Hekeptonhiscourse，throughmanywindingandnarrowways，untilhereachedBethnalGreen；then，turningsuddenlyofftotheleft，hesoonbecameinvolvedinamazeofthemeananddirtystreetswhichaboundinthatcloseanddensely-populatedquarter。
TheJewwasevidentlytoofamiliarwiththegroundhetraversedtobeatallbewildered，eitherbythedarknessofthenight，ortheintricaciesoftheway。Hehurriedthroughseveralalleysandstreets，andatlengthturnedintoone，lightedonlybyasinglelampatthefartherend。Atthedoorofahouseinthisstreet，heknocked；havingexchangedafewmutteredwordswiththepersonwhoopenedit，hewalkedupstairs。
Adoggrowledashetouchedthehandleofaroom-door；andaman\'svoicedemandedwhowasthere。
\'Onlyme，Bill；onlyme，mydear，\'saidtheJewlookingin。
\'Bringinyourbodythen，\'saidSikes。\'Liedown，youstupidbrute！Don\'tyouknowthedevilwhenhe\'sgotagreat-coaton?\'
Apparently，thedoghadbeensomewhatdeceivedbyMr。Fagin\'soutergarment；forastheJewunbuttonedit，andthrewitoverthebackofachair，heretiredtothecornerfromwhichhehadrisen:wagginghistailashewent，toshowthathewasaswellsatisfiedasitwasinhisnaturetobe。
\'Well！\'saidSikes。
\'Well，mydear，\'repliedtheJew——\'Ah！Nancy。\'
Thelatterrecognitionwasutteredwithjustenoughofembarrassmenttoimplyadoubtofitsreception；forMr。Faginandhisyoungfriendhadnotmet，sinceshehadinterferedinbehalfofOliver。Alldoubtsuponthesubject，ifhehadany，werespeedilyremovedbytheyounglady\'sbehaviour。Shetookherfeetoffthefender，pushedbackherchair，andbadeFagindrawuphis，withoutsayingmoreaboutit:foritwasacoldnight，andnomistake。
\'Itiscold，Nancydear，\'saidtheJew，ashewarmedhisskinnyhandsoverthefire。\'Itseemstogorightthroughone，\'addedtheoldman，touchinghisside。
\'Itmustbeapiercer，ifitfindsitswaythroughyourheart，\'
saidMr。Sikes。\'Givehimsomethingtodrink，Nancy。Burnmybody，makehaste！It\'senoughtoturnamanill，toseehisleanoldcarcaseshiveringinthatway，likeauglyghostjustrosefromthegrave。\'
Nancyquicklybroughtabottlefromacupboard，inwhichthereweremany:which，tojudgefromthediversityoftheirappearance，werefilledwithseveralkindsofliquids。Sikespouringoutaglassofbrandy，badetheJewdrinkitoff。
\'Quiteenough，quite，thankye，Bill，\'repliedtheJew，puttingdowntheglassafterjustsettinghislipstoit。
\'What！You\'reafraidofourgettingthebetterofyou，areyou?\'
inquiredSikes，fixinghiseyesontheJew。\'Ugh！\'
Withahoarsegruntofcontempt，Mr。Sikesseizedtheglass，andthrewtheremainderofitscontentsintotheashes:asapreparatoryceremonytofillingitagainforhimself:whichhedidatonce。
TheJewglancedroundtheroom，ashiscompaniontosseddownthesecondglassful；notincuriousity，forhehadseenitoftenbefore；butinarestlessandsuspiciousmannerhabitualtohim。
Itwasameanlyfurnishedapartment，withnothingbutthecontentsoftheclosettoinducethebeliefthatitsoccupierwasanythingbutaworkingman；andwithnomoresuspiciousarticlesdisplayedtoviewthantwoorthreeheavybludgeonswhichstoodinacorner，anda\'life-preserver\'thathungoverthechimney-piece。
\'There，\'saidSikes，smackinghislips。\'NowI\'mready。\'
\'Forbusiness?\'inquiredtheJew。
\'Forbusiness，\'repliedSikes；\'sosaywhatyou\'vegottosay。\'
\'AboutthecribatChertsey，Bill?\'saidtheJew，drawinghischairforward，andspeakinginaverylowvoice。
\'Yes。Wotaboutit?\'inquiredSikes。
\'Ah！youknowwhatImean，mydear，\'saidtheJew。\'HeknowswhatImean，Nancy；don\'the?\'
\'No，hedon\'t，\'sneeredMr。Sikes。\'Orhewon\'t，andthat\'sthesamething。Speakout，andcallthingsbytheirrightnames；
don\'tsitthere，winkingandblinking，andtalkingtomeinhints，asifyouwarn\'ttheveryfirstthatthoughtabouttherobbery。Wotd\'yemean?\'
\'Hush，Bill，hush！\'saidtheJew，whohadinvainattemptedtostopthisburstofindignation；\'somebodywillhearus，mydear。
Somebodywillhearus。\'
\'Let\'emhear！\'saidSikes；\'Idon\'tcare。\'ButasMr。SikesDID
care，onreflection，hedroppedhisvoiceashesaidthewords，andgrewcalmer。
\'There，there，\'saidtheJew，coaxingly。\'Itwasonlymycaution，nothingmore。Now，mydear，aboutthatcribatChertsey；whenisittobedone，Bill，eh?Whenisittobedone?Suchplate，mydear，suchplate！\'saidtheJew:rubbinghishands，andelevatinghiseyebrowsinaraptureofanticipation。
\'Notatall，\'repliedSikescoldly。
\'Nottobedoneatall！\'echoedtheJew，leaningbackinhischair。
\'No，notatall，\'rejoinedSikes。\'Atleastitcan\'tbeaput-upjob，asweexpected。\'
\'Thenithasn\'tbeenproperlygoneabout，\'saidtheJew，turningpalewithanger。\'Don\'ttellme！\'
\'ButIwilltellyou，\'retortedSikes。\'Whoareyouthat\'snottobetold?ItellyouthatTobyCrackithasbeenhangingabouttheplaceforafortnight，andhecan\'tgetoneoftheservantsinline。\'
\'Doyoumeantotellme，Bill，\'saidtheJew:softeningastheothergrewheated:\'thatneitherofthetwomeninthehousecanbegotover?\'
\'Yes，Idomeantotellyouso，\'repliedSikes。\'Theoldladyhashad\'emthesetwentyyears；andifyouweretogive\'emfivehundredpound，theywouldn\'tbeinit。\'
\'Butdoyoumeantosay，mydear，\'remonstratedtheJew，\'thatthewomencan\'tbegotover?\'
\'Notabitofit，\'repliedSikes。
\'NotbyflashTobyCrackit?\'saidtheJewincredulously。\'Thinkwhatwomenare，Bill，\'
\'No；notevenbyflashTobyCrackit，\'repliedSikes。\'Hesayshe\'swornshamwhiskers，andacanarywaistcoat，thewholeblessedtimehe\'sbeenloiteringdownthere，andit\'sallofnouse。\'
\'Heshouldhavetriedmustachiosandapairofmilitarytrousers，mydear，\'saidtheJew。
\'Sohedid，\'rejoinedSikes，\'andtheywarn\'tofnomoreusethantheotherplant。\'
TheJewlookedblankatthisinformation。Afterruminatingforsomeminuteswithhischinsunkonhisbreast，heraisedhisheadandsaid，withadeepsigh，thatifflashTobyCrackitreportedaright，hefearedthegamewasup。
\'Andyet，\'saidtheoldman，droppinghishandsonhisknees，\'it\'sasadthing，mydear，tolosesomuchwhenwehadsetourheartsuponit。\'
\'Soitis，\'saidMr。Sikes。\'Worseluck！\'
Alongsilenceensued；duringwhichtheJewwasplungedindeepthought，withhisfacewrinkledintoanexpressionofvillainyperfectlydemoniacal。Sikeseyedhimfurtivelyfromtimetotime。Nancy，apparentlyfearfulofirritatingthehousebreaker，satwithhereyesfixeduponthefire，asifshehadbeendeaftoallthatpassed。
\'Fagin，\'saidSikes，abruptlybreakingthestillnessthatprevailed；\'isitworthfiftyshinersextra，ifit\'ssafelydonefromtheoutside?\'
\'Yes，\'saidtheJew，assuddenlyrousinghimself。
\'Isitabargain?\'inquiredSikes。
\'Yes，mydear，yes，\'rejoinedtheJew；hiseyesglistening，andeverymuscleinhisfaceworking，withtheexcitementthattheinquiryhadawakened。
