Learn English Through Story ★ Subtitles ✦ Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

chapter one Oliver's early life Oliver Twist was born in a workhouse and when he arrived in this hard world it was very doubtful whether he would live beyond the first three minutes he lay on a hard little bed and struggled to start breathing Oliver fought his first battle without much assistance from the two people present at his birth one was an old woman who was nearly always drunk and the other was a busy local doctor who was not paid enough to be very interested in Oliver's survival after all death was a common event in the workhouse where only the poor and homeless lived however Oliver managed to draw his first breath and then announced his arrival to the rest of the workhouse by crying loudly his mother raised her pale young face from the pillow and whispered let me see the child and died the doctor turned away from the fire where he had been warming his hands you must not talk about dying yet he said to her kindly he gave her the child to hold lovingly she kissed a baby on its forehead with her cold white lips then stared wildly around the room fell back and died poor dear said the nurse hurriedly putting a green glass bottle back in the pocket of her long skirt the doctor began to put on his coat the baby is weak and will probably have difficulties he said if so give it a little milk to keep it quiet then he looked at the dead woman the mother was a good-looking girl where did she come from she was brought here last night replied the old woman she was found lying in the street she'd walked some distance judging by her shoes which were worn to pieces where she came from where she was going to or what her name was nobody knows the doctor lifted the girls left hand the old story he said sadly shaking his head no wedding ring I see yeah good night and so Oliver was left with only the drunken nurse without clothes under his first blanket he could have been the child of a king or a beggar but when the woman dressed him later in rough cotton clothes yellow with age he looked exactly what he was an orphan in a workhouse ready for a life of misery hunger and neglect Oliver cried loudly if he could have known that he was a workhouse orphan perhaps he would have cried even more loudly there was no one to look after the baby in the workhouse so Oliver was sent to a special baby farm nearby there he and thirty other children rolled around the floor all day without the inconvenience of too much food or too much clothing mrs. Mann the old woman who looked after them was very experienced she knew what was good for children and a full stomach was very dangerous to their health she also knew what was good for herself so she kept for her own use the money that she was given for the children's food the board responsible for the orphans sometimes checked on the health of the children but they always sent the Beadle a kind of local policeman to announce their visit the day before so whenever the board arrived of course the children were always neat and clean this was the way Oliver was brought up consequently at the age of nine he was a pale thin child and short for his age but despite frequent beatings by mrs. Mann his spirit was strong which was probably the reason why he managed to reach the age of nine at all on Oliver's ninth birthday mr. bumble the Beadle came to the house to seem as his man through the front window mrs. man saw him at the gate and turned quickly to the girl who worked with her quick take Oliver and those others upstairs to be washed she said then she ran out to unlock the gate it was always kept locked to prevent official visitors walking in unexpectedly I have business to talk about mr. bumble told mrs. Mann as he entered the house he was a big fat man often bad-tempered and was full of self-importance he did not like to be kept waiting at a locked gate mrs. Mann took his hat and coat placed a chair for him and expressed great concern for his comfort you've had a long walk mr. bumble she said and you must be thirsty she took out a bottle from the cupboard No thank you mrs. Mann not a drop he waved the bottle away just a little drop mr. bumble with cold water said mrs. Mann persuasively mr. bumble coughed hmm what is it he asked looking at the bottle with interest a gene III keep heaped for the children's medicine drink you'll give the children gin mrs. Mann asked mr. bumble watching as she mixed his drink only with medicine sir I don't like to see them suffer you're a good woman mrs. Mann mr. bumble drank half his glass immediately I'll tell the board about you know the reason why I'm here Oliver Twist is nine years old today we've never been able to discover anything about his parents then how did he get his name I gave it to him said Mr bumble proudly we follow the alphabet the last one was an S swab oh and then it was tea so this one is Twist the next one will be Unwin anyway all the twist is now old enough to return to the workhouse bring him here please while mrs. man went to get him mr. bumble finished the rest of his gin Oliver his face and hands now almost clean was led into the room will you come along with me Oliver asked mr. bumble in a loud voice Oliver was very glad to be free of mrs. man's violence but he said nothing because she was angrily shaking her finger at him however as the gate closed behind Oliver he burst into tears he was leaving behind the other children the only friends he had and he realized at that moment how lonely he was in the world mr. bumble walked on with long steps with Oliver on his short little legs running beside him the feeling of contentment produced by gin and water had now disappeared and the beetle was in a bad mood once more back at the workhouse Oliver was taken to see the board he stood in front of ten fat men who were sitting around a table what's your name boy asked a particularly fat man with a very round red face Oliver was frightened at the sight of so many people and started to cry why are you crying the Beadle hit him on the back and so naturally Oliver cried even more the boy is a fool one member of the board announced you know you have no father or mother said the first man and that you were being brought up with other orphans yes sir replied Oliver crying bitterly why is the boy crying repeated the other man puzzled you have come here to be educated continued the fat man so you will start working here tomorrow at a six o'clock Oliver was led away to a large room where on a rough hard bed he cried himself to sleep the room in the workhouse where the boys were fed was a large stone hall and at one in the master and two women served the food this consisted of a bowl of thin soup three times a day with a piece of bread on Sundays the boys ate everything and were always hungry the bowls never needed washing the boys polished them with their spoons until they Sean after three months of this slow starvation one of the boys tell the others he was so hungry that one night he might eat the boy who slept next to him he had a wild hungry eye and the other boys believed him after a long discussion they decided that one of them should ask for more food after supper that evening and Oliver was chosen the evening arrived the soup was served and the bowls were empty again in a few seconds Oliver went up to the master with his bowl in his hand he felt very frightened but also desperate with hunger please sir I want some more the master was a fat healthy man but he turned very pale he looked at the little boy in front of him with amazement nobody else spoke what he asked at last in a faint voice please sir replied Oliver I want some more the master hit him with a serving spoon then seized Oliver's arms and shouted for the Beadle the Beadle came quickly heard the dreadful news and immediately ran to tell the board he asked for more mr. limbkins the fattest board member asked in horror bumble is this really true that boy will be hanged said the man who earlier had called Oliver a fool you'll see if I'm not right Oliver was led away to be locked up and a reward was offered to anybody who would take him away and use him for work [Music] chapter 2 Oliver's first job Oliver stayed a prisoner alone in the darkroom for a week he cried bitterly all day and when the long night came he spread his little hands over his eyes to shut out the darkness and tried to sleep he was given freezing water to wash with and was beaten daily by mr. bumble in front of all the other boys in the hall as a warning to them one day mr. bumble met the local Undertaker mr. Sowerberry outside the workhouse do you know anybody who wants to chain a boy for work mr. Sowerberry mr. bumble pointed at the notice on the wall above him which offered five pounds to anybody who would take Oliver Twist for work mr. Sowerberry rubbed his chin and thought for a while I pay enough for the poor with my taxes he said so why shouldn't I be able to make use of them in my work yes I'll take the boy myself and so the board agreed to send Oliver to work for the Undertaker the necessary papers were signed Oliver's small possessions were put into a brown paper parcel and he was led to mr. sowerberry's house by mr. bumble as they walked along tears began to run down Oliver's face what is it this time asked mr. bumble impatiently don't be so ungrateful this gentleman is going to look after you it's just that I'm so lonely sir said the child everybody hates me please don't be angry with me sir even mr. bumble felt a little pity he coughed told Oliver to dry his eyes and be a good boy and walked on with him in silence the Undertaker had just finished work for the day when mr. bumble entered his shop here I've brought the boy said the beetle Oliver bowed to the Undertaker who raised his candle to get a better view of the boy mrs. Sowerberry he called and come on have a look his wife a short thin woman with a disagreeable face came out to see he's very small she said immediately he is agreed mr. bumble but he'll grow mrs. Sowerberry yes she said crossly when he eats our food go on get downstairs she pushed Oliver downstairs into a damp dark kitchen and called to the girl working down there here Charlotte give his boy some meat that the dog left if he thinks it's good enough for him Oliver told the meat to pieces with his teeth as if he were a wild animal mrs. Sowerberry watched him in silent horror already thinking about her future food bills then took him upstairs to the shop he will sleep here among the coffins she said Oliver stared around the dark airless shop at the coffins some finished some only half made he trembled at the thought of ghosts his bed was a small hole in the floor and looked very like a grave but it was not only the room that depressed Oliver he felt very lonely with no friends and no one to care for him as he lay on the bed he found himself wishing that it really was his grave the next morning he was woken up by someone kicking at the shop door open the door will you shouted a voice through the keyhole yes sir I suppose you're the new boy said the voice to the keyhole how old are you ten sir then I'll hit you when I get in said the voice Oliver was experienced enough to know that the promise was probably true he opened the door with a shaking hand then looked up and down the street all he could see was a large boy wearing the uniform of one of the charity schools where the children of the very poor used to go did you want a coffin asked Oliver innocently the charity-boy looked at him fiercely you'll be needing a coffin soon workhouse if you make jokes like that I'm mr. Noah Claypole and you're working under me now hurry up and open the curtains as he said this he kicked Oliver and entered the shop he was a big clumsy boy of about 14 with a large head and very small eyes added to these attractions were a red nose and dirty yellow trousers the boys went down to breakfast which the girl Charlotte had made for them she gave an extra piece of meat to Noah then told Oliver to hurry up as it was his job to look after the shop did you hear that workhouse shouted Noah he heard Noah said Charlotte leave him alone why asked Noah all his relations have already left him alone his mother and father aren't going to interfere with him Charlotte and Noah both started laughing loudly Oliver sat alone in the corner eating old bits of bread Noah was a charity boy but not a workhouse orphan he at least knew who his parents were but for a long time all the local shop boys had insulted him because he wore the uniform of a charity boy now fortune had brought him a creature in an even lower position in society than himself Noah intended to repay to Oliver every insults he had ever received and to make the new boys life a misery after a few weeks mr. Sowerberry decided that he liked Oliver's appearance enough to train him in the undertaking business Oliver's permanent expression of sadness was very suitable the Undertaker thought for collecting dead bodies from houses and accompanying the coffins to funerals one day mr. bumble came to tell them about a woman who had died in an extremely poor part of the town and Sowerberry and Oliver went to collect the body they went down dirty narrow streets where the houses on either side were tall and large but very old some of the houses were almost falling down and had to be supported by huge blocks of wood the area was so poor that even the dead rats in the street looked as though they had died of hunger they found the right house and climbed the dark stairs to a miserable little room some children watched them from the shadows as they entered something lay beneath a blanket on the floor in one corner a man and an old woman stood near the body Oliver was afraid to look at them with their thin faces and sharp teeth they looked like the rats he had seen outside as Sowerberry began to measure the body for a coffin the man knelt on the floor and cried out she starved to death I tell you that's why she died he fell to the floor and all the children behind him started to cry Sowerberry and Oliver their work done left as fast as they could they returned the next day with the coffin and four men from the workhouse who were to carry it the man and the old woman followed the coffin to the church and waited silently by the grave for the priest to arrive when at last he came he hurried through the burial prayers and as quickly as possible it was only a job after all the coffin was put into the ground at this point the husband who had not moved once during his wife's burial not even during the long wait for the priest suddenly fainted to the ground and had to have cold water thrown over him so how did you like it Oliver asked Salaberry later as they walked home not not very much sir Oliver answered truthfully you'll get used to it my boy Oliver wondered how long that would take and remain silent all the way back to the shop thinking about everything that he had seen and heard [Music] Chapter three Oliver goes to London Oliver was now officially an Undertaker's assistant it was a good sickly time of year and coffins were selling well Oliver gained a lot of experience in a short time and was interested to see how brave some people were after a death in the family during funerals for some rich people for example he saw that the people who had cried the loudest in church usually recovered the fastest afterwards he noticed how in other wealthy families the wife or the husband often seemed quite cheerful and calm despite the recent death just as if nothing had happened Oliver was very surprised to see all this and greatly admired them for controlling their sadness so well he was treated badly by most of the people around him Noah was jealous because Oliver went out to burials while he was left back in the shop so he treated him even worse than before Charlotte treated him badly because Noah did and mrs. solloway was his enemy because mr. Sowerberry was supposed to be his friend one day something happened which might seem unimportant but which had a great effect on Oliver's future Noah was in a particularly bad mood one dinnertime and so he tried to make Oliver cry by hitting him pulling his hair and calling him horrible names this was all unsuccessful so he tried personal insults workhouse how's your mother he asked she's dead replied Oliver his face going red with emotion Noah hoped that Oliver was going to cry so he continued what did she die of workhouse of a broken heart I was told and a tear rolled down Oliver's cheek why are you crying workhouse Oliver remained silent and Noah grew braver you know I feel very sorry for you workhouse but the truth is your mother was a wicked woman Oliver seemed suddenly to wake up what did you say she was so bad it was lucky she died or she would have ended up in prison or hung his face bright red with anger Oliver jumped up seized Noah's throat and shook the older boy so violently that his teeth nearly fell out then he hit him with all his strength and knocked him to the ground he all murder me screamed Noah Charlotte help Oliver's gone mad Charlotte and mrs. Sowerberry ran in and screamed in horror they took hold of Oliver