 Chapter number 25 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. This is LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Arthur Piantadosi. Chapter 25. Where in the history reverts to Mr. Fagin and company? While these things were passing in the country workhouse, Mr. Fagin sat in the old den, the stain from which Oliver had been removed by the girl, brooding over a dull, smoky fire. He held a pair of bellows upon his knee, with which he had apparently been endeavouring to rouse it into a more cheerful action. But he had fallen into deep thought and with his arms folded on them, and his chin resting on his thumbs, fixed his eyes abstractly on the rusty bars. At a table behind him sat the awful dodger, Master Charlie Bates and Mr. Chittling. All intent upon the game were wist, the awful taking dummy against Mr. Bates and Mr. Chittling. The countenance of the first-name gentlemen, particularly intelligent and all times, acquired great additional interest from his close observation of the game, as attentive perusal of Mr. Chittling's hand, upon which, from time to time, as occasions served, he bestowed a variety of instance glances, wisely regulating his own play by the result of his observations upon his neighbour's cards. It being a cold night, the odd dodger wore his hat, as indeed was often his custom within doors. He also sustained a clear pipe between his teeth, which he only removed for a brief space when it the end necessary applied for a refreshment to a cold pot upon the table, which stood ready a field with gin and water for the accommodation of the company. Master Bates was also attentive to the play, but being of a more excitable nature than his accomplished friend, it was observable that he more frequently applied himself to the gin and water, and moreover indulged in many jests and irrelevant marks, all highly unbecoming a scientific rubber. Indeed the artful, presuming upon their close attachments, more than once took occasion to reason gravely with his companion upon these improper ideas. All of which remonstrances Master Bates received in extremely good part, merely requesting his friend to blow, or to insert his head in a sack, or applying with some other neatly toned wisticism of a similar kind, the epileplication of which, inciting considerable aberration in the mind of Mr. Chittling, was remarkable that the later gentleman and his partner invariably lost, and that the circumstance so far from angering Master Bates appeared to have fought him the highest amusement. It is much as he laughed most uproariously at the end of every deal, and protested he had never seen such a totally game in all his born days. That's two doubles and a rope, as in Mr. Chittling with a very long face as he drew a half-crown from his waistcoat, poking, I never sees old fellas, you jock, you win everything, even when we've got cars, Charlie, and I can't make nothing of them. Either the master, or the manner of his remark, which was made very ruefully, delighted Charlie Bates so much, this consequent chat of laughter, rather than just a jewel for the most reverie, induced him to inquire what was the matter. Modify him, quite Charlie, I wish you'd want to play, Tommy Chittling hadn't worn a point, you know, white partners with him against the all-full and dorm. Ah! Ah! Ah! So the jewel with the grin, which sufficiently demonstrated that he wasn't at no loss to understand the reason. Try him again, Tom, try him again. Hey, Maureen, for me, don't you think it? Applied, Mr. Chittling. I've had enough, and yeah, daughter, such a run-and-lock, there is no standing against him. Ha-ha, my dear, applied the jewel, you must get up very early in the morning to win the given suit of church. Morning, said Charlie Bates, you won't put all your boots on overnight and have a telescope in each eye and an opera glass between your shoulders if you'll come over him. Mr. Dawkins received these handsome compliments with much philosophy, not for to cut any gentleman in company, for the first historical card at a shedding of time. Nobody had sifted the challenge and his pipe-being by this time smoked out. He proceeded to amuse himself by sketching a ground-plan of new-gate on the table with a piece of chalk which had served him in lieu of counters, whistling, meantime, with peculiar shrill-ness. I have precious dough, you all, Tommy! Said the Dodger, stopping short when there had been a long silence, saying, Mr. Chittling, what do you think he's thinking all fate in? How could I know, my dear? Applied the jewel, looking round as he applied the bellows, about his losses, maybe, or the latest little retirement in the country that he's just left. Ha-ha-ha! Is that it, my dear? No, bit of it! Applied the Dodger, stopping the subject of this course, as Mr. Chittling is about to reply. What will you say, Charlie? I should say. Applied the best of beats with the green. His uncommon sweet-porn bapsy. See how he's a-blushing! Oh, my eye! Here's America rounder! Tommy Chittlin's in love! Oh, faggot! Faggot! What a spree! They're early overpowered with the notions of Mr. Chittling being the victim of a tender passion. Master Bates threw himself back in his chair with such violence, they'd lost his balance and pitched over upon the floor, where, the accident, abating nothing of his merriment. He lay at full length until his life was over, when he resumed his form of position and began another laugh. Never mind, and he, my dear, said the jewel winking at Mr. Huster Dawkins and giving Mr. Bates an uproving tap with the notions of betters. Bates is a fine girl. Stick up to her, Tom. Stick up to her! What I mean to say, Faggot! Applied Mr. Chittling, very variety in his face, is that there isn't anything dirty or boring here. No more it is, applied the jewel. Charlie will talk. Don't mind him, my dear. Don't mind him. Bates is a fine girl. Do as she pleads your Tom, and you will make your fortune. Sir, I do do as Mr. Bates may, applied Mr. Chittling. I shouldn't have been mirrored if it hadn't been for her advice, but it turned out a good job for you, didn't it, Faggot? And what six weeks of it? It most comes, some time and all that, and why not a minute and a time, when you don't want to go out walking as much, eh, Faggot? Ah, to be sure, my dear. Applied the jewel. You wouldn't mind it again, Tom, would you? Asked the dodger, winking upon Charlie and the jewel. If that was all right. I mean to say, though, shortened. Applied Tom angrily. Eh, now! Oh, who says more as hard as you like, no? Eh, Faggot? Nobody, my dear. Applied the jewel. Not a sale, Tom. I don't know what other move would do it besides you. Not one of them, my dear. I might go clear off and find a split of bone there, might not, Faggot. Angrily pursued the poor half-witted dup. A war from me would have done it, wouldn't it, Faggot? To be sure, it would, my dear. Applied the jewel. But I didn't blab it, you know, Faggot. Demanded Tom, pouring question upon question, with the ability. No, no, to be sure. Applied the jewel. You just tooth-stout hearted for that. Do you, tooth-stout, my dear? Props, I was, a-joined it, Tom, looking round. If I was, what's to laugh at? I mean, not a-faggot. A jewel, perceiving that Mr. Chittling was considerably roused, hastened to assure him that nobody was laughing, and to prove the gravity of the company appealed to Master Bates a principal offender. But, unfortunately, Charlie, in opening his mouth to reply that he was never more serious in his life, was unable to prevent the escape from such a violent role that the abuse Mr. Chittling, without any preliminary ceremony, was rushed across the room and aimed a blow at the offender, who, being skillful, innovating pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose his time so well that it lighted on the chest of the merry old gentleman and caused him to stagger to the wall. But he stood panting for breath, while Mr. Chittling looked on in intense dismay. Orc! cried the doger at this moment. Oh, the tingler! Batching up the night, he trapped softly upstairs. The bells rung again, ding-ding, with some impatience while the party was in darkness. After a short pause, the doger reappeared and whispered Fagin mysteriously, Orc! cried the doger alone. The doger knelted in the affirmation and, shading the light of a candle at his hand, gave Charlie Bates a private intimation in dumb show that he'd better not be funny just then. Having performed his friendly office, he fixed his eyes on the Jew's face and awaited it in directions. The old man bet his yellow fingers and meditated for several seconds, his face working with agitation for a while, as if he'd dreaded something and feared to know the worst, a length he raised his head. Where is he? he asked. The doger pointed to the floor or above and made a gesture as if to leave the room. Yes! that the Jew, answering a muting choir, had bring him down. Ush! choir, Charlie! Gently, Tom! Yes! scarce! His brief direction to Charlie Bates and his recent antagonist were softly and immediately obeyed. There was no sound of their whereabouts. When the doger descended the stairs, bearing the light in his hand and following it by a man and a coarse smock frock, after casting hurried glands around the room, pulled off a large wrapper which concealed the lower portion of his face. This closed, all haggard, unwashed and unsure of the features of flash to be a cracket. Oh, you faggot! So this worthy, norting, did you put that shawl away in my castle, doger, as you may know when I find it when I cut. That's a dumber day! You'll be a fine young quacksman of all the old vile now. With these words he pulled up a smock frock and winding it round his middle, drew a chair to the fire upon the hob. See there, faggot! He said, pointing discontent slowly to his top boot. No more drop on day and morn, see, do you know when? No more blah, blah, black-headed barge-hove. But don't look at me in that way, man. All in good time. I can't talk about business, do you love out-eaten drinks and produce your sostenance? Let's have a quiet fill-out for the first time in three days. A dune notion to the doger and to place what eatables there were upon the table, and seating himself opposite the house-breaker waited his leisure. At judge from the appearances, Turby was by no means in a hurry to open the conversation. At first the dune contented himself with patiently watching his countenance as if to gain from its expression some clues the intelligency brought, but in vain. He looked tired and worn, the same complacent repose upon his features that they always wore, and through dirt and beard and whisker they are still shorn, unimpaired, the self-satisfied smirk of flash Turby cracked. Then the jewel in an agonier of impatience watched every morsel he put into his mouth, hating up and down the room, meanwhile, in impressible