\'Then，\'saidSikes，thrustingasidetheJew\'shand，withsomedisdain，\'letitcomeoffassoonasyoulike。Tobyandmewereoverthegarden-wallthenightaforelast，soundingthepanelsofthedoorandshutters。Thecrib\'sbarredupatnightlikeajail；butthere\'sonepartwecancrack，safeandsoftly。\'
\'Whichisthat，Bill?\'askedtheJeweagerly。
\'Why，\'whisperedSikes，\'asyoucrossthelawn——\'
\'Yes?\'saidtheJew，bendinghisheadforward，withhiseyesalmoststartingoutofit。
\'Umph！\'criedSikes，stoppingshort，asthegirl，scarcelymovingherhead，lookedsuddenlyround，andpointedforaninstanttotheJew\'sface。\'Nevermindwhichpartitis。Youcan\'tdoitwithoutme，Iknow；butit\'sbesttobeonthesafesidewhenonedealswithyou。\'
\'Asyoulike，mydear，asyoulike\'repliedtheJew。\'Istherenohelpwanted，butyoursandToby\'s?\'
\'None，\'saidSikes。\'Ceptacentre-bitandaboy。Thefirstwe\'vebothgot；thesecondyoumustfindus。\'
\'Aboy！\'exclaimedtheJew。\'Oh！thenit\'sapanel，eh?\'
\'Nevermindwotitis！\'repliedSikes。\'Iwantaboy，andhemusn\'tbeabig\'un。Lord！\'saidMr。Sikes，reflectively，\'ifI\'donlygotthatyoungboyofNed，thechimbley-sweeper\'s！Hekepthimsmallonpurpose，andlethimoutbythejob。Butthefathergetslagged；andthentheJuvenileDelinquentSocietycomes，andtakestheboyawayfromatradewherehewasarningmoney，teacheshimtoreadandwrite，andintimemakesa\'prenticeofhim。Andsotheygoon，\'saidMr。Sikes，hiswrathrisingwiththerecollectionofhiswrongs，\'sotheygoon；and，ifthey\'dgotmoneyenoughwhichit\'saProvidencetheyhaven\'t，weshouldn\'thavehalfadozenboysleftinthewholetrade，inayearortwo。\'
\'Nomoreweshould，\'acquiesedtheJew，whohadbeenconsideringduringthisspeech，andhadonlycaughtthelastsentence。
\'Bill！\'
\'Whatnow?\'inquiredSikes。
TheJewnoddedhisheadtowardsNancy，whowasstillgazingatthefire；andintimated，byasign，thathewouldhavehertoldtoleavetheroom。Sikesshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently，asifhethoughttheprecautionunnecessary；butcomplied，nevertheless，byrequestingMissNancytofetchhimajugofbeer。
\'Youdon\'twantanybeer，\'saidNancy，foldingherarms，andretainingherseatverycomposedly。
\'ItellyouIdo！\'repliedSikes。
\'Nonsense，\'rejoinedthegirlcoolly，\'Goon，Fagin。Iknowwhathe\'sgoingtosay，Bill；heneedn\'tmindme。\'
TheJewstillhesitated。Sikeslookedfromonetotheotherinsomesurprise。
\'Why，youdon\'tmindtheoldgirl，doyou，Fagin?\'heaskedatlength。\'You\'veknownherlongenoughtotrusther，ortheDevil\'sinit。Sheain\'tonetoblab。AreyouNancy?\'
\'_I_shouldthinknot！\'repliedtheyounglady:drawingherchairuptothetable，andputtingherelbowsuponit。
\'No，no，mydear，Iknowyou\'renot，\'saidtheJew；\'but——\'andagaintheoldmanpaused。
\'Butwot?\'inquiredSikes。
\'Ididn\'tknowwhethershemightn\'tp\'r\'apsbeoutofsorts，youknow，mydear，asshewastheothernight，\'repliedtheJew。
Atthisconfession，MissNancyburstintoaloudlaugh；and，swallowingaglassofbrandy，shookherheadwithanairofdefiance，andburstintosundryexclamationsof\'Keepthegamea-going！\'\'Neversaydie！\'andthelike。Theseseemedtohavetheeffectofre-assuringbothgentlemen；fortheJewnoddedhisheadwithasatisfiedair，andresumedhisseat:asdidMr。Sikeslikewise。
\'Now，Fagin，\'saidNancywithalaugh。\'TellBillatonce，aboutOliver！\'
\'Ha！you\'reacleverone，mydear:thesharpestgirlIeversaw！\'
saidtheJew，pattingherontheneck。\'ItWASaboutOliverI
wasgoingtospeak，sureenough。Ha！ha！ha！\'
\'Whatabouthim?\'demandedSikes。
\'He\'stheboyforyou，mydear，\'repliedtheJewinahoarsewhisper；layinghisfingeronthesideofhisnose，andgrinningfrightfully。
\'He！\'exclaimed。Sikes。
\'Havehim，Bill！\'saidNancy。\'Iwould，ifIwasinyourplace。
Hemayn\'tbesomuchup，asanyoftheothers；butthat\'snotwhatyouwant，ifhe\'sonlytoopenadoorforyou。Dependuponithe\'sasafeone，Bill。\'
\'Iknowheis，\'rejoinedFagin。\'He\'sbeeningoodtrainingtheselastfewweeks，andit\'stimehebegantoworkforhisbread。Besides，theothersarealltoobig。\'
\'Well，heisjustthesizeIwant，\'saidMr。Sikes，ruminating。
\'Andwilldoeverythingyouwant，Bill，mydear，\'interposedtheJew；\'hecan\'thelphimself。Thatis，ifyoufrightenhimenough。\'
\'Frightenhim！\'echoedSikes。\'It\'llbenoshamfrightening，mindyou。Ifthere\'sanythingqueerabouthimwhenweoncegetintothework；inforapenny，inforapound。Youwon\'tseehimaliveagain，Fagin。Thinkofthat，beforeyousendhim。Markmywords！\'saidtherobber，poisingacrowbar，whichhehaddrawnfromunderthebedstead。
\'I\'vethoughtofitall，\'saidtheJewwithenergy。\'I\'ve——I\'vehadmyeyeuponhim，mydears，close——close。Oncelethimfeelthatheisoneofus；oncefillhismindwiththeideathathehasbeenathief；andhe\'sours！Oursforhislife。Oho！Itcouldn\'thavecomeaboutbetter！Theoldmancrossedhisarmsuponhisbreast；and，drawinghisheadandshouldersintoaheap，literallyhuggedhimselfforjoy。
\'Ours！\'saidSikes。\'Yours，youmean。\'
\'PerhapsIdo，mydear，\'saidtheJew，withashrillchuckle。
\'Mine，ifyoulike，Bill。\'
\'Andwot，\'saidSikes，scowlingfiercelyonhisagreeablefriend，\'wotmakesyoutakesomuchpainsaboutonechalk-facedkid，whenyouknowtherearefiftyboyssnoozingaboutCommonGardeneverynight，asyoumightpickandchoosefrom?\'
\'Becausethey\'reofnousetome，mydear，\'repliedtheJew，withsomeconfusion，\'notworththetaking。Theirlooksconvict\'emwhentheygetintotrouble，andIlose\'emall。Withthisboy，properlymanaged，mydears，IcoulddowhatIcouldn\'twithtwentyofthem。Besides，\'saidtheJew，recoveringhisself-possession，\'hehasusnowifhecouldonlygiveusleg-bailagain；andhemustbeinthesameboatwithus。Nevermindhowhecamethere；it\'squiteenoughformypoweroverhimthathewasinarobbery；that\'sallIwant。Now，howmuchbetterthisis，thanbeingobligedtoputthepoorleetleboyoutoftheway——whichwouldbedangerous，andweshouldlosebyitbesides。\'
\'Whenisittobedone?\'askedNancy，stoppingsometurbulentexclamationonthepartofMr。Sikes，expressiveofthedisgustwithwhichhereceivedFagin\'saffectationofhumanity。
\'Ah，tobesure，\'saidtheJew；\'whenisittobedone，Bill?\'
\'IplannedwithToby，thenightarterto-morrow，\'rejoinedSikesinasurlyvoice，\'ifheheerdnothingfrommetothecontrairy。\'
\'Good，\'saidtheJew；\'there\'snomoon。\'
\'No，\'rejoinedSikes。
\'It\'sallarrangedaboutbringingofftheswag，isit?\'askedtheJew。
Sikesnodded。
\'Andabout——\'
\'Oh，ah，it\'sallplanned，\'rejoinedSikes，interruptinghim。
