandwileshavebroughtaviolentdeathupontheheadofoneworthmillionssuchasyou，——you，whofromyourcradleweregallandbitternesstoyourownfather\'sheart，andinwhomallevilpassions，vice，andprofligacy，festered，tilltheyfoundaventinahideousdiseasewhichhadmadeyourfaceanindexeventoyourmind——you，EdwardLeeford，doyoustillbraveme！\'

\'No，no，no！\'returnedthecoward，overwhelmedbytheseaccumulatedcharges。

\'Everyword！\'criedthegentleman，\'everywordthathaspassedbetweenyouandthisdetestedvillain，isknowntome。Shadowsonthewallhavecaughtyourwhispers，andbroughtthemtomyear；thesightofthepersecutedchildhasturnedviceitself，andgivenitthecourageandalmosttheattributesofvirtue。

Murderhasbeendone，towhichyouweremorallyifnotreallyaparty。\'

\'No，no，\'interposedMonks。\'I——Iknewnothingofthat；Iwasgoingtoinquirethetruthofthestorywhenyouovertookme。I

didn\'tknowthecause。Ithoughtitwasacommonquarrel。\'

\'Itwasthepartialdisclosureofyoursecrets，\'repliedMr。

Brownlow。\'Willyoudisclosethewhole?\'

\'Yes，Iwill。\'

\'Setyourhandtoastatementoftruthandfacts，andrepeatitbeforewitnesses?\'

\'ThatIpromisetoo。\'

\'Remainquietlyhere，untilsuchadocumentisdrawnup，andproceedwithmetosuchaplaceasImaydeemmostadvisable，forthepurposeofattestingit?\'

\'Ifyouinsistuponthat，I\'lldothatalso，\'repliedMonks。

\'Youmustdomorethanthat，\'saidMr。Brownlow。\'Makerestitutiontoaninnocentandunoffendingchild，forsuchheis，althoughtheoffspringofaguiltyandmostmiserablelove。Youhavenotforgottentheprovisionsofthewill。Carrythemintoexecutionsofarasyourbrotherisconcerned，andthengowhereyouplease。Inthisworldyouneedmeetnomore。\'

WhileMonkswaspacingupanddown，meditatingwithdarkandevillooksonthisproposalandthepossibilitiesofevadingit:tornbyhisfearsontheonehandandhishatredontheother:thedoorwashurriedlyunlocked，andagentleman(Mr。Losberne)

enteredtheroominviolentagitation。

\'Themanwillbetaken，\'hecried。\'Hewillbetakento-night！\'

\'Themurderer?\'askedMr。Brownlow。

\'Yes，yes，\'repliedtheother。\'Hisdoghasbeenseenlurkingaboutsomeoldhaunt，andthereseemslittledoubthathismastereitheris，orwillbe，there，undercoverofthedarkness。Spiesarehoveringaboutineverydirection。Ihavespokentothemenwhoarechargedwithhiscapture，andtheytellmehecannotescape。ArewardofahundredpoundsisproclaimedbyGovernmentto-night。\'

\'Iwillgivefiftymore，\'saidMr。Brownlow，\'andproclaimitwithmyownlipsuponthespot，ifIcanreachit。WhereisMr。

Maylie?\'

\'Harry?Assoonashehadseenyourfriendhere，safeinacoachwithyou，hehurriedofftowhereheheardthis，\'repliedthedoctor，\'andmountinghishorsesalliedforthtojointhefirstpartyatsomeplaceintheoutskirtsagreeduponbetweenthem。\'

\'Fagin，\'saidMr。Brownlow；\'whatofhim?\'

\'WhenIlastheard，hehadnotbeentaken，buthewillbe，oris，bythistime。They\'resureofhim。\'

\'Haveyoumadeupyourmind?\'askedMr。Brownlow，inalowvoice，ofMonks。

\'Yes，\'hereplied。\'You——you——willbesecretwithme?\'

