21 A Full Confession

CHAPTER 21 A Full Confession After making a report at the police station, Harry went to visit Mr. Brownlow. Mrs. Bedwin brought him into the study. Harry quickly introduced himself. "Mr. Brownlow, I know this may come as a surprise," Harry said. "But I've come with a message from Oliver Twist." "Oliver?" Mr. Brownlow rose quickly from his chair. "You know Oliver? Where is he?" "Don't worry," Harry said. "He's safe. At least for the time being. He was grabbed in

the street by those bandits while running to the bookstore for you. A few days later a man named Bill Sikes forced him to break into my mother's home. Our dogs heard the intruders. Oliver was caught but Sikes escaped. My mother kept Oliver at her house during his recovery. We have grown very fond of the boy. He told us his sad story— including your kindness toward him. We want to help any way we can." Mr. Brownlow sighed. "I am so relieved to hear that he is in safe hands. I was worried that he was in danger." "So you knew all about Fagin, Sikes, and the young thieves?" Harry asked. "No," Mr. Brownlow replied. "But I know of other dangers that threaten Oliver. I've been conducting my own investigation since he left. I already had my suspicions, but have since learned some very important details

about our Oliver." "My word!" Harry exclaimed. "May I ask what you have learned? I'm certain Oliver would want to hear all." "I need to confirm a few more details before I say anything," Mr. Brownlow replied. "I hope you'll understand." Harry nodded that he understood. "I really must be going," Harry said. "My mother and Rose will be expecting me." Mr. Brownlow stood up to shake the young man's hand. "I cannot thank you enough for coming to see me," the old gentleman said. "Please give my love to Oliver. Let him know that I will come to see him very soon." "Of course I will," said Harry. "He will be happy to hear you don't think him a thief." "Never!" Mr. Brownlow exclaimed. Harry Maylie was not gone ten minutes

when there was another knock at Mr. Brownlow's door. This time, however, a young woman was admitted to his study. Nancy was very nervous. She kept her shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders. She refused to sit down. "I can't stay," she said quickly. "I've only come to warn you about Oliver." "Whatever do you mean?" Mr. Brownlow said. "I've just had word that he is safe." "For now," she said. "But there are plans to grab him again." "How do you know all this?" Brownlow asked. "Because I'm the one who nabbed him last time," Nancy blurted out. "I grabbed him while he was running to the bookstore. Please don't look at me like that," she exclaimed. "I know that I've done wrong. I've lived a bad life. I've been a thief since I was

little. I know what it's like to live on the streets and I don't want that for Oliver." Nancy's eyes filled with tears. "Come with me to the police," Mr. Brownlow said. "You could lead them to Fagin and his thieves."

"No!" Nancy exclaimed. "I won't go to the police. Never! I don't care what happens to me— or to Fagin for that matter—but there's one person that I must protect. If I go to the police they will want information about him. I won't do anything to hurt him." "We can protect you if that's what you're worried about," Mr. Brownlow said. He was very concerned about this woman. He knew she was scared and that she was doing a very brave thing. "It's never too late to ask for forgiveness," he said. "No." Nancy chuckled despite her tears. "It's too late for me." "Then what are we to do?" Brownlow asked. "They know where Oliver is staying," she said. "There's a strange man working with them. He says that he knows the family well. He is determined to stop Oliver, but I don't