\'Nevermindparticulars。You\'dbetterbringtheboyhereto-morrownight。Ishallgetoffthestoneanhourarterdaybreak。Thenyouholdyourtongue，andkeepthemelting-potready，andthat\'sallyou\'llhavetodo。\'
Aftersomediscussion，inwhichallthreetookanactivepart，itwasdecidedthatNancyshouldrepairtotheJew\'snexteveningwhenthenighthadsetin，andbringOliverawaywithher；Fagincraftilyobserving，that，ifheevincedanydisinclinationtothetask，hewouldbemorewillingtoaccompanythegirlwhohadsorecentlyinterferedinhisbehalf，thananybodyelse。ItwasalsosolemnlyarrangedthatpoorOlivershould，forthepurposesofthecontemplatedexpedition，beunreservedlyconsignedtothecareandcustodyofMr。WilliamSikes；andfurther，thatthesaidSikesshoulddealwithhimashethoughtfit；andshouldnotbeheldresponsiblebytheJewforanymischanceorevilthatmightbenecessarytovisithim:itbeingunderstoodthat，torenderthecompactinthisrespectbinding，anyrepresentationsmadebyMr。Sikesonhisreturnshouldberequiredtobeconfirmedandcorroborated，inallimportantparticulars，bythetestimonyofflashTobyCrackit。
Thesepreliminariesadjusted，Mr。Sikesproceededtodrinkbrandyatafuriousrate，andtoflourishthecrowbarinanalarmingmanner；yellingforth，atthesametime，mostunmusicalsnatchesofsong，mingledwithwildexecrations。Atlength，inafitofprofessionalenthusiasm，heinsisteduponproducinghisboxofhousebreakingtools:whichhehadnosoonerstumbledinwith，andopenedforthepurposeofexplainingthenatureandpropertiesofthevariousimplementsitcontained，andthepeculiarbeautiesoftheirconstruction，thanhefellovertheboxuponthefloor，andwenttosleepwherehefell。
\'Good-night，Nancy，\'saidtheJew，mufflinghimselfupasbefore。
\'Good-night。\'
Theireyesmet，andtheJewscrutinisedher，narrowly。Therewasnoflinchingaboutthegirl。ShewasastrueandearnestinthematterasTobyCrackithimselfcouldbe。
TheJewagainbadehergood-night，and，bestowingaslykickupontheprostrateformofMr。Sikeswhileherbackwasturned，gropeddownstairs。
\'Alwaystheway！\'mutteredtheJewtohimselfasheturnedhomeward。\'Theworstofthesewomenis，thataverylittlethingservestocallupsomelong-forgottenfeeling；and，thebestofthemis，thatitneverlasts。Ha！ha！Themanagainstthechild，forabagofgold！\'
Beguilingthetimewiththesepleasantreflections，Mr。Faginwendedhisway，throughmudandmire，tohisgloomyabode:wheretheDodgerwassittingup，impatientlyawaitinghisreturn。
\'IsOlivera-bed?Iwanttospeaktohim，\'washisfirstremarkastheydescendedthestairs。
\'Hoursago，\'repliedtheDodger，throwingopenadoor。\'Hereheis！\'
Theboywaslying，fastasleep，onarudebeduponthefloor；sopalewithanxiety，andsadness，andtheclosenessofhisprison，thathelookedlikedeath；notdeathasitshowsinshroudandcoffin，butintheguiseitwearswhenlifehasjustdeparted；
whenayoungandgentlespirithas，butaninstant，fledtoHeaven，andthegrossairoftheworldhasnothadtimetobreatheuponthechangingdustithallowed。
\'Notnow，\'saidtheJew，turningsoftlyaway。\'To-morrow。
To-morrow。\'
CHAPTERXX
WHEREINOLVERISDELIVEREDOVERTOMR。WILLIAMSIKES
WhenOliverawokeinthemorning，hewasagooddealsurprisedtofindthatanewpairofshoes，withstrongthicksoles，hadbeenplacedathisbedside；andthathisoldshoeshadbeenremoved。
Atfirst，hewaspleasedwiththediscovery:hopingthatitmightbetheforerunnerofhisrelease；butsuchthoughtswerequicklydispelled，onhissittingdowntobreakfastalongwiththeJew，whotoldhim，inatoneandmannerwhichincreasedhisalarm，thathewastobetakentotheresidenceofBillSikesthatnight。
\'To——to——stopthere，sir?\'askedOliver，anxiously。
\'No，no，mydear。Nottostopthere，\'repliedtheJew。\'Weshouldn\'tliketoloseyou。Don\'tbeafraid，Oliver，youshallcomebacktousagain。Ha！ha！ha！Wewon\'tbesocruelastosendyouaway，mydear。Ohno，no！\'
Theoldman，whowasstoopingoverthefiretoastingapieceofbread，lookedroundashebanteredOliverthus；andchuckledasiftoshowthatheknewhewouldstillbeverygladtogetawayifhecould。
\'Isuppose，\'saidtheJew，fixinghiseyesonOliver，\'youwanttoknowwhatyou\'regoingtoBill\'sfor——eh，mydear?\'
Olivercoloured，involuntarily，tofindthattheoldthiefhadbeenreadinghisthoughts；butboldlysaid，Yes，hedidwanttoknow。
\'Why，doyouthink?\'inquiredFagin，parryingthequestion。
\'IndeedIdon\'tknow，sir，\'repliedOliver。
\'Bah！\'saidtheJew，turningawaywithadisappointedcountenancefromacloseperusaloftheboy\'sface。\'WaittillBilltellsyou，then。\'
TheJewseemedmuchvexedbyOliver\'snotexpressinganygreatercuriosityonthesubject；butthetruthis，that，althoughOliverfeltveryanxious，hewastoomuchconfusedbytheearnestcunningofFagin\'slooks，andhisownspeculations，tomakeanyfurtherinquiriesjustthen。Hehadnootheropportunity:fortheJewremainedverysurlyandsilenttillnight:whenhepreparedtogoabroad。
\'Youmayburnacandle，\'saidtheJew，puttingoneuponthetable。\'Andhere\'sabookforyoutoread，tilltheycometofetchyou。Good-night！\'
\'Good-night！\'repliedOliver，softly。
TheJewwalkedtothedoor:lookingoverhisshoulderattheboyashewent。Suddenlystopping，hecalledhimbyhisname。
Oliverlookedup；theJew，pointingtothecandle，motionedhimtolightit。Hedidso；and，asheplacedthecandlestickuponthetable，sawthattheJewwasgazingfixedlyathim，withloweringandcontractedbrows，fromthedarkendoftheroom。
\'Takeheed，Oliver！takeheed！\'saidtheoldman，shakinghisrighthandbeforehiminawarningmanner。\'He\'saroughman，andthinksnothingofbloodwhenhisownisup。Whateverfallsout，saynothing；anddowhathebidsyou。Mind！\'Placingastrongemphasisonthelastword，hesufferedhisfeaturesgraduallytoresolvethemselvesintoaghastlygrin，and，noddinghishead，lefttheroom。
Oliverleanedhisheaduponhishandwhentheoldmandisappeared，andpondered，withatremblingheart，onthewordshehadjustheard。ThemorehethoughtoftheJew\'sadmonition，themorehewasatalosstodivineitsrealpurposeandmeaning。
HecouldthinkofnobadobjecttobeattainedbysendinghimtoSikes，whichwouldnotbeequallywellansweredbyhisremainingwithFagin；andaftermeditatingforalongtime，concludedthathehadbeenselectedtoperformsomeordinarymenialofficesforthehousebreaker，untilanotherboy，bettersuitedforhispurposecouldbeengaged。Hewastoowellaccustomedtosuffering，andhadsufferedtoomuchwherehewas，tobewailtheprospectofchangeveryseverely。Heremainedlostinthoughtforsomeminutes；andthen，withaheavysigh，snuffedthecandle，and，takingupthebookwhichtheJewhadleftwithhim，begantoread。
