Day after day Oliver stayed in Fagin's room. taking the marks out of handkerchiefs. Sometimes, too, he played the game with Fagin's pockets. Ar last he began to want fresh air. He asked Fagin to let him go out to work with Dawkins and Charley Bates.
One morning Fagin allowed him to go. The three boys left the house, walking very slowly, Oliver wondered if they were going to work at all
They were just coming out of a narrow street into a square when suddenly Dawkins stopped. Putting his finger on his lips, he pulled his friends back.
“Quiet!” he said.” Do you see that old man near the bookshop?”
“Perfect, “ said Charley Bates.
Oliver looked at them in The two boys walked across surprise. the road and went close behind the old gentleman. Oliver followed them.
The old gentleman had white hair and gold glasses. He carried a stick under his arm. He had taken a book from a shelf in front of the shop and he stood reading it.
Oliver was shocked when he saw Dawkins put his hand into the old man's pocket and take out a handkerchief Dawkins gave it to Charley Bates and they both ran away.
In a moment, Oliver understood the mystery of the handkerchiefs and the watches and the jewels and Fagin's games. He stood for a moment, full of fear, and then he too began to run.
The old gentleman put his hand in his pocket. He did not find his handkerchief, so he turned round. When he saw Oliver running away, he thought of course that the boy had stolen his handkerchief.
“Stop, thief!" he shouted, and ran after Oliver.
Everybody in the street joined him in the chase. Stop. thief they cried Even Dawkins and Charley Bates began to shout Stop, thief!' and run after Oliver too.
Then someone hit Oliver and he fell to the ground. A crowd collected round him. Oliver lay, covered with dust, and bleeding from the mouth. He looked wildly at all the faces that surrounded him.
“Is this the boy? “ they asked the old gentleman.
“Yes, “said the old gentleman, “ I am afraid it is Poor boy! He has hurt himself”
A police constable pushed through the crowd and seized Oliver by the neck. “Get up! “he said.
“It wasn't me, sir. It was two other boys, “said Oliver." They are here somewhere.” But Jack and Charley had disappeared
“Oh, no, they aren't,” said the constable.