excitement. It was all of no use. Turby continued to eat with the utmost outward indifference, until he could eat no more, then, ordering the dodger out, he closed the door, mixed a glass of white irrets and water, and composed himself for talking. First and foremost, baby! The dober? Yes, yes! He deposed the jewel drawing up his chair. Mr Crackett stopped to take a draw with the spirits and water, and declared that the gin was excellent. Then placing his feet up in the lower mantelpiece, so as to bring his boots to about the length of his eye, he quietly resumed, First and foremost, baby! Said the housebreaker, Housebell! What! Screamed the jewel, starting with his seat. Why, you don't mean to say. Again, Turby, turning pale. Meen! Cried the jewel, stamping furious on ground. Where are they? Sex and the boy! Where are they? Where have they been? Where are they hiding? Where have they not been here? The crop fails! Said Turby faintly. I know it! And applied the jewel, tearing a newspaper out of his pocket, pointing at it. What more? They fought and hit the boy. We cut away with the fields that embarked with him between us. They didn't glow flies. Raging ditch. They gave chase. Dom! The whole country was awoken. The dogs upon us. The boy! Bill had him on his back in school like wind. We spoke up to take him between the horses head on down. He was cold. They were close upon wall. He would have in mind for himself. And each one of the gallows. We pulled company. The young son lying in the ditch. Alive or dead. That's all I know about him. A Jew stopped here no more. But uttering a loud yell. And twining his hands in his hair. Rushed from the room. And from the house. End of chapter 25. Chapter number 26 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. This is LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Arthur Piantidosi. Chapter 26 In which a mysterious character appears upon the scene and many things inseparable from the his history are done and performed. The old man had gained the street corner before he began to recover the effect of Kobe Crackett's intelligence. He had relaxed nothing of his unusual speed but was still pressing onward in the same wild and disorgan-lord manner when the sudden dashing past of a carriage in a boisterous cry from the foot passengers who saw his danger drove him back upon the pavements. Avoiding, as much as was possible, all the main streets and skulls he owned through the byways and alleys he had length emerged on Snow Hill. Here he walked even faster than before no longer did he linger until he had again turned into a court. He was conscious that he was now in his proper element. He fell into his usual shuffling pace and seemed to breathe more freely. Near to the spot on which Snow Hill and whole-born hill-meat opens upon the right hand as you come out of the city an air-owned dismal alley leading to Saffron Hill. In its filthy shops are exposed for sale huge bunches of second-hand silk anchor-chiefs of all sizes and patterns inside the traders who purchase them from pickpockets. Hundreds of these anchor-chiefs hung dangling from pegs outside windows or flaunting from the doorposts the shells within a pile with them confined as the limits of few laner it has its barber its coffee shop its beer shop its fried fish warehouse it is a commercial colony of itself the Emporium of Petty Larsonie located at early morning and setting in of dusk by silent merchants who traffic in dark back parlours nor go words as strange as they come here the clothesmen the shoe-vambo the rag-merchant display their goods as sign-balls to the petty thief here stalls of old iron and bones and heaps of mildewed fragments of woolen stuff and linen rossed and wrought in the grimy cellars it was into this place that the Jew turned he was well known to the sallow denizens of the lane what roaches of them as were on the lookout to buy or sell knotted familiarly as he passed along he replied to their salutations in the same way he stowed no closer cognition until he reached the further end of the alley when he stopped to address the salesman of a small stature who had squeezed as much of his person into a child's chair as the chair would hold he was smoking a pipe at his warehouse door why does somebody must have vaguely old of uptown me to this respectable trader he would normally turn up the Jews in choir after his health the neighborhood was a little too hot lively said vaguely elevating his eyebrows and crossing his hands upon his shoulders what I've heard of that and playing a bit also twice before replied the trader but soon cools down again don't you follow it so Fagan knotted in the affirmative pointing in the direction of saffron he inquired whether any one was up yonder tonight or quibbles inquired the man that you knotted let me see as soon as the merchant reflecting yes there's something after all and I'm gone in at our nose I don't need your friends there sax is not a suppose inquired the Jew with a disappointed countenance nor need what ain't all sisters joy or say applied the little man checking his head looking amazingly sly are you going then in my line at night nothing tonight did the Jew turning away or are you going up with the cripple Svagan cried the little man going after him stop I want more if I have a drop bear we're here but as the Jew looking back waved his hand to intimate that he preferred being alone and moreover the little man could not very easily disengage himself from the chair the sign of the cripples was for a time the reft of the advantage of Mr. Lively as presence and the time he had got upon his legs the Jew had disappeared so Mr. Lively after ineffectually standing on tiptoe in the hope of catching sight of him again forced himself into the little chair and exchanged a shake of the head with the lady in the opposite shop his trust were plainly mingled his pipe with a grave demeanour the Cree Cripples or rather the Cripples which was a sign by which the establishment was familiarly known to its patrons was a public house in which Mr. Sykes and his dog Kevol were to figured merely making a sign to a man at the bar Fagan walked straight upstairs and opening the door of a room and softling and sinewating himself into the chamber looked anxiously about shading his eyes with his hand as if in search of some particular person the room was illuminated by two gas lights the glare of which was prevented by the bar shutters and the closely drawn curtains have faded red from being visible outside the ceiling was blackened to a prevented colour from being injured by the flaring of the lamps their place was so full of dense work that it was firstly possible to discern anything more by degrees however some of it cleared away through the open door and an assemblage of heads as confused as the north resist that rigid the air might be made out and as the eye grew more accustomed the spectator gradually became aware of the presence of a numerous company male and female crowded round a long table at the other end of which sat a chairman with a hammer of office hand while the professional gentleman with a bluish nose his face tied up for the benefit of a toothache presided to jingling piano in a remote corner as Fagan steps awfully in the professional gentleman running over the keys by way of prelude occasioned a general cry of order for a song which having subsided a young lady proceeded to entertain the company with a ballad in full verses between each of which the accompanies played the melody all through as loud as he could this was over the chairman gave a sentiment after which the professional gentleman on the chairman's right and left volunteer duet and sang it with great applause he was curious to observe some faces which stood out prominently from among the group there was the chairman himself the landlord of the house of course rough heavy billed fellow all the songs were proceeding rolled his eyes hither and thither and seemed to give himself up to giort the adit had adorned eye for everything that was done and an ear for everything that was said and sharp ones too near him were the singers receiving the professional indifference the compliments of the company and carrying themselves in turn to a dozen preferred glasses of spirit and water tendered by their more voice and manner as well as continences expressive almost every advice in almost every grade it's really attracted attention by their very repulsiveness cunning, ferocity and drunkenness in all its stages were there in their strongest aspect and women some were the last lingering tinge of the early freshness almost fading as you looked others with every mark and stamp of their sex suddenly beaten out but one loathsome blank approval would get see in crime some mere girls others but young women none has the prime of life formed the darkest and saddest portion of history at a picture Faye in troubled grave emotions looked eagerly from face to face while the proceedings were in progress but apparently without meeting that which he was in search succeeding at length in catching the eye of the man who occupied the chair he beckoned to him slightly and left the room as quietly as he had entered it what can I do for you Mr. Faye again inquired the man as he formed an amount in the eye and in dead where did you own us there'd been a lot every one of them the jewels shook his head and patiently said in a whisper easy no fly the man I know no rules about me inquired Faye no one applied that I know of the cripples thought it was he I won't stir till it's all safe a pin on it and all is set down there and that if he moved he'd blow up on me once he'd all right not Barney is and of course I should have heard him I'll pound it that Barney's mentioned properly I'm known for that will he be that's the jewel laying the same impetus on the pronoun as before Monks you me inquired the land lord as he did certain applied the man drawing a grey watch from his fob or speck me amir before now you wait ten minutes you'll be that's the jewel hastily as though however desirous he might be to see the person in question nevertheless relieved by his absence tell him I came to see him and that he must come to meet tonight no say tomorrow as he is not here tomorrow we'll be diving now go said the man not more not a word now so the jewel descending the stairs ah say so the other looking out with the snails and speaking all Swiss what time this will be for a cell all got feel bulky so drunk a bull might take him ah but it's not feel back as time the jewel looking up feel there's something more to do before we can afford to part with him so go back to the company my dear and tell them to lead merry lives while they last ah ah ah the landlord reciprocated the old man's laugh and returned to his guests the jewel was no sooner alone and his countenance was only its former inspiration