and began to beat him then Noah got up and started to kick him from behind when they were all tired they forced Oliver who was still fighting and shouting into the cellar and locked it mrs. Sowerberry sat down breathing heavily he's like a wild animal she said we could all have been murdered in our beds I hope mr. Sowerberry doesn't take any more of these dreadful creatures from the workhouse said Charlotte poor now was nearly killed mrs. sabree looked at Noah sympathetically Noah who was twice Oliver sighs pretended to rub tears from his eyes what shall we do cried mrs. Sowerberry he'll kick that door down in ten minutes they could hear Oliver banging and kicking at the cellar door Noah run and get mr. bumble so Noah ran through the streets as quickly as he could to fetch the Beadle when he reached the workhouse he waited for a minute to make sure his face was suitably tearful and frightened as soon as mr. bumble came out Noah cried mr. bumble mr. bumble whit's Oliver Twist's eyes become violent he tried to murder me sir and Charlotte and mrs. Sowerberry as well mr. bumble was shocked and angry did him I'll come up there immediately and beat him with my stick when he arrived at the shop Oliver was still kicking wildly at the cellar door let me out he outed from the cellar we heard mr. bumbles voice I'm not afraid of you mr. bumble stopped for a moment amazed and even rather frightened by this change in Oliver then he said to mrs. Sowerberry it's the meat that's caused this you know what meat madam you fed him too well here back in the workhouse this would never have happened I knew I was too generous to him said mrs. Sowerberry raising her eyes to the ceiling at that moment mr. Sabri returned and hearing what had happened according to the ladies he beat Oliver's so hard that even mr. bumble and mrs. Sowerberry were satisfied mr. Sowerberry was not a cruel man but he had no choice he knew that if he didn't punish Oliver his wife would never forgive him that night alone in the room with the coffins Oliver cried bitter lonely tears he did not sleep and very early in the morning before anyone was awake he quietly unlocked the shop door and left the house he ran up the street and through the town as far as the main road where he saw a sign that told him it was just 70 miles from there to London the name London gave the boy an idea that huge place nobody not even mr. bumble could ever find him there he had heard old men in the workhouse say it was a good place for brave boys and that there was always work there for those that wanted it it would be the best place for him he jumped to his feet and walked forward again but after only four miles he began to realise just how far he would have to walk he stopped to think about it he had a piece of bread a rough shirt two pairs of socks and a penny but he could not see how these would help him to get to London any faster so he continued walking he walked 20 miles that day the only thing he had to eat was his piece of bread and some water which he begged from houses near the road he slept the first night in a field feeling lonely tired cold and hungry he was even hungrier the next morning when he woke up and he had to buy some more bread with his penny that day he walked only 12 miles his legs were so weak that they shook beneath him the next day he tried to beg for money but large signs in some villages warned him that anyone caught begging would be sent to prison travelers on the road refused to give him money they said he was a lazy young dog and didn't deserve anything farmers threatened to send their dogs after him when he waited outside pubs the pub on has chased him away because they thought he had come to steal something only two people were kind enough to feed him an old woman and a gatekeeper on the road if they had not given him some food he surely would have died like his mother early on the seventh morning of his journey Oliver finally reached the little town of Barnet just outside London exhausted he sat down at the side of the road his feats were bleeding and he was covered in dust he was too tired even to beg then he noticed that a boy who had passed him a few minutes before had returned and was now looking at him carefully from the opposite side of the road after a long time the boy crossed the road and said to Oliver hello what's the matter then the boy was about Oliver's age but was one of the strangest looking people he had ever seen he had a dirty ordinary boy's face but he behaved as if he were an adult he was short for his age and had little sharp ugly eyes his hat was stuck on top of his head but it looked as though it would blow off at any minute he wore a man's coat which reached almost down to his feet with sleeves so long that his hands were completely covered I'm very tired and hungry answered Oliver almost crying I've been walking for a week a week the magistrate's order was it the magistrate but what's that a magistrate's a kind of judge explained the surprised young gentleman he realised Oliver did not have much experience of the world never mind that you want some food he went on I haven't got much money but don't worry I'll pay the boy held Oliver to his feet and took him to a pub meat bread and beer were placed before Oliver and his new friend urged him to satisfy his hunger while Oliver was eating the strange boy looked at him from time to time with great attention going to London he asked him finally yes got anywhere to live no money no the strange boy whistled and put his arms into his pockets as far as the big coat sleeves would allow him I suppose you want to sleep somewhere tonight don't you I do replied Oliver I haven't slept under a roof since I started my journey well don't worry I've got to be in London tonight and I know a very nice old gentleman there who'll let you live in his place and not even ask you for money Oliver was deeply grateful for this offer of shelter and talked for a long time with his new friend his name was Jack Dawkins but he was usually called the artful dodger artful because he was very clever at getting what he wanted and Dodger because he was very good at not getting caught when he did something wrong when he heard this Oliver felt rather doubtful about having such a friend however he wanted first to meet the kind old gentleman in London who would help him after that he could decide whether to continue the friendship with The Artful Dodger [Music] Chapter four Oliver in London for some reason the Dodger did not want to enter London during daylight so it was nearly eleven o'clock at night when they got near the centre Oliver had never seen a dirtier or more miserable place the streets in this district were narrow and muddy and there were terrible smells everywhere children wandered around even at this time of night in and out of the many shops playing and screaming the pubs were full of people fighting and big evil looking men stood in doorways or at dark corners Oliver almost wanted to run away but just then the Dodger pushed open a door and pulled Oliver into a dark Hall who's there a voice cried out his may said the Dodger the faint light of a candle appeared in the hall who's the other one a new friend they went up some dark and broken stairs Oliver could hardly see where he was going but the Dodger seemed to know the way and helped Oliver up they entered a room with walls that were black with age and dirt in front of the fire was a table with a candle stuck into a bottle of beer and an old man with a horribly ugly face and red hair stood next to the fire cooking he was wearing a dirty old coat and seemed to divide his attention between his cooking and a number of silk handkerchiefs which were hanging near the fire there were several rough beds in the room four or five boys about the same age as The Artful Dodger set round the table smoking and drinking like middle aged men they all looked up when the Dodger and Oliver entered this is him Fagin the Dodger said to the old man my friend Oliver Twist Fagin smiled and shook Oliver's hand then all the young gentlemen came up to him and shook both his hands very hard especially the hand which held his few possessions one of the boys was particularly kind he even put his hands in Oliver's pockets so that Oliver would not have to empty them himself when he went to bed the boys would probably have been even more helpful but Fagin hit them on their heads and shoulders until they left Oliver alone we are very glad to see you Oliver said Fagin I see you're staring at the handkerchiefs my dear aren't there a lot we've just taken them all out to wash them that's all this seemed to be a joke as the old gentleman and all his young friends gave loud shouts of laughter then supper began Oliver ate his share of the food and was then given a glass of gin and water Fagin told him to drink it fast immediately afterwards Oliver felt himself lifted onto one of the beds and he sank into a deep sleep when he woke it was late morning Fagin was the only other person in the room and he was boiling coffee in a pan when the coffee was done he turned towards Oliver and looked closely at the boy Oliver was only just awake and his eyes were half closed so he seems to be still fast asleep Fagin then locked the door and from a hidden hole in the floor he took out a small box which he placed carefully on the table his eyes shone as he opened it and took out a gold watch covered in jewels huh he said to himself what fine men they were loyal to the end they never told the priest where the jewels were nor what about ol Fagin not even at the very end and why should they it was already too late it wouldn't have stopped the Rope going round their necks Fagin took out at least six more watches as well as rings and bracelets and many other valuable pieces of jewellery he looked at them with pleasure then replaced them what a good thing hanging is he murmured dead men can never talk orbit try old friends at that moment he looked up and saw Oliver watching him he closed the lid of the box with a loud crash and picked up a bread knife from the table why are you watching me what have you seen tell me quick I couldn't sleep any longer sir said Oliver terrified I'm very sorry you weren't awake an hour ago they get asked fiercely still holding the knife a promise I wasn't sir replied Oliver don't worry he my dear Fagin said putting down the knife and becoming once again the kind old gentleman he laughed I only tried to frighten Hugh my dear you're a brave boy Oliver and did you see any of the pretty things yes sir Oh said Fagin turning rather pale they they're mine Oliver all I have in my old age Oliver wondered why the old man lived in such an old dirty place when he had so many watches but then he thought that it must cost Fagin a lot of money to look after the Dodger and the other boys so he said nothing and got up and washed when he turned towards Fagin the box had disappeared soon the Dodger entered with a cheerful young man named Charley Bates have you been at work this morning Fagin asked the Dodger hard at work answered the Dodger good boys good boys said Fagin what have you got a couple of pocketbooks and some handkerchiefs good the workers aren't they Oliver said the old man very good said Oliver the others all started laughing though Oliver saw nothing funny in his answer Fagin inspected the handkerchiefs and told the two boys that they were extremely well made and that he was very pleased with their work after breakfast they played a very strange game the cheerful old man could a watch in his jacket pocket with a guard chain round his neck and a notebook and a handkerchief in his trouser pocket then he went up and down the room holding a walking stick just like the old gentleman who walked in the streets sometimes he stopped at the fireplace and sometimes at the door pretending to stare with great interest into shop windows he would then constantly look round as if afraid of Thieves touching all his pockets in such a natural and funny way that Oliver laughed until the tears ran down his face all the time the two boys followed Fagin everywhere and every time he turned round they moved out of his sight so quickly that it was impossible to follow their movements finally the Dodger bumped into him accidentally from behind and at that moment both boys took from him very quickly his watch guard chain handkerchief and notebook if the old man felt a hand in any of his pockets he cried out and then the game began again later the boys went out again to do some more work when they had gone Fagin turned to Oliver take my advice my dear he said like them your models especially the Dodger he'll be a great man himself and will make you one too if you copy him is my handkerchief hanging out of my pocket My dear yes sir said Oliver see if you can take it out without my feeling it just as you saw them doing it when we were playing Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket with one hand as he had seen the Dodger hold it and pulled the handkerchief lightly out of it with the other has it gone asked Fagin here it is sir said Oliver showing it in his hand you're a clever boy him idea said the old gentleman putting his hand on Oliver's head I've never seen a quicker boy if you go on like this you will be the greatest man in London now come here and I'll show you how to take the marks out of handkerchiefs Oliver wondered what the connection was between playing and stealing from the old gentleman's pocket and becoming a great man but he followed him quietly to the table and was soon deeply involved in his new study Oliver remained in Fagin's room for many days picking the marks and names out of the handkerchiefs and sometimes playing the same game as before one evening two young ladies came to visit and a very cheerful party followed Oliver thought they were very nice friendly girls the Dodger and Charley Bates went out to work every day but sometimes came home with no handkerchiefs and Fagin would get very angry once he even knocked them both down the stairs and sent them to bed with no dinner because they had returned with nothing at last the morning came when Oliver was allowed to go out to work with the two other boys there are being no handkerchiefs for him to work on for several days and there was not very much to eat for dinner the three boys set out but they walked so slowly that Oliver thought they were not going to work at all and suddenly the Dodger stopped and put his finger to his lips what's the matter demanded Oliver be quiet replied the Dodger do you see that old man outside the bookshop he's the one Oliver looked from the Dodger to Charley Bates with great surprise and confusion but he had been told not to ask questions the two boys walked quickly and secretly across the road towards the old gentlemen Oliver followed behind them watching in silent amazement the old gentleman looked quite rich he wore gold glasses white trousers and had an expensive walking stick under his arm he had picked up a book and was standing there reading it with great concentration just as if he were in his own armchair at home Oliver his eyes wide with horror and alarm watched as the Dodger put his hand in the old gentleman's pocket took out a handkerchief and handed it to Charley Bates then the two of them ran round the corner as fast as they could suddenly the whole mystery of the handkerchiefs and the watches and the jewels and Fagin became clear Oliver stood for a moment in terror the blood rushing through him until he felt he was on fire then confused and frightened he started to run at the same time the old gentleman putting his hand to his pocket and realizing his handkerchief was missing turned round he saw Oliver running away so he naturally thought Oliver was the thief with loud cries of stop thief he ran after Oliver with the book still in his hand the old gentleman was not the only one who started shouting the Dodger and Charley Bates not wanting to attract attention to themselves by running down the street had stopped round the first corner when they realized what was happening they also shouted stop thief and joined in the chase like good citizens the cry of stop thief always causes great excitement everybody in the street stopped what they were doing and began to shout themselves many joined in the chase with enthusiasm and soon there was a big crowd running after Oliver finally they caught the exhausted boy he felled out on the pavement and the crowd gathered round him is this the boy they asked the old gentleman yes he answered leaning over Oliver but I'm afraid he's hurt himself I did that said a huge young man proudly and I hurt my hand doing it the old gentleman looked at him with an expression of dislike Oliver lay on the ground covered with mud and dust and bleeding from the mouth and looked wildly at all the faces surrounding him at that moment a policeman arrived and took Oliver by the collar come on get up he said roughly it wasn't me sir said Oliver looking round it was two other boys they're here somewhere oh no they aren't replied the policeman in fact he was right as the Dodger and Charley had quietly disappeared as soon as the crowd