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，andleftthevulgartoimagineiftheycouldthefullmajestyofjustice。
　　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！totheBenchit'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——'issohardwithyouhe'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，andmustthusFaginarguedbesecuredwithoutdelay。
　　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，andthreatenedtorevealthewholehistorytoSikesofwhomshestoodinnocommonfearunlesssheenteredintohisdesigns，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。'