of anxiety and thought after a breeze reaction he called a hack cabriolet and prayed the man drive toward Bethnal Green he just missed him within some quarter of a mile of Mr. Sykes residence and performed the old remainder of distance on foot now muttered the jewel as he knocked at the door if there is any play here and I shall like it out of you my girl cutting as you are she was in her room the woman said I encrapsly upstairs and entered without any previous ceremony the girl was alone lying with her head upon the table and her hair straggling over it she has been drinking thought the jewel coolie well perhaps she is only miserable the old man turned to close the door as he made it to this reflection and always thus occasioned to rouse the girl she eyed his crafty face narrowly as she inquired to his recital of Tobie Crackett's story when it was concluded she sank into a former attitude but spoke not a word she pushed the candle impatiently away and once or twice she favoured she changed her position shuffled her feet upon the ground but this was all during the silence the jewel looked restlessly around the room as did to assure himself that there was no appearances of Sykes having covertly returned apparently satisfied with his inspection he coughed once or twice and made as many efforts to open a conversation but the girl he did him no more than if he had been made of stone and lengthy made another attempt and rubbed his hands together said in his most conciliatory turn didn't we have the oath to think bill was now my dear the girl moaned out some half intelligible reply that she could not tell it seemed from a smothered noise at the skater to be crying the boy had to said the jewels straining his eyes to keep it in his other face poor little child left in a ditched dance only think the child said the girl suddenly going around it's better where he is than among us if no comorb comes to bill from it i hope he lies dead in the ditch and his young bones may rot there what are the jew and astonishment i are too i turn the girl meeting his gaze i shall be glad to have him away from my eyes and i know the worst is over i can't bear to have him about me the sight of him turns me against myself and all of you to the old self your drunk am i either bill bitterly it's no fault of yours if i am not you'd never get anything else if you had your will except now your humor doesn't suit you doesn't it no mind the jew furiously it does not change it then respond to the girl with a laugh change it explain the jew exasperated beyond all bounds by his companions and the vexation of the night i will change it listen to me who with six words can strangle psychs as surely as if i had his bull's throat between my fingers now if he comes back and leaves the boy i'm to him if he gets three and yet or alive fails to restore him to me murder him yourself if you have you have him escape jack catch and do it the moment he sits foot in this room or mind me it will be too late what is all this the girl involuntary what is all this pursued begin madly with rage where the boy is worth hundreds of pounds to me a mighty looms were chanced through me in the way of getting safely through the whims of a drunk and gang of agon whistled away the lives of and me bound to door born gavel early once a well and has the power to to panting for breath the old man stammered for a word and in that instant checked the torrent of his wrath and changed his old demeanor a moment before his clenched hands had grasped the air his eyes had looted and his lice gone livid with passion but now he shrunk into a chair and cowering together and trembled with the apprehension of having himself disclosed some hidden villainy after a short silence he ventured to look around as his companion he appeared somewhat reassured on holding her in the same listless attitude from which she had first roused her none said dear croaked the tune his usual voice did you mind me dear don't worry me now faking I'm glad the girl raising her head languidly if Bill has not done it this time he will another he has done many a good job for you and wills you many more when he can when he can't he won't so no more about that me counting this boy my dear to the jewel running the hall of his hands dorsely together the boy must take his chance with the all rest interupted seriously now I say again I hope he is dead note who runs away and note of yours that is if Bill comes to no harm don't we get clear all off Bill was pretty sure to be safe Bill was worth two Toby any time not about what I was saying my dear observe the jewel keeping a glistening eye steadily upon her you will almost say it all over again if it's anything you want me to do rejoin Nancy and if it is you'd better wait till tomorrow you may pull me up for a minute but now I'm stupid all again Vagan put several other questions all with the same drift of ascertaining whether the girl had profited by his unguarded hints but she answered them so readily and was whittled so utterly unmoved by his searching looks this original impression of her being more than a trifle in liquor was confirmed Nancy indeed was noted safe from a failing which was very common among the jewels female pupils in which their tenderer years they would be rather encouraged and checked a disordered appearance in a wholesale perfume of Geneva which pervaded the apartment fooled it strong for inflammatory evidence of the justice of the Jew's supposition and when after indulging in a temporary display of violence above described she is subsided first into dullness and afterwards into a compound of feelings under the influence of which she chaired tears one minute and in the next gave utterance explanations of never say die and die of as conagulations as to what might be the outmount for all so long as then all the old gentleman was happy Nester Fagan who had a considerable experience of such matters in his time saw with great dissatisfaction that she was very gargoyle indeed having eased his mind today this discovery and having accomplished his two-fold object of imparting to the girl what he had that night heard and of his ascertaining with his own eyes Nester Fagan again turned his face homeward leaving his young friend asleep with a head upon the table he was once within an hour of midnight the weather being dark and piercing cold he had no great temptation to loiter a sharp wind that scarred the street seemed to have cleared that of passengers as if dust and mud for few people were abroad and they were all at all appearance hasting fast home it blew from the right course for the Jew however and straight before it he went trembling and shivering as every fresh gust drove him rudely on his way he reached the corner of his own street and was already fumbling in his pocket for the door key when a dark finger emerged from ejecting entrance which earlier deep shadow and crossing the road glided up to him unperceived whispered a voice cursed with ear ah the Jew turning quick around is that interrupted stranger I have been lingering here these two hours where the devil have you been on your business my dear applied the Jew dancing and easily at his companion and slackening his pace as he spoke on your business all night oh of course with a stranger with a sneer well and what come of it nothing good to the Jew nothing bad I hope to the stranger stopping short and turning a start a look on his companion the Jew shook his head and was about to reply when the stranger interrupting a motion to the house before which they had by this time arrived remarking that he had better say what he had got to say under cover for his blood was chilled with standing about so long and the wind blew through him Megan looked as if he could willingly excuse himself from taking home a visitor at that unseasonable hour and indeed he said something about having no fire but his companion in repeating his request in crematory manner he unlocked the door and requested him to close it softly well he got a light it's as dark as the grave so the man gripping forward a few steps make haste shut the door it's been fagin from the end of the passage as he spoke he closed with her out noise it wasn't my doing to the other man feeling his way the wind blew it too on which shot of its own occurred one way or the other looked sharp with the light on I shall knock my brains out against something in this confounded hole fagin stealthily descended the kitchen stairs after a short absence he returned with a lighted candle in the intelligence the toby crack it was asleep in the back room below and yet the boys were in the front run beckoning the men to follow him he led the way upstairs we conserved a few words we got to say in here my dear as the Jew throwing open a door on the first floor and as there are holes in the shuttles and we never show lights to our neighbours we will set the candle on the stairs there in his words the Jew stooping down placed the candle on an upper flight of stairs exactly opposite to the room door this done he led the way into the apartment which was a destitute of all rules save a broken armchair and an old couch or sofa without covering which stood beyond the door upon this piece of furniture the stranger sat himself with the air of a weary man the Jew drawing up the armchair opposite and face to face it was not quite dark the door was partially open and the candle outside threw a feeble reflection on the opposite wall they conversed for some time in whispers though nothing of the conversation was distinguishable beyond a few disjointed words here and there the listener might easily have perceived that Fagan appeared to be defending himself against some remarks for stranger but there later was in his state a little irritation they might have been talking thus for a quarter of an hour or more when monks by which name the Jew would designate the strange man several times in the course of this cornerquay said raising his voice a little I tell you it was badly planned why not have co-opt him here among the rest and made a sneaking sniveling pickpocket of him as once to hear him exclaimed the Jew shrugging his shoulders why do you mean to say you couldn't have done it if you had chosen demanded monk's turn haven't you done it with other boys schools of times if you would have patience for a 12 month that monk couldn't have got him convicted and sent safely out of the kingdom perhaps for life whose turn would that serve my dear inquire the Jew humbly MINE the guide monks but not mine so the Jews submissibly he might have become of use to me when there are two parties to embark on it is only reasonable that the interest of both shall be consulted is it my good friend what then demanded monks I thought it was not easy to train him for the business replied the Jew he was not like other boys in the same circumstances Curse him now