Heturnedovertheleaves。Carelesslyatfirst；but，lightingonapassagewhichattractedhisattention，hesoonbecameintentuponthevolume。Itwasahistoryofthelivesandtrialsofgreatcriminals；andthepagesweresoiledandthumbedwithuse。
Here，hereadofdreadfulcrimesthatmadethebloodruncold；ofsecretmurdersthathadbeencommittedbythelonelywayside；ofbodieshiddenfromtheeyeofmanindeeppitsandwells:whichwouldnotkeepthemdown，deepastheywere，buthadyieldedthemupatlast，aftermanyyears，andsomaddenedthemurdererswiththesight，thatintheirhorrortheyhadconfessedtheirguilt，andyelledforthegibbettoendtheiragony。Here，too，hereadofmenwho，lyingintheirbedsatdeadofnight，hadbeentemptedsotheysaidandledon，bytheirownbadthoughts，tosuchdreadfulbloodshedasitmadethefleshcreep，andthelimbsquail，tothinkof。Theterribledescriptionsweresorealandvivid，thatthesallowpagesseemedtoturnredwithgore；andthewordsuponthem，tobesoundedinhisears，asiftheywerewhispered，inhollowmurmers，bythespiritsofthedead。
Inaparoxysmoffear，theboyclosedthebook，andthrustitfromhim。Then，fallinguponhisknees，heprayedHeaventosparehimfromsuchdeeds；andrathertowillthatheshoulddieatonce，thanbereservedforcrimes，sofearfulandappaling。
Bydegrees，hegrewmorecalm，andbesought，inalowandbrokenvoice，thathemightberescuedfromhispresentdangers；andthatifanyaidweretoberaisedupforapooroutcastboywhohadneverknowntheloveoffriendsorkindred，itmightcometohimnow，when，desolateanddeserted，hestoodaloneinthemidstofwickednessandguilt。
Hehadconcludedhisprayer，butstillremainedwithhisheadburiedinhishands，whenarustlingnoisearousedhim。
\'What\'sthat！\'hecried，startingup，andcatchingsightofafigurestandingbythedoor。\'Who\'sthere?\'
\'Me。Onlyme，\'repliedatremulousvoice。
Oliverraisedthecandleabovehishead:andlookedtowardsthedoor。ItwasNancy。
\'Putdownthelight，\'saidthegirl，turningawayherhead。\'Ithurtsmyeyes。\'
Oliversawthatshewasverypale，andgentlyinquiredifshewereill。Thegirlthrewherselfintoachair，withherbacktowardshim:andwrungherhands；butmadenoreply。
\'Godforgiveme！\'shecriedafterawhile，\'Ineverthoughtofthis。\'
\'Hasanythinghappened?\'askedOliver。\'CanIhelpyou?IwillifIcan。Iwill，indeed。\'
Sherockedherselftoandfro；caughtherthroat；and，utteringagurglingsound，gaspedforbreath。
\'Nancy！\'criedOliver，\'Whatisit?\'
Thegirlbeatherhandsuponherknees，andherfeetupontheground；and，suddenlystopping，drewhershawlcloseroundher:
andshiveredwithcold。
Oliverstirredthefire。Drawingherchairclosetoit，shesatthere，foralittletime，withoutspeaking；butatlengthsheraisedherhead，andlookedround。
\'Idon\'tknowwhatcomesovermesometimes，\'saidshe，affectingtobusyherselfinarrangingherdress；\'it\'sthisdampdirtyroom，Ithink。Now，Nolly，dear，areyouready?\'
\'AmItogowithyou?\'askedOliver。
\'Yes。IhavecomefromBill，\'repliedthegirl。\'Youaretogowithme。\'
\'Whatfor?\'askedOliver，recoiling。
\'Whatfor?\'echoedthegirl，raisinghereyes，andavertingthemagain，themomenttheyencounteredtheboy\'sface。\'Oh！Fornoharm。\'
\'Idon\'tbelieveit，\'saidOliver:whohadwatchedherclosely。
\'Haveityourownway，\'rejoinedthegirl，affectingtolaugh。
\'Fornogood，then。\'
Olivercouldseethathehadsomepoweroverthegirl\'sbetterfeelings，and，foraninstant，thoughtofappealingtohercompassionforhishelplessstate。But，then，thethoughtdartedacrosshismindthatitwasbarelyeleveno\'clock；andthatmanypeoplewerestillinthestreets:ofwhomsurelysomemightbefoundtogivecredencetohistale。Asthereflectionoccuredtohim，hesteppedforward:andsaid，somewhathastily，thathewasready。
Neitherhisbriefconsideration，noritspurport，waslostonhiscompanion。Sheeyedhimnarrowly，whilehespoke；andcastuponhimalookofintelligencewhichsufficientlyshowedthatsheguessedwhathadbeenpassinginhisthoughts。
\'Hush！\'saidthegirl，stoopingoverhim，andpointingtothedoorasshelookedcautiouslyround。\'Youcan\'thelpyourself。I
havetriedhardforyou，butalltonopurpose。Youarehedgedroundandround。Ifeveryouaretogetloosefromhere，thisisnotthetime。\'
Struckbytheenergyofhermanner，Oliverlookedupinherfacewithgreatsurprise。Sheseemedtospeakthetruth；hercountenancewaswhiteandagitated；andshetrembledwithveryearnestness。
\'Ihavesavedyoufrombeingill-usedonce，andIwillagain，andIdonow，\'continuedthegirlaloud；\'forthosewhowouldhavefetchedyou，ifIhadnot，wouldhavebeenfarmoreroughthanme。Ihavepromisedforyourbeingquietandsilent；ifyouarenot，youwillonlydoharmtoyourselfandmetoo，andperhapsbemydeath。Seehere！Ihaveborneallthisforyoualready，astrueasGodseesmeshowit。\'
Shepointed，hastily，tosomelividbruisesonherneckandarms；
andcontinued，withgreatrapidity:
\'Rememberthis！Anddon\'tletmesuffermoreforyou，justnow。
IfIcouldhelpyou，Iwould；butIhavenotthepower。Theydon\'tmeantoharmyou；whatevertheymakeyoudo，isnofaultofyours。Hush！Everywordfromyouisablowforme。Givemeyourhand。Makehaste！Yourhand！
ShecaughtthehandwhichOliverinstinctivelyplacedinhers，and，blowingoutthelight，drewhimafterherupthestairs。Thedoorwasopened，quickly，bysomeoneshroudedinthedarkness，andwasasquicklyclosed，whentheyhadpassedout。A
hackney-cabrioletwasinwaiting；withthesamevehemencewhichshehadexhibitedinaddressingOliver，thegirlpulledhiminwithher，anddrewthecurtainsclose。Thedriverwantednodirections，butlashedhishorseintofullspeed，withoutthedelayofaninstant。
ThegirlstillheldOliverfastbythehand，andcontinuedtopourintohisear，thewarningsandassurancesshehadalreadyimparted。Allwassoquickandhurried，thathehadscarcelytimetorecollectwherehewas，orhowhecamethere，whentocarriagestoppedatthehousetowhichtheJew\'sstepshadbeendirectedonthepreviousevening。
Foronebriefmoment，Olivercastahurriedglancealongtheemptystreet，andacryforhelphunguponhislips。Butthegirl\'svoicewasinhisear，beseechinghiminsuchtonesofagonytorememberher，thathehadnotthehearttoutterit。
Whilehehesitated，theopportunitywasgone；hewasalreadyinthehouse，andthedoorwasshut。
\'Thisway，\'saidthegirl，releasingherholdforthefirsttime。
\'Bill！\'
\'Hallo！\'repliedSikes:appearingattheheadofthestairs，withacandle。\'Oh！That\'sthetimeofday。Comeon！\'
Thiswasaverystrongexpressionofapprobation，anuncommonlyheartywelcome，fromapersonofMr。Sikes\'temperament。Nancy，appearingmuchgratifiedthereby，salutedhimcordially。
\'Bull\'s-eye\'sgonehomewithTom，\'observedSikes，ashelightedthemup。\'He\'dhavebeenintheway。\'
\'That\'sright，\'rejoinedNancy。
\'Soyou\'vegotthekid，\'saidSikeswhentheyhadallreachedtheroom:closingthedoorashespoke。
