11 Herbert Knows Almost Everything

CHAPTER 11 Herbert Knows Almost Everything Herbert arrived home the next day. Before he had even taken off his hat, Provis came bounding forward with a tattered copy of the Bible. "Put your hand right there and swear." Herbert did as he was asked. "Now we can tell you the whole story!" We spent many hours and two full meals listening to Provis's stories. Midnight came and went before he finally left for the room I had found for him down the road. "I'm too stunned to think," Herbert said. "I was, too, at first. He wants to spend all his money on me, carriages, and horses. He doesn't even want us to live at Barnard's Inn anymore— he

thinks we should move to a better part of town." "Will you accept the fortune?" I said, "How can I? He's a criminal. But I am in debt and now in his debt. He's paid for everything these past few years." Herbert said, "You'll come and get a job with me." Poor Herbert had no idea it was Provis's money that had paid for his job in the first place. "Plus, he's a very dangerous man. Remember the story he told us about the terrible fight he had with the other convict? How do you think he'd react if I just said No, thanks, I don't want anything to do with you?" "I shudder to think of it." Herbert paced around the room for a moment. "I can only see one way out. We must get him out of England. When he's away, you'll write and say you no longer want his help. It's the only way." The next morning Provis arrived for breakfast, as usual. I asked, "Do you remember the night on the marshes long ago when you fought that other

convict? You said you were helping the soldiers find and arrest him. Why was it so important to turn him in? It cost you your own freedom." He said, "You're both still sworn to secrecy— Pip on your fortune, Herbert on my Bible." He stared at us through squinty eyes. "My life story is easy to tell. I was in jail. I was out of jail. That's about all there is to it. I don't know where I was born. I never had a proper home. I stole so I could eat, but I worked sometimes, too. "I had a partner in crime for a long time. His name was Compeyson. He looked handsome and smart, like a real gentleman, but he was mean as a snake." Provis warmed his hands by the fire. "He took me in and taught me things. But soon I couldn't get out from under his thumb. He had power over me, you see? I got sent to jail for stuff both of us had done. "When I finally got out, I never should have gone back. But I did. When we were caught the next time, we were both sent to trial. Compeyson was well dressed and well spoken. He talked his

way into mercy and seven years in jail. I got fourteen because of my ragged clothes and poor speech. "I swore I'd get back at Compeyson for it. The night I found Pip, I had knocked him down as we both escaped from that prison ship. "When Pip told me he saw another man on the marshes, I knew it was Compeyson and I had to catch him. I didn't care if I was in jail for the rest of my life as long as he was there with me. No one, not the guards or the court, listened to my side before sending me away for life. I escaped again— as you can see, I'm sitting here in front of you— and made my fortune."

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We were quiet for a moment until I asked, "Is Compeyson dead?" "Maybe, maybe not. I haven't seen or heard of him since our last trial." Herbert passed me a note under the table. Compeyson is the name of the man who was to marry Miss Havisham! I tried not to react as I tossed the note into the fire and looked at Herbert. "We have to get you out of London," I said to Provis, "before anyone knows you're here." Angry, confused, and unhappy, I knew I had to see Miss Havisham. I took the coach home the next morning hoping Estella would be there. "What wind blows you here, Pip?" Miss Havisham said when she saw me. Sure enough, Estella was visiting at Manor House for the week. She put down her knitting when I walked in the room. I cleared my throat. "Knowing who my benefactor is has made me terribly upset. I can't say