mother the man all would have been a thief long ago I had no hope upon him to make him worse but so the Jew anxiously watching the countenance of his companion his hand was not in I had nothing to frighten him with which we almost must have in the beginning or we labour in vain what could I do send him out with the doger and Charlie we had enough of that at first my dear I trembled for us all that was not my doing absurd monks no, no my dear renew the Jew and I don't quarrel with it now because if it had never happened you might never have cracked eyes on the boy to notice him and so led to the discovery that it was him you were looking for well I got him back for you by means of the girl and then she began favouring throttle the girl said monks impatiently why we can't do that just now my dear applied the Jew's smiling besides that sort of thing is not our way or one of these days I might be glad to have it done I know what these girls are monks well as soon as the boy begins to harden she'll care no more for him than for a block of wood you want him made of thief if he is alive I could make him one from this time and if if said the Jew drawing near to the other it's not likely mine but it's the worst comes to worst and he is dead it's no fault of mine if he is and to pose the other man with a look of terror and casping the Jew's arm with trembling hands mind that thing again I had no hand in it anything but his death I told you from the first I won't shed blood it's always found out on some man besides if they shot him dead I was not the cause do you hear me fire is internal den what either Jew grasping a card around the body with both arms as he sprung to his feet where yonder applied the man glaring at the opposite wall the shadow I saw the shadow of a woman a cloak and bonnet pass along the wings caught like a breath the Jew released his hold and they rushed to multi-slave from the room the candle wasted by the draw was standing where it had been placed it showed them only the empty staircase and their own white faces they listened intently a profound silence reigned throughout the house it's your fancy so the Jew taking up the light and turning to his companion I swear I saw it replied young trembling he was bending forward whenever I saw it first and when he spoke he darted away a Jew glanced contemptuously at his associate and telling him he could follow if he pleased descended the stairs he looked into all the rooms they were cold, bare and empty and descended into the passage and then into the cellars below green damp hung upon the low walls the tracks of his snail and the slug glistened in the light of the candle but all was still as death what do I think now so the Jew and they'd regain the passage besides ourselves there's not a creature in the house it's a Tobian and the boys and they are safe enough see here as a proof of the fact the Jew drew forth two keys for his pocket and explained that when he first went downstairs he'd locked them in to prevent any intrusion on the conference this accumulated testimony effectually staggered Mr. Monks his prostitutions had gradually become an experiment as they proceeded in their search without making him discovery and now he gave vent to several very grim laughs and first it could only have been his incited imagination he declined any renewal of the conversation however for that night no one remembering that it was past one o'clock and so the amiable couple parted End of Chapter 26 Chapter 27 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Arthur Piantodosi Chapter 27 atones for the unpoliteness of a formal chapter which deserted a lady most unceremoniously as it would be by no means seemingly in a humble author to take so mighty a personage as a beetle waiting with his back to the fire and the skirts of his coat gathered up under his arms under such time as it might suit his pleasure to relieve him and as it would still thus become his station or his gallantry to involve the same neglect lady on whom the beetle had looked with an eye of tenderness and affection and in whose ear it whispered sweet words which coming from such a quarter might well thrill the bosom of maid or matron of whatsoever degree historian whose pen traces these words trusting that he knows his place and that he entertains the becoming reverence for those upon earth to whom high and important authority is delegated hastens to pay them that respect which their position demands and to treat them with all that do just court remony which is their exalted rank and by consequence great virtues imperatively claim at his hands toward this end indeed he had purported to introduce in this place a dissertation touching the divine right of beetles an elucidative of the position that a beetle can do no wrong which could not fail to have been both pleasurable and profitable to the right-minded reader but which he is unfortunately impelled by want of space and time to postpone some more convenient and fitting opportunity on the arrival of which he will be prepared to show that a beetle probably constituted that is to say a parochial beetle attached to a parochial workhouse and attending in his official capacity the parochial church is in right and virtue of his office possessed of all the excellences in best scores years of humanity and that to none of these excellences can mere company's beetle or courts of law beetles or even chapels of ease beetles save the last and they in a very low lay an inferior degree lay the remotest sustainable clay Mr Bumble had recounted the teaspoons the way raid the sugar tongs made it closer inspection of the milk pot and ascertained to a nicety the exact condition of the furniture under the very horse hair at seats of the chairs and it repeated each presences for a dozen times before he began to think that it was time for Mrs Corney to return thinking begets thinking and as there were no sounds of Mrs Corney's approach it occurred to Mr Bumble that it would be an innocent virtuous way of spending the time if he were further to allay his curiosity by cursive grants at the interior of Mrs Corney's chest of drawers having listened to the key hoe he had to assure himself that nobody was approaching the chamber Mr Bumble beginning at the bottom began to make himself acquainted with the contents of the three long drawers which being filled with various garments called fashion and texture carefully preserved between two layers of old newspapers speckled with dried lavender seemed to yield him exceeding satisfaction arriving in course of time at the right hand corner drawer in which was the key behelding therein a small padlocked box which being shaken gave forth a pleasant sound as of the clinking of coin Mr Bumble returned with a stately walk to the fireplace and resuming his old attitude said with the grave and determined air old do-it he followed up his remarkable decoration by shaking his head in a waggy-ish matter ten minutes as though he were remonstrating with himself for being such a pleasant dog and then he took a view of his legs in profile with much-seeming pleasure and interest he was still placidly engaged in this later survey when Mrs Corney hurrying into the room threw herself in a breathless state on a chair by the fireside and covering her eyes with one hand placed the other over her heart and grasped for breath Mrs Corney said Mr Bumble, stooping over the matron What's this, Mum? Has anything happened, Mum? Please answer me, I'm on on Mr Bumble and his alarm could not immediately think of the word Ten docks, so he said Broken bottles Oh, Mr Bumble! I've been so dreadfully put out Put out, Mum! exclaimed Mr Bumble Who has dared to? I know! said Mr Bumble, checking himself with native majesty It is his vicious paupers! It's dreadful to think of so the lady is shutting and don't think of it, Mum and joined Mr Bumble I can't help it put the lady and make something, Mum said Mr Bumble, soothingly I do true of the wine Not for the world! said I, Mrs Corney I couldn't! Oh! the top shelf in the red corn corner Oh! uttering these words a good lady pointed distractedly to the cupboard and went to convulsion from internal spasms Mr Bumble rushed to the closet and snatching a pint-green glass bottle from the shelf thus incoherently indicated filled a keek up with its contents and held it to the lady's lips I'm better now! said Mrs Corney, falling back after had ringing King half of it Mr Bumble raised his eyes piously to the ceiling and thankfulness and bringing him down again to the brim of the cup lifted it to his nose Peppermint! exclaimed Mrs Corney in a voice smiling gently on the beetle she spoke Mr Bumble tasted the medicine with a doubtful look smacked his lips took another taste and pulled the cup down empty it's very comforting said Mrs Corney much so indeed, ma'am! said the beetle as he spoke he drew a chair beside the matron and tenderly inquired what had happened to the stressor nothing replied Mrs Corney he was excited the weak creature not weak, ma'am! retorted Mr Bumble drawing his chair a little closer are you a weak creature Mrs Corney? we are weak creatures and Mrs Corney laying down a general principle suia! said the brittle nothing was said on either side for a minute or two afterwards by the expiration at that time Mr Bumble had illustrated the position by removing his left arm from the back of Mrs Corney's chair where it had previously rested to Mrs Corney's apron string in which it gradually became entwined we are all weak creatures said Mr Bumble Mrs Corney sighed don't sigh Mrs Corney said Mr Bumble I can't help it she sighed again this is a very comfortable room, ma'am! Mr Bumble looking round another room and this, ma'am! would be a complete thing would be too much for one a mermaid lady but not for two, ma'am! rejoined at Mr Bumble in soft accent hey Mrs Corney Mrs Corney drew up to her head when the better girl said this the dreedle drew up tears to get a view of Mrs Corney's face Mrs Corney, with great propriety turned her head away and released her hand to get her to the handkerchief but was sensibly replaced in that of Mr Bumble the board allows you goes, don't they, Mrs Corney? inquired the beetle affectionately pressing her hand and candles Mrs Corney he returned in the pressure oh, scandals are now strength free at Mr Bumble oh, Mrs Corney what an angel you are the lady was not proficant to this burst of feeling she sank into Mr Bumble's arms and that gentleman in his agitation imprinted a passionate kiss upon her chest nose oh, parochial perfection exclaimed Mr Bumble raptorously you know that Mr Slote is worst tonight my fascinator yes applied Mrs Corney bashfully it can't live weak the doctor say so Mr Bumble is a master of this establishment his death will cause a vacancy that vacancy must be filled up oh, Mrs Corney what a prospect that opens what an opportunity