had called Oliver come on get up don't hurt him said the old gentleman I won't said the policeman tearing Oliver's jacket half of his back as he lifted him up the three of them started walking follow by the excited crowd chapter 5 Oliver's life changes Oliver was taken to the nearest police station the officer at the gates looked at the boy another young thief a he turned to the old gentlemen are you the person who was robbed sir yes I am replied the old gentleman but I'm not sure that this boy actually took the handkerchief I don't really want to take him to court too late he must go before the magistrate now Oliver was locked in a small stone cell which was disgustingly dirty and smelly as the key turned in the lock the old gentleman said to himself thoughtfully there's something in that boy's face he could be innocent have I seen someone like him before after thinking about this for a few minutes he said no it must be imagination he sighed unhappily and began reading the book again some time later the officer touched his shoulder and told him that the court was ready a magistrate was a judge who dealt with small crimes in local courts and the magistrate for this district was well known his name was mr. Fang and he was a disagreeable bad-tempered man today he was in a particularly bad mood he frowned angrily at the old gentleman and asked sharply who are you my name sir is Brownlow officer what is this man charged with he's not charged sir answered the officer he's accusing the boy the magistrate looked at mr. Brownlow from head to foot and what have you got to say mr. Brownlow began to explain I was standing outside a bookshop be quiet sir shouted mr. Fang policeman now you arrested the boy what happened the policeman told the magistrate what he had heard and how he had searched Oliver after woods and nothing are there any witnesses asked the magistrate none answered the policeman mr. Fang then turned to mr. Brownlow and angrily told him to describe what had happened mr. Brownlow explained that he had run after the boy only because he saw him running away he did not think that the boy was the actual thief and he hoped that the boy would not be punished he's been hurt already he added and I am afraid he's very ill I don't believe that for a moment said Mr Fang unpleasantly he turned to Oliver come now don't try any clever tricks with me what's your name he demanded Oliver tried to reply but he was too weak to speak he was deadly pale and he felt the room spinning round him at last he managed to whisper a request for water but the magistrate refused angrily suddenly Oliver fainted and fell to the floor mr. Fang stared at him angrily guilty three months prison he said immediately let him lie there he'll soon be tired of that mr. Fang stood up this Court is now closed at that moment a man in an old black coat rushed in stop he shouted don't take the boy away I saw it all I'm the bookshop owner mr. fangs face was black with anger at his unexpected interruption but the bookshop owner demanded to be heard he described exactly what had really happened he had seen two boys steal the handkerchief and then run away leaving Oliver to be arrested in a final burst of bad temper mr. Fang said that his time had been wasted he announced that Oliver was innocent and ordered everybody out of the court the order was obeyed and as mr. Brownlow turned to go down the street he saw Oliver lying on the pavement shaking his face as white as death poor boy poor boy said Mr Brownlow bending over him he called a coach quickly laid Oliver on the seat and drove away the coach stopped at a neat house in a quiet shady Street in North London Oliver was gently carried into a bed and received more care and kindness than he had ever had in his life but he had a fever and for many days he lay there unconscious when he eventually awoke weak thin and pale he looked anxiously around the room what room is this where am i he said this is not the place I fell asleep in mrs. Bedwin the motherly old housekeeper heard his words and instantly came to him harsh be quiet my dear or you'll be ill again lie down he lay down and woke up again much later after a while he was able to sit up in a chair although he was still too weak to walk in this new position he could see a picture of a woman hanging on the wall opposite who is that madam he asked the old housekeeper I don't know my dear do you like it the eyes look so sad and they seem to be staring at me as if the person was alive and wanted to speak to me but couldn't your weakened nervous after your illness mrs. Bedwin said kindly don't worry about things like that later that day mr. Brownlow came in having heard that the boy was a little better at last he was delighted to see that Oliver could sit up but when he saw Oliver's face clearly mr. Brownlow stared hard at him I hope you're not angry with me sir said Oliver anxiously no no not in the least he replied then he turned to the housekeeper but look mrs. Bedwin look there he pointed to the picture of the woman above Oliver's head and then to the boy's face it was a living copy of the picture even the expression was the same Oliver did not understand what was happening he was so alarmed by mr. Brownlow's excitement that he fainted once more the Dodger and Charley Bates had left the crowd which was chasing Oliver as soon as they could they went back to their house through the narrow streets using a complicated route in case anyone was following them once they were safely away from other people Charley Bates rolled on the ground and laughed and laughed when I saw Oliver running away so fast round all the corners bumping into walls and all the time I had the heck achieve in my pocket but what all faking say asked the Dodger what do you mean the Dodgers had nothing more but led Charley Bates into the house and up the stairs when Fagin saw them enter he rose to his feet where's Oliver he asked him furiously the two boys looked uneasily at each other but said nothing Fagin took hold of the Dodgers collar and shook him violently tell me or I'll kill you the Dodger slid out of his coat in one smooth movement leaving Fagin holding only the empty coat the police have got him he said reluctantly he looked round for a weapon to fight with but Fagin already had a heavy metal pot in his hand he threw it hard at the Dodger but missed and hit Charley Bates who started to shout with fear suddenly all this noise and confusion was silenced by a deep voice at the door what the devil was going on here the voice demanded the owner of the voice was a big man of about 35 in a black coat and very dirty trousers with a brown hat on his head and a dirty handkerchief around his neck he also had a three-day-old beard a white dog with torn ears followed him into the room the man kicked the dog into a corner and looked round at the signs of battle are they trying to murder you Fagin I would if I was them I'd have done it long ago now give me some beer and don't poison it it was said as a joke but if the man had seen the evil look Fagin's face he might have thought the warning was a necessary one Fagin produced some beer and as the fight appeared to be over everybody sat down in the conversation that followed Fagin told the newcomer that Oliver had been caught by the police I'm afraid mr. Sykes he said the boy may say something which will get us into trouble very likely said Bill Sikes smiling unkindly you've got problems Fagin and I'm afraid added Fagin ignoring Sikes his remark that if we are in trouble then a lot of other people will be in trouble too if you understand me my dear Sikes turned angrily towards the old man there was a silence then Sikes said somebody must find out what's happened if he hasn't said anything yet we must catch him when he leaves the police station Fagin nodded but there was a difficulty none of them wanted to go anywhere near a police station the problem was solved with the arrival of the two young ladies whom Oliver had met one evening in Fagin's house then theme are there Fagin said he smiled sweetly at one of the young ladies can you go to find out what's happened to Oliver the young lady answered calmly no I won't you're the only one here that the police in this district don't know said Sikes she'll go Fagin no repeated Nancy yes she will Fagin Sikes was right with a mixture of threats and promises he soon persuaded Nancy to go she set off at once and at the police station pretended to be a shy frightened girl it's my poor little brother Oliver here she asked the officer with the keys he's not here the officer replied the gentleman's got him the gentleman Oh No what gentleman cried Nancy very upset the policeman explained that had become ill and the old gentleman had taken him to his house in the Pentonville district of North London Nancy still looking terribly upset left the station and hurried back to Fagin's house with this news as soon as he heard it Sikes called his white dog put on his hat and left without saying goodbye to anyone we must find him Fagin said urgently to the rest of them no one can stay here it's too dangerous now all of you walk around Pentonville and keep your ears open don't come back until you have some news of Oliver if you can kidnap him we've got to keep him quiet before he starts talking about us to his new friends with these words he pushed them all from his room and double locked the door behind them then he took out his hidden box and very carefully hid all the watches and the jewelry beneath his clothes chapter 6 Oliver is found again Oliver began to recover and slowly regain his strength the picture that had caused mr. Brownlow's excitement was taken down from the wall and was not mentioned again Oliver was disappointed at the disappearance of the picture since he liked the woman's face but he had many other things to think about now they were happy days while Oliver was getting better he played cards with mrs. Bedwin and listened to stories about her family the days were all so quiet and relaxing after the hardships and poverty of his previous life mr. Brownlow bought him a new suit and Miu shoes and Oliver's dirty old clothes were given away one day mr. Brownlow asked him to come to his study for a little talk Oliver went in and sat down he looked at mr. Brownlow serious face in alarm don't tell me you're going to send me away sir please he exclaimed let me stay here could help with the housework place her my dear child don't be afraid said mr. brownlow kindly I won't desert you I believe that you're a good boy not a common thief you told me you're an orphan and that seems to be the truth but I want to hear now the whole story of your life and how you came to be with the boys I saw you with that day Oliver began his story but was soon interrupted by the arrival of mr. grimwig an old friend of mr. Brownlow's mr. grimwig was a fierce old gentleman and very fond of arguments he clearly knew all about Oliver and inspected him closely so this is the boy is it he said at last Oliver bowed politely and was introduced by mr. Brownlow T was then brought in and during the meal mr. grimwig stared so hard at Oliver that the boy felt rather confused eventually mr. grimwig whispered to mr. Brownlow he may be a good-looking boy but I think he's deceiving you my good friend the nonce said Mr Brownlow becoming angry well we'll see answered his friend Wheelz he later that afternoon mr. Brownlow wanted to return some books to a bookseller and to send some money for new books that he had already collected mr. grimwig suggested that Oliver should go he'll be sure to deliver everything safely he said with a smile yes please let me take them said Oliver delighted to be of use mr. Brownlow hesitated but Mr grimwig smile had annoyed him very well he said here are the books Oliver and a five-pound note the bookseller will give you ten shillings change I won't be ten minutes replied Oliver eagerly and he ran out into the street Sara expects him to come back do you inquired mr. grimwig yes I do said Mr Brownlow smiling confidently don't you No he has a new suit of clothes some valuable books and a five-pound note in his pocket he'll join his old friends the thieves and laugh at you if he comes back I'll eat my hat the two men sat by the window with a pocket watch between them and waited for Oliver's return oliver hurried through the streets to the bookshop thinking how lucky he was suddenly there was a loud scream behind him oh my dear brother before he could look round a pair of arms was thrown tightly around his neck don't he cried struggling let Co why are you stopping me who is it the young woman holding him started to cry loudly I've found him Oh Oliver you naughty boy to make me suffer so much come home immediately you cruel boy she burst into tears and several people stopped to stare at what was happening what's the matter asked one of the watching women he ran away from his parents a month ago the young woman said the hard-working respectable people and he left them to join a gang of thieves and bad characters and almost broke his mother's heart Jerome you orrible child said another woman yes go back to your parents said a third but I haven't got him he replied Oliver greatly alarmed I haven't got a sister either I'm an orphan I live in Pentonville listen to him make him come home a young woman said to the crowd or your kilise dear mother and father and bright Maya heart suddenly Oliver recognized the woman he had seen in Fagin's house it's Nancy he said without thinking you see cried Nancy to the crowd he knows me just then a big man ran out of a beer shop followed by a white dog what's this young Oliver come home to your poor mother you young devil and what books are these you've stolen them haven't you give them to me the man who was Bill Sikes seized Oliver with one strong hand and hit him on the head with the other that'll do him good shouted some of the crowd is the only way to treat boys like him Bill Sikes held on to Oliver's arm come on you young thief still weak from illness and terrified by the growling dog Oliver could not resist he was taken through the dark narrow streets at great speed Sikes and Nancy gave him no chance to escape and Oliver had no breath to call out for help all too quickly he was back in Fagin's house where his old friends were waiting for him delighted to see you looking so well my dear they again said bowing politely why didn't you write and say you were coming we'd have got something warm for supper the Dodger and Charley Bates rolled with laughter and the Dodger began looking through the books Oliver had with him keep them back Oliver cried those books belong to the kind old gentleman who took me into his home send him back the books and the money you think I stole them you're right daft Fagin he will think that Oliver jumped to his feet and ran wildly from the room shouting for help the Dodger and Fagin caught him easily and brought him back then the old man picked up a long piece of wood so you wanted to get away my dear did you wanted to call the police and get help we'll cure you of that he hit Oliver hard on the shoulders with a stick he was raising it for a second hit when Nancy rushed forward and seizing the piece of wood threw it into the fire I won't let you do it faking she shouted you've got him again isn't that enough now leave him alone Fagin and Sikes looked at each other shocked by her reaction you better keep quiet ma girl growled Sikes now I won't cried the girl wildly now you've got the boy you'll turn him into a thief and a liar isn't that enough without killing him too she rushed at Fagin and would have hit him if Sykes had not held her arms so tightly that she couldn't move she struggled wildly for a while then exhausted she fainted Sikes laid her down in the corner as surprised as Fagin at her anger she can be really wild when she's angry Sykes said Fagin wiped his forehead that's the trouble with women he said but she's a clever girl in her work then Charlie Bates and the Dodger took away Oliver's expensive new suit gave him some old clothes and locked him up in a dark room Oliver felt tired and ill and was soon fast asleep chapter 7 the robbery a few days later a visitor arrived in London from Oliver's hometown he was a large fat man and very proud of his hat which showed the world that he was a most important official it was in fact mr. bumble the Beadle Oliver's old enemy mr. bumble had completed his business in the city and had just finished a most satisfactory meal in a pub he pulled up his chair to the fire to enjoy his hot gin and water in comfort and opened the newspaper the first thing he saw was this notice a reward of five pounds is offered for any information leading to the discovery of a young boy Oliver Twist who was kidnapped from his home in Pentonville last Thursday evening I am also very interested in any information about his past there was then a full description of Oliver's clothes and appearance and mr. Brownlow's full address mr. bumble rubbed his eyes read the notice again and was at the address in less than 10 minutes he was shown into mr. brownlow study where the old gentleman and his friend mr. grimwig