CHAPTER XXV. WHEREIN THIS HISTORY REVERTS TO MR. FAGIN AND COMPANY

rwho,beingskilfulinevadingpursuit,duckedtoavoidit,andchosehistimesowellthatitlightedonthechestofthemerryoldgentleman,andcausedhimtostaggertothewall,wherehestoodpantingforbreath,whileMr.Chitlinglookedoninintensedismay. “Hark!”criedtheDodgeratthismoment,“Iheardthetinkler.”Catchingupthelight,hecreptsoftlyupstairs. Thebellwasrungagain,withsomeimpatience,whilethepartywereindarkness.Afterashortpause,theDodgerreappeared,andwhisperedFaginmysteriously. “What!”criedtheJew,“alone?” TheDodgernoddedintheaffirmative,and,shadingtheflameofthecandlewithhishand,gaveCharleyBatesaprivateintimation,indumbshow,thathehadbetternotbefunnyjustthen.Havingperformedthisfriendlyoffice,hefixedhiseyesontheJew’sface,andawaitedhisdirections. Theoldmanbithisyellowfingers,andmeditatedforsomesecondshisfaceworkingwithagitationthewhile,asifhedreadedsomething,andfearedtoknowtheworst.Atlengthheraisedhishead. “Whereishe?”heasked. TheDodgerpointedtothefloorabove,andmadeagesture,asiftoleavetheroom. “Yes,”saidtheJew,answeringthemuteinquiry“bringhimdown.Hush!Quiet,Charley!Gently,Tom!Scarce,scarce!” ThisbriefdirectiontoCharleyBates,andhisrecentantagonist,wassoftlyandimmediatelyobeyed.Therewasnosoundoftheirwhereabout,whentheDodgerdescendedthestairs,bearingthelightinhishand,andfollowedbyamaninacoarsesmock-frockwho,aftercastingahurriedglanceroundtheroom,pulledoffalargewrapperwhichhadconcealedthelowerportionofhisface,anddisclosed:allhaggard,unwashed,andunshorn:thefeaturesofflashTobyCrackit. “Howareyou,Faguey?”saidthisworthy,noddingtotheJew.“Popthatshawlawayinmycastor,Dodger,sothatImayknowwheretofinditwhenIcutthat’sthetimeofday!You’llbeafineyoungcracksmanaforetheoldfilenow.” Withthesewordshepulledupthesmock-frockand,windingitroundhismiddle,drewachairtothefire,andplacedhisfeetuponthehob. “Seethere,Faguey,”hesaid,pointingdisconsolatelytohistopboots“notadropofDayandMartinsinceyouknowwhennotabubbleofblacking,byJove!Butdon’tlookatmeinthatway,man.Allingoodtime.Ican’ttalkaboutbusinesstillI’veeatanddranksoproducethesustainance,andlet’shaveaquietfill-outforthefirsttimethesethreedays!” TheJewmotio