Oliver Twist Chapter 20 (narrated by Syrile) The Death of Sikes Jacob's Island was in the Thames, where the river ran through one of the lowest, dirtiest and poorest parts of London. The old houses there were empty. They had no roofs, and the walls were falling down. Toby Crackit and Charley Bates were hiding in one of these old houses. They were talking in frightened voices. 'When was Fagin caught?' asked Toby. 'At dinner time today. I hid and escaped up the chimney,' said Charley. 'They will hang Fagin, and Sikes too when they get him,' said Toby in a frightened voice. 'We are in real danger.' 'No one will find us here,' said Charley. As they sat talking, they heard a noise on the stairs. Sikes's dog ran into the room. It was covered with mud and was very tired. 'What does this mean?' said Toby. 'Sikes isn't coming here, is he? I . . . I hope not.' 'No. He has probably left the country and the dog. Look - he must be without his master or he would be afraid.' They gave the dog some water, then it lay down under a chair and went to sleep. The boys lit a candle and placed it on the table. They sat together, frightened, and waited. Suddenly there was a knock at the door below. Toby ran to the window and looked out. His face went white. 'We must let him in,' said Charley, picking up a candle. Sikes came in. His face looked old and tired, and he had not shaved for three days. He sat down and looked at the boys in silence. Eventually he spoke. 'When did that dog come here?' Sikes asked. 'Three hours ago.' 'The paper says that Fagin has been caught. Is it true?' 'True,' said Charley. They were silent again. 'Curse you both!' said Sikes. 'Have you nothing to say to me?' 'You are evil!' shouted Charley Bates. 'I am not afraid of you! Toby may let you stay here, but I am not going to help you.' Sikes threw him to the floor. His knee was on Charley's neck when there was another loud knock. There were lights outside, and voices. 'Open this door! ' 'They are here! They have found us!' whispered Toby, pale with terror. The voices outside grew louder. People were trying to climb the wall. Some called for ladders; others said they would burn the house down. 'The water!' cried Sikes. 'The water is low so I can get away on the river. Give me a rope, Toby, a long rope. The people are all at the front. I will drop down at the back.' Toby pointed in fear at a cupboard where there was some rope. Sikes took the longest piece that he could find. He quickly went to the top of the house, climbed to the edge of the roof and looked over. The level of the water was very low, and the river was just a stretch of mud. The crowd outside shouted as Sikes appeared on the roof. The people at the front of the house ran round to the back to watch. At the same time, Sikes heard noises inside the house. The police were entering the building. He tied one end of the rope tightly round the chimney. He tied the other end round himself. 'I can climb down nearly to the ground,' he thought, 'and then I can cut the rope and fall. My knife is ready in my hand.' At that moment he looked behind him on the roof and shouted in terror. 'Those eyes again!' he cried. 'I can still see her eyes!' He fell back and dropped off the roof. The rope suddenly moved and caught around his neck. He fell for thirty feet, and then there was a sudden stop. His body hung against the wall the knife still in his hand - dead.