was sitting do you know where the poor boy is now to Brownlow asked when the beetle had explained the reason for his visit mr. bumble shook his head do you know anything good about him asked mr. grimwig looking closely at mr. bumbles face mr. bumble shook his head again very seriously and turned down the corners of his mouth then tell us everything you know about him said Mr Brownlow impatiently mr. bumble put down his hat unbuttoned his coat folded his arms and sat back in his chair he spoke in his most important and official voice and talked for 20 minutes his listeners heard all the details of Oliver's illegitimate birth and how generously he had been treated as a workhouse orphan they heard how he had always been an ungrateful and dangerous child violently attacking another boy and finally running away from the house where he had been working the old gentleman shook his head sadly and gave mr. bumble the five pounds I would have been happy to give you three times the amount if your story had proved that the boy was good if mr. bumble had known this earlier he might have told a different story but now it was too late so he took the money and left mr. Brownlow walked up and down his room for several minutes deep in thought he rang the bell for mrs. Bedwin his housekeeper and told her what he had heard I don't believe it she said with great certainty I was right said Mr grimwig with a satisfaction you should have listened to what I said mr. brownlow said angrily never let me hear the boy's name again never remember that mrs. Bedwin there were sad hearts at mr. Brownlow's house that night meanwhile in another part of London Oliver remained a prisoner Fagin had told Oliver how ungrateful he had been to run away he had told him but he would have died of hunger without Fagin's kindness he went on to tell Oliver the story of another young boy who had gone to the police to tell them about the but who had finally been hanged one morning for being a thief Fagin described the hanging and terrifying detail and said that he hoped he would never have to tell the police about Oliver and see Oliver with a rope around his neck Oliver felt his blood to turn cold he remained locked in a room for many days seeing nobody between early morning and midnight he spent his time thinking sadly about his friends in Pentonville after a week he was free to wander around the house during the day it was a dirty place full of rats and insects but no other living thing all the windows were closed and covered with wood and metal bars that kept out the light one afternoon the Dodger and Charley Bates were at home and they started telling Oliver about their lives as thieves why don't you become one Charley asked him we all are here both of us and Fagin Sikes and Nancy all of us I don't want to be replied Oliver I wish they'd let me go but it's a good life the Dodger said taking some coins from his pocket and throwing them up in the air what does it matter where the money comes from he said laughing if you don't steal it someone else will you can be sure of that Fagin entered at this point with two young men and joined in the conversation one of the young men had just come out of prison and there were many cheerful jokes about his very short haircut everybody sat around the fire talking and laughing for hours Fagin told Oliver how good the Dodger was at his job and what a friendly boy Charlie was it was without doubt an interesting evening for Oliver after so many days locked up alone after that evening he was rarely on his own again he spent a lot of time with the Dodger and Charley and often played the handkerchief game with them at other times Fagin would tell them all about robberies he had committed in his younger days telling the stories so well and putting in so many funny details that Oliver could not stop laughing even though he knew it was wrong Fagin knew what he was doing he had made sure that Oliver was so lonely and miserable that he would be desperate for any friends however criminal slowly and deliberately Fagin was trying to poison the young boy's mind one damp cold windy night a few weeks later Fagin put on his heavy coat and with the collar pulled up high to hide his face left his home he walked fast through the streets never losing his way even in the darkest places finally he reached an evil narrow streets lit only by a single lamp he knocked on a door said something quietly to the person who opened it then walked upstairs Bill Sikes was sitting by his fire with his dog when Fagin entered the room was a small dark place with almost no furniture Nancy was there too and Fagin glanced at her uneasily he had not seen her since she had attacked him to stop him hitting Oliver however she seemed to have forgotten all about it because she told him to pull up a chair and warm himself by the fire I'm all ready for business bill Sikes said looking at Fagin suspiciously say what do you have to say Fagin it's about the robbery Chertsey bill answered Fagin some lovely silver in that house down there I know I know Sikes said I was down there two nights ago to have a look at the house but it's locked like a prison at night all except one part where's that asked Fagin bending his head forwards his eyes staring excitedly at Sikes do you think I'm stupid I'm not telling you anyway what we need is a boy so there's a small place where only a boy can into the house asked Fagin maybe but we need a boy there was silence for a time while Fagin thought then he made a sign to Sikes to tell Nancy to leave the room don't worry Sikes said you can trust her she won't talk isn't that right of course it's right answer the young woman taking a large drink from the bottle on the table and laughing anyway faking I know your idea is for Oliver to do the job you order clever girl said Fagin smiling evilly that's exactly what I had in mind listen bill the boys been training for a few weeks and it's time he did some work he's the smallest one anyway is he safe asked Sikes because if he tries and he tricks on me I'll kill him you'll be ours for life if he feels he's one of us and this job will make him feel like that said Fagin eagerly the boy looks so innocent he's perfect and we've got to include him in some crime as soon as we can otherwise if he escapes now he can tell the police about us and stay free himself so it was decided that Oliver would help Sikes with the robbery in two days time the plan was discussed in great detail and all the arrangements made by then Sikes was very drunk and Fagin got up to leave as he put on his coat he stared hard at Nancy frowning a little no he was sure he could trust her she was loyal the next night Oliver was alone in Fagin's house when Nancy entered she was so nervous and white-faced that Oliver asked her if she was ill God forgive me she said beating her hands together I never thought I would do this has anything happened asked the boy what is it she sat with her back to him and hid her face with her hands after a while she said I don't know I feel so strange sometimes come on Oliver are you ready you have to come with me to Bill's house why oh nothing important Oliver did not believe her but he thought that at last this might be an opportunity to escape so he said rather too quickly I'm ready Nancy guessed what he was thinking Oliver she said this is not the time to escape I've saved you once and I'll win again but if anything happens tonight it might mean my death she said this so seriously that Oliver decided it must be true he was quiet while they walked quickly through the streets to Sikes house inside his room Sikes set Oliver down on a chair did he come quietly he asked Nancy caught as a mouse glad to hear it said Sikes now listen to me boy he put a gun against Oliver's head if you say one word when you're outside with me I'll shoot you understand Oliver nodded trying hard not to tremble Sikes and Oliver started out at five o'clock in the morning while it was still dark they crossed from one side of London to the other at first the streets were empty then shops began to open and people started going to work gradually the noise and traffic increased and as they passed through the meat market at Smithfield Oliver was amazed by the sight and smells of so many animals and by the huge crowds of people all pushing and swearing and shouting but Bill Sikes marched on without stopping later in the day they were given a lift in a horse and cart from West London out into the country night fell and after walking a few more miles down country roads they finally arrived at an old house standing alone by a river it was dark and seemed to be empty they went inside without knocking inside were two other men who had Sikes command produced food and drink for him and the boy then Sikes told Oliver to get some sleep as they would be going out again later that night Oliver still had no idea of the purpose of this expedition but his head ached with tiredness and he soon fell asleep at past one the men got up and checked their equipment gathering several sticks as well Sykes and the man called Toby left the house together with Oliver walking between them there was now a thick fog and the night was very still as they hurried through the deserted streets of the nearby town out in the country again they walked down several small roads until finally they stopped at a house surrounded by a high wall as quick as lightning Toby climbed up and pulled Oliver after him inside the garden they crept towards the house and now for the first time Oliver realized in horror that the purpose of the expedition was robbery and maybe even murder Bill Sikes broke open a small window at the back of the house then shown his light into Oliver's face now listen I'm going to put you through here now straight through into the hall and onto the front door and let us in and if you don't you can be sure I'll shoot you Oliver stupid with terror was lifted through the window into the house desperately he decided to try to run upstairs and warn the family he began to creep forwards suddenly there was a loud noise from the hall come back shouted Sikes back back Oliver stood still frozen with fear a light appeared then two men on the stairs then a sudden bright flesh and a loud bang Oliver staggered back Sikes seized the boy's collar through the window and pulled him back out into the garden they've hit him shouted Sikes he's bleeding a bell rang loudly above the noise of more gunshots and the shouts of men Oliver felt himself being carried across rough ground and then he saw and heard no more [Music] chapter eight after the robbery the night was bitterly cold a sharp wind whipped the Fallen snow up into the air and blew it into every hole and corner it was a night for the homeless to lie down and die and for luckier people to sit close to their fires and thank God they were at home in the workhouse where Oliver was born mrs. Corney the widow in charge was making tea by her fire when she heard a knock at her door she frowned and called out sharply come in the frown however was quickly changed to a sweet smile when she saw mr. bumble enter hard weather mr. bumble said the widow yes indeed mom replied the beadle we've had to give out to the poor people in this town great quantities of bread and cheese today and they're still complaining why one man even came back and demanded some free firewood what does he want that for people are never satisfied give them one thing today and tomorrow they'll ask for something else mrs. Corney agreed that it was very shocking they discussed some workhouse business together and then mr. bumble looked hopefully at the teapot mrs. Corney offered him some tea instantly mr. bumble sat down by the fire and gave the widow such a warm smile that her face turned a delicate pink she passed mr. bumble the teacup and as he took it he managed to give her hand a little stroke you're a kind hearted woman mrs. Corney said the Beadle Oh mr. bumble said the widow smiling shyly for a while there was a friendly silence between them then mr. bumble moved his chair closer to the widows mrs. Corney of course did not notice this but when the beadles arm began to slide around her waist she felt she must make a small protest encouraged by this response mr. Bumble immediately gave her a kiss but at this interesting moment there was a sudden knock at the door mr. bumble jumped to his feet and went to the other end of the room please mrs. Corney said a voice outside old Sally's going fast well what can I do to help her asked mrs. Corney angrily nothing mom replied the old woman outside but she says she has something to tell you which you must hear she won't die quietly till you come complaining loudly mrs. Corney asked mr. bumble to wait until she came back then she followed the old woman up the stairs old Sally lay in bed in a freezing cold room the fire was so small and mean that it gave no warmth at all mrs. Corney bent over the bed and the dying woman opened her eyes come closer she murmured let me whisper in your ear she held onto mrs. corney's arm and pulled her down towards her in this same room I once helped a pretty young woman who came in with cut and bleeding feet who gave birth to a boy and then died well I asked mrs. Corney impatiently I robbed her she was hardly dead before I stole it stole what eat the only thing she had it was gold he could have saved her life Gold who was this mother tell me she told me to look after it when she died the old woman's mind was getting confused she trusted me poor girl and I stole it quick tell me or it may be too late said mrs. corney greedily what was it and what was the boy's name the old woman could hardly speak Oliver the cold a stole was his is what the old woman fell back onto the bed dead mrs. Corney hurried back to her room where mr. bumble was still admiring her furniture and counting her silver teaspoons they sat down again by the fire and soon mr. bumbles arm returned to its previous position round mrs. corney's waist it was not long before he asked her to marry him and the widow happily accepted him while they drank to celebrate the arrangement mrs. Corney told Mr bumble about old Sally's death and the unknown gold object which she had stolen from the dead body of the young woman after many expressions of undying love mr. bumble finally left the room and returned home with bright visions of his future while these events were happening in the workhouse The Artful Dodger and Charley Bates were playing cards in Fagin's house the Dodger as usual was winning easily somehow he always seemed to know exactly what cards the other players had in their hands suddenly there was a faint ring on the Bell downstairs and Toby came in the man would gone with Bill Sikes and Oliver to rob the house in Chertsey Fagin jumped to his feet where are they he screamed Sikes and the boy where are they hiding we failed said the robber what happened they fired and hit the boy we ran away with Oliver between us and they chased us with dogs and the boy what about the boy gasped Fagin his head was hanging down and he was cold we needed to go faster so we left him in a field alive or dead that's all I know about him Fagin did not wait to hear any more he gave an angry scream ran out of the house and hurried through the streets until he reached Bill Sikes house as he climbed the stairs he thought well Nancy if there's anything going on here I'll find out about it however clever you are Nancy was alone upstairs in her room her head on the table she's drinking again thot Fagin as he closed the door she woke up he told her what had happened during the robbery she said nothing and ahead returned to the table and where do you think the boy is now my dear Fagin asked her trying hard to see her face poor little child left alone like that Nancy looked up I hope the child's date then he'd be happier than any of us what said Fagin in amazement it's better like that the sight of the boy turns me against myself and all of you you're drunk they can suddenly lost his temper the boy is worth a fortune to me and now a drunken gang has lost him and if Sikes doesn't return that boy to me dead or alive I'll tell the police about him and I'll get Sikes hanged just remember that when Fagin left her Nancy was already back in a drunken sleep her head lying on the table once more Fagin went out into the blackness of the night and walked home he had reached the corner of his Street and was searching in his pocket for his key when a dark figure came out of the shadows and crossed the road towards him I've been waiting here for two hours Fagin said the stranger where have you been on your business my dear said Fagin glancing at him uneasily we better talk inside the door closed behind them and they crept quietly up to the top floor in order not to wake the sleeping boys downstairs they sat in a dark room the only light coming from a candle burning in the passage outside a stranger's name was monks and he was in an evil mood he listened to Fagin for a while frowning heavily it was badly planned he said angrily couldn't you have made the boy into an ordinary thief and then got him arrested and sent out of the country for