CHAPTER XLVII. FATAL CONSEQUENCES

edbytheemotionswhichhadmasteredhim,thatthehousebreakerinvoluntarilydrewbackhischair,andsurveyedhimwithalookofrealaffright. “Wotnow?”criedSikes.“Wotdoyoulookatamansofor?” Faginraisedhisrighthand,andshookhistremblingforefingerintheairbuthispassionwassogreat,thatthepowerofspeechwasforthemomentgone. “Damme!”saidSikes,feelinginhisbreastwithalookofalarm.“He’sgonemad.Imustlooktomyselfhere.” “No,no,”rejoinedFagin,findinghisvoice.“It’snot—you’renottheperson,Bill.I’veno—nofaulttofindwithyou.” “Oh,youhaven’t,haven’tyou?”saidSikes,lookingsternlyathim,andostentatiouslypassingapistolintoamoreconvenientpocket.“That’slucky—foroneofus.Whichonethatis,don’tmatter.” “I’vegotthattotellyou,Bill,”saidFagin,drawinghischairnearer,“willmakeyouworsethanme.” “Aye?”returnedtherobberwithanincredulousair.“Tellaway!Looksharp,orNancewillthinkI’mlost.” “Lost!”criedFagin.“Shehasprettywellsettledthat,inherownmind,already.” SikeslookedwithanaspectofgreatperplexityintotheJew’sface,andreadingnosatisfactoryexplanationoftheriddlethere,clenchedhiscoatcollarinhishugehandandshookhimsoundly. “Speak,willyou!”hesaid“orifyoudon’t,itshallbeforwantofbreath.Openyourmouthandsaywotyou’vegottosayinplainwords.Outwithit,youthunderingoldcur,outwithit!” “Supposethatladthat’slayingthere—”Faginbegan. SikesturnedroundtowhereNoahwassleeping,asifhehadnotpreviouslyobservedhim.“Well!”hesaid,resuminghisformerposition. “Supposethatlad,”pursuedFagin,“wastopeach—toblowuponusall—firstseekingouttherightfolksforthepurpose,andthenhavingameetingwith’eminthestreettopaintourlikenesses,describeeverymarkthattheymightknowusby,andthecribwherewemightbemosteasilytaken.Supposehewastodoallthis,andbesidestoblowuponaplantwe’veallbeenin,moreorless—ofhisownfancynotgrabbed,trapped,tried,earwiggedbytheparsonandbroughttoitonbreadandwater,—butofhisownfancytopleasehisowntastestealingoutatnightstofindthosemostinterestedagainstus,andpeachingtothem.Doyouhearme?”criedtheJew,hiseyesflashingwithrage.“Supposehedidallthis,whatthen?” “Whatthen!”repliedSikeswithatremendousoath.“IfhewasleftalivetillIcame,I’dgrindhisskullundertheironheelofmybootintoasmanygrainsastherearehairsuponhishead.” “WhatifIdidit!”criedFaginalmostinayell.“I,thatknowssomuch,andcouldhangsomanybesidesmyself!” “Idon’tknow,”repliedSikes,clenchin