\'Yes，hereheis，\'repliedNancy。
\'Didhecomequiet?\'inquiredSikes。
\'Likealamb，\'rejoinedNancy。
\'I\'mgladtohearit，\'saidSikes，lookinggrimlyatOliver；\'forthesakeofhisyoungcarcase:aswouldotherwayshavesufferedforit。Comehere，young\'un；andletmereadyoualectur\'，whichisaswellgotoveratonce。\'
Thusaddressinghisnewpupil，Mr。SikespulledoffOliver\'scapandthrewitintoacorner；andthen，takinghimbytheshoulder，sathimselfdownbythetable，andstoodtheboyinfrontofhim。
\'Now，first:doyouknowwotthisis?\'inquiredSikes，takingupapocket-pistolwhichlayonthetable。
Oliverrepliedintheaffirmative。
\'Well，then，lookhere，\'continuedSikes。\'Thisispowder；that\'ere\'sabullet；andthisisalittlebitofaoldhatforwaddin\'。\'
Olivermurmuredhiscomprehensionofthedifferentbodiesreferredto；andMr。Sikesproceededtoloadthepistol，withgreatnicetyanddeliberation。
\'Nowit\'sloaded，\'saidMr。Sikes，whenhehadfinished。
\'Yes，Iseeitis，sir，\'repliedOliver。
\'Well，\'saidtherobber，graspingOliver\'swrist，andputtingthebarrelsoclosetohistemplethattheytouched；atwhichmomenttheboycouldnotrepressastart；\'ifyouspeakawordwhenyou\'reouto\'doorswithme，exceptwhenIspeaktoyou，thatloadingwillbeinyourheadwithoutnotice。So，ifyouDOmakeupyourmindtospeakwithoutleave，sayyourprayersfirst。\'
Havingbestowedascowlupontheobjectofthiswarning，toincreaseitseffect，Mr。Sikescontinued。
\'AsnearasIknow，thereisn\'tanybodyaswouldbeaskingveryparticklerarteryou，ifyouWASdisposedof；soIneedn\'ttakethisdevil-and-alloftroubletoexplainmatterstoyou，ifitwarn\'tforyouowngood。D\'yehearme?\'
\'Theshortandthelongofwhatyoumean，\'saidNancy:speakingveryemphatically，andslightlyfrowningatOliverasiftobespeakhisseriousattentiontoherwords:\'is，thatifyou\'recrossedbyhiminthisjobyouhaveonhand，you\'llpreventhisevertellingtalesafterwards，byshootinghimthroughthehead，andwilltakeyourchanceofswingingforit，asyoudoforagreatmanyotherthingsinthewayofbusiness，everymonthofyourlife。\'
\'That\'sit！\'observedMr。Sikes，approvingly；\'womencanalwaysputthingsinfewestwords——Exceptwhenit\'sblowingup；andthentheylengthensitout。Andnowthathe\'sthoroughlyuptoit，let\'shavesomesupper，andgetasnoozebeforestarting。\'
Inpursuanceofthisrequest，Nancyquicklylaidthecloth；
disappearingforafewminutes，shepresentlyreturnedwithapotofporterandadishofsheep\'sheads:whichgaveoccasiontoseveralpleasantwitticismsonthepartofMr。Sikes，foundeduponthesingularcoincidenceof\'jemmies\'beingacanname，commontothem，andalsotoaningeniousimplementmuchusedinhisprofession。Indeed，theworthygentleman，stimulatedperhapsbytheimmediateprospectofbeingonactiveservice，wasingreatspiritsandgoodhumour；inproofwhereof，itmaybehereremarked，thathehumourouslydrankallthebeeratadraught，anddidnotutter，onaroughcalculation，morethanfour-scoreoathsduringthewholeprogressofthemeal。
Supperbeingended——itmaybeeasilyconceivedthatOliverhadnogreatappetiteforit——Mr。Sikesdisposedofacoupleofglassesofspiritsandwater，andthrewhimselfonthebed；orderingNancy，withmanyimprecationsincaseoffailure，tocallhimatfiveprecisely。Oliverstretchedhimselfinhisclothes，bycommandofthesameauthority，onamattressuponthefloor；andthegirl，mendingthefire，satbeforeit，inreadinesstorousethemattheappointedtime。
ForalongtimeOliverlayawake，thinkingitnotimpossiblethatNancymightseekthatopportunityofwhisperingsomefurtheradvice；butthegirlsatbroodingoverthefire，withoutmoving，savenowandthentotrimthelight。Wearywithwatchingandanxiety，heatlengthfellasleep。
Whenheawoke，thetablewascoveredwithtea-things，andSikeswasthrustingvariousarticlesintothepocketsofhisgreat-coat，whichhungoverthebackofachair。Nancywasbusilyengagedinpreparingbreakfast。Itwasnotyetdaylight；
forthecandlewasstillburning，anditwasquitedarkoutside。
Asharprain，too，wasbeatingagainstthewindow-panes；andtheskylookedblackandcloudy。
\'Now，then！\'growledSikes，asOliverstartedup；\'half-pastfive！Looksharp，oryou\'llgetnobreakfast；forit\'slateasitis。\'
Oliverwasnotlonginmakinghistoilet；havingtakensomebreakfast，herepliedtoasurlyinquiryfromSikes，bysayingthathewasquiteready。
Nancy，scarcelylookingattheboy，threwhimahandkerchieftotieroundhisthroat；Sikesgavehimalargeroughcapetobuttonoverhisshoulders。Thusattired，hegavehishandtotherobber，who，merelypausingtoshowhimwithamenacinggesturethathehadthatsamepistolinaside-pocketofhisgreat-coat，claspeditfirmlyinhis，and，exchangingafarewellwithNancy，ledhimaway。
Oliverturned，foraninstant，whentheyreachedthedoor，inthehopeofmeetingalookfromthegirl。Butshehadresumedheroldseatinfrontofthefire，andsat，perfectlymotionlessbeforeit。
CHAPTERXXI
THEEXPEDITION
Itwasacheerlessmorningwhentheygotintothestreet；blowingandraininghard；andthecloudslookingdullandstormy。Thenighthadbeenverywet:largepoolsofwaterhadcollectedintheroad:andthekennelswereoverflowing。Therewasafaintglimmeringofthecomingdayinthesky；butitratheraggrevatedthanrelievedthegloomofthescene:thesombrelightonlyservingtopalethatwhichthestreetlampsafforded，withoutsheddinganywarmerorbrightertintsuponthewethouse-tops，anddrearystreets。Thereappearedtobenobodystirringinthatquarterofthetown；thewindowsofthehouseswereallcloselyshut；andthestreetsthroughwhichtheypassed，werenoiselessandempty。
BythetimetheyhadturnedintotheBethnalGreenRoad，thedayhadfairlybeguntobreak。Manyofthelampswerealreadyextinguished；afewcountrywaggonswereslowlytoilingon，towardsLondon；nowandthen，astage-coach，coveredwithmud，rattledbrisklyby:thedriverbestowing，ashepassed，andadmonitorylashupontheheavywaggonerwho，bykeepingonthewrongsideoftheroad，hadendangeredhisarrivingattheoffice，aquarterofaminuteafterhistime。Thepublic-houses，withgas-lightsburninginside，werealreadyopen。Bydegrees，othershopsbegantobeunclosed，andafewscatteredpeopleweremetwith。Then，camestragglinggroupsoflabourersgoingtotheirwork；then，menandwomenwithfish-basketsontheirheads；
donkey-cartsladenwithvegetables；chaise-cartsfilledwithlive-stockorwholecarcassesofmeat；milk-womenwithpails；anunbrokenconcourseofpeople，trudgingoutwithvarioussuppliestotheeasternsuburbsofthetown。AstheyapproachedtheCity，thenoiseandtrafficgraduallyincreased；whentheythreadedthestreetsbetweenShoreditchandSmithfield，ithadswelledintoaroarofsoundandbustle。Itwasaslightasitwaslikelytobe，tillnightcameonagain，andthebusymorningofhalftheLondonpopulationhadbegun。
