雾都孤儿-第5章

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The　owner　of　the　voice　was　a　big　man　of　about　thirty…five　in　a　black　coat　and　very　dirty　trousers；　with　a　brown　hat　on　his　head　and　a　dirty　hand　kerchief　around　his　neck。　He　also　had　a　three…day…old　beard。　A　white　dog　with　torn　ears　followed　him　into　the　room。　The　man　kicked　the　dog　into　a　corner　and　looked　round　at　the　signs　of　battle。　

'Are　They　trying　to　murder　you；　Fagin？　I　would　if　I　was　the　m。　I'd　have　done　it　long　ago。　Now；　give　me　some　beer；　and　don't　poison　it。　'

It　was　said　as　a　joke；　but　if　the　man　had　seen　the　evil　look　on　Fagin's　face；　he　might　have　thought　the　warning　was　a　necessary　one。　

Fagin　produced　some　beer；　and　as　the　fight　appeared　to　be　over；　everybody　sat　down。　In　the　conversation　that　followed；　Fagin　told　the　newcomer　that　O　liver　had　been　caught　by　the　police。　'I'm　afraid；　Mr　Sikes；　'he　said；　'the　boy　may　say　something　which　will　get　us　into　trouble。　'

'Very　likely；　'said　Bill　Sikes；　smiling　unkindly。　'You'vegot　problems；　Fagin。　'

'And　I'm　afraid；　'added　Fagin；　ignoring　Sikes'　remark；　'that　if　we're　in　trouble；　the　n　a　lot　of　other　people　will　be　in　trouble　too；　if　you　understand　me；　my　dear；　'

Sikes　turned　angrily　towards　the　old　man。　The　re　was　a　silence。　The　n　Sikes　said；　'Somebody　must　find　out　what's　happened。　If　he　hasn't　said　anything　yet；　we　must　catch　him　when　he　leaves　the　police　station。　'

Fagin　nodded。　But　the　re　was　a　difficulty。　None　of　the　m　wanted　to　go　anywhere　near　a　Police　station。　The　problem　was　solved　with　the　arrival　of　the　two　young　ladies　whom　O　liver　had　met　one　evening　in　Fagin's　house。　

'Nancy；　my　dear；　'Fagin　said。　He　smiled　sweetly　at　one　of　The　young　ladies。　'Can　you　go　to　find　out　what's　happened　to　O　liver？　'

The　young　lady　answered　calmly；　'No；　I　won't。　'

'You're　the　only　one　here　that　the　police　in　this　district　don't　know；　'said　Sikes。　'She'll　go；　Fagin。　'

'No；　'repeated　Nancy。　

'Yes；　she　will；　Fagin。　'Sikes　was　right。　With　a　mixture　of　threats　and　promises；　he　soon　persuaded　Nancy　to　go。　

She　set　off　at　once；　and　at　the　police　station　pretended　to　be　a　shy；　frightened　girl。　'Is　my　poor　little　brother　O　liver　here？　'she　asked　the　officer　with　the　keys。　

'He's　not　here；　'the　officer　replied。　'The　gentleman's　got　him。　'

'The　gentleman？　Oh　no！　What　gentleman？　'cried　Nancy；　very　upset。　

The　policeman　explained　that　O　liver　had　become　ill；　and　the　old　gentleman　had　taken　him　to　his　house　in　the　Pentonville　district　of　north　London。　Nancy；　still　looking　terribly　upset；　left　the　station；　and　hurried　back　to　Fagin's　house　with　this　news。　As　soon　as　he　heard　it；　Sikes　called　his　white　dog；　put　on　his　hat　and　left　without　saying　goodbye　to　anyone。　

'We　must　find　him；　'Fagin　said　urgently　to　the　rest　of　the　m。　'No　one　can　stay　here—it's　too　dangerous　now。　All　of　you—walk　around　Pentonville　and　keep　your　ears　open。　Don't　come　back　until　you　have　some　news　of　O　liver！　If　you　can；　kidnap　him！　We've　got　to　keep　him　quiet　before　he　starts　talking　about　us　to　his　new　friends。　'

With　the　se　words；　he　pushed　the　m　all　from　his　room　and　double…locked　the　door　behind　the　m。　The　n　he　took　out　his　hidden　box　and　very　carefully　hid　all　the　watches　and　the　jewellery　beneath　his　clothe　s。　



　



6　　O　liver　is　found　again

　　

O　liver　began　to　recover　and　slowly　regain　his　strength。　The　picture　that　had　caused　Mr　　Brown　low　's　excitement　was　taken　down　from　the　wall；　and　was　not　mentioned　again。　O　liver　was　disappointed　at　the　disappearance　of　the　picture；　since　he　liked　the　woman's　face；　but　he　had　many　other　things　to　think　about　now。　

They　were　happy　days；　while　O　liver　was　getting　better。　He　played　cards　with　Mrs　Bed　win　and　listened　to　stories　about　her　family。　The　days　were　all　so　quiet　and　relaxing；　after　the　hardships　and　poverty　of　his　previous　life。　Mr　　Brown　low　　bought　him　a　new　suit　and　new　shoes；　and　O　liver's　dirty　old　clothe　s　were　given　away。　

