Hallo! replied Sikes, appearing at the head of the stairs with a candle. Oh! thats the time of day. Come on!
This was a very strong expression of approbation, and an uncommonly hearty welcome from a person of Mr. Sikess temperament. Nancy, appearing much gratified thereby, saluted him cordially.
Bullseyes gone home with Tom, observed Sikes, as he lighted them up. Hed have been in the way.
Thats right, rejoined Nancy.
So youve got the kid, said Sikes, when they had all reached the room: closing the door as he spoke.
Yes, here he is, replied Nancy.
Did he come quiet? inquired Sikes.
Like a lamb, rejoined Nancy.
Im glad to hear it, said Sikes, looking grimly at Oliver, for the sake of his young carcase, as would otherways have suffered for it. Come here, young un, and let me read you a lectur, which is as well got over at once.
Thus addressing his new protégé , Mr. Sikes pulled off his cap and threw it into a corner; and then, taking him by the shoulder, sat himself down by the table, and stood Oliver in front of him.
Now first, do you know wot this is? inquired Sikes, taking up a pocket-pistol which lay on the table.
Oliver replied in the affirmative.
Well then, look here, continued Sikes. This is powder, that eres a bullet, and this is a little bit of a old hat for waddin.
Oliver murmured his comprehension of the different bodies referred to, and Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol with great nicety and deliberation.
Now its loaded, said Mr. Sikes, when he had finished.
Yes, I see it is, sir, replied Oliver, trembling.
Well, said the robber, grasping Olivers wrist tightly, and putting the barrel so close to his temple that they touched, at which moment the boy could not repress a shriek; if you speak a word when youre out odoors with me, except when I speak to you, that loading will be in your head without notice so, if you do make up your mind to speak without leave, say your prayers first.
Having bestowed a scowl upon the object of this warning, to increase its effect, Mr. Sikes continued,
As near as I know, there isnt anybody as would be asking very partickler arter you, if you was disposed of; so I neednt take this devil-and-all of trouble to explain matters to you if it warnt for your own good. Dye hear me?
The short and the long of what you mean, said Nancy, speaking very emphatically, and slightly frowning at Oliver as if to bespeak his serious attention to her words, is, that if youre crossed by him in this job you have on hand, youll prevent his ever telling tales afterwards by shooting him through the head, and take your chance of swinging for it as you do for a great many other things in the way of business every month of your life.
Thats it! observed Mr. Sikes, approvingly; women can always put things in fewest words, except when its blowing up, and then they lengthens it out. And now that hes thoroughly up to it, lets have some supper, and get a snooze afore starting.
In pursuance of this request, Nancy quickly laid the cloth, and, disappearing for a few minutes, presently returned with a pot of porter and a dish of sheeps heads, which gave occasion to several pleasant witticisms on the part of Mr. Sikes, founded upon the singular coincidence of jemmies being a cant name common to them and an ingenious implement
with surprise and amazement.
It was market-morning. The ground was covered nearly ankle-deep with filth and mire; and a thick steam perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle, and mingling with the fog, which seemed to rest upon the chimney-tops, hung heavily above. All the pens in the centre of the large area, and as many temporary ones as could be crowded into the vacant space, were filled with sheep; and tied up to posts by the gutter side were long lines of beasts and oxen three or four deep. Countrymen, butchers, drovers, hawkers, boys, thieves, idlers, and vagabonds of every low grade, were mingled together in a dense mass; the whistling of drovers, the barking of dogs, the bellowing and plunging of beasts, the bleating of sheep, and grunting and squeaking of pigs; the cries of hawkers, the shouts, oaths, and quarrelling on all sides; the ringing of bells and roar of voices that issued from every public-house; the crowding, pushing, driving, beating, whooping, and yelling; the hideous and discordant din that resounded from every corner of the market; and the unwashed, unshaven, squalid, and dirty figures constantly running to and fro, and bursting in and out of the throng, rendered it a stunning and bewildering scene, which quite confounded the senses.
Mr. Sikes, dragging Oliver after him, elbowed his way through the thickest of the crowd, and bestowed very little attention upon the numerous sights and sounds which so astonished the boy. He nodded twice or thrice to a passing friend, and, resisting as many invitations to take a morning dram, pressed steadily onward until they were clear of the turmoil, and had made their way through Hosier-lane into Holborn.