TurningdownSunStreetandCrownStreet，andcrossingFinsburysquare，Mr。Sikesstruck，bywayofChiswellStreet，intoBarbican:thenceintoLongLane，andsointoSmithfield；fromwhichlatterplacearoseatumultofdiscordantsoundsthatfilledOliverTwistwithamazement。
Itwasmarket-morning。Thegroundwascovered，nearlyankle-deep，withfilthandmire；athicksteam，perpetuallyrisingfromthereekingbodiesofthecattle，andminglingwiththefog，whichseemdtorestuponthechimney-tops，hungheavilyabove。Allthepensinthecentreofthelargearea，andasmanytemporarypensascouldbecrowdedintothevacantspace，werefilledwithsheep；tieduptopostsbytheguttersidewerelonglinesofbeastsandoxen，threeorfourdeep。Countrymen，butchers，drovers，hawkers，boys，thieves，idlers，andvagabondsofeverylowgrade，weremingledtogetherinamass；thewhistlingofdrovers，thebarkingdogs，thebellowingandplungingoftheoxen，thebleatingofsheep，thegruntingandsqueakingofpigs，thecriesofhawkers，theshouts，oaths，andquarrellingonallsides；theringingofbellsandroarofvoices，thatissuedfromeverypublic-house；thecrowding，pushing，driving，beating，whoopingandyelling；thehideousanddiscordantdimthatresoundedfromeverycornerofthemarket；
andtheunwashed，unshaven，squalid，anddirtyfiguesconstantlyrunningtoandfro，andburstinginandoutofthethrong；
rendereditastunningandbewilderingscene，whichquiteconfoundedthesenses。
Mr。Sikes，draggingOliverafterhim，elbowedhiswaythroughthethickestofthecrowd，andbestowedverylittleattentiononthenumeroussightsandsounds，whichsoastonishedtheboy。Henodded，twiceorthrice，toapassingfriend；and，resistingasmanyinvitationstotakeamorningdram，pressedsteadilyonward，untiltheywereclearoftheturmoil，andhadmadetheirwaythroughHosierLaneintoHolborn。
\'Now，young\'un！\'saidSikes，lookingupattheclockofSt。
Andrew\'sChurch，\'harduponseven！youmuststepout。Come，don\'tlagbehindalready，Lazy-legs！\'
Mr。Sikesaccompaniedthisspeechwithajerkathislittlecompanion\'swrist；Oliver，quickeninghispaceintoakindoftrotbetweenafastwalkandarun，keptupwiththerapidstridesofthehouse-breakeraswellashecould。
Theyheldtheircourseatthisrate，untiltheyhadpassedHydeParkcorner，andwereontheirwaytoKensington:whenSikesrelaxedhispace，untilanemptycartwhichwasatsomelittledistancebehind，cameup。Seeing\'Hounslow\'writtenonit，heaskedthedriverwithasmuchcivilityashecouldassume，ifhewouldgivethemaliftasfarasIsleworth。
\'Jumpup，\'saidtheman。\'Isthatyourboy?\'
\'Yes；he\'smyboy，\'repliedSikes，lookinghardatOliver，andputtinghishandabstractedlyintothepocketwherethepistolwas。
\'Yourfatherwalksrathertooquickforyou，don\'the，myman?\'
inquiredthedriver:seeingthatOliverwasoutofbreath。
\'Notabitofit，\'repliedSikes，interposing。\'He\'susedtoit。
Here，takeholdofmyhand，Ned。Inwithyou！\'
ThusaddressingOliver，hehelpedhimintothecart；andthedriver，pointingtoaheapofsacks，toldhimtoliedownthere，andresthimself。
Astheypassedthedifferentmile-stones，Oliverwondered，moreandmore，wherehiscompanionmeanttotakehim。Kensington，Hammersmith，Chiswick，KewBridge，Brentford，wereallpassed；
andyettheywentonassteadilyasiftheyhadonlyjustbeguntheirjourney。Atlength，theycametoapublic-housecalledtheCoachandHorses；alittlewaybeyondwhich，anotherroadappearedtorunoff。Andhere，thecartstopped。
Sikesdismountedwithgreatprecipitation，holdingOliverbythehandallthewhile；andliftinghimdowndirectly，bestowedafuriouslookuponhim，andrappedtheside-pocketwithhisfist，inasignificantmanner。
\'Good-bye，boy，\'saidtheman。
\'He\'ssulky，\'repliedSikes，givinghimashake；\'he\'ssulky。A
youngdog！Don\'tmindhim。\'
\'NotI！\'rejoinedtheother，gettingintohiscart。\'It\'safineday，afterall。\'Andhedroveaway。
Sikeswaiteduntilhehadfairlygone；andthen，tellingOliverhemightlookabouthimifhewanted，onceagainledhimonwardonhisjourney。
Theyturnedroundtotheleft，ashortwaypastthepublic-house；
andthen，takingaright-handroad，walkedonforalongtime:
passingmanylargegardensandgentlemen\'shousesonbothsidesoftheway，andstoppingfornothingbutalittlebeer，untiltheyreachedatown。Hereagainstthewallofahouse，Oliversawwrittenupinprettylargeletters，\'Hampton。\'Theylingeredabout，inthefields，forsomehours。Atlengththeycamebackintothetown；and，turningintoanoldpublic-housewithadefacedsign-board，orderedsomedinnerbythekitchenfire。
Thekitchenwasanold，low-roofedroom；withagreatbeamacrossthemiddleoftheceiling，andbenches，withhighbackstothem，bythefire；onwhichwereseatedseveralroughmeninsmock-frocks，drinkingandsmoking。TheytooknonoticeofOliver；andverylittleofSikes；and，asSikestookverylittlenoticeofthe，heandhisyoungcomradesatinacornerbythemselves，withoutbeingmuchtroubledbytheircompany。
Theyhadsomecoldmeatfordinner，andsatsolongafterit，whileMr。Sikesindulgedhimselfwiththreeorfourpipes，thatOliverbegantofeelquitecertaintheywerenotgoinganyfurther。Beingmuchtiredwiththewalk，andgettingupsoearly，hedozedalittleatfirst；then，quiteoverpoweredbyfatigueandthefumesofthetobacco，fellasleep。
ItwasquitedarkwhenhewasawakenedbyapushfromSikes。
Rousinghimselfsufficientlytositupandlookabouthim，hefoundthatworthyinclosefellowshipandcommunicationwithalabouringman，overapintofale。
\'So，you\'regoingontoLowerHalliford，areyou?\'inquiredSikes。
\'Yes，Iam，\'repliedtheman，whoseemedalittletheworse——orbetter，asthecasemightbe——fordrinking；\'andnotslowaboutitneither。Myhorsehasn\'tgotaloadbehindhimgoingback，ashehadcomingupinthemornin\'；andhewon\'tbelonga-doingofit。Here\'slucktohim。Ecod！he\'sagood\'un！\'
\'Couldyougivemyboyandmealiftasfarasthere?\'demandedSikes，pushingthealetowardshisnewfriend。
\'Ifyou\'regoingdirectly，Ican，\'repliedtheman，lookingoutofthepot。\'AreyougoingtoHalliford?\'
\'GoingontoShepperton，\'repliedSikes。
\'I\'myourman，asfarasIgo，\'repliedtheother。\'Isallpaid，Becky?\'
\'Yes，theothergentleman\'spaid，\'repliedthegirl。
\'Isay！\'saidtheman，withtipsygravity；\'thatwon\'tdo，youknow。\'
\'Whynot?\'rejoinedSikes。\'You\'rea-goingtoaccommodateus，andwot\'stopreventmystandingtreatforapintorso，inreturn?\'
Thestrangerreflecteduponthisargument，withaveryprofoundface；havingdoneso，heseizedSikesbythehand:anddeclaredhewasarealgoodfellow。TowhichMr。Sikesreplied，hewasjoking；as，ifhehadbeensober，therewouldhavebeenstrongreasontosupposehewas。
