“I have saved you from being ill-used once, and I will again; and I do now,” she said, “for those who would have fetched you if I had not, would have been far more rough than me.  Remember this, and don’t let me suffer more for you just now.  If I could help you, I would; but I have not the power.  I have promised for your being quiet; if you are not, you will harm youself and perhaps be my death.  Hush!  Give me your hand!  Make haste!”

Blowing out the light, she drew Oliver hastily after her, out, and into a hackney-cabriolet.  The driver wanted no directions, but lashed his horse into full speed, and presently they were in a strange house.  There, with Nancy and Sikes, Oliver remained until an early hour the next morning, when the three set out, whither or for what Oliver did not know, but before they started Sikes drew out a pistol, and holding it close to Oliver’s temple said, “If you speak a word while you’re out of doors, with me, except when I speak to you, that loading will be in your head without notice!” And Oliver did not doubt the statement.

In the gray dawn of a cheerless morning the trio started off, and by continual tramping, and an occasional lift from a carter reached a public house where they lingered for some hours, and then went on again until the next night.  They turned into no house at Shepperton, as the weary boy had expected; but still kept walking on, in mud and darkness, until they came in sight of the lights of a town.  Then they stopped for a time at a solitary, dilapidated house, where they were met by other men.  The party then crossed a bridge and were soon in the little town of Chertsey.  There was nobody abroad.  They had cleared the town as the church-bell struck two.  After walking about a quarter of a mile, they stopped before a detached house surrounded by a wall:  to the top of which one of the men, Toby Crackit, climbed in a twinkling.

“The boy next!” said Toby.  “Hoist him up; I’ll catch hold of him.”

Before Oliver had time to look round, Sikes had caught him under the arms; and he and Toby were lying on the grass, on the other side of the wall.  Sikes followed, and they stole towards the house.  Now, for the first time Oliver realised that robbery, if not murder, was the object of the expedition.  In vain he pleaded that they let him go,—­he was answered only by oaths, while the robbers were busy opening a little window not far from the ground at the back of the house, which was just large enough to admit Oliver.  Toby planted himself firmly with his head against the wall beneath the window, then Sikes, mounting upon him, put Oliver through the window with his feet first, and without leaving hold of his collar, planted him safely on the floor inside.

“Take this lantern,” whispered Sikes, looking into the room, “You see the stairs afore you; go up softly and unfasten the street door.”

Oliver, more dead than alive gasped out, “Yes.”  Sikes then advised him to take notice that he was within shot all the way; and that if he faltered, he would fall dead that instant.