for a joining of arts and housekeeping Mrs Corney sobbed the little word said Mr Bumble pending over the bashful beauty the one little little little word my blessed Corney yes sighed out the matron one more so the beetle who shot our leg fillings for only one more when is it to come off Mrs Corney twice a say to speak and twice failed I think summoning up courage she threw her arms around Mr Bumble's neck and said it might be as soon as ever he pleased that he was irresistible dark matters thus amicably unsatisfactorily arranged the contract persona may ratified full of the peppermint mixture which was rendered the more necessary by the flutter and agitation of the lady's spirits when it was being disposed of she acquainted Mr Bumble with the old woman's decease very good said that gentleman seeping his peppermint all cool at sir but it is as I go home and tell him to send tomorrow morning was it not as frightening as you love it wasn't anything particular dear said the lady it must have been something love Mr Bumble won't you tell your own be not now which are in the lady what are these days after we're married dear after we're married it wasn't any impudence for many of them male porpoises no no love there's a lady easily if I thought it was continue Mr Bumble if I thought as any one of them had dared to lift his woe guy eyes to that lonely countenance I wouldn't dare to do it love respond to the lady and better not that Mr Bumble catching his fist let me see any man parochial or extra parochial who has was presumed to do it and I can tell him that he wouldn't do it a second time unembellished by any violence of gesticulation this might have seen no very high compliment to the lady's charms but as Mr Bumble accompanied the threat with many war-like gestures she was as much touched by this proof of his devotion and protested with great admiration that he was indeed a dove the dove then turned up his collar and put on his cock-tat and having exchanged long an affectionate phrase for his future partner once again brave the curl wind of the night merely pausing for a few minutes in the male pauper's world to abuse him a little with a view of satisfying himself that he could feel the office of workhouse master with a needful acerbidity in the communications Mr Bumble left the building with a light heart and bright visions of his future promotion which served occupy his mind until they reached the shop of the undertaker now Mr and Mrs Sabre having gone out to tea and supper no a clay-pole not being at any time disposed to take upon himself a greater amount of physical exertion than is necessary to a convenient performance of the two functions of eating and drinking the shop was not closed although it was past the usual hour of shutting up Mr Bumble tapped with his cane on the counter several times but attracting no attention and upholding a light shining up through the glass window of the little parlour at the back of the shop he made bold to peep in and see what was going on forward and when he saw what was going forward he was not a little surprised the cloth was laid for supper and butter, plates and glasses a pot of pots and a wine bottle at the upper end of the table Mr Noah Claypole lulled negligently in an easy chair his legs thrown over one of the arms an open-class knife in one hand and a mass of buttered bread in the other close beside him stood charlotte opening oysters for a barrel which Mr Claypole conceded to swallow with remarkable avidity an ordinary redness in the region of the young gentleman's nose and a kind of fixed wink in his right eye he noticed that he was in a slight degree intoxicated these symptoms were confirmed by the intense relish with which he took his oysters well, which nothing but a strong appreciation of their cooling properties in cases of internal fever could have sufficiently accounted he was a delicious flat one though, dear the charlotte try him too only this one all they don't like is this thing it's in oyster a mark to Mr Claypole after it swallowed it what a pity it does a number of them should haven't make you feel uncomfortable isn't it charlotte it's quite a cruelty said charlotte so is Mr Claypole all the oysters not over much I'd like to see you eat him no idea, better than eating him myself said Noah, effectively I queer have another said charlotte he has one with such a beautiful delicate beard I can't manage anymore I'm very sorry come here charlotte said Mr Bumble bursting in the room say that again sir charlotte and uttered a scream and hid her face in her apron Mr Claypole, without making any further change in his position and suffering his legs to reach the ground gazed the beetle and drunken terror say it again you wild, audacious fellow said Mr Bumble how dare you mention such a thing sir and how dare you wouldn't go around him you insolent minks kiss her exclaimed Mr Bumble in strong indigestion fall! I didn't mean to do it she's always a kisser to me whether I like it or not oh Noah my charlotte, reproachfully you know your retorted Noah she's always a do-it Mr Bumble sir you know the chin please sir it makes all manner of soilence alright Mr Bumble sternly take yourself downstairs ma'am now you shut up the shops say another word dear your master come home at your peril and when he does come home tell him that Mr Bumble said he was to send an old woman shall have a breakfast tomorrow morning do you hear sir sing alright Mr Bumble the in and wickedness of the lower orders in this Baroque district is frightful the parliament don't take their abominable courses under consideration the country's ruin the character of the penitry gone forever with these words the Beatles strode with a lofty and gloomy air from the undertaker's tremises and now that we have accompanied him so far on his road home and it made all the necessary preparations for the old woman's funeral let us set on foot a few inquiries after young Oliver Twist as ascertain whether he be still lying in the ditch where Toby Crackett left him end of chapter 27 chapter number 28 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Arthur Pientadosi chapter 28 looks after Oliver and proceeds with his adventures who said I am a threat I'm not just psychs I do his teeth I wish I was a wanton would you know the answer for it as psychs ground fooled his implication with the most desperate ferocity that his desperate nature was capable of he rested the body of the wounded boy across his knee and did knee and turned his head for an instant to look back at his pursuers there was little to be made out in the mist and darkness but the loud shouting of Ben vibrated through the air and the barking of the neighbouring dog was razed by the sound of the alarm bell resounding in every direction STOOOP YOU ROUND who had the robber shouting at a toby who making the best use of his long legs was already dead STOOOP repetition of the word brought toby to a dead stand still but he was not quite satisfied that he was beyond the range of pistol shot and psychs was in no mood to be played with BEAR RAND ON THE BOY it psychs beckoning furiously to his confederate COME BACK there we made a shoe of returning but ventured in low voice broken for want of breath to intimate considerable reluctance as he came slowly along QUICKER right psychs lying in the boy in the dry ditch at his feet and drawing a pistol for his pocket hey mootie with me at this moment that noise grew louder psychs again looked around and could discern that the men who had given chase were already climbing a gate of the field in which he stood and there's a couple of dog for some paces in advance of them IT'S ALL A WORK BELL right toby draw again and show me your ears there's passing advice Mr Crackett preferring the chance of being shot by his friend the certainty of being taken by his enemies fairly a turned tail and dotted off at full speed psychs clenched his teeth took one look round and over the prostrate form of Oliver the cape in which he had been errately muffled ran along the front of the hedge as if to distract the attention of those behind from the spot where the boy lay pause for a second before another hedge which met at right angles as he was moving his pistol high into the air cleared it at a bound and was gone OH! OH! there! right a tremulous voice in the ear BINGER! NEPTUNE! COME HERE! COME HERE! the dogs who in common with their masters seemed to have no particular relish for the sport in which they were engaged readily answered to the command three men this time in advance some pussed and sent to the field stopped to take counsel together MY ADVICE what he started would say my orders is said the fattest man of the party we immediately go home again I'm agreeable to anything which is agreeable to Mr Giles to the shorter man who was by no means of a slim figure and who was very pale in the face and very polite as frightened men we can be are I shouldn't wish to appear ill mannered gentlemen to the third who would tool the dogs back Mr Giles ought to know certainly reply the shorter man and whatever Mr Giles says it isn't our place to contradict him NO! NO! I know my situation make my stalls I know my situation until the truth that little man did seem to know his situation and to know perfectly well that it was by no means a desirable one he chatted in his head as he spoke you are afraid the brittles said Mr Giles I said brittle you are said Giles you are a fool so Mr Giles said brittles you are a lie brittles said Mr Giles now these four retorts arose from Mr Giles his taunt and Mr Giles's taunt had risen from his indignation at having the responsibility of going home again imposed upon himself under cover of a compliment the third man brought the disputes to a close most philosophically well tell you what it is gentlemen said he were all afraid speak of yourself sir said Mr Giles he was a palest of the party so I do reply the man it's natural and proper to be afraid on the circumstances so my I said brittles only there's no gold and teleman he is so bountably these frank admissions softened Mr Giles who had once owned it he was afraid upon which they all three faced about and ran back again with the completeness or animity until Mr Giles who had the shortest win of the party as was encum but with a pitchfork most handsily insisted on stopping like an apology for his hastiness of speech but it's wonderful said Mr Giles when he explained what a man will do when his blood is up I should have committed murder I know I should have caught one of them rascals as the others too were impressed with the single presentment as their blood like his had all gone down again some speculation ensued upon the cause of this sudden change in their temperament I know what it was Mr Giles it was a gate of sure wonder who was exclaimed brittles catching up the idea you made a pen upon it and Giles