\'Iwill。RemainheretillIreturn。Itisyouronlyhopeofsafety。

Theylefttheroom，andthedoorwasagainlocked。

\'Whathaveyoudone?\'askedthedoctorinawhisper。

\'AllthatIcouldhopetodo，andevenmore。Couplingthepoorgirl\'sintelligencewithmypreviousknowledge，andtheresultofourgoodfriend\'sinquiriesonthespot，Ilefthimnoloopholeofescape，andlaidbarethewholevillainywhichbytheselightsbecameplainasday。Writeandappointtheeveningafterto-morrow，atseven，forthemeeting。Weshallbedownthere，afewhoursbefore，butshallrequirerest:especiallytheyounglady，whoMAYhavegreaterneedoffirmnessthaneitheryouorI

canquiteforeseejustnow。Butmybloodboilstoavengethispoormurderedcreature。Whichwayhavetheytaken?\'

\'Drivestraighttotheofficeandyouwillbeintime，\'repliedMr。Losberne。\'Iwillremainhere。\'

Thetwogentlemenhastilyseparated；eachinafeverofexcitementwhollyuncontrollable。

CHAPTERL

THEPURSUITANDESCAPE

NeartothatpartoftheThamesonwhichthechurchatRotherhitheabuts，wherethebuildingsonthebanksaredirtiestandthevesselsontheriverblackestwiththedustofcolliersandthesmokeofclose-builtlow-roofedhouses，thereexiststhefilthiest，thestrangest，themostextraordinaryofthemanylocalitiesthatarehiddeninLondon，whollyunknown，evenbyname，tothegreatmassofitsinhabitants。

Toreachthisplace，thevisitorhastopenetratethroughamazeofclose，narrow，andmuddystreets，throngedbytherougestandpoorestofwatersidepeople，anddevotedtothetraffictheymaybesupposedtooccasion。Thecheapestandleastdelicateprovisionsareheapedintheshops；thecoarsestandcommonestarticlesofwearingappareldangleatthesalesman\'sdoor，andstreamfromthehouse-parapetandwindows。Jostlingwithunemployedlabourersofthelowestclass，ballast-heavers，coal-whippers，brazenwomen，raggedchildren，andtheraffandrefuseoftheriver，hemakeshiswaywithdifficultyalong，assailedbyoffensivesightsandsmellsfromthenarrowalleyswhichbranchoffontherightandleft，anddeafenedbytheclashofponderouswaggonsthatbeargreatpilesofmerchandisefromthestacksofwarehousesthatrisefromeverycorner。Arriving，atlength，instreetsremoterandless-frequentedthanthosethroughwhichhehaspassed，hewalksbeneathtotteringhouse-frontsprojectingoverthepavement，dismantledwallsthatseemtototterashepasses，chimneyshalfcrushedhalfhesitatingtofall，windowsguardedbyrustyironbarsthattimeanddirthavealmosteatenaway，everyimaginablesignofdesolationandneglect。

Insuchaneighborhood，beyondDockheadintheBoroughofSouthwark，standsJacob\'sIsland，surroundedbyamuddyditch，sixoreightfeetdeepandfifteenortwentywidewhenthetideisin，oncecalledMillPond，butknowninthedaysofthisstoryasFollyDitch。ItisacreekorinletfromtheThames，andcanalwaysbefilledathighwaterbyopeningthesluicesattheLeadMillsfromwhichittookitsoldname。Atsuchtimes，astranger，lookingfromoneofthewoodenbridgesthrownacrossitatMillLane，willseetheinhabitantsofthehousesoneithersideloweringfromtheirbackdoorsandwindows，buckets，pails，domesticutensilsofallkinds，inwhichtohaulthewaterup；

andwhenhiseyeisturnedfromtheseoperationstothehousesthemselves，hisutmostastonishmentwillbeexcitedbythescenebeforehim。Crazywoodengalleriescommontothebacksofhalfadozenhouses，withholesfromwhichtolookupontheslimebeneath；windows，brokenandpatched，withpolesthrustout，onwhichtodrythelinenthatisneverthere；roomssosmall，sofilthy，soconfined，thattheairwouldseemtootaintedevenforthedirtandsqualorwhichtheyshelter；woodenchambersthrustingthemselvesoutabovethemud，andthreateningtofallintoit——assomehavedone；dirt-besmearedwallsanddecayingfoundations；everyrepulsivelineamentofpoverty，everyloathsomeindicationoffilth，rot，andgarbage；alltheseornamentthebanksofFollyDitch。