CHAPTER XLIII. WHEREIN IS SHOWN HOW THE ARTFUL DODGER GOT INTO TROUBLE
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osayhedied?”criedMr.Bolter.
“No,no,”repliedFagin,“notsobadasthat.Notquitesobad.”
“What,Isupposehewas—”
“Wanted,”interposedFagin.“Yes,hewaswanted.”
“Veryparticular?”inquiredMr.Bolter.
“No,”repliedFagin,“notvery.Hewaschargedwithattemptingtopickapocket,andtheyfoundasilversnuff-boxonhim,—hisown,mydear,hisown,forhetooksnuffhimself,andwasveryfondofit.Theyremandedhimtillto-day,fortheythoughttheyknewtheowner.Ah!hewasworthfiftyboxes,andI’dgivethepriceofasmanytohavehimback.YoushouldhaveknowntheDodger,mydearyoushouldhaveknowntheDodger.”
“Well,butIshallknowhim,Ihopedon’tyerthinkso?”saidMr.Bolter.
“I’mdoubtfulaboutit,”repliedFagin,withasigh.“Iftheydon’tgetanyfreshevidence,it’llonlybeasummaryconviction,andweshallhavehimbackagainaftersixweeksorsobut,iftheydo,it’sacaseoflagging.Theyknowwhatacleverladheishe’llbealifer.They’llmaketheArtfulnothinglessthanalifer.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbylaggingandalifer?”demandedMr.Bolter.“What’sthegoodoftalkinginthatwaytomewhydon’tyerspeaksoasIcanunderstandyer?”
Faginwasabouttotranslatethesemysteriousexpressionsintothevulgartongueand,beinginterpreted,Mr.Bolterwouldhavebeeninformedthattheyrepresentedthatcombinationofwords,“transportationforlife,”whenthedialoguewascutshortbytheentryofMasterBates,withhishandsinhisbreeches-pockets,andhisfacetwistedintoalookofsemi-comicalwoe.
“It’sallup,Fagin,”saidCharley,whenheandhisnewcompanionhadbeenmadeknowntoeachother.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“They’vefoundthegentlemanasownstheboxtwoorthreemore’sacomingto’dentifyhimandtheArtful’sbookedforapassageout,”repliedMasterBates.“Imusthaveafullsuitofmourning,Fagin,andahatband,towisithimin,aforehesetsoutuponhistravels.TothinkofJackDawkins—lummyJack—theDodger—theArtfulDodger—goingabroadforacommontwopenny-halfpennysneeze-box!Ineverthoughthe’dadoneitunderagoldwatch,chain,andseals,atthelowest.Oh,whydidn’therobsomericholdgentlemanofallhiswalables,andgooutasagentleman,andnotlikeacommonprig,withoutnohonournorglory!”
Withthisexpressionoffeelingforhisunfortunatefriend,MasterBatessathimselfonthenearestchairwithanaspectofchagrinanddespondency.
“Whatdoyoutalkabouthishavingneitherhonournorgloryfor!”exclaimedFagin,dartinganangrylookathispupil.“Wasn’thealwaysthetop-sawyeramongyouall!Isthereoneofyouthatcouldtouchhimorcomenearhimonanyscent!Eh?”
“Notone,”repliedMasterBates,inavoicerenderedhuskybyregret“notone.”
“Thenwhatdoyoutalkof?”repliedFaginangrily“whatareyoublubberingfor?”
“’Causeitisn’tontherec-ord,isit?”saidCharley,chafedintoperfectdefianceofhisvenerablefriendbythecurrentofhisregrets“’causeitcan’tcomeoutinthe’dictment’causenobodywillneverknowhalfofwhathewas.HowwillhestandintheNewgateCalendar?P’rapsnotbethereatall.Oh,myeye,myeye,wotablowitis!”
“Ha!ha!”criedFagin,extendinghisrighthand,andturningtoMr.Bolterinafitofchucklingwhichshookhimasthoughhehadthepalsy“seewhatapridetheytakeintheirprofession,mydear.Ain’titbeautiful?”
Mr.Bolternoddedassent,andFagin,aftercontemplatingthegriefofCharleyBatesforsomesecondswithevidentsatisfaction,steppeduptothatyounggentlemanandpattedhimontheshoulder.
“Nevermind,Charley,”saidFaginsoothingly“it’llcomeout,it’llbesuretocomeout.They’llallknowwhatacleverfellowhewashe’llshowithimself,andnotdisgracehisoldpalsandteachers.Thinkhowyoungheistoo!Whatadistinction,Charley,tobelaggedathistimeoflife!”
“Well,itisahonourthatis!”saidCharley,alittleconsoled.
“Heshallhaveallhewants,”continuedtheJew.“HeshallbekeptintheStoneJug,Charley,likeagentleman.Likeagentleman!Withhisbeereveryday,andmoneyinhispockettopitchandtosswith