Stranica 230 [230]
OCR
172 “and we’ll have a big-wig, Charley, — one that’s got the greatest gift of the gab,—to carry on his defence, and he shall make a speech for himself, too, if he likes, and we’ll read it all in the papers—‘ Artful Dodger—shrieks of laughter—here the court was convulsed’—eh, Charley, eh?” 6 Ha! ha! laughed Master Bates, ‘‘ what a lark that would be, wouldn’t it, Fagin? I say, how the Artful would bother "em, wouldn’t he?" 6 Would!” cried the Jew; “ he shall— he will !” “Ah, to be sure, so he will,” repeated Charley, rubbing his hands. “T think I see him now,” cried the Jew, bending his eyes upon his pupil. ** So do I,” cried Charley Bates—* ha! ha! ha! sodol. Isee it all afore me, upon my soul I do, Fagin. What a game! what a regular game! All the big-wigs trying to look solemn, and Jack Dawkins addressing of "em as intimate and comfortable as if he was the judge’s own son nae a speech arter dinner—ha! ha! a kés Ín fact the Jew had so well humoured his young friend"s eccentric disposition, that Master Bates, who had at first been disposed to consider the imprisoned Dodger rather in the light of a victim, now looked upon him as the chief actor in a scene of most uncommon and exquisite humour, and felt quite impatient for the arrival of the time when his old companion should have so favourable an opportunity of displaying his abilities. “ We must know how he gets on to-day by some handy means or other,” said Fagin. § Let me think.” “ Shall I go?’ asked Charley. “ Not for the world,” replied the Jew. 4 Are you mad, my dear!—stark mad, that you’d walk into the very place where No, Charley, no—one is enough to lose at a time.” “ You do not mean to go yourself, I supyore ® said Charley, with a humorous eer. c That wouldn’t quite fit,” replied Fagin, shaking his head. c Then why don’t you send this new cove !” asked Master Bates, laying his rag on Noah’s arm; "nobody knows Im.” c Why, if he didn’t mind,” observed the Jew. 6 Mind!” interposed Charley. " What should he have to mind ?” “Really nothing my dear,” said Fa : gin, turning to Mr. Bolter, “really nothing.” | “Oh, I dare say about that, yer know,” observed Noah, backing towards the door, and shaking his head with a kind of sober alarm. ‘No, no—none of that. It’s not in my department, that isn’t.”’ “ Wot department has he got, Fagin!" inquired Master Bates, surveying Noah’s lanky form with much disgust. " The cutting away when there’s anything wrong, and the eating all the wittles when there’s everything right; is that his branch ?” 6 Never mind,” retorted Mr. Bolter ; “and don’t yer take liberties with yer superiors, little boy, or yer’ll find yerself in the wrong shop.” Master Bates laughed so vehemently at this magnificent threat, that it was some time before Fagin could interpose and represent to Mr. Bolter that he incurred no possible danger in visiting the police office; that masmuch as no account of the little affair im which he had been engaged, nor any description of his person, had yet been forwarded to the metropolis, it was very probable that he was not even suspected of having resorted to it for shelter; and that, if he were properly disguised, it would be as safe a spot for him to visit as any in London, inasmuch as it would be of all places the very last to which he could be supposed likely to resort of his own free will. Persuaded, in part, by these representations, but overborne in a much greater degree by his fear of the Jew, Mr. Bolter at length consented, with a very bad orace, to undertake the expedition. By Fagin’s directions, he immediately substituted for his own attire a wagoner’s frock, velveteen breeches, and leather leggings, all of which articles the Jew had at hand. He was likewise furnished with a felt hat, well garnished with turnpike tickets, and a carter’s whip. Thus equipped, he was to saunter into the office, as some country fellow from Covent Garden market might be supposed to do, for the gratification of bis curiosity ; and as he was as awkward, ungainly, and raw-boned a fellow as need be, Mr. Fagin had no fear but that he would look the part to perfection. These arrangements completed, he was inforrmed of the necessary signs and tokens by which to recognise the artful Dodger, and was conveyed by Master Bates through dark and winding ways to within a very short distance of Bow street.