at that gate stopped the flow of the excitement I felt all mine suddenly going away as I was climbing over it by a remarkable coincidence the other two had been visited by one pleasant sensation in that present moment it was quite obvious therefore that it was the gate surely as there was no doubt regarding the time at which the change had taken place there's all three remembered that they had come in sight of the robbers of the instant currents this dialogue was held between the two men who'd surprised the burglars and a travelling tinker had been sleeping in an outhouse where all curves to join in the pursuit Mr Giles acted in the double capacity of butler and steward to the old lady of the manor brittles was a lad of all work who having entered his service as a mere child was treated as a promising young boy still though he was something past 30 encouraging each other which such converse is this but keeping very close together looking apprehensively round whatever fresh gusts rattled through the boughs the three men hurried back to a tree behind which they'd left the lantern lest its light should unfold the thieves in which direction to fire catching up the light they made the best of their way home at a good round trot and long after their dusky forms had ceased to be discernable the light might have been seen twinkling and dancing in their distance some exultation of the damp and gloomy atmosphere through which it was swiftly born the air grew colder as day came slowly on and the mist ruled along the ground like a dense cloud of smoke the grass was wet the pathways, the low places were all mere and water the damp breath of an unwholesome wind went languidly by with a howl of moaning still all of her lay motionless and insensible on the spot where Glyke said left him morning drew on a pace the air became more sharp and piercing as its first done with you the death of night rather than the birth of day glimmered faintly in the sky the objects which had looked dim and terrible in the darkness grew more and more defined and gradually resolved into their familiar shapes the rain came down thickened fast and patted noisily among the leafless bushes but all of her felt it not as it beat against him for he still lay stretched helpless and unconscious on this bed of clay a lengthy low cry of pain broke the stillness that prevailed and uttering it the boy awoke his left arm, rudely bandaged in a shawl by the ear and useless at its eye the bandage was saturated with blood he was so weak that he could scarcely raise himself and do a sitting posture when he had done so he looked feebly round for help and groaned with pain trembling in every joint from cold to exhaustion he made an effort to stand upright but shuddering from head to foot they all prostrate on the ground after a short return of the stupor in which he had been so long plunged all over urged by creeping sickness at his heart which seemed to warm him if he lay there he must surely die got upon his feet and said to walk his head was dizzy and he staggered to and fro like a drunken man but he kept up nonetheless and with his head drooping languidly on his breast onward he knew not wither and now a host of bewildering and confused ideas came crowding on his mind he seemed to be still walking between psychs and crack it who were disputing for the very words they said sounded in his ears and when he caught his own attention as it were by making some violent effort to save himself from falling he found that he was talking to them then he was alone with psychs plotting on as on the previous day in a shadowy people past him he felt the robbers grasp upon his wrist suddenly he started back at the report of firearms and rose into the air rowed cries and shouts lights gleamed for his eyes all was noise and taunt as some unseen hand bore him hurriedly away through all these rapid visions there ran an undefined uneasy consciousness of pain which weirded and tormented him incessantly as he staggered on creeping almost mechanically between the art of gates or through hedge gaps as they came in his way until he reached the road here the rain began to fall so heavily that it roused him he looked about and saw that no great distance there was a house which perhaps he could reach pitting his condition they might have some cash on him and if they did not it would be better he thought they'd die near human beings and in the lonely open fields he summoned up all his strength for one last trial and meant his faltering steps towards it as he drew near to this house a feeling came over him that he had seen it before he remembered nothing of its details but the shape and aspect of the building seemed familiar to him that garden wall on the grass inside he had fallen on his knees last night and prayed the two men's mercy of his very house they had attempted to rob all fulfilled such fear come over him when he recognised a place that for an instant he forgot the agony of his wound and thought only of flight flight he could scarcely stand and if he were in full position of all the best powers of his slight and youthful frame where could he fly he pushed against the garden gate was unlocked and swung open on its hinges he tormented across the little lawn climbed the steps knocked faintly at the door and his whole strength failing him sunk down against one of the pillars of a little portico it happened that about this time the people's brittles and the tinker were recruiting themselves after the fatigues and terrors of the night with teas and sundries in the kitchen not that he was Mr. Dial's habit to admit to too great familiarity the humble servants towards whom it was rather his want to deport himself with lofty ability which well it gratified could not fail to remind them of his superior position in society but death fires and burglary make all man equals so Mr. Dial sat with his legs stretched out before the kitchen fender lending his left arm on the table well with his right he illustrated as a circumstantial mini-account of the robbery to which his bearers but especially the cook and housemaid who were of the party listened with breathless interest it was half past two there Mr. Dial's couldn't swear that it might have been a needle nearer three when I woke up and turning round my bed as it might be here Mr. Dial's turned round in his chair and pulled the corner of the table clothed over him to take bed clothes I fancied I heard and know always at this point of the narrative that Cook called pale and that's the housekeeper to shut the door who asked brittles who asked the tinker and pretended not to hear he heard a noise and doing to Mr. Dial's I says at first this is illusion and was composing myself off to sleep when I heard the noise again distinct what sort of noise that's the cook a kind of bursting noise the blind Mr. Dial's looking round him more like the noise of powdering an iron bar and an op-made grater there Mr. Dial's understood Giles it was when you heard it sir who joined to Giles but at this time it had a bursting sound I turned down the clothes and he knew Giles rolling back the table cloth settled on my bed and listened the cook and housekeeper simultaneously related lore and drew the chairs ghosted together it now quite apparent I zoomed Mr. Giles somebody I says it's fallen of the door a window what's to be done we'll call out that poor lad brittles and save him from being murdered his bed or his throat I says maybe he's right here to his left without even knowing it here all eyes were turned upon brittles so fixed tears upon the speaker and staring at him with his mouth wide open the space is fresh of almost unmitigated horror I tossed off the clothes and Giles throwing away the tablecloth and looking very hard at the cook and housekeeper got softly out of bed drew out a pair of ladies present Mr. Giles of shoes sir and Giles turning upon him and laying great emphasis on the word sees the lotus pistol that always goes upstairs with a plate basket and walked on tiptoes to his room brittles I says when I woke at him don't be frightened dead men I think brittles I says and Giles but don't be frightened was he frightened as the cook not a bit of it applying Mr. Giles he was as firm pretty near as firm as I was I should have done it once I'm sure if it'd be me observed the housemaid your woman retorted brittles blocking up a little brittles is right and Mr. Giles pointing his head approvingly from a woman nothing else was to be expected we being men took a dark lantern that was standing on brittles's hob and grouped our way downstairs in the pitch dark as it might be so Mr. Giles had risen from his seat and taken two steps with his eyes shut to accompany his description with appropriate action when he started violently in common with the rest of the company and hurried back into his chair the cook and housemaid screamed it was a knock that Mr. Giles assuming pacific severity opened the door somebody nobody moved it seemed a strange sort of thing a knock coming at such a time in the morning Mr. Giles surveying the pale faces which surrounded him and looking very blank himself but the door must be opened you hear somebody Mr. Giles as he spoke did brittles but that young man being naturally modest probably considered himself nobody then so held that the inquiry could not have any population him at all events he tended to reply Mr. Giles directed an appealing glance at the tinker but he had suddenly fallen asleep the woman were out of the question if brittles would rather open the door and the presence of witnesses and Mr. Giles had to short silence I am ready to make one so am I so the tinker waking up suddenly as he'd fallen asleep brittles could not differentiate on these terms and the party being someone reassured with the discovery making by throwing open the shutters it was now a broad day took their way upstairs the dogs had on front the two women who were afraid to stay below brought up the rear by the advice of Mr. Giles they all talked very loud warn any evil disposed person outside that they were strong in numbers by a master stroke of policy originating in the brain of the same ingenious gentleman the dog's tails were wearable pinched in the hall to make them bark savagely these precautions having been taken Mr. Giles held on fast by the tinker's arm the revenge is running away as he pleasantly said and gave the word of command to open the door brittles obeyed the group pity being timorous over each other's shoulders beheld no more formidable object than poor little Oliver Twist speechless and exhausted who raised his heavy eyes and mootly solicited their compassion a boy exclaimed Mr. Giles valiant pushing the tinker into the background what's the matter with that A why brittles look here don't you know brittles who had gotten behind the door to open it no sooner saw Oliver than uttered a