Aftertheexchangeofafewmorecompliments，theybadethecompanygood-night，andwentout；thegirlgatheringupthepotsandglassesastheydidso，andloungingouttothedoor，withherhandsfull，toseethepartystart。
Thehorse，whosehealthhadbeendrunkinhisabsence，wasstandingoutside:readyharnessedtothecart。OliverandSikesgotinwithoutanyfurtherceremony；andthemantowhomhebelonged，havinglingeredforaminuteortwo\'tobearhimup，\'
andtodefythehostlerandtheworldtoproducehisequal，mountedalso。Then，thehostlerwastoldtogivethehorsehishead；and，hisheadbeinggivenhim，hemadeaveryunpleasantuseofit:tossingitintotheairwithgreatdisdain，andrunningintotheparlourwindowsovertheway；afterperformingthosefeats，andsupportinghimselfforashorttimeonhishind-legs，hestartedoffatgreatspeed，andrattledoutofthetownrightgallantly。
Thenightwasverydark。Adampmistrosefromtheriver，andthemarshygroundabout；andspreaditselfoverthedrearyfields。Itwaspiercingcold，too；allwasgloomyandblack。
Notawordwasspoken；forthedriverhadgrownsleepy；andSikeswasinnomoodtoleadhimintoconversation。Oliversathuddledtogether，inacornerofthecart；bewilderedwithalarmandapprehension；andfiguringstrangeobjectsinthegaunttrees，whosebrancheswavedgrimlytoandfro，asifinsomefantasticjoyatthedesolationofthescene。
AstheypassedSunburyChurch，theclockstruckseven。Therewasalightintheferry-housewindowopposite:whichstreamedacrosstheroad，andthrewintomoresombreshadowadarkyew-treewithgravesbeneathit。Therewasadullsoundoffallingwaternotfaroff；andtheleavesoftheoldtreestirredgentlyinthenightwind。Itseemedlikequietmusicforthereposeofthedead。
Sunburywaspassedthrough，andtheycameagainintothelonelyroad。Twoorthreemilesmore，andthecartstopped。Sikesalighted，tookOliverbythehand，andtheyonceagainwalkedon。
TheyturnedintonohouseatShepperton，asthewearyboyhadexpected；butstillkeptwalkingon，inmudanddarkness，throughgloomylanesandovercoldopenwastes，untiltheycamewithinsightofthelightsofatownatnogreatdistance。Onlookingintentlyforward，Oliversawthatthewaterwasjustbelowthem，andthattheywerecomingtothefootofabridge。
Sikeskeptstraighton，untiltheywerecloseuponthebridge；
thenturnedsuddenlydownabankupontheleft。
\'Thewater！\'thoughtOliver，turningsickwithfear。\'Hehasbroughtmetothislonelyplacetomurderme！\'
Hewasabouttothrowhimselfontheground，andmakeonestruggleforhisyounglife，whenhesawthattheystoodbeforeasolitaryhouse:allruinousanddecayed。Therewasawindowoneachsideofthedilapidatedentrance；andonestoryabove；butnolightwasvisible。Thehousewasdark，dismantled:andtheallappearance，uninhabited。
Sikes，withOliver\'shandstillinhis，softlyapproachedthelowporch，andraisedthelatch。Thedooryieldedtothepressure，andtheypassedintogether。
CHAPTERXXII
THEBURGLARY
\'Hallo！\'criedaloud，hoarsevoice，assoonastheysetfootinthepassage。
\'Don\'tmakesucharow，\'saidSikes，boltingthedoor。\'Showaglim，Toby。\'
\'Aha！mypal！\'criedthesamevoice。\'Aglim，Barney，aglim！
Showthegentlemanin，Barney；wakeupfirst，ifconvenient。\'
Thespeakerappearedtothrowaboot-jack，orsomesucharticle，atthepersonheaddressed，torousehimfromhisslumbers:forthenoiseofawoodenbody，fallingviolently，washeard；andthenanindistinctmuttering，asofamanbetweensleepandawake。
\'Doyouhear?\'criedthesamevoice。\'There\'sBillSikesinthepassagewithnobodytodotheciviltohim；andyousleepingthere，asifyoutooklaudanumwithyourmeals，andnothingstronger。Areyouanyfreshernow，ordoyouwanttheironcandlesticktowakeyouthoroughly?\'
Apairofslipshodfeetshuffled，hastily，acrossthebareflooroftheroom，asthisinterrogatorywasput；andthereissued，fromadoorontherighthand；first，afeeblecandle:andnext，theformofthesameindividualwhohasbeenheretoforedescribedaslabouringundertheinfirmityofspeakingthroughhisnose，andofficiatingaswaiteratthepublic-houseonSaffronHill。
\'BisterSikes！\'exclaimedBarney，withrealorcounterfeitjoy；
\'cubid，sir；cubid。\'
\'Here！yougetonfirst，\'saidSikes，puttingOliverinfrontofhim。\'Quicker！orIshalltreaduponyourheels。\'
Mutteringacurseuponhistardiness，SikespushedOliverbeforehim；andtheyenteredalowdarkroomwithasmokyfire，twoorthreebrokenchairs，atable，andaveryoldcouch:onwhich，withhislegsmuchhigherthanhishead，amanwasreposingatfulllength，smokingalongclaypipe。Hewasdressedinasmartly-cutsnuff-colouredcoat，withlargebrassbuttons；anorangeneckerchief；acoarse，staring，shawl-patternwaistcoat；
anddrabbreeches。Mr。Crackitforheitwashadnoverygreatquantityofhair，eitheruponhisheadorface；butwhathehad，wasofareddishdye，andtorturedintolongcorkscrewcurls，throughwhichheoccasionallythrustsomeverydirtyfingers，ornamentedwithlargecommonrings。Hewasatrifleabovethemiddlesize，andapparentlyratherweakinthelegs；butthiscircumstancebynomeansdetractedfromhisownadmirationofhistop-boots，whichhecontemplated，intheirelevatedsituation，withlivelysatisfaction。
\'Bill，myboy！\'saidthisfigure，turninghisheadtowardsthedoor，\'I\'mgladtoseeyou。Iwasalmostafraidyou\'dgivenitup:inwhichcaseIshouldhavemadeapersonalwentur。Hallo！\'
Utteringthisexclamationinatoneofgreatsurprise，ashiseyesrestedonOliver，Mr。TobyCrackitbroughthimselfintoasittingposture，anddemandedwhothatwas。
\'Theboy。Onlytheboy！\'repliedSikes，drawingachairtowardsthefire。
\'WudofBisterFagid\'slads，\'exclaimedBarney，withagrin。
\'Fagin\'s，eh！\'exclaimedToby，lookingatOliver。\'Wotaninwalableboythat\'llmake，fortheoldladies\'pocketsinchapels！Hismugisafortin\'tohim。\'
\'There——there\'senoughofthat，\'interposedSikes，impatiently；
andstoopingoverhisrecumbantfriend，hewhisperedafewwordsinhisear:atwhichMr。Crackitlaughedimmensely，andhonouredOliverwithalongstareofastonishment。
\'Now，\'saidSikes，asheresumedhisseat，\'ifyou\'llgiveussomethingtoeatanddrinkwhilewe\'rewaiting，you\'llputsomeheartinus；orinme，atallevents。Sitdownbythefire，younker，andrestyourself；foryou\'llhavetogooutwithusagainto-night，thoughnotveryfaroff。\'
OliverlookedatSikes，inmuteandtimidwonder；anddrawingastooltothefire，satwithhisachingheaduponhishands，scarecelyknowingwherehewas，orwhatwaspassingaroundhim。
\'Here，\'saidToby，astheyoungJewplacedsomefragmentsoffood，andabottleuponthetable，\'Successtothecrack！\'Herosetohonourthetoast；and，carefullydepositinghisemptypipeinacorner，advancedtothetable，filledaglasswithspirits，anddrankoffitscontents。Mr。Sikesdidthesame。