the rest of his life but he isn't like the other boys here vacant said I had nothing to frighten him with anyway I have already helped you after he was caught by the police stealing from the bookshop I got Nancy to get him back and then she felt sorry for him killer monk said impatiently we can't afford to do that kind of thing said Fagin but I can turn the boy into an ordinary thief now and then Nancy will harden her heart against him I know how women are but if he's already dead that's not my fault said monks quickly I always said to you do anything you want to him but don't kill him I wouldn't have been able to forget it if you had suddenly he jumped to his feet staring at the wall opposite the door not set he whispered terrified what where cried Fagin the shadow I saw the shadow a woman passed along that wall white-faced they both ran from the room into the passage the candle through long shadows down the stairs but there was no one there they listened only silence filled the house it was your imagination said Fagin softly I swear I sweet replied monks they searched all the upstairs rooms they were empty and as quiet as death monks grew calmer and eventually left the house at one o'clock in the morning the chase down at Chertsey the previous night had not lasted long there was a lot of noise of men shouting and dogs barking as the servants from the house pursued the robbers across the fields but Sikes and Toby wasted no time they dropped Oliver's unconscious body in a field and disappeared into the fog and the darkness in different directions the three pursuers lost enthusiasm for the chase and agreed among themselves that it was much too dangerous to continue they returned to the house keeping close together and trying to look brave morning came but Oliver's still lay in the field as if dead it began to rain heavily and after a while Oliver opened his eyes his left arm was covered in blood and hurting badly he felt so weak he could hardly stand but he knew that if he stayed where he was he would die gasping with pain he forced himself to his feet and with slow shaky steps began to walk he had no idea where he was going and moved forward mechanically as though in a dream after a while his feet found a road and he looked round and saw a house in the distance he decided he would rather die near human beings than in a cold field so he turned his steps towards the house as he came nearer he realized that the house was familiar and he felt faint with terror but where else could he go with a last effort he crawled up the path and knocked on the door then fell exhausted on the step it was now mid-morning inside the house the men servants were still describing the Nights adventures to the cook and the servant girl who gasped with appreciative horror at every exciting moment they were all enjoying themselves very much when there came a knock at the door pale with fright they all stared at each other nobody was keen to answer the knock so eventually they all went including the dogs very cautiously they opened the door and saw nothing more alarming than poor Oliver curled up in a sad little heap on the step then one of the men gave a shout seized the boy by a leg and pulled him into the hall here he is he cried excitedly here's the thief I shot him last night a young lady appeared at the top of the stairs what's going on here quiet please is this poor boy very hurt very said the servant proudly then one of you go to town as fast as you can and fetch a policeman and doctor losberne the rest of you helped to carry the boy upstairs and put him to bed treat him kindly I beg you [Music] chapter 9 Oliver starts another life in a comfortable Pleasant sitting room the two ladies of the house waited anxiously for the doctor and the police to arrive the owner of the house mrs. maylie was an older woman but her niece Rose was a girl of seventeen who was quiet beauty and gentle charm won all hearts as soon as the doctor arrived he ran breathlessly into the house and burst into the room without knocking he was clearly a good friend of the ladies I never heard of such a dreadful thing you should both be dead of fright he said to mrs. Maylie in the Silence of the night - are you both all right why didn't you send for me at once we are quite all right said Rose smiling but there's an injured boy upstairs whom aunt wants you to see doctor losberne went up to examine Oliver and was there for some time he came down looking rather puzzled and asked the two ladies to see the boy with him I can promise you there's nothing very frightening about him he said instead of the evil looking robber they expected to see the two ladies found only a pale thin child lying peacefully asleep he looked so innocent that mrs. maylie said this child could never have been in a gang of robbers it certainly seemed strange agreed the doctor but wickedness can hide behind the most gentle face you know but he's so young - cried rose can you really believe this poor boy is a criminal Oh doctor losberne and my dear aunt I beg you both to have pity on him mrs. maylie did not need persuading and the doctor could not resist roses tears he had in fact an extremely kind heart which he tried to hide behind a quick fierce manner though this usually deceived no one well what's to be done then he said quickly we'll have the police here at any moment ready to take the boy away and throw him into prison Rose begged him to think of a plan and the doctor thought hard for a few minutes frowning fiercely at last he said I've got it and rubbed his hands together in satisfaction a little later Oliver woke up and was very anxious to tell his story although he had lost a lot of blood and was very weak when the doctor and the ladies had heard all about his sad life they were quite sure that they wanted to save Oliver from any unfair punishment so doctor losberne went down to the kitchen to talk to the three servants who had surprised Sikes and Oliver during the robbery the doctor folded his arms and gave the men a long hard stare tell me he began can you be absolutely sure that the boy upstairs is the same one that was in the house last night well the doctor usually such a friendly man seems so angry that the servants stared at him open mouthed the doctor gave them no time to think and went on fiercely three men see a boy for about a second in the dark in the middle of a lot of smoke and noise a boy comes to the same house the next day and because one arm is injured they think he must be the robber are you going to swear that this is the same boy well what do you say he finished impatiently the servants looked at each other in great confusion suddenly there was a ring at the gate the police officers had finally arrived doctor losberne gave orders that plenty of beer should be served before the officers went up to see Oliver he also made sure that the servants had a generous amount of beer too when the officers were finally allowed to see Oliver doctor losberne said this is a boy who was shot this morning while walking on a farmer's property where he shouldn't have been the servants saw him and immediately thought he must be the same boy from last night but now they say they're sure it's not the same boy the servants were by now so confused by beer and excitement that they were not sure of anything at all the robbers had certainly had a boy with them they said but whether this boy was the same well it seemed very doubtful the police too had drunk quite a lot of beer by now and before long they were very willing to believe that Oliver was not the robber of the night before they had their own ideas about who committed all the robberies in the area and Oliver was unknown to them at last the police left and Oliver was allowed to recover in the kind care of mrs. maylie rose and dr. losberne it was several weeks before he was well enough to get out of bed but then he quickly grew stronger and every day told his rescuers how grateful he was one thing however caused him unhappiness he wanted to find mr. Brownlow the kind old man who had looked after him in London mr. Brownlow would be pleased to know how happy I am now he said so when dr. losberne offered to take Oliver to London to see mr. Brownlow the boy was very pleased they set out by coach one fine morning and when they arrived in London they went straight to mr. Brownlow's house Oliver's heart beat with excitement as they stopped outside but the house was empty they were told by the people next door that mr. Brownlow had moved to the West Indies six weeks before Oliver was very disappointed he had thought about mr. Brownlow's so much recently and had always hoped to find him again but now the kind old man had moved abroad still believing Oliver was a lying thief and he might hold this belief until the day he died this was a bit of disappointment to Oliver but his new friends were still as kind to him as ever they left the house in Chertsey and moved to a quiet cottage in the country taking Oliver with them spring came and in the fresh air away from the noise and smoke and trouble of the city Oliver began a new life he went for walks with rose and mrs. maylie or rose red to him and he worked hard at his lessons he felt as if he had left behind forever the world of crime and hardship and poverty chapter ten life in the country the week slipped contentedly past and spring turned into summer Oliver was now a strong and healthy boy and very fond of rose and mrs. maylie as they were of him one hot summer evening after a walk in the country Rose became very weak and pale and confessed she felt ill by the next morning she was in a dangerous fever and mrs. maylie and Oliver were afraid she might die mrs. Maylie sent Oliver to the nearest town four miles away to post to express letters one was to doctor losberne in Chertsey the other to Harry Maylie mrs. MELAS son Oliver filled with anxiety ran as fast as he could along the country roads and across the fields until hot and exhausted he reached the town he posted the letters and turned to hurry home again as he was running past a pub in the Main Street he accidentally bumped into a tall man in black coming out the man stared at Oliver what the devil's this he said stepping back I'm sorry sir I was in a hurry and didn't see you the man murmured angrily to himself who would have thought it curse him I can't get away from him I'm sorry sir repeated Oliver frightened by the man's wild staring eyes the devil break your bones the man said through his teeth what are you doing here he raised his hand and started towards Oliver with a mad look in his eyes but fell violently to the ground shaking and gasping in a fit people hurried up and helped the man into the pub while Oliver thinking that the man was mad ran quickly home mrs. maylie and Oliver passed a sleepless night and rose grew steadily worse as the fever burned in her Oliver said every prayer he had ever learned ten times over late the next day dr. losberne and Harry Maylie arrived and the house was full of worried faces and anxious whispers but the danger passed and by the next night dr. losberne was able to announce that though seriously ill Rose would not die Oliver cried for joy a day or two later mrs. maylie talked privately to her son Harry was a handsome young man of about 25 with a cheerful honest face and friendly manners he was clearly that he fond of rose I know that you want to marry rose mrs. Maylie told her son and she is the nicest person I know but I want you to remember one thing her birth mother that means nothing to me said the young ma'am I love her I know you do Harry but she herself is well aware of her doubtful birth and this might affect her answer if you ask her to marry you I know you have ambitions to enter politics if you marry a woman with a stain on her name even though it's not her fault it might spoil your chances of success in life society is cruel Harry people might use the knowledge of your wife's doubtful birth against you and against your children too and one day you might begin to regret your marriage only a selfish man would do that mother Harry answered impatiently no I am quite determined I have loved Rose for a long time and nothing will ever change that mrs. maylie sighed and she I know is very fond of you but she herself may try to protect you and refuse an offer of married from you for your sake remember that Harry but now I must go back and sit with her will you tell her how much I've worried about her asked Harry and how anxious I am to see her again of course I will replied mrs. Maylie some days after this conversation Oliver was sitting in the room he studied in the evenings it was a warm night and he'd been studying hard for some hours he fell asleep at his desk and started dreaming he dreamt that he was in Fagin's house again and could see the old man sitting in his corner whispering to another man yes my dear he heard Fagin say you are right that's him in Oliver's dream the other man answered of course it is I told you I'd seen him I'd recognize him anywhere if I walked across his unmarked grave I'd know it was him buried under the ground he said this with such hatred that Oliver woke up from fear in front of him at the open window so near he could almost touch them were Fagin and the strange wild man he had bumped into outside the pub in the town in a flash they were gone Oliver sat still white with terror for a second then shouted loudly for help Harry and dr. losberne came running and hearing what had happened they rushed outside into the night and searched the garden and the fields around there was no sign of anybody it must have been a bad dream Oliver said Harry breathless after running through the fields he had heard all about Oliver's past from his mother no replied Oliver still frightened I saw them both as plainly as I see you now nothing more was seen or heard of the two men and after a few days the event was forgotten rose recovered rapidly and was soon able to go outside again Harry Maylie waited a few days then as his mother had expected he asked rose to marry him and as his mother had warned him Rose refused don't you love me he asked her holding her hand I do she whispered but please try to forget me it would ruin your future as a politician if anybody found out about my birth I could never never forgive myself Harry paused for a few minutes tell me one thing dear Rose could you have accepted if your past had been different or if I'd been poor and friendless with no hope of riches or success I could answered rose covering her face to hide her tears but as you are I could never be more than a friend to you I shall ask you once more said Harry softly in a year's time or less I shall ask you to change your mind the girl shook her head and smiled sadly no it will be useless Harry left the next day having asked Oliver to write to him secretly with news of his mother and rose from an upstairs window Rose watched him leave with tears in her eyes mr. bumble was now a married man and not a happy one he was no longer a Beadle but the manager of the workhouse and his wife formerly mrs. Corney scolded and argued with him day and night one evening after a particularly violent fight when she threw things at him and chased him out of the house he went for a walk alone through the town he felt very sorry for himself and finally went into a pub to find comfort in gin and water a tall dark man sitting in the corner watched mr. bumble while he drank the strangest clothes were dusty and muddy as if he had traveled a long way mr. bumble began to feel uncomfortable at the man's hard stare and tried to avoid meeting his eyes I've seen you before the stranger said eventually you were the Beadle here I was but I don't recognise you it doesn't matter I came here to look for you and I'm lucky to have found you I'd like some information he pushed a couple of coins across the table what information asked mr. bumble suspiciously slipping the coins into his pocket about a workhouse birth a boy called Oliver Twist young twist hmm I remember him he was a dreadful it's not him I want to talk about interrupted the stranger now heard enough of him it's the old woman it was the nurse for his mother where is she oh she died last winter said Mr bumble then he remembered that his wife had been there when old Sally had died and he realized that this information might be worth something he told the man that one woman had been with the nurse when she died and had heard some secret from her where can I find this woman the stranger asked quickly showing in his pale face how important this was to him I can bring her to meet you tomorrow said mr. bumble all right down by the river at 9:00 in the evening the man wrote the address on a piece of paper and your name asked mr. bumble monks replied the stranger but you don't need to remember it then he quickly left the pub the next evening was dark and cloudy a storm threatened and already the first drops of rain were falling mr. and mrs. bumble walked up the main street of the town then turned towards a group of ruined old houses next to the river mr. bumble went first carrying a dim light and his wife followed closely behind at the