After the robbery (5)

 

While these events were happening in the workhouse, the Artful Dodger and Charley Bates were Playing cards in Fagin's bouse. The Dodger, as usual, was winning easily; somehow, he always seemed to hnow exactly what cards the other players had in their hands. Suddenly there was a faint ring on the bell downstairs, and Toby came in - the man who had gone withe Bill Sids and Oliver to rob the house in Chertsey, Fagin jumped to his feet.

 

‘Where are they?’ he screamed. 'Sikes and the boy!' Where are they hiding?’

 

'We failed,'  said the robber.

 

'What happened?'

 

'They fired and hit the boy . We ran away with Oliver between us , and they chased us with dogs.'

 

'And the boy? What about the boy?' gasped Fagin.

 

'His head was hanging down, and he was cold. We neeled to go faster so we left him in a field, alive or dead . That's all I hnow about him.'

 

Fagin did not wait to hear any more. He gave an angryscream, ran out of the house and hurried through the streets until he reached Bill Ssikes' house . As he climbed the stairs , he thought, 'Well , Nancy, if there's anything going on here, I'll find out about it - however clever you are.'