One　day　Mr　　Brown　low　　asked　him　to　come　to　his　study　for　a　little　talk。　

O　liver　went　in　and　sat　down。　He　looked　at　Mr　　Brown　low　's　serious　face　in　alarm。　'Don't　tell　me　you're　going　to　send　me　away；　sir；　please！　'he　exclaimed。　'Let　me　stay　here！　I　could　help　with　the　housework…please；　sir！　'

'My　dear　child；　don't　be　afraid；　'said　Mr　　Brown　low　　kindly。　'I　won't　desert　you。　I　believe　that　you're　a　good　boy；　not　a　common　thief。　You　told　me　you're　an　orphan—that　seems　to　be　the　truth。　But　I　want　to　hear　now　the　whole　story　of　your　life；　and　how　you　came　to　be　with　the　boys　I　saw　you　with　that　day。　'

O　liver　began　his　story　but　was　soon　interrupted　by　the　arrival　of　Mr　Grimwig；　an　old　friend　of　Mr　　Brown　low　's。　Mr　Grimwig　was　a　fierce　old　gentleman　and　very　fond　of　arguments。　He　clearly　knew　all　about　O　liver　and　inspected　him　closely。　

'So　this　is　the　boy；　is　it？　'he　said　at　last。　

O　liver　bowed　politely　and　was　introduced　by　Mr　　Brown　low　。　Tea　was　the　n　brought　in；　and　during　the　meal　Mr　Grimwig　stared　so　hard　at　O　liver　that　the　boy　felt　rather　confused。　Eventually；　Mr　Grimwig　whispered　to　Mr　　Brown　low　；　'He　may　be　a　good…looking　boy；　but　I　think　he's　deceiving　you；　my　good　friend；　'

'Nonsense！　'said　Mr　　Brown　low　；　becoming　angry。　

'Well；　we'll　see；　answered　his　friend。　'We'll　see。　'

Later　that　afternoon　Mr　　Brown　low　　wanted　to　return　some　books　to　a　bookseller；　and　to　send　some　money　for　new　books　that　he　had　already　collected。　Mr　Grimwig　suggested　that　O　liver　should　go。　'He'll　be　sure　to　deliver　everything　safely；　'he　said　with　a　smile。　

'Yes；　please　let　me　take　the　m；　'said　O　liver；　delighted　to　be　of　use。　

Mr　　Brown　low　　hesitated；　but　Mr　Grimwig's　smile　had　annoyed　him。　'Very　well；　'he　said。　'Here　are　the　books；　O　liver；　and　a　five…pound　note。　The　bookseller　will　give　you　ten　shillings　change。　'

'I　won't　be　ten　minutes；　'replied　O　liver　eagerly；　and　he　ran　out　into　the　street。　

'So　you　expect　him　to　come　back；　do　you？　'enquired　Mr　Grimwig。　

'Yes；　I　do；　'said　Mr　　Brown　low　；　smiling　confidently。　'Don't　you？　'

'No；　He　has　a　new　suit　of　clothe　s；　some　valuable　books；　and　a　five…pound　note　in　his　pocket。　He'll　join　his　old　friends　the　thieves；　and　laugh　at　you。　If　he　comes　back；　I'll　eat　my　hat。　'

The　two　men　sat　by　the　window　with　a　pocket…watch　between　the　m；　and　waited　for　O　liver's　return。　

O　liver　hurried　through　the　streets　to　the　book　shop；　thinking　how　lucky　he　was。　Suddenly　the　re　was　a　loud　scream　behind　him。　'Oh；　my　dear　brother！　'Before　be　could　look　round；　a　pair　of　arms　was　thrown　tightly　around　his　neck。　

'Don't！　'he　cried；　struggling。　'Let　go！　Why　are　you　stopping　me？　Who　is　it？　'

The　young　woman　holding　him　started　to　cry　loudly。　'I've　found　him！　Oh！　O　liver！　You　naughty　boy；　to　make　me　suffer　so　much！　Come　home　immediately；　you　cruel　boy！　'She　burst　into　tears　and　several　people　stopped　to　stare　at　what　was　happening。　

'What's　the　matter？　'asked　one　of　the　watching　women。　

'He　ran　away　from　his　parents　a　month　ago；　'The　young　woman　said。　'They're　hard…working；　respectable　people；　and　he　left　the　m　to　join　a　gang　of　thieves　and　bad　characters；　and　almost　broke　his　mother's　heart。　'

'Go　home；　you　horrible　child；　'said　another　woman。　

'Yes—go　back　to　your　parents；　'said　a　third。　

'But　I　haven't　got　any！　'replied　O　liver；　greatly　alarmed。　'I　haven't　got　a　sister；　either。　I'm　an　orphan。　I　live　in　Pentonville。　'

'Listen　to　him！　Make　him　come　home；　'The　young　woman　said　to　the　crowd；　'or　he'll　kill　his　dear　mother　and　father；　and　break　my　heart。　'

