登陆注册
5199200000044

第44章

SHOWING HOW VERY FOND OF OLIVER TWIST, THE MERRY OLD JEW AND MISSNANCY WERE

In the obscure parlour of a low public-house, in the filthiest part of Little Saffron Hill; a dark and gloomy den, where a flaring gas-light burnt all day in the winter-time; and where no ray of sun ever shone in the summer: there sat, brooding over a little pewter measure and a small glass, strongly impregnated with the smell of liquor, a man in a velveteen coat, drab shorts, half-boots and stockings, whom even by that dim light no experienced agent of the police would have hesitated to recognise as Mr. William Sikes. At his feet, sat a white-coated, red-eyed dog; who occupied himself, alternately, in winking at his master with both eyes at the same time; and in licking a large, fresh cut on one side of his mouth, which appeared to be the result of some recent conflict.

'Keep quiet, you warmint! Keep quiet!' said Mr. Sikes, suddenly breaking silence. Whether his meditations were so intense as to be disturbed by the dog's winking, or whether his feelings were so wrought upon by his reflections that they required all the relief derivable from kicking an unoffending animal to allay them, is matter for argument and consideration. Whatever was the cause, the effect was a kick and a curse, bestowed upon the dog simultaneously.

Dogs are not generally apt to revenge injuries inflicted upon them by their masters; but Mr. Sikes's dog, having faults of temper in common with his owner, and labouring, perhaps, at this moment, under a powerful sense of injury, made no more ado but at once fixed his teeth in one of the half-boots. Having given in a hearty shake, he retired, growling, under a form; just escaping the pewter measure which Mr. Sikes levelled at his head.

'You would, would you?' said Sikes, seizing the poker in one hand, and deliberately opening with the other a large clasp-knife, which he drew from his pocket. 'Come here, you born devil! Come here! D'ye hear?'

The dog no doubt heard; because Mr. Sikes spoke in the very harshest key of a very harsh voice; but, appearing to entertain some unaccountable objection to having his throat cut, he remained where he was, and growled more fiercely than before: at the same time grasping the end of the poker between his teeth, and biting at it like a wild beast.

This resistance only infuriated Mr. Sikes the more; who, dropping on his knees, began to assail the animal most furiously. The dog jumped from right to left, and from left to right; snapping, growling, and barking; the man thrust and swore, and struck and blasphemed; and the struggle was reaching a most critical point for one or other; when, the door suddenly opening, the dog darted out: leaving Bill Sikes with the poker and the clasp-knife in his hands.

There must always be two parties to a quarrel, says the old adage. Mr. Sikes, being disappointed of the dog's participation, at once transferred his share in the quarrel to the new comer.

'What the devil do you come in between me and my dog for?' said Sikes, with a fierce gesture.

'I didn't know, my dear, I didn't know,' replied Fagin, humbly;for the Jew was the new comer.

'Didn't know, you white-livered thief!' growled Sikes. 'Couldn't you hear the noise?'

'Not a sound of it, as I'm a living man, Bill,' replied the Jew.

'Oh no! You hear nothing, you don't,' retorted Sikes with a fierce sneer. 'Sneaking in and out, so as nobody hears how you come or go! I wish you had been the dog, Fagin, half a minute ago.'

'Why?' inquired the Jew with a forced smile.

'Cause the government, as cares for the lives of such men as you, as haven't half the pluck of curs, lets a man kill a dog how he likes,' replied Sikes, shutting up the knife with a very expressive look; 'that's why.'

The Jew rubbed his hands; and, sitting down at the table, affected to laugh at the pleasantry of his friend. He was obviously very ill at ease, however.

'Grin away,' said Sikes, replacing the poker, and surveying him with savage contempt; 'grin away. You'll never have the laugh at me, though, unless it's behind a nightcap. I've got the upper hand over you, Fagin; and, d--me, I'll keep it. There! If I go, you go; so take care of me.'

