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99 plunged in his own reflections, not excep the dog, who by a certain’ mali‘cious licking of his lips seemed to be meditating an attack upon the legs of the first ect Sol or lady he might encounter in the street when he went out. “Somebody must find out what’s been done at the office,” said Mr. Sikes in a much lower tone than he had taken since ‘he came in. The Jew nodded assent. “If he hasn’t peached, and is committed, there’s no fear till he comes out again,” said Mr. Sikes, “and then he must be taken care on. You must get hold of him, somehow.” Again the Jew nodded. The prudence of this line of action, indeed, was obvious; but unfortunately there was one very strong objection to its being adopted; and this was, that the Dodger, and Charley Bates, and Fagin, and Mr. William Sikes, happened one and all to entertain a most violent and deeprooted antipathy to going near a policeoffice on any ground or pretext whatever. How long they might have sat and looked at each other in a state of uncertainiv not the most pleasant of its kind, it is difficult to say. It is not necessary to make any guesses on the subject, however; for the sudden entrance of the two young ladies whom Oliver had seen on a former occasion caused the conversation to flow afresh. “The very thing!” said the « Bet will go; won’t you, my dear?’ “Wheres?” inquired the young lady. “Only just up to ~ office, my dear,” said the Jew coaxingly. It is due to the young lady to say that she did not positively affirm that she would not, but that she melely expressed an emphatic and earnest desire to be "§ jiggered” if she would; a polite and delicate evasion of the request, which shows the young lady to have been of that natural good-breeding that cannot bear to " Jew. a direct and pointed refusal. The Jew’s countenance fell, and he turned to the other young lady, ‘who was gaily, not to say gorgeous! attired, in a red gown, green boots, and yellow "url: papers. “Nancy, my dear,” said the Jew in a soothing manner, " what do you say ?" “That it won’t do; so it’s no use a trying it on, Fagin,” replied Nancy. “What I say, Bill,” replied the lady collectedly. c Why, you’re just the very person for it,” reasoned Mr. Sikes: “ nobody about here, knows anything of you.” ‘And as I don’t want "em to, neither,” replied Miss Nancy in the same composed manner, “it’s rayther more no than yes with me, Bill.” “She ’ll go, Fagin,” said Sikes. c No, she won’t, Fagin,” bawled Nancy. c Yes she will, Fagin,” said Sikes. And Mr. Sikes was right. By dint of ne threats, promises, and bribes, the female in question was ultimately erat d upon to undertake the commissame considerations as her agreeable friend, for, having very recently removed into the neighbourhood of Field-lane from the remote but genteel suburb of Ratcliffe, she was not under the same apprehension of being recognised by any of her numerous acquaintance. Specs ge with a clean white apron tied over the red A yl and the yellow curl-papers tucked up under a straw bonnet,—both articles of dress being provided from the Jew’s inexhaustible stock, —Miss Nancy prepared to issue forth on her errand. “Stop a minute, my dear,” said the Jew, producing a little covered basket. “Carry that in one hand; it looks more respectable, my dear.” as Give her a door-ke ey to carry in her t’other one, Fagin,” said Sikes; " it looks real and genivine like.” “Yes, yes, my dear, so it does,” said the Jew, hanging the oe. street-door key on the fore-finger of the young lady’s right hand. " There; very ry F000, , Very good indeed, my dear,” Jew, rubbing his Haida “ Oh, my brother! my poor, dear, sweet, innocent little brother!” exclaimed Miss Nancy, bursting into tears, and wringing the little basket and the street door-key in an agony of distress. “ What has become of him !—where have they taken Oh, do have pity, and tell me what’s been done with the dear boy, gentlemen ; do, gentlemen, if you jlease, gentlemen.” Having uttered these words in a most immeasurable delight of her hearers, Miss nodded smilingly round, and disappeared. “Ah! she’s a clever girl, my dears,” Mr. Sikes, looking up in a surly manner. and shaking his head gravely, as if in
