Oliver’s Brother
‘Go on,’ Monks said.
‘Your mother left the country, taking you with her. Then your father met a young girl called Agnes Fleming. They fell in love. Soon, she was expecting a child.’
Monks smiled but said nothing. Mr. Brownlow went on speaking.
‘Your father inherited a lot of money,’ he said. ‘He left England and went to live abroad. There he fell ill and died. When he died no one could find his will. All your father’s money went to you and your mother. Agnes Fleming did not get anything.’
‘And that cannot be changed.’ Monks said.
‘You are wrong,’ Mr. Brownlow replied. ‘I know that your father made will. You have read it. But you and your mother destroyed it.’
‘Why do you believe this?’ Monks asked, with a cruel smile.
‘Listen to me.’ Mr. Brownlow said. ‘Before he went abroad, your father came to me. He said that he had separated from your mother. He gave me a picture of Agnes Fleming, the girl he loved. He told me about his love for Agnes. The portrait is on the wall behind you.’
Monks turned. He looked at the picture in horror.
‘I see that you are surprised,’ said Mr. Brownlow. ‘When I saw Oliver Twist beside the portrait, I knew that he was her son. You know this too.’
‘I never saw your father again,’ Mr. Brownlow went on sadly.
‘I tried to find Agnes Fleming, but I could not. Many years later, you found her child. You tried to destroy the boy by making him a thief. You were afraid to kill him. But now there has been a murder.’
‘A murder!’ Monks repeated in horror.