'Well, well, my dear,' said the Jew, 'I know all that;we--we--have a mutual interest, Bill,--a mutual interest.'

'Humph,' said Sikes, as if he though the interest lay rather more on the Jew's side than on his. 'Well, what have you got to say to me?'

'It's all passed safe through the melting-pot,' replied Fagin, 'and this is your share. It's rather more than it ought to be, my dear; but as I know you'll do me a good turn another time, and--'

'Stow that gammon,' interposed the robber, impatiently. 'Where is it? Hand over!'

'Yes, yes, Bill; give me time, give me time,' replied the Jew, soothingly. 'Here it is! All safe!' As he spoke, he drew forth an old cotton handkerchief from his breast; and untying a large knot in one corner, produced a small brown-paper packet. Sikes, snatching it from him, hastily opened it; and proceeded to count the sovereigns it contained.

'This is all, is it?' inquired Sikes.

'All,' replied the Jew.

'You haven't opened the parcel and swallowed one or two as you come along, have you?' inquired Sikes, suspiciously. 'Don't put on an injured look at the question; you've done it many a time.

Jerk the tinkler.'

These words, in plain English, conveyed an injunction to ring the bell. It was answered by another Jew: younger than Fagin, but nearly as vile and repulsive in appearance.

Bill Sikes merely pointed to the empty measure. The Jew, perfectly understanding the hint, retired to fill it: previously exchanging a remarkable look with Fagin, who raised his eyes for an instant, as if in expectation of it, and shook his head in reply; so slightly that the action would have been almost imperceptible to an observant third person. It was lost upon Sikes, who was stooping at the moment to tie the boot-lace which the dog had torn. Possibly, if he had observed the brief interchange of signals, he might have thought that it boded no good to him.

同类推荐
  • 金光明经疏

    金光明经疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 波外乐章

    波外乐章

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 众经目录

    众经目录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大乘伽耶山顶经

    大乘伽耶山顶经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 洞玄灵宝自然九天生神玉章经解

    洞玄灵宝自然九天生神玉章经解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 网游之神临梦幻

    网游之神临梦幻

    方游,一个只想在梦幻中赚钱孝顺姐姐的孤儿,在命运的推波助澜下,走上了一条与众不同的道路,看他如何在梦幻世界中傲笑众神,俯瞰众生!梦幻,开创时代的虚拟游戏。梦幻一个真实的世界,神与神,神与人,人与人,一切都从这里开始。
  • 职场咖啡糖

    职场咖啡糖

    关于职场的深度解析,全方位自测,教你参透职场人心的100%测试。不做办公室花瓶,不做商海孤舟,不做蛮干没成绩的炮灰,让出入红粉三国演入、“白骨精”群的菜鸟都游刃有余起来。浓缩交际兵法、成功指南、减压手册的。
  • 你可以更聪明

    你可以更聪明

    受益一生的思维方法全集,全方位开发大脑潜能,百分百提升思维能力。十几种经典思维方法,上百个全脑思维游戏。让我们和全世界最聪明的人一起思考,你可以更聪明。
  • 农技:农苑总是新天地

    农技:农苑总是新天地

    稻是我国古代最重要的粮食作物之一。我国是亚洲稻的原产地之一,其驯化和栽培的历史,至少已有7000年。我国古代在稻的栽培技术方面有很多经验,如火耕水耨、轮作和套种等,成为世界栽培水稻的起源中心,并且推广至东亚近邻国家。此外,先民对稻资源的利用处于世界先进行列。
  • 幸孕100分:娇妻,狠大牌!

    幸孕100分:娇妻,狠大牌!