oldest and most ruined building they stopped and mr. bumble took out his piece of paper the first distant crash of thunder shook the air and the rain began to pour down heavily then they heard monks calling out of an upstairs window he's that the man mrs. bumble asked her husband yes can be careful to say as little as you can don't tell him I'm your wife monks opened a small door saying impatiently come in don't keep me waiting mr. bumble was only brave when dealing with poor helpless people he felt very uneasy about entering this dark building with an ill-tempered stranger however he was equally afraid of his wife nervously he followed her through the door inside monks stared at mrs. bumble for some time so this is the woman is it yes replied mr. bumble cautiously as they walked upstairs there was a bright flash of lightning outside followed by loud thunder they sat down at the table and monks started immediately so you were present when the old woman died is that right and she told you something he stared at mrs. bumble again yes said mrs. bumble something about the mother of Oliver Twist but first how much will you pay me for the information if it's what I want to hear twenty-five pounds said monks but it's a lot of money for something which has been lying dead for 12 years reluctantly he pushed the money across the table towards her then bent forward to listen the faces of the three nearly touched as the two men leant over the table to hear what the woman had to say and the woman leant over towards them so that they could hear her whisper in the dim lamplight their faces looked pale and ghostly the old woman who was the nurse died with only me in the room said mrs. bumble no one else was there asked monks fiercely no one good said monks go on she spoke about a young woman who had given birth in the same bed some years before the child was Oliver Twist and this nurse had robbed the child's mother robbed in life asked monks in death she stole from the potty when it was hardly cold but the old woman fell back and died before she could tell me more it's a lie shouted monks furiously you no more I'll kill you about if you don't tell me what else she said she said no more repeated mrs. bumble calmly showing unlike mr. bumble no fear of the strain man's violence but in her hand I found a piece of dirty paper which contained nothing it was only a receipt from a pawnbroker I went to the pawnbroker and got back a little gold locket inside was a gold wedding ring and on the locket itself the name Agnes she put the locket on the table in front of monks he picked it up immediately and looked at it closely his hands shaking is this all it is and now I want to ask you a question what do you intend to do with the locket this so he can never be used against me monks suddenly pushed the table to one side and opened a small door in the floor down below rushed the river its muddy waters swollen by the heavy rain if you threw a man's body down there where will he be tomorrow us monks the twelve miles downriver and cut to pieces replied mr. bumble in a shaky voice monks tied the locket to a heavy weight and dropped it into the water in a second it was gone the three of them looked into each other's faces and seemed to breathe more freely now we have nothing more to say said monks with a threatening look at mr. bumble and nothing to say to anyone else either do you understand certainly said Mr bumble very politely he moved away from the strange man anxious to leave quickly at the door to the street monks turned again to mr. bumble and if we ever meet again we don't know each other do you understand that as well perfectly said the relieved mr. bumble moving away into the rain and pulling his wife with him [Music] Chapter eleven Nancy makes a visit on the evening after the bumbles little business meeting mr. Bill Sikes waking from asleep called out to ask for time the room he was lying in was very small and dirty it was a different room from the one he had occupied before the Chertsey expedition but it was in the same poorer part of London there were so few possessions or comforts in the room but it was clear mr. Sikes had met hard times he himself was thin and pale from illness and was lying on the bed wrapped in an old coat the white dog lay on the floor next to him seated by the window was Nancy repairing Sikes old jacket she too was thin and pale at Sikes voice she raised her head from her work not long past 7 she said how do you feel now bill as weak as water help me get up with you as Nancy helped him out of bed Sikes swore and cursed at her clumsiness illness had not improved his temper he wouldn't speak like that if you knew how kindly I'd nursed you these last few days said Nancy so many nights I've looked after you she sat down in a chair exhausted get up shouted Sikes what's wrong with you but Nancy was unable to get up her head fell back against the chair and she fainted Sikes swore and cursed again but Nancy remained unconscious what's the matter here asked a voice from the door and Fagin followed by The Artful Dodger and Charley Bates entered the room when they saw Nancy they hurried to help her Charlie rubbed her hands and the Dodger gave her a drink from the bottle he carried gradually Nancy recovered her senses Sikes then turned to Fagin what are you here for he asked roughly you haven't been here for weeks all the time I was ill I haven't two coins to rub together why didn't you help me you treat me worse than a dog don't be bad-tempered my dear said Fagin calmly I haven't forgotten you bill well what about some money then I've done enough work for you recently what about some money I haven't a single coin with me my dear said Fagin then go and get some you've got lots at home no I don't trust you Nancy can go back with you to your house and fetch some money or stay here and sleep after a good deal of arguing Fagin managed to reduce the amount Sikes was demanding from five pounds to three pounds he went back to his house with Nancy and the boys when they were inside Fagin told the girl I'll just go upstairs and fetch the cash for Bill my dear there's little money in this business Nancy little money and no thanks but I'm fond of seeing the young people around me suddenly there was a man's voice at the front door as soon as Nancy heard it she set up in her chair that's the man I was expecting earlier said Fagin don't worry he'll only be ten minutes the man entered the room it was monks when he saw Nancy he moved back as if he had expected no one but Fagin it's all right only one of my young people Fagin said to him did you see him yes answered monks any news good news said monks with a smile let me have a word with you he and Fagin went upstairs to talk privately as soon as they had left the room Nancy took off her shoes and crept silently up the stairs to listen in the passage as she had done once before she was gone for a quarter of an hour then like a ghost she reappeared in the downstairs room and sat down immediately afterwards the two men descended the stairs her pale you are Nancy said fagin once months had left the house what have you been doing to yourself nothing except waiting here for you too long she answered turning her face away from him now where's the money for bill with a sigh for every piece of money they input the agreed amount into her hand when Nancy was out in the street again she sat down on a doorstep and for a few minutes seemed unable to move then she started running wildly through the streets and when she was exhausted she stopped and burst into tears this strange mood seemed to leave her then and she turned and hurried back to Sikes house at first when she returned Sikes noticed nothing unusual about her Fagin with his sharp suspicious eyes who would have noticed something at once but as night came the girls nervous excitement increased and even Sikes was alarmed by the paleness in her cheeks and the fire in her eye he lay in bed drinking hot gin and water and staring at her you look like a corpse that's come back to life again what's the matter with you tonight nothing why are you staring at me so hard either you've caught the fever yourself or no you're not going he wouldn't do that do what ask the girl there's not a girl alive as loyal as you if you weren't I'd have cut your throat in months ago no you must have the fever coming on that's it now give me some of my medicine Nancy quickly poured out his medicine with her back to him he took it and after turning restlessly for some time he eventually fell into a deep heavy sleep the trucks effect at last Nancy said to herself as she rose from her position beside the bed I'm not too late quickly she put on her coat and hat looking round fearfully as if she expected at any moment to feel Sikes heavy hand on her shoulder she kissed the robbers lips softly then ran from the house without a sound she hurried in the direction of West London pushing past people on the pavement and running across crowded streets without looking the woman is mad said the people turning to look at her as she rushed past them she came to a wealthier part of the town where the streets were quieter and before long she had reached her destination it was a family hotel in a quiet streets near Hyde Park the clock struck eleven as she entered the man at the desk looked at her and asked what do you want here I want to see miss Meili the man looked at the young woman with strong disapproval she won't want to see someone like you come on get out let me see her or two of you will have to throw me out said Nancy violently the man looked at her again and decided it would be easier to do as she asked he led her upstairs to Rosie's room Nancy entered with a brave face but with fear in her heart please sit down and tell me why you wish to see me said Rose Maylie looking with some surprise at this poor rough girl from the streets Rosie's manner was so kind of sincere and so unexpected that Nancy burst into tears when she had recovered a little she asked it's the door shut yes answered rose a little nervously but why because I'm about to put my life and the lives of others in your hands I am the girl that kidnapped little Oliver and took him back to old Fagin's house on the night Oliver was going to the bookseller you said rose yes it was me I am that wicked creature you have heard about have no friends except thieves and robbers I've lived on the street since I was a child for cold hungry among people were always drunk and fighting and that's where I'll die too I pity you said rose in a broken voice but I'll tell you why I'm here - you've know a man called monks no answered rose he knows you I heard him tell Fagin that you were at this hotel maybe he's changed his name sooner after Oliver was put into your house on the night of the robbery I listened in secret to a conversation between monks and Fagin in the dark and I heard monks say that he'd seen Oliver in the street and that he knew at once Oliver was that child he was looking for although I couldn't hear why monks then agreed to pay Fagin some money if he could find Oliver again and more money if he could turn the poor boy into a thief why asked rose he saw my shadow on the wall as I listened and I had to escape I didn't see him again until last night and what happened then I listened at the door again and a heard monk say this so the only proof for the boy's identity is at the bottom of the river and the old woman who received it is dead he and Fagin laughed then monk said that he had all Oliver's money safely now but how funny it would be if the boy went to prison for stealing after his father's unfair will what is all this asked rose it's the truth lady then monk said he couldn't have Oliver killed because suspicions would point to himself but he'd try for the rest of his life to harm the boy if he could then monks laughed again about the money Oliver should have got from his father's will my young brother Oliver will never see that money he said his brother Glenrose those were his words said Nancy looking round uneasily as if she's still expected to see Sikes and then he talked about how amazed you would be if you knew who Oliver really was and this man was serious his voice was full of anger and hatred I know many people who do worse things but I'd rather listen to all of them and to this man monks but I must get back now or people will wonder where I've been back how can you go back to such a life ask rose you've told me all this now I can help you by letting you stay somewhere safe now perhaps it's hard for you to believe but there's one man the most dangerous of them all that I can never leave you're the first person who's ever spoken to me so kindly but it's too late it's never too late it is cried the girl I can't leave him now and if I tell anyone about this man he'll die but how can I find you again when we want to investigate this mystery further I'll meet you secretly if you promise not to watch or follow me said Nancy and if you promise just one more thing not to do anything to hurt the man I can never leave I promise every Sunday night between 11:00 and 12:00 I will walk on London Bridge if I am alive meet me there if you want more information as Nancy said these words she left the room and ran down the stairs and out into the street once more Rose was left alone her thoughts in great confusion as she wondered desperately what to do and who to ask for advice the next morning Oliver who had been out walking ran into Rosie's room at the hotel he was breathless with excitement I can't believe what I've seen now you'll all know that I've told you the truth he shouted I know you've always told us the truth but what are you talking about asked rose I've seen mr. brownlow the kind man who was so good to me we're going into a house said Oliver crying with joy I've got the address here quick Sid Rowse call coach I'll take you there immediately the idea came to Rose that perhaps mr. Brownlow would advise her she had been afraid to tell Nancy's story to dr. losberne since the good doctor was very excitable and often acted with more enthusiasm than wisdom in less than five minutes they were in the coach on their way to the address Rose went in first to talk to mr. Brownlow alone she was taken into his study and polite greetings were exchanged when they were seated again Rose said this will surprise you very much but you were once very kind to a dear friend of mine and I'm sure he will be interested to hear news of him really may I ask you his name Oliver Twist mr. Brownlow's had nothing for a few seconds but simply stared at Rose finally he moved his chair nearer to her and said with great feeling I once thought that he was a liar and a thief if you have evidence to show me I was wrong please tell me at once I know him to be a child with a warm heart said Rose and despite the hardships of his life he's a better person than almost anyone I know I looked for him everywhere said Mr Brownlow but I could never find him I could never quite believe that he really did intend to rob me Rose told him everything that had happened to Oliver since then she finished by saying and his only sorrow for some months has been that he could not find you his former friend thank God said Mr Brownlow this is great happiness to me great happiness but why haven't you brought him with you miss Meili he's waiting in a coach at the door replied Rose mr. Brownlow hurried out of the room down the stairs and into the coach without another word in a minute he had returned with Oliver how well he looks he said new clothes the same sweet face but not so pale the same eyes but not so sad they talked with great joy for some time then mr. Brownlow sent for mrs. Bedwin the old housekeeper she came in quietly and waited for her orders you get blinder every day said Mr Brownlow impatiently people's eyes at my time of life don't improve with age replied the old lady then put on your glasses as she searched for them in her pocket Oliver could not wait any longer and ran into her arms dear God she said it's my innocent boy my dear old nurse tried Oliver I knew he would come back said the old lady holding him in her arms how well he's dressed how well he looks again she laughed and cried at the same time and could not let Oliver go while Oliver talked to mrs. Bedwin Rose asked mr. Brownlow if she could speak to him privately he led her into another room and there listened with a good deal of amazement to Rose his account of her extraordinary conversation with nancy between them they decided that mrs. maylie and dr. losberne should be told and that mr. Brownlow would come to the hotel that evening for a discussion for the moment nothing would be said to Oliver himself that evening of the hotel Oliver's four friends met as arranged dr. losberne of course was full of immediate plans to rush round London arresting all the gang and hanging them at once mr. Brownlow fortunately was able to persuade him to abandon this wild idea then what Stella Dadon cried the doctor impatiently first said Mr Brownlow calmly we must discover who Oliver's parents were then if this girl's story is true we must regain the inheritance that should