Oliver in London (5)

 

'What's the matter?' demanded Oliver.

 

'Be quiet!' replied the Dodger. 'Do you see that old man outsied the bookshop? He's the one'.

 

Oliver looked from the Dogger to Charley Bates with great surprise and comfusion , but the had been told not to ask puestions . The two boys walked puickly and secretly accross the road towards the old gentleman. 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 stichk 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 w\ith horroe\r and alarm, watched as the Dodger put his hand in the old gentleman's pocket, tllk out a handkerchief, and handed ti to Charley Bates. Then the two of them ran round the corner as fast as they could.

 

Suddenly,the whole mystery of the handkerchieves, and the watches , and the jewels, adn Fagin, became clear . Oliver stood for a moment in terror , blood rushing through him until he felt he was on fire. Then, confused and frightened, he stared to run. At the same timethe old gentleman, putting his hand to his pocket and realixing his handkerchief was missing , turned round. He saw Liver running away, so he naturallythought Oliver was the thief . With loud criesof 'Stop thief!', he ran after Oliver with the book still in his hand.