\'Adrainfortheboy，\'saidToby，half-fillingawine-glass。
\'Downwithit，innocence。\'
\'Indeed，\'saidOliver，lookingpiteouslyupintotheman\'sface；
\'indeed，I——\'
\'Downwithit！\'echoedToby。\'DoyouthinkIdon\'tknowwhat\'sgoodforyou?Tellhimtodrinkit，Bill。\'
\'Hehadbetter！\'saidSikesclappinghishanduponhispocket。
\'Burnmybody，ifheisn\'tmoretroublethanawholefamilyofDodgers。Drinkit，youperwerseimp；drinkit！\'
Frightenedbythemenacinggesturesofthetwomen，Oliverhastilyswallowedthecontentsoftheglass，andimmediatelyfellintoaviolentfitofcoughing:whichdelightedTobyCrackitandBarney，andevendrewasmilefromthesurlyMr。Sikes。
Thisdone，andSikeshavingsatisfiedhisappetiteOlivercouldeatnothingbutasmallcrustofbreadwhichtheymadehimswallow，thetwomenlaidthemselvesdownonchairsforashortnap。Oliverretainedhisstoolbythefire；Barneywrappedinablanket，stretchedhimselfonthefloor:closeoutsidethefender。
Theyslept，orappearedtosleep，forsometime；nobodystirringbutBarney，whoroseonceortwicetothrowcoalsonthefire。
Oliverfellintoaheavydoze:imagininghimselfstrayingalongthegloomylanes，orwanderingaboutthedarkchurchyard，orretracingsomeoneorotherofthescenesofthepastday:whenhewasrousedbyTobyCrackitjumpingupanddeclaringitwashalf-pastone。
Inaninstant，theothertwowereontheirlegs，andallwereactivelyengagedinbusypreparation。Sikesandhiscompanionenvelopedtheirnecksandchinsinlargedarkshawls，anddrewontheirgreat-coats；Barney，openingacupboard，broughtforthseveralarticles，whichhehastilycrammedintothepockets。
\'Barkersforme，Barney，\'saidTobyCrackit。
\'Heretheyare，\'repliedBarney，producingapairofpistols。
\'Youloadedthemyourself。\'
\'Allright！\'repliedToby，stowingthemaway。\'Thepersuaders?\'
\'I\'vegot\'em，\'repliedSikes。
\'Crape，keys，centre-bits，darkies——nothingforgotten?\'inquiredToby:fasteningasmallcrowbartoaloopinsidetheskirtofhiscoat。
\'Allright，\'rejoinedhiscompanion。\'Bringthembitsoftimber，Barney。That\'sthetimeofday。\'
Withthesewords，hetookathickstickfromBarney\'shands，who，havingdeliveredanothertoToby，busiedhimselfinfasteningonOliver\'scape。
\'Nowthen！\'saidSikes，holdingouthishand。
Oliver:whowascompletelystupifiedbytheunwontedexercise，andtheair，andthedrinkwhichhadbeenforceduponhim:puthishandmechanicallyintothatwhichSikesextendedforthepurpose。
\'Takehisotherhand，Toby，\'saidSikes。\'Lookout，Barney。\'
Themanwenttothedoor，andreturnedtoannouncethatallwasquiet。ThetworobbersissuedforthwithOliverbetweenthem。
Barney，havingmadeallfast，rolledhimselfupasbefore，andwassoonasleepagain。
Itwasnowintenselydark。Thefogwasmuchheavierthanithadbeenintheearlypartofthenight；andtheatmospherewassodamp，that，althoughnorainfell，Oliver\'shairandeyebrows，withinafewminutesafterleavingthehouse，hadbecomestiffwiththehalf-frozenmoisturethatwasfloatingabout。Theycrossedthebridge，andkeptontowardsthelightswhichhehadseenbefore。Theywereatnogreatdistanceoff；and，astheywalkedprettybriskly，theysoonarrivedatChertsey。
\'Slapthroughthetown，\'whisperedSikes；\'there\'llbenobodyintheway，to-night，toseeus。\'
Tobyacquiesced；andtheyhurriedthroughthemainstreetofthelittletown，whichatthatlatehourwaswhollydeserted。Adimlightshoneatintervalsfromsomebed-roomwindow；andthehoarsebarkingofdogsoccasionallybrokethesilenceofthenight。Buttherewasnobodyabroad。Theyhadclearedthetown，asthechurch-bellstrucktwo。
Quickeningtheirpace，theyturneduparoaduponthelefthand。
Afterwalkingaboutaquarterofamile，theystoppedbeforeadetachedhousesurroundedbyawall:tothetopofwhich，TobyCrackit，scarcelypausingtotakebreath，climbedinatwinkling。
\'Theboynext，\'saidToby。\'Hoisthimup；I\'llcatchholdofhim。\'
BeforeOliverhadtimetolookround，Sikeshadcaughthimunderthearms；andinthreeorfoursecondsheandTobywerelyingonthegrassontheotherside。Sikesfolloweddirectly。Andtheystolecautiouslytowardsthehouse。
Andnow，forthefirsttime，Oliver，well-nighmadwithgriefandterror，sawthathousebreakingandrobbery，ifnotmurder，weretheobjectsoftheexpedition。Heclaspedhishandstogether，andinvoluntarilyutteredasubduedexclamationofhorror。A
mistcamebeforehiseyes；thecoldsweatstooduponhisashyface；hislimbsfailedhim；andhesankuponhisknees。
\'Getup！\'murmuredSikes，tremblingwithrage，anddrawingthepistolfromhispocket；\'Getup，orI\'llstrewyourbrainsuponthegrass。\'
\'Oh！forGod\'ssakeletmego！\'criedOliver；\'letmerunawayanddieinthefields。IwillnevercomenearLondon；never，never！Oh！prayhavemercyonme，anddonotmakemesteal。FortheloveofallthebrightAngelsthatrestinHeaven，havemercyuponme！\'
Themantowhomthisappealwasmade，sworeadreadfuloath，andhadcockedthepistol，whenToby，strikingitfromhisgrasp，placedhishandupontheboy\'smouth，anddraggedhimtothehouse。
\'Hush！\'criedtheman；\'itwon\'tanswerhere。Sayanotherword，andI\'lldoyourbusinessmyselfwithacrackonthehead。Thatmakesnonoise，andisquiteascertain，andmoregenteel。Here，Bill，wrenchtheshutteropen。He\'sgameenoughnow，I\'llengage。I\'veseenolderhandsofhisagetookthesameway，foraminuteortwo，onacoldnight。\'
Sikes，invokingterrificimprecationsuponFagin\'sheadforsendingOliveronsuchanerrand，pliedthecrowbarvigorously，butwithlittlenoise。Aftersomedelay，andsomeassistancefromToby，theshuttertowhichhehadreferred，swungopenonitshinges。
Itwasalittlelatticewindow，aboutfivefeetandahalfabovetheground，atthebackofthehouse:whichbelongedtoascullery，orsmallbrewing-place，attheendofthepassage。Theaperturewassosmall，thattheinmateshadprobablynotthoughtitworthwhiletodefenditmoresecurely；butitwaslargeenoughtoadmitaboyofOliver\'ssize，nevertheless。AverybriefexerciseofMr。Sike\'sart，sufficedtoovercomethefasteningofthelattice；anditsoonstoodwideopenalso。
\'Nowlisten，youyounglimb，\'whisperedSikes，drawingadarklanternfromhispocket，andthrowingtheglarefullonOliver\'sface；\'I\'magoingtoputyouthroughthere。Takethislight；gosoftlyupthestepsstraightaforeyou，andalongthelittlehall，tothestreetdoor；unfastenit，andletusin。\'
\'There\'saboltatthetop，youwon\'tbeabletoreach，\'
interposedToby。\'Standupononeofthehallchairs。Therearethreethere，Bill，withajollylargeblueunicornandgoldpitchforkon\'em:whichistheoldlady\'sarms。\'
\'Keepquiet，can\'tyou?\'repliedSikes，withathreateninglook。