loud cry Mr. Giles seating a boy by one leg and one arm fortunately not the broken limb locked him straight into the hall and deposited him in a great length on the floor thereof here he is bald Giles calling in a state of great excitement of the staircase here's one of the thieves mam here's a thief miss wounded miss I shot him miss and brittles held the light in a lantern miss brittles applying one hand to the side of his mouth so that his voice might travel the better the two woman servants ran upstairs to carry the intelligence and Mr. Giles had captured a robber and the tinker busied himself in endearing to restore Oliver his cheeks would die hanged in the midst of all this noise and commotion there he was heard a sweet female voice which quelled it in an instant Giles has put the voice from the star airhead I'm here miss applying Mr. Giles to be frightened miss I ain't much injured it didn't make a very desperate resistance miss I was soon too many for him harsh said the eye of the young lady who frightened my aunt as much as the thieves did is a poor creature much hurt wounded desperate miss applied Giles with indescribable complacency he looks as if he was a go-in miss bald badels in the same manner as before would you like to come and look if it miss in case he's short oh spray there's a good man oh and lady why quietly only one instant when I speak to aunt with a full step it's soft as gentle as the voice the speaker tripped away she soon returned with the direction that the wounded person was to be carried carefully upstairs to Mr. Giles's room the pretzels was assadled the pony and the steak himself instantly to church see from which place he was dispatched with all speed a constable and a doctor but will you take one look at him first miss asked Mr. Giles with as much pride as if all of her were some bird of rare plumage would have been skillfully brought down oh little peep miss not now for the world implied the young lady poor fellow treat him kindly Giles for my sake the old servant looked up at the speaker as she turned away with a glance as proud and admiring as if she had been his own child then ben they gave all of her he helped to carry him upstairs with the care and solicitude of a woman end of chapter 28 chapter number 29 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Arthur Piantidosi Chapter 29 has an introductory account of the inmates of the house to which Oliver resulted in handsome rule though its furniture had rather the air or old fashioned comfort than a mortal and elegance sir sat two ladies in a well-spread breakfast table Mr. Giles dressed with scrupulous care and black was in attendance aboard them he had taken his station some halfway between the sideboard and the breakfast table and with his body drawn up to its full height his head thrown back and inclined the merest trifle on one side his left leg advanced and his right hand thrust into his waistcoat while his left tongue down by his side grasping a waiter looked like one who laboured the presence of his own merits and importance while the two ladies one was well advanced in years but the high back to who can share in which he sat was not more upright than she dressed with the utmost nicety and precision an equate mixture of bygone costume some slight concessions to the revealing taste which rather served to point the old style pleasantly and to impair its effect she sat in a stately manner with the hands folded on the table before her her eyes and age her dim but little of their brightness were attentively upon her young companion the younger lady was in the lovely boom and springtime of womanhood at that age when if ever angels be forgot's purposes unthroined in mortal forms they may be without impiety supposed to provide in such as hers she was not past seventeen cast in so slight and exquisite a mole so mild and gentle so pure and beautiful that earth seemed not her elements nor its rough creatures her feet companions the very intelligence that shone in her deep blue eye was stamped upon her noble head seemed scarcely of her age or of the world and yet the changing expression of sweetness and good humour the thousand lights that played about the face and left no shadow there above all the smile, the cheerful happy smile were made for home and fireside peace and happiness she was busily engaged and the little officers of the table chancing to raise her eyes as the elder lady was regarding her she placefully put back her hair which was simply braided on her forehead and thrown into her beaming look with such an expression of affection and artich loveliness that blessed spirits might have smiled to look upon her and brittles has gone upwards of an hour has he as the old lady after a pause an hour and twelve minutes ma'am replied Mr Giles revering to a silver watch which he drew forth by a black ribbon he is always slow remarked the old lady brittles always was a slow boy ma'am replied the attendant and seeing by the by that brittles had been a slow boy for upwards of thirty years there appeared no great probability of his ever being a fast one it was it's better I think so the old lady it is very inexcusable in him if he stops to play with any other boys so the young lady is smiling Mr Giles was apparently considering the propriety of indulging in a respectful smile of himself when a gig grew up to the garden gate out of which there jumped a fat gentleman who ran straight up to the door and who getting quickly into the house by some mysterious process burst into the room and they returned Mr Giles and the brittles' table together I never heard of such a thing gentlemen my dear Mrs Maley bless my soul in the silence of the night too I never heard of such a thing with these expressions of indolence the fat gentleman shook hands with both ladies drawing up a chair inquired how they found themselves you ought to be dead positively dead with a fright that they were air gentlemen why didn't you send bless me my mind should have come in a minute and so should I my existence would have been delighted or anybody I'm sure under such circumstances dear dear so unexpected in the silence of the night too a doctor seemed especially troubled by the fact of the robber I haven't been dead and attempted in the night time as if it were the established custom of gentlemen in the house breaking way to transact business at noon and to make an appointment by post for two day or two previously and you miss Rose that the doctor turning the young lady I very much so indeed said Rose interrupting him but there is a poor creature upstairs to see ah to be sure applied the doctor so there is and with your handy work of Giles I understand Mr Giles would feverishly been putting the e-cups to rights blushed very red and said that he had had that order or they said the doctor well I don't know perhaps it is honourable to eat a deep in the back kitchen as did to a man at 12 paces and then he fired in the air and you've fought a duel Giles Mr Giles who thought that is slight treatment of the manner and unjust attempt at diminishing his glory answered respectfully that it was not for the like of him to judge about that but he rather thought it was no joke to the opposite party God that's true said the doctor where is he show me the way come down mrs baby that's the ritual and knew he got in but well I couldn't have believed it talking all the way he followed Mr Giles upstairs and while he is going upstairs the reader may be informed that Mr Lowesburn a surgeon in the neighbourhood known through a circuit of ten miles round as the doctor had grown fat more from good humour than from good living he was kind and hearty with all as eccentric an old bachelor as will be found in five times that space by an explorer alive the doctor was absent much longer than either he or the lady as had anticipated a large flat box was fetched out of the gig and a drum bell was rung very often and the servants ran up and down stairs perpetually and on which tokens it was justly concluded that something important was going on above a lengthy return and in reply to anxious enquiry after his patient looked very mysterious and closed the door carefully this is an extraordinary extraordinary thing mrs baby that the doctor standing with his back to the door was to keep it shut he is not in danger I hope the old lady why that would not be an extraordinary thing under the circumstances glad the doctor I don't think kids have you seen the thief no rejoin the old lady nor word anything about him no I beg your pardon ma'am and oppose mr giles but I was going to tell you about him when his laws born came in the fact was that mr giles had not at first been able to bring his mind to the avowal that he had only shot a boy such commendations had been bestowed upon his bravery that he could not for the life of him help postponing the explanation for a few minutes during which he had flourished in the very zenith of a brief repetition for undaunted courage rose wish to see the man said mr was maily but I wouldn't hear of it rejoin the doctor there's nothing very alarming of his presence have you any objection to see him in my presence if it be necessary apply the old lady certainly not and I think it is necessary at the doctor for events I'm quite sure you would deeply regret what having done so if you postponed it it's perfectly quiet and comfortable now allow me mr suppose will you permit me not the slightest fear I pledge you my honor end of chapter 29 chapter 30 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is a liverbox recording all liverbox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer visit liverbox.org chapter 30 relates what all of us new visitors thought of him with so many loquacious assurances they would be agreeably surprised in the aspect of the criminal the doctor threw the young lady's arm through one of his and offering his disengaged hand led there with much ceremony and statelyness upstairs now so the doctor as you softly turned the handle of a bread window let us hear what you think of him he has not been shamed recently but he doesn't look at all for oceans notwithstanding stop now let me first see that he is in visiting order stepping before them he looked into the room motioning them to advance he closed the door when they had entered and gently drew back the curtains of the bed upon it in lieu of the dogged black visage ruffian they had expected to behold there lay a mere child worn with pain and exhaustion and sung into a deep sleep his wounded arm bound and slitted up was crossed upon his breast his head reclined upon the other arm which was half hidden by his long hair as it streamed over the pillow the honest gentleman held the curtain in his hand and looked on for a minute or so in silence when he was watching the patient thus the younger lady glided softly past in seating herself