Suddenly　O　liver　recognized　the　woman　he　had　seen　in　Fagin's　house。　'It's　Nancy！　'he　said；　without　thinking。　

'You　see？　'cried　Nancy　to　the　crowd。　'He　knows　me！　'

Just　the　n　a　big　man　ran　out　of　a　beer　shop；　followed　by　a　white　dog。　'What's　this？　Young　O　liver！　Come　home　to　your　poor　mother；　you　young　devil！　And　what　books　are　the　se？　You've　stolen　the　m；　haven't　you？　Give　the　m　to　me。　'The　man；　who　was　Bill　Sikes；　seized　O　liver　with　one　strong　hand　　and　hit　him　on　the　head　with　the　other。　

'That'll　do　him　good！　'shouted　some　of　the　crowd。　'It's　the　only　way　to　treat　boys　like　him。　'

Bill　Sikes　held　onto　O　liver's　arm。　'Come　on；　you　young　thief！　'

Still　weak　from　illness；　and　terrified　by　the　growling　dog；　O　liver　could　not　resist。　He　was　taken　through　the　dark　narrow　streets　at　great　speed。　Sikes　and　Nancy　gave　him　no　chance　to　escape　and　O　liver　had　no　breath　to　call　out　for　help。　All　too　quickly；　he　was　back　in　Fagin's　house；　where　his　old　friends　were　waiting　for　him。　

'Delighted　to　see　you　looking　so　well；　my　dear；　'Fagin　said；　bowing　politely。　'Why　didn't　you　write；　and　say　you　were　coming？　We'd　have　got　something　warm　for　supper。　'

The　Dodger　and　Charley　Bates　roared　with　laughter；　and　the　Dodger　began　looking　through　the　books　O　liver　had　with　him。　

'Give　the　m　back！　'O　liver　cried。　'Those　books　belong　to　the　kind　old　gentleman　who　took　me　into　his　home。　Send　him　back　the　books　and　the　money—he'll　think　I　stole　the　m！　'

'You're　right；　'laughed　Fagin。　'He　will　think　that！　'

O　liver　jumped　to　his　feet　and　ran　wildly　from　the　room；　shouting　for　help。　The　Dodger　and　Fagin　caught　him　easily；　and　brought　him　back。　The　n　the　old　man　picked　up　a　long　piece　of　wood。　

'So　you　wanted　to　get　away；　my　dear；　did　you？　Wanted　to　call　the　police　and　get　help？　We'll　cure　you　of　that。　'

He　hit　O　liver　hard　on　the　shoulders　with　the　stick。　He　was　raising　it　for　a　second　hit　when　Nancy　rushed　forward　and；　seizing　the　piece　of　wood；　threw　it　into　the　fire。　

'I　won't　let　you　do　it；　Fagin！　'she　shouted。　'You've　got　him　again。　Isn't　that　enough？　Now　leave　him　alone。　'

Fagin　and　Sikes　looked　at　each　other；　shocked　by　her　reaction。　

　

'You'd　better　keep　quiet；　my　girl；　'growled　Sikes。　

'No；　I　won't！　'　cried　the　girl　wildly。　'Now　you've　got　the　boy；　you'll　turn　him　into　a　thief　and　a　liar。　Isn't　that　enough；　without　killing　him　too？　'

She　rushed　at　Fagin　and　would　have　hit　him　if　Sikes　had　not　held　her　arms　so　tightly　that　she　couldn't　move。　She　struggled　wildly　for　a　while；　the　n；　exhausted；　she　fainted。　Sikes　laid　her　down　in　the　corner；　as　surprised　as　Fagin　at　her　anger。　

'She　can　be　really　wild　when　she's　angry；　'Sikes　said。　

Fagin　wiped　his　forehead。　'That's　the　trouble　with　women；　'he　said；　'but　she's　a　clever　girl　in　her　work。　'

The　n　Charley　Bates　and　the　Dodger　took　away　O　liver's　expensive　new　suit；　gave　him　some　old　clothe　s；　and　locked　him　up　in　a　dark　room。　O　liver　felt　tired　and　ill；　and　was　soon　fast　asleep。　



　



7　　The　robbery

　　

A　few　days　later；　a　visitor　arrived　in　London　from　O　liver's　home　town。　He　was　a　large；　fat　man；　and　very　proud　of　his　hat；　which　showed　the　world　that　he　was　a　most　important　official。　It　was；　in　fact；　Mr　Bumble　the　beadle；　O　liver's　old　enemy。　

Mr　Bumble　had　completed　his　business　in　the　city；　and　had　just　finished　a　most　satisfactory　meal　in　a　pub。　He　pulled　up　his　chair　to　the　fire；　to　enjoy　his　hot　gin…and…water　in　comfort；　and　opened　the　newspaper。　The　first　thing　he　saw　was　this　notice：

A　reward　of　five　pounds　is　offered　for　any　information　leading　to　the　discovery　of　a　young　boy；　O　liver　Twist；　who　was　kidnapped　from　his　home　in　Pentonville　last　Thursday　evening。　I　am　also　very　interested　in　any　information　about　his　past