    她叫言颜,是个受人唾弃见不得光的私生女,也是国内屈指可数的传媒公司神秘老总。单身28年,生命里只有工作,直到她因忙碌昏迷进了医院,才恍然自己应该有个孩子,至少在她死后能够继承她的遗产。之后,言颜四处搜寻各方都优秀的男人,试图……借个孕。看见陆承的第一眼,言颜目光坚定,凉薄的眼眯起:“就他了。”陆承辉煌了三十年,怎么都不敢相信,自己竟被一个女人算计了。要是算计钱也就罢了,竟然算计走他一个孩子!他恶狠狠的咬牙:“言颜,你马上带着孩子给老子滚回来!”
  • 柯南之机械师

    柯南之机械师

    考证向;逻辑向;科学向起始时间设定1994年3月,单女主小哀,剧情中后期走向和组织以及FBI的撕逼无关,完全专注于和小哀的感情经历。时间轴走史实路线,考证全开,保证这是一个现实而且可靠的故事。不科学的事情不用等了,就算有也和主角无缘。复杂内容附带解说,实在看不懂可以直接来群里找我给你讲。那么,欢迎观赏我的表演另外——推一下徒儿的文社【衣冠丐帮】“一饮吞日月,再饮尽江河”
  • 至尊毒妃:爷,轻点宠

    至尊毒妃:爷,轻点宠

    她是每个全朝之子想要暗杀的相府嫡女,赐婚之夜,她连夜出逃,却不慎跌落悬崖,再次醒来,她已不是她,眸色凛然,泛着杀意,在她被人快要杀死之际,一个尊贵俊美的男人救了她。一朝巨变,她是现代穿越而来的特工,身边包围着层层阴谋和暗杀,姨母算计,庶女打压,皇上刺杀,还有别国太子的有心利用。她以为自己深陷泥潭,无法摆脱困境,却没想到那个曾经救了自己的男人如天神般降临,斩尽她身边的危害,除掉想要杀她之人,她蹙眉冷声质问,“为何要救我?你的目的是什么?”男人邪魅勾唇,清冷的眸子泛着一抹柔情,骤然伸手将她拥在怀里,低沉的嗓音透着霸道,“我的目的很简单,娶你为妻!”--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 快穿之这个系统太精分

    快穿之这个系统太精分

    身为一名演员,凉薄即使是从万众瞩目的天后,变成各个世界乱跑,为坑爹系统打工的攻略者,也自始至终坚持着自己的职业素养。然而有一个精分系统君,又该如何应对呢?没关系,上有政策,下有对策。凉薄开启了自己的玛丽苏攻略之路,拳打白莲花,脚踢绿茶婊。攻略男主,收服男配。有实力的,没在怕的!(大量同人and原创)
  • 穿越之无敌“丑女”

    穿越之无敌“丑女”

    为救帅哥,不幸身死,穿越到古代的极品丑女夕颜,意外发现竟然附身到了一个绝美女子小婉的身上。自古红颜薄命,更可况这个没有地位且备受主子欺凌的丫鬟!一块小小的玉坠牵扯出了小婉神秘的身份,更让她卷入了错综复杂的斗争中。不怕!这里有各式帅哥。且看夕颜如何以丑女心态,玩转于古代,享尽风流香。一个麻雀变凤凰的传说由此开始......谢谢setpn123,建了书友群57769672,喜欢的可以进来讨论下终于结束了,虽然只有三十万字,作为新手的我,却是不容易。新的作品即将开码,名字暂定为《爱上妖孽老公》文风轻松,到时候希望朋友前去看看。
  • 权宠悍妻

    权宠悍妻

    国公府的嫡女,嫁与将军为妻,助他成为一代名将,却被夫君婆婆厌弃,怀孕之时,他宠爱小妾,以克星为由剖腹夺子,更拿她顶罪屠之。杀身之仇,涅槃重生,她杀心机姐妹,诛恶毒继母,夺回母亲嫁妆,渣男和小妾都一一死在她的剑下。重活一世,她不再痴恋,可偏遇那不讲道理的霸道元帅。“我这个所谓国公府嫡女说白了只是个乡野丫头,配不起元帅,不嫁!”“嫡女也好,乡野丫头也好,本帅娶定了!”“我心肠歹毒,容不得你三妻四妾,元帅若不想后院血流成河,最好别招惹我。”