have been his yes yes said the doctor nodding an agreement but how shall we achieve these aims we must find this man monks said mr. brownlow Nancy will not betray the man who is special to her but she will surely agree to tell us how or where to find monks then we must find a way to force monks to talk we must be both cautious and clever after all we have no proof against him and if we cannot make him talk this mystery will never be solved but we'll have to wait five days until Sunday before we can meet Nancy on London Bridge until then we can do nothing chapter 12 Nancy keeps an appointment on exactly the same night as Nancy had met Rose Maylie to people from Oliver's hometown were making their way towards London their progress was slow since they travelled on foot and in addition the girl was carrying a heavy bag on her back the young man carried nothing from time to time he turned to shout at the girl behind him hurry up what a lazy creature you are Charlotte I'll come and give you a kick if you don't move faster the young man was noah claypole who had made Oliver's life so miserable that mr. sowerberry's house he was now taller and uglier but otherwise little changed he and Charlotte had grown tired of the undertaking business and had set off to London to start a new life with all the money from mr. Sowerberry shop in their pockets eventually they entered London and Noah began to look for a quiet cheap pub where they could spend the night Charlotte followed obediently at his heels as they walked through a district of narrow dirty streets at last Noah found a pub that he thought was suitable it was dark and dirty with a few rough looking men in the bar they entered and for the room for the night and a meal of cold meat and beer which they ate in the bar the beer made Noah talkative and he began to boast so it's no more coffins for us my girl we can do better than just robbing mr. Sowerberry in London there are pockets houses coaches even banks I like the sound of it now but how are we going to do all this asked Charlotte we can meet people who know about these things I'd like to be the leader of some gang if there's a good profit to be made in that kind of work Noah felt very pleased with himself and looked forward to an easy life of crime in the capital they talked about their plans for a few minutes then a stranger who had been sitting unseen round the corner came up to them the stranger was Fagin he greeted them in a very friendly and cheerful way sat down with them and immediately ordered more beer for Noah faites could be said Noah already a little drunk he thanked the stranger for the drink expensive too said Fagin if you drink that every day my dear you will need to empty pockets houses coaches even banks when he heard his own words repeated Noah went pale with terror the stranger must have heard everything even how they had robbed mr. Sowerberry domes while he laughed Fagin pulling his chair closer you're lucky it was only me who heard you I didn't take it said no how quickly it was the woman who did it it doesn't matter who did it my dear replied Fagin looking quickly at Charlotte because I'm in that business myself and the people in my house as well I can introduce you to the right people if you're interested you both look like good workers Charlotte and Noah felt a mixture of fear and pleasure what would you want me to do ask Noah something light if possible he added what about spying on people asked Fagin all robbing young children who are going shopping for their mothers that's light work and easy Noah laughed that sounds like just a thing for me and what will I earn for this work you can live free in my house and give me half of what you earn after further discussion and the transfer of mr. Sauber his money from Noah's pocket to Fagan's agreement was reached the next day Noah and Charlotte went to live in Fagin's house and began to be instructed in their new profession although training and experience had made Nancy an expert liar she could not completely hide the fear in her mind she knew she had taken an enormous risk in going to see Rose Maylie if faking or Sikes ever found out but she pushed these fears away she was determined to keep her promise to Rose Maylie and meet her as arranged on the first Sunday night after her meeting with Rose she was in Sikes room when the clock struck eleven Fagin was there to discussing some business with Sikes Nancy stood up and put on her coat Sikes watched her surprised Nancy where are you going at this time of night not far what kind of answer is that where are you going I don't know replied the girl then I do know where sit down I'm not well I want a breath of air Sikes got up and locked the door let me go said the girl with great force just for one hour let me go Sikes seized her arms roughly the girls gone mad Nancy fought wildly and Sikes had to hold her down in a chair she continued to scream and fight until midnight when exhausted and tearful she stopped struggling she went into another room and threw herself on a bed she's a strange girl sike said to Fagin shaking his head why did she suddenly decide to go out tonight I thought that after all these years I'd finally tamed her she must be ill perhaps she's still got a bit of fever that must be it said Fagin nodding thoughtfully as he walked home Fagin's eyes were sharp with suspicion he had suspected for a while that Nancy had become tired of Bill Sikes brutality and violence and that she had found a new friend to take his place her manner was different she often left home alone and she seemed less interested in the gang and tonight her desperate impatience to go out at a particular hour he was certain he was right he began to make plans thirst he wanted to know who Nancy's new friend was he could make him a valuable new member of the gang with Nancy as his assistant but there was another darker reason Fagin too had become tired of Sikes Sikes knew too much too many dangerous secrets about Fagin himself Fagin distrusted everybody but he hated and distrusted Sikes most of all it would be very convenient if Sikes could be removed with the little persuasion Fagin thought perhaps the girl would poison Sikes suddenly his eyes narrowed in delight yes first I must have watched and find out who her new manis then I shall threaten to tell Sikes everything she knows that neither she nor her new man will ever be safe from Sikes violent jealousy she will have no choice except to do as I ask her and then once the murder is done she will be in my power forever early next morning Fagin call the newest member of his gang Noah was doing very well he had already brought home quite a lot of money he had found that robbing small children was indeed light easy work and he was proud of his success I have another job for you now Fagin told him it needs great care and secrecy I want you to follow a woman I want to know where she goes who she sees and if possible what she says I will pay you a pound for this information Noah's eyes were wide with greed I'm the right man for this job who is she one of us what you don't trust her then exactly so my dear exactly so smiled Fagin the following Sunday soon after 11 o'clock a woman walked quickly through the dark streets towards London Bridge a mist hung over the river and the buildings on the far bank could hardly be seen a man followed some distance behind her keeping to the darkest shadows it was a cold damp night and there were very few people on the streets at this late hour when the woman reached the center of the bridge she stopped and looked around anxiously the man following her stopped to the heavy bell of st. Paul's Cathedral rang out announcing the death of another day just as it finished a gray-haired man and a young woman got out of a coach and walked across the bridge they met the woman who took them down some steps leading to the riverbank they stood in deep shadow by the wall of the bridge the man hurried down some other steps crept up to the corner of the wall and listened Nancy spoke first I'm so frightened tonight I can hardly breathe frightened of what asked mr. Brownlow he seemed to pity her I wish I knew horrible thoughts of death and plaid have been with me all day I don't know why speak to her kindly said rose to mr. Brownlow poor girl she seems to need it couldn't come last Sunday continued the girl I was kept in by force but tonight he'll be out all night until daylight now before I tell you anything else I must tell you that I don't want faking or any of the other members of the gang to be handed to the police why not because I couldn't betray them they've been loyal to me and I'll stay loyal to them then just tell us how we can get monks and I promise none of your friends will be harmed said mr. brownlow a monks will never know how you found out about him she asked we promised said Rose gently Nancy then told them in so low a voice that the listener round the corner could hardly hear her where monks often went for a drink and what he looked like she finished by saying Hollies throat high up there is a bright red mark asked mr. Brownlow do you know him asked Nancy in surprise I think I do mr. Brownlow murmured to himself it must be him then more loudly he said to Nancy thank you for everything you've told us but now how can you go back to these people come with us now tonight we can arrange for you to be hidden from them all forever if you want us to the girl shook her head I'm chained to him bad as they are I've gone too far to change my life now she looked nervously over her shoulder I can feel those dreadful terrors again visions of blood and death I must go home mr. Brownlow and Rose could not persuade her to change her mind sadly they turned to leave and when they had gone Nancy fell to the ground in a storm of tears meanwhile Noah Claypole amazed by all that he had heard crept up the steps and ran for Fagin's house as fast as his legs could carry him some hours later nearly two hours before dawn Noah lay asleep in Fagin's house but Fagin sat silently by a dead fire staring at the flame of a candle on the table beside him with his pale wrinkled face and his red staring eyes he looked like a devil out of hell hatred ran like poison through his every thought hatred for the girl who had dared to talk to strangers who had ruined his plan to get rid of Sikes he did not believe her promise not to betray him and he feared that he would now be caught and hung just before dawn Sikes entered the room carrying a bundle which contained the results of his night's work Fagin took what Sikes gave him then stared at the robber for a long time without speaking why are you looking at me like that asked Sikes uneasy at the old man's strange expression Fagin raised his hand but his passion was so great that he could not speak say he something will you shouted Sikes placing his huge hand on Fagin's collar and shaking him in his anger and fear open your mouth and say what you've got to say eventually Fagin found his voice bill what would you do if one of the gang went out at night and told someone all about us and what we done what would you do to him I'd smash his head into little pieces said the robber swearing violently and what if it was me who knows so much about all of us and could put us all in prison and get us all hanged whispered Fagin his eyes flashing with hate I'd beat your brains out in public even in a law called I'd run over and kill you with my bare hands said Sikes showing his teeth in his anger I don't care who it was that's what I do Fagin woke Noah tell bill what you told me what you saw what she did tell him Noah rubbed the sleep from his eyes and told Sykes everything his face white with passion Sykes listen to the end then swearing furiously he rushed from the room and down the stairs bill Fagan called after him you won't be too violent Sikes made no reply but pulling open the door ran out into the silent streets he did not turn his head to right or left but look straight in front of him with wild determination he ran at great speed his eyes on fire his teeth typed together and did not pause until he reached his own door he ran up to his room entered and locked the door put a table against it then woke Nancy bill she said please to see him but when she saw his expression the colour went out of her face what's the matter she said in alarm you know what Sikes took out his gun but realising even in his madness that a shot might be heard he beat her twice across the face with it as hard as he could she fell with a low cry of pain and terror almost blinded by the blood that flowed from the cut on her forehead the murderer staggered to a corner seized a heavy stick and struck her down chapter 13 the end of the gang the Sun burst upon the crowded city in all its brightness it lit up every corner of London the great houses of the rich and the miserable homes of the poor it shone everywhere even into the room where the murdered woman lay the horror of that scene was even more dreadful in the clear morning light sike sat there unable to move looking at the body he had thrown the blood-covered stick him to the fire then washed himself and his clothes he had cut out the bits of his clothes that was stained and burnt them too but there were still blood stains all over the floor even the dog's feet were bloody finally he forced himself to leave the room pulling the dog out with him and locking the door behind him he walked rapidly north towards Highgate then on to Hampstead on the open land of Hampstead Heath away from people and houses he found a place in a field where he could sleep without being disturbed but before long he was up again and running this time he ran back towards London for a while then he turned and went north again sometimes walking sometimes running with no clear purpose in his mind eventually he felt hungry and changed direction towards Hendon a quiet place away from the crowds where he could buy food but even the children and chickens there seemed to look at him with suspicion so he turned back towards Hampstead Heath again without having eaten uncertain where to go at last he turned north again his dog still running at his heels and set off to a village just outside London he stopped at a small quiet pub and bought a meal then went on again it was now dark and as he continued walking he felt as if Nancy were following him a shadow on the road a last low cry in the wind if he's the ghostly figure did the same if he ran it ran - moving stiffly like a corpse sometimes he turned determined to drive the ghost away but his blood ran cold with terror every time he turned the ghost turned - and was still behind him finally he found another field where he could hide he lay down unable to sleep his mind filled with visions of the dead girl a wide dead eyes stared at him watching him through a curtain of blood suddenly he heard shouting in the distance he jumped to his feet and saw that the sky seemed on fire sheets of flames shot into the air driving clouds of smoke in his direction he heard an alarm bell and more shouts of fire running with his dog across the fields he joined the crowds of men and women fighting the fire he could forget his own terror in this new danger and he worked all night with the crowd shouting running and working together to stop the flames destroying more buildings in the morning the mad excitement was over and the dreadful memory of his crime returned more terrifying than ever in desperation he decided to go back to London at least there'll be somebody I can speak to he thought to himself and it's a better hiding place than out here in the country I lied there for a week get some money out of Fagin then escaped to France suddenly he remembered the dog people would be looking for his dog as well as himself he decided to drown the animal but the dog smelt the man's fear and turned and ran away from him faster than it had ever run in its life you have a choice mr. monks said mr. brownlow you have been kidnapped and brought here to my house you can either tell me what I want to know or I'll have you arrested instantly for fraud and robbery it's your choice and you must decide now at once monks has it and looked at the old man but mr. Brownlow's expression was so serious and determined that the younger man realized it was pointless to protest I didn't expect this treatment from my father's old as friend said monks angrily sitting down with a frown on his face yes I was your father's oldest friend said mr. brownlow and I know all about YOU how your father while still a boy was forced by his family into an unhappy marriage with an older woman and how you were the result of that marriage I also know that your parents separated hating each other by the end well what's so important about that when they'd been separated for ten years said mr. brownlow your father met another family there were two daughters one 19 years old and the other them only two or three your father became engaged to the older daughter at this point one of his rich relations died and left him a lot of money in his will your father had to travel to Italy to receive his inheritance and while there he became ill and