in the chair by the bedside gathered all of his hair from his face as he stooped over him her tears fell upon his forehead the boy stirred and smiled in his sleep as though these marks of pity and compassion had awakened some pleasant dream of love and affection he had never known thus a strain of gentle music or the ripple of water in a silent place or the odor of a flower or the mention of a familiar word will sometimes cool up certain dim remembrances of scenes that never were in this life which vanished like a breath with some brief memory of a happier existence long gone by what seemed to have awakened which no more interior exertion of the mind could ever recall what can this mean Xenialde lady this poor child would never have been the cubil of robbers vice at the surgeon, repeating the curtain takes up her abode in many a temples and who can say that a fair outside shell not enshrined her but it's so early in age urged Rose I dear young lady join the surgeon mournfully shaking his cled crime like death is not confined to the old and withered alone the youngest and fairest are too often its chosen victims but how can you can you really believe that his delicate voice by the voluntary associate of the worst outcast of society that rose the surgeon shook his head in a manner which intimated that he feared it was very impossible and observing that they might disturb the patient, led the way into an adjoining compartment but even if he didn't weed pursued Rose never have known of mother's love or the comforts of a home that ill users of blows or the want of bread may have driven him to herd with men who forced him to guilt and for mercy's sake think of this before you let them drag this sick child to prison which in any case might be the grave of all these chances of amendment as you loved me and know I'd never want the parents but I might have done so and might have been equally helpless and unprotected with this poor child a pity upon him before it is too late my dear love said the elder lady as she folded the weeping girl to her bosom do you think I would harm my hair of his head oh no replied the rose eagerly no surely said the old lady my days are drawing to their clothes and may mercy be shown to me as I show it to others what can I do to save him sir let me think bam said the daughter let me think Mr Lawsburn thrust his hands into his pockets and several turns up and down the room often stopping and balancing himself on his toes and frowning frightfully after various explanations of I've got it now and no I haven't and as many rules of the walking and frowning he may length to aid a dead halt and spoke as follows I think if you'll give me all the unlimited permission to bully a child then you little boy pretuls I can manage it childs is a faithful fellow and an old servant I know he'd get up to you in a thousand ways and brought him for being such a good shot besides you don't object to that unless there is some other way of revering the child replied Mrs Mayly there is no other Mr Doctor no other take my word for it and my aunt invests you at full power said rose smiling through her tears and pray he didn't be heart upon the old fellow that is dispensibly dispensably necessary you seem to think Mr Doctor that everybody is disposed to be heart hearted today except yourself Miss Rose I only hope for the sake of the amazing mile sex generally that you may be found in its vulnerable and soft art in a mood and the first Elephans all young fellow appeals your compassion and I wish I were a young fellow that I'd avail myself from the spot such a favourable opportunity for doing so it's a present you were the great open boy as the door brittles himself returned rose blushing well the doctor laughing heartily ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha that is no great difficult matter but to return to the boy the great point of our agreement is yet to come you will wake in an hour or so I dare say although I'm old that they get it constable fellow downstairs he mustn't be moved or spoken to on peril of his life I think we may converse with him without danger now I take the stipulation that I shall examine your presence and that if from what he says we judge and I can show to the satisfaction of your cool reason that he is a real and thorough bad one which is more than possible he should be left to his fate to be reverent on my part to all ent oh no and treated rose oh yes and the doctor is it a bargain he cannot be hearted in fights said bros it is impossible very good it was the doctor that is so much the more reason for receding to my proposition finally the treaty was entered into and the parties there who sat down to wait with some impatience until Oliver should wake the patience of the two ladies was destined to undergo longer trial than Mr. Lawsbourne had led them to expect for hour after hour passed on and still Oliver slumbered heavily it was evening indeed before the kind hearted doctor brought them the intelligence that he was at length sufficiently restored to be spoken to the boy was very ill he said he was weak from the loss of blood but his mind was so troubled with anxiety to disclose something that he deemed it better to give him the opportunity than to assist on Pony's remaining quiet until next morning which he would otherwise have done the conference was a long one Oliver told them all his simple history was often compelled to stop I want more strength it was a solemn thing to hear in the darkened room the feeble voice of the sick child recounting a weary catalogue of evils and calamities which art men had brought upon him oh if when we press and grind our fellow preachers we bestowed but one thought on the dark evidences of human error which like dense and heavy clouds are rising slowly it is true but not less surely to heaven to pour the after vengeance on our heads if we heard but one instant in imagination the deep testimony of dead human's voices which no power can stifle and no pride shut out where it would be the injury and injustice the suffering, misery, cruelty and wrong that each day's life brings with it Oliver's pillar was smooth by gentle hands at night a loveliness and virtue watched him as he slept calm and happy and could have died without a murmur the momentous interview was no sooner concluded and Oliver composed rest again and the doctor after wiping his eyes and condemning them for being weak all at once but took himself downstairs to open upon Mr. Diles and finding nobody but the parlours it occurred to him that he could perhaps originate the proceedings the better effort in the kitchen there were assembled in that lower house of the domestic parlourment the woman servants, Mr. Brittle's Mr. Diles, the tinker who received a special invitation to regale himself for the remainder of the day in consideration of his services and the constable a later gentleman had a large staff, a large head large features and large half-foods and he looked as if he had been taking a proportional allowance of ale as indeed he had the adventurers of the previous night were still under discussion for Mr. Diles was ex-patiating upon his presence of mind when the doctor entered, Mr. Brittle's with a mug of ale in his hand was corroborating everything before his superior said it sit still! said the doctor waving his hand thank you sir, said Mr. Diles Mrs. Wish some were able to be given out sir there was no way inclined for my own little womb sir and I was disposed for company I am taking mine among them here Brittle's held it a low murmur by which the ladies and gentlemen generally were understood to express the gratification they derived from Mr. Diles's condensation Mr. Diles looked round with the preternising air as much as is to say that so long as they behaved properly he would never desert them how is the patient tonight sir asked Diles so so I turned the doctor I am afraid you have got yourself into a scrape there Mr. Diles I hope you don't mean to say sir Mr. Diles trembling that he is going to die if I thought it I would never be happy again I wouldn't cut a boy off no not even Brittle's here not for all the plate in the country sir that's not the point misteriously Mr. Diles are you a protestant yes sir I hope so faltered Mr. Diles who turned very pale and what are you boy said the doctor turning sharply upon Brittle's Lord bless me sir applied Brittle's starting rightly almost same as Mr. Joll sir and tell me this said the doctor both of you both of you are you going to take us to swear that the boy upstairs is the boy that was put through the little window last night out with it come we are prepared for you a doctor who was universally considered one of the best tempered creatures on earth made this demand such a dreadful tone of anger that Diles and Brittle's who were considerably muddled by ale and excitement stared at each other in state of stupefication pay attention to the reply constable will you search shaking his forefinger with a great solemnity of manner and tapping the bridge of his nose with it to speak the exercise of that word is at most acuteness something may come of this before long constable looked as wise as he could and took up his staff of office which had been reclining indolent lay in the chimney corner it's a simple question of identity you will observe that's what it is sir applied the constable coughing with great violence for he had finished his ale in a hurry and salivated had gone the wrong way here's the house broken into and the doctor and a couple of men catch one moment's glimpse of a boy in the midst of gunpowder smoke in all the distraction of alarm and darkness is a boy comes to that very same house next morning because he happens to his arm tied up these men lay violent hands upon him by doing which they place his life in great danger and swear is a thief now the question is whether these men are justified by the fact if not in what situation do they place themselves the constable nodded profoundly he said if that wasn't law he would be glad to know what was I asked you again under the doctor are you on your solemn oath able to identify that boy Britols looked doubtfully at Mr Giles Mr Giles looked doubtfully at Britols the constable put his hand behind his ear to fetch reply the two women in the tinker leaned forward to listen the doctor glanced keely around when a ring was heard at the gate at the same moment the sound of wheels it's the worlders cried Britols to all appearance must relieved the what they said the doctor aghast in his turn bowed through one office sir applied Britols taking a candle me and Mr Giles said all run this morning what? they said no the doctor yes obviously the machine jumped by the coachman and I only wonder there what here before sir you did did you confound your slow coaches down yeah that's all the doctor walking away the end of chapter 30