Oliver Twist Chapter 16 (narrated by Syrile) Midnight on London Bridge It was Sunday night. The church clock struck eleven. Sikes and Fagin were talking but they stopped to listen. Nancy looked up and listened too. While the two men talked, she put on her hat and coat. 'Nancy, where are you going at this time of night?' 'I am not well,' said Nancy. 'I want to breathe some fresh air.' 'Put your head out of the window,' replied Sikes. 'I want it outside.' 'But you won't have it.' Sikes shut the door, pulled the key out of the lock, seized the hat from Nancy's head and threw it up to the top of an old cupboard. 'Let me go, Bill!' cried Nancy, sitting on the floor. 'Tell him to let me go, Fagin!' 'I think the girl has gone mad!' cried Sikes. He pulled her to her feet and threw her into a chair. Nancy fought and cried until the clock struck twelve. Then she became quiet. Fagin picked up his hat and said good night. Nancy went down the stairs with him, holding a candle to light the way. 'Nancy dear,' said Fagin. 'If he behaves badly, I will help you. You know me. We are old friends.' 'I know you well,' replied Nancy. 'Good night.' She moved away from him as he tried to shake her hand. The door closed between them. Fagin walked home, thinking, 'Nancy is tired of Bill and his cruel behaviour. Perhaps I can make her work for me against him. Perhaps I can even make her poison him. Where does she go at night? I must have her followed.' It was Sunday night again. The church clock struck a quarter to twelve. Two people were on London Bridge. One was Nancy. The other was a man called Noah Claypole. Noah had recently started working for Fagin and, on his orders, was hiding in the shadows. Soon two more figures appeared - a young lady and an old gentleman. 'Come down the steps here,' said Nancy.' I am afraid to speak to you on the public road.' They went down the steps towards the river. 'This is far enough,' said Mr Brownlow. 'Why have you brought us to this dark place? Why couldn't we meet in another place where it is light?' 'I was afraid,' replied Nancy. 'You weren't here last Sunday night,' said Mr Brownlow. 'I couldn't come. I was stopped by force.' 'By who?' 'Bill - the man that I told the young lady about before.' 'Does he know that you are here now?' asked the old gentleman anxiously. 'No,' replied Nancy, shaking her head. 'Good. Now listen,' said Mr Brownlow. 'Miss Maylie has explained to me everything that you told her two weeks ago. At first I didn't think we could trust you. But now I believe that we can. First we must find this man Monks and learn his secret. Then we must be sure that Fagin is put in prison. Oliver can never be safe while Fagin is free. You must tell the police about Fagin.' 'I can never do that!' replied Nancy. 'Fagin is an evil old man - but I will never do it! ' 'Tell me why,' said Mr Brownlow. 'Although he has led a bad life, I have led a bad life too. I trust him, and he trusts me.' 'Then,' said Mr Brownlow, 'put Monks in our hands and we will do nothing to Fagin without your permission. Tell us everything that you know about Monks.' Nancy told him about an inn where they might find Monks. Then she began to describe him. She spoke quietly and they had to listen carefully. 'He is tall and dark, with wild eyes that are deep in his head. I think that he is young - about twenty-eight. When he walks, he looks over his shoulder all the time. He wears black clothes. On his neck there is-' 'A wide red mark like a burn?' cried Mr Brownlow. 'Do you know him?' said Nancy with a cry of surprise. 'I think so,' said Mr Brownlow. 'Thank you for telling us this. Now, how can I help you?' 'You can do nothing to help me,' replied Nancy. 'Come with us. By tomorrow morning you will be far away from those bad people.' 'No, sir. I hate my life, but I cannot leave it,' replied Nancy sadly. 'Now I must go! I am afraid that somebody will see me!' Rose Maylie held out a purse. 'I haven't done this for money,' Nancy said. 'I have done it for Oliver and for you.' 'Please take the money,' said Rose. 'It may help you.' 'God bless you,' said Nancy. 'Now I must go. Good night, good night.' Rose and Mr Brownlow went slowly up the steps to the bridge. When they had gone, Nancy sat at the bottom of the steps and wept. Noah Claypole was running towards Fagin's house as fast as his legs could carry him.