died your mother who was living with you in Paris immediately rushed to Italy when she heard the news as your father had made no will of his own all the relations money came to you and her monks listened with close attention biting his lip and staring at the floor before your father went to receive that money he came to see me continued mr. Brownlow slowly his eyes fixed on monks face I never heard that before said monks looking up suddenly a suspicious expression on his face he left me a picture of the poor girl he wanted to marry he talked wildly about shame and guilt and how he would give part of the money he'd inherited to his wife and to you and used the rest to escape from England with the girl he loved he refused to tell me any more details monks breathed more easily and even smiled but said mr. brownlow pulling his chair nearer to the other man by chance I was able to rescue your brother Oliver from a life of misery and what cried monks mr. Brownlow continued without a pause and when he was recovering from his sickness here in my house I noticed how similar he looked to the girls face in the picture but he was taken away before I could discover his history as you know very well you can't prove anything said monks I can I heard that you would in the West Indies I went there to try and find you to see if you knew anything about Oliver but you'd already left I returned to London and was unable to find you until two hours ago and now what you can't prove that Oliver's my brother monks smiled unpleasantly I couldn't before said Mr Brownlow standing up but now I can but there was a will but your mother destroyed it this will mentioned a child that would be born later this was Oliver the child you met later by accident you noticed his resemblance to your father and you became suspicious you then went back to his birthplace found proof of his birth and the fact that he's your half-brother and destroyed that proof monks sat in silence his eyes filled with fear yes continued mr. Brownlow fiercely shadows on the wall have caught your whispers with Fagin and brought them to my ear for the sake of that innocent child whom you wanted to destroy and now murder has been done and you are as guilty of that as if you had struck the blow yourself no no said monks quickly I knew nothing of that nothing at all he was silent for a while realising how much was known about him hatred and fear fought inside him but he was a coward at heart at last seeing no escape he raised his head I will admit everything in front of witnesses if necessary miss to Brownlow nodded coldly I will prepare a document for you to sign you must give Oliver what is really his and then you can go where you please at that moment dr. losberne rushed into the room the murder will be taken tonight his dogs been found and Fagin asked mr. Brownlow they're sure of him they may have him already mr. Brownlow turned back to monk's have you made up your mind yes replied monks and you promise it'll remain a secret no police or charges of fraud against me yes said Mr Brownlow you have my promise for now you must remain here locked in this room I will come for you tomorrow evening and take you to sign a confession in front of witnesses mr. Brownlow then left the room with the doctor and they eagerly discussed the news of the hunt for the criminals my blood boils with anger said Mr Brownlow this poor murdered girl must be revenged now you stay here and guard monks I'll go out and get the latest news the two men parted each in a fever of excitement down by the river Thames was a district called rava highs one of the dirtiest and roughest places in London the houses next to the river had no owners they were broken down and ruined but could be defended against attack in an upper room of one of these houses were three members of Fagin's gang when was Fagin taken then asked a man called Toby two o'clock this afternoon Charlie and I escaped up the chimney but Noah was caught Bette went to see Nancy when she saw the body she started screaming and wouldn't stop she's been taken to hospital what's happened to Charlie bait he'll come here when it's dark it's too dangerous now we are in trouble said Toby Peggy was going to hang that certain you should have seen him when he was caught said another robber the police carried him through crowd while all the people jumped at him screaming and trying to attack him suddenly Sikes dog ran into the room all the robbers rushed out immediately to look for Sikes but there was no sign of him they returned to the upstairs room I hope he's not coming here said Toby the dogs come a long way said another man covered in mud and tired out they sat there in silence wondering where Sikes was it was already dark when they heard a sudden hurried knock at the door downstairs Toby went to the window to look down then pull his head back his face pale with fear there was no need to tell the others who it was we must let him in Sept OB although none of them wanted to see him Toby went down to the door and returned followed by Sikes white faced with a three-day-old beard hollow cheeks and staring eyes Sikes looked like a ghost no one said a word nothing to say to me Sikes asked the only answer was a low shout of many voices from outside in the distance coming closer lights appeared looking out Sikes saw a stream of people crossing the bridge towards them then there was a loud knocking on the door and more shouts from the crowd the door was a made of metal and they're locked and chained said Toby the three robbers watched Sikes nervously as if he were a wild animal bring a ladder shouted some of the crowd below give me a rope quick Sikes said to the others I'll go the other way climb down the back no scope over the river get me a rope now or I'll do three more murders a minute later Sikes appeared on the roof and the shouts from the crowd below swelled to a great roar then the front door was smashed down and people streamed into the house Sikes quickly tied the rope around the chimney then began to tie the other end around himself ready to lower himself to the ground behind the house but just as he put the rope over his head he screamed in terror and threw his arms above his head he staggered back slipped and fell over the edge of the roof as he fell the Rope tightened around his neck with a horrible jerk in a second the murderer was dead and there he hung his body is swinging gently from side to side the dog which had followed its master onto the roof jumped down towards the lifeless body missed and fell dead on the stones below [Music] chapter 14 the end of the mystery the next day Oliver traveled with mr. Brownlow dr. losberne mrs. Maylie and rose back to his birthplace he had been told a little of his history and knew that there would be more explanations at the end of this journey he was anxious and uncertain wondering what he would hear but towards the end of the journey he began to recognize familiar places and in great excitement pointed them out to Rose there was the path he had taken when he had run away there across the fields was the baby farm then as they drove into the town he saw the house of mr. Sowerberry the Undertaker and the workhouse that had been his prison they stopped to the biggest Hotel in the town and went into their rooms during dinner mr. Brownlow stayed in a separate room and the older members of the group went in and out with serious faces mrs. Maylie came back with her eyes red from crying all this made Rose and Oliver who had not been told any new secrets very nervous and uncomfortable at nine o'clock dr. losberne and mr. Brownlow brought monks into the room Oliver was very surprised this was the same man he had bumped into once outside a pub and seen another time with Fagin looking in at him through the window of the country cottage Oliver was told that monks was his half-brother and the boys stared at him in shock and amazement monks looked back at him with hatred we have the whole story here in these papers said Mr Brownlow putting them on the table all we need now is for you to sign them monks and to tell Oliver what happened monks started hesitantly my father had arrived in Italy to collect the money he had inherited when suddenly fell ill when he died we found two papers in his desk one was a letter to his girl the other was will what was the letter asked mr. brownlow it was written when he was ill telling the girl how ashamed he was that she was pregnant he asked her not to remember him as a bad man but as someone who had made a mistake he reminded her of the day he'd given her the locket and ring Oliver's tears fell fast as he listened to the story of his father and what about the will asked mr. Brownlow monks was silent the will continued mr. Brownlow speaking for him was in the same spirit as the letter he talked to the misery of his marriage to his wife and the evil character of you monks his only son who had been brought up by your mother to hate him he left you and your mother an annual income of 800 pounds the rest of his property he left to his girl Agnes and to their child if it were born alive and if it showed itself to be of a good kind character the money would only go to you monks as the older son if the younger turned out to be as evil as you my mother said monks but burnt this will never sent the letter the girl Agnes left her home in secret so that her pregnancy would not bring shame on her family I swore to my mother when she was dying that if I ever found my half-brother I would do him all a harm I could he would feel my hatred like a whip on his back I paid Fagan to trap Oliver into a life of crime but then he escaped and that stupid interfering girl Nancy to you if I'd had the chance I would have finished what I'd begun monks stared at Oliver and his lips moved in a silent curse and the locket and ring asked mr. Brownlow I bought them from mr. and mrs. bumble who had stolen them from the nurse who had stolen them from agnese the dead girl I've already told you how I threw them into the river mr. Brownlow turned to Rose I have one more thing to explain he said to the girl I don't know if I have the strength to hear it now she murmured having heard so much already mr. Brownlow put his hand under her arm you have a great deal of courage dear child he said kindly he turned to monk's do you know this young lady sir yes I don't know you who said rose faintly the father of poor Agnes had two daughters said mr. brownlow what happened to the other one who was only a young child at the time when Agnes disappeared replied monks her father changed his name and moved to a lonely place in Wales where no one would know about the family shame he died very soon afterwards and this young daughter was taken in by some poor people my mother hated Agnes and everybody connected with her she hunted for this young sister and made sure that her life would be unhappy she told the poor people who had taken her in that the girl was illegitimate and that she came from a bad family with an evil reputation so the child had a life of miserable poverty until mrs. maylie saw her by chance pitied her and took her home and do you see this young sister now asked mr. Brownlow yes standing by your side Rose could hardly speak so Oliver is my nephew I can never call you aunt cried Oliver you will always be my own dear sister they ran into each other's arms both of them crying in their happiness a father sister and mother had been lost and gained and it was too much for one evening they stood for a long time in silence and the others left them alone the court was full of faces from every corner all eyes were on one man Fagin in front of him behind above below he seemed surrounded by staring eyes not one of the faces showed any sympathy towards him all were determined that he should hang at last there was a cry of silence and everyone looked towards the door the jury returned and passed close to Fagin he could tell nothing from their faces they could have been made of stone then there was complete stillness not a whisper not a breath guilty the whole court rang with a great shout echoing through all the rooms as the crowd ran out of the building to tell all the people waiting outside the news was that he would die on Monday Fagin thought of nothing but death that night he began to remember all the people he had ever known who had been hanged he could hardly count them they might have sat in the same prison cell as he was now he thought about death by hanging the rope the cloth bag over the head the sudden change from strong men to bundles of clothes hanging at the end of a rope as his last night came despair seized Fagin's evil soul he could not sit still and hurried up and down his small cell gasping with terror his eyes flashing with hate and anger then he lay trembling on his stone bed and listened to the clock striking the hours where would he be when those hours came round again in the middle of that Sunday night mr. Brownlow and Oliver were allowed to enter the prison several strong doors were unlocked and eventually they entered Fagin sell the old robber was sitting on the bed whispering to himself his face more like a trapped animals than a human's you have some cuz Hagin said mr. brownlow quietly which were given to you by monks to look after it's a lie replied fagin not looking at him I haven't got any for the love of God said mr. brownlow very seriously don't lie to us now on the night before your death you know that sykes is dead and monks has confessed where are the papers I'll tell you Oliver said fagin come here he whispered to him there in a bag up the chimney in the front room at the top of the house but I want to talk to you my dear yes said Oliver will you pray with me outside outside said Fagin pushing the boy in front of him towards the door say I've gone to sleep they'll believe you you can take me out with you when you go the old man's eyes shone with a mad light it's no good said Mr Brownlow taking all of his hand he's gone too far and we can never reach him now the cell door opened and as the visitors left Fagin started struggling and fighting with his guards screaming so loudly that the prison walls rang with a sound they left the prison building in the gray light of dawn outside in the street huge crowds were already gathering joking and laughing and pushing to get the best places near the great black platform where the Rope hung ready for its morning's work less than three months later Rose married Harry Maylie for her sake Harry had abandoned his political ambitions and had become a simple man of the church there was no longer any mystery about Rosie's birth but even if there had been Harry would not have cared they lived next to the church in a peaceful village mrs. Maylie went to live with them and spent the rest of her days in quiet contentment mr. Brownlow adopted Oliver as his son they moved to a house in the same quiet village and just as happy dr. losberne discovered suddenly that the air in Chertsey did not suit him in less than three months he too had moved to a cottage just outside the village where he took up gardening and fishing with great energy and enthusiasm mr. Brownlow suggested that half the remaining money from the will should be given to monks and the other half to Oliver although by law it should all have gone to Oliver alone Oliver was glad to accept the suggestion monks went off with his money to the other side of the world where he spent it quickly and was soon in prison for another act of fraud in prison he became ill and died the remaining members of Fagin's gang died in similar ways in other distant countries all except Charlie Bates who turned his back on his past life of crime and lived honestly as a farmer Noah Claypole was given a free pardon for telling the police about Fagin he soon became employed as an informer for the police spying on people and telling the police about anyone who had broken the law mr. and mrs. bumble lost their jobs and became poorer and poorer eventually living in poverty in the same workhouse that they had once managed in that quiet country village the years passed peacefully mr. Brownlow filled the mind of his adopted son with knowledge and as he watched the boy grow up he was reminded more and more of his old friend Oliver's father the two orphans rose and Oliver led lives that were truly happy the hardships that they had once suffered had left no bitterness in their gentle souls and all their lives they showed the mercy and kindness to others that God himself chose to all things that breathe

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Keywords: english story, learn english through stories, learn english, english stories, story in english, learn english through story, bedtime stories, listen english story, listening english through story, english story with subtitle, english language, english conversation, english, learn to english, english for beginner, level 4, learning english, learn english for beginner, esl, pdf, Oliver Twist, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, oliver twist level 3, level 6

Id: IsAry-aLpbc

Length: 176min 10sec (10570 seconds)

Published: Sun Oct 21 2018