CHAPTER XLVII. FATAL CONSEQUENCES

ghisteethandturningwhiteatthemeresuggestion.“I’ddosomethinginthejailthat’udgetmeputinironsandifIwastriedalongwithyou,I’dfalluponyouwiththemintheopencourt,andbeatyourbrainsoutaforethepeople.Ishouldhavesuchstrength,”mutteredtherobber,poisinghisbrawnyarm,“thatIcouldsmashyourheadasifaloadedwaggonhadgoneoverit.” “Youwould?” “WouldI!”saidthehousebreaker.“Tryme.” “IfitwasCharley,ortheDodger,orBet,or—” “Idon’tcarewho,”repliedSikesimpatiently.“Whoeveritwas,I’dservethemthesame.” Faginlookedhardattherobberand,motioninghimtobesilent,stoopedoverthebeduponthefloor,andshookthesleepertorousehim.Sikesleantforwardinhischair:lookingonwithhishandsuponhisknees,asifwonderingmuchwhatallthisquestioningandpreparationwastoendin. “Bolter,Bolter!Poorlad!”saidFagin,lookingupwithanexpressionofdevilishanticipation,andspeakingslowlyandwithmarkedemphasis.“He’stired—tiredwithwatchingforhersolong,—watchingforher,Bill.” “Wotd’yemean?”askedSikes,drawingback. Faginmadenoanswer,butbendingoverthesleeperagain,hauledhimintoasittingposture.Whenhisassumednamehadbeenrepeatedseveraltimes,Noahrubbedhiseyes,and,givingaheavyyawn,lookedsleepilyabouthim. “Tellmethatagain—onceagain,justforhimtohear,”saidtheJew,pointingtoSikesashespoke. “Tellyerwhat?”askedthesleepyNoah,shakinghimselfpettishly. “Thatabout—Nancy,”saidFagin,clutchingSikesbythewrist,asiftopreventhisleavingthehousebeforehehadheardenough.“Youfollowedher?” “Yes.” “ToLondonBridge?” “Yes.” “Whereshemettwopeople.” “Soshedid.” “Agentlemanandaladythatshehadgonetoofherownaccordbefore,whoaskedhertogiveupallherpals,andMonksfirst,whichshedid—andtodescribehim,whichshedid—andtotellherwhathouseitwasthatwemeetat,andgoto,whichshedid—andwhereitcouldbebestwatchedfrom,whichshedid—andwhattimethepeoplewentthere,whichshedid.Shedidallthis.Shetolditalleverywordwithoutathreat,withoutamurmur—shedid—didshenot?”criedFagin,halfmadwithfury. “Allright,”repliedNoah,scratchinghishead.“That’sjustwhatitwas!” “Whatdidtheysay,aboutlastSunday?” “AboutlastSunday!”repliedNoah,considering.“WhyItoldyerthatbefore.” “Again.Tellitagain!”criedFagin,tighteninghisgrasponSikes,andbrandishinghisotherhandaloft,asthefoamflewfromhislips. “Theyaskedher,”saidNoah,who,ashegrewmorewakeful,seemedtohaveadawningperceptionwhoSik