Stranica 232 [232]
OCR
174 ment. ‘“ Werry good. deformation of character, any way.” other cry of silence. (c Now then, where are the witnesses ?” said the clerk. “ Ah! that’s right,” added the Dodger. ‘‘ Where are they? I should like to see 2em.”’ This wish was immediately gratified, for a policeman stepped forward who had seen the prisoner attempt the pocket of an unknown gentleman in a crowd, and indeed take a handkerchief therefrom, which being a very old one, he delibehis own countenance. For this reason he took the Dodger into custody as soon as he could get near him, and the said Dodger being searched had upon his person a silver snufi-box with the owner’s name engraved upon the lid. This gentleman had been discovered on reference to the Court Guide, and being then and there present, swore that the snuff-box was his, and that he had missed it on the previous day, the moment he had disengaged himself from the crowd before referred to. He had also remarked a young gentleman in the throng particularly active in making his way about, and that the young gentleman was the prisoner before him. c Have you anything to ask this witness, boy ?” said the magistrate. ‘‘] wouldn’t abase myself by descending to hold any conversation with him,” replied the Dodger. ‘‘ Have you anything to say at all?” *‘ Do you hear his worship ask if you’ve anything to say?” inquired the jailer, nudging the silent Dodger with his elbow. ‘‘] beg your pardon,” said the Dodger, looking up with an air of abstraction. “Did you address yourself to me, my man !" “| never see such an out-and-out young wagabone, your worship,” observed the officer with a grin. “Do you mean to say anything, you young shaver ?”’ “No,” replied the Dodger, "not here, for this ain’t the shop for justice; besides which my attorney is a-breaktasting this morning with the Wice President of the House of Commons; but I shall have sumething to say elsewhere, and so will he, and so will a werry numerous and respectable circle of acquaintance, as’ll make them beaks wish they "d never been born, or that they "d got their footman to try it on upon me. I[’ll—” ‘There, he’s ne committed!" interposed the clerk. "Take him away.” “Come on,” said the jailer. | | 6 Oh, ah! I’ll come on,” replied the Dodger, brushing his hat with the palm , of his hand. "Ah! (to the Bench) it’s no use your looking frightened; I won’t show you no mercy, not a ha’porth of it. Youll pay for this, my fine fellers: I | wouldn’t be you for something. I wouldn’t | go free now, if you wos to fall down on your knees and ask me. Here, carry me off to prison. Take me away.” With these last words, the Dodger suffered himself to be led off by the collar, threatening till he got into the yard to make a parliamentary business of it, and then grinning in the officer’s face with great glee and self-approval. Having seen him locked up by himself in a little cell, Noah made the best of his way back to where he had left Master Bates, After waiting here some time, he was joined by that young gentleman, who had prudently abstained from showing himself until he had looked carefully abroad from a snug retreat, and ascertained that his new friend had not been followed by any impertinent person. The two hastened back together to bear to Mr. Fagin the animating news that the Dodger was doing full justice to his bringing-up, and establishing for himself a glorious reputation. CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. The time arrives for Nancy to redeem her pledge to Rose Maylie. She fails. Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on a secret mission. ApeEpr as she was in all the arts of cunning and dissimulation, the girl Nancy could not wholly conceal the effect which the knowledge of the step she had taken worked upon her mind. She remembered that both the crafty Jew and the brutal Sikes had confided to her schemes which had been hidden from all others, in the full confidence that she was trustworthy, and beyond the reach of their suspicions; and vile as those schemes were, desperate as were their originators, and bitter as were her feelings towards the Jew, who had led her step by step, deeper and deeper down into an abyss of crime and misery, whence was no escape, still there were times when even towards him she felt some relenting, lest her dis
