22 Off to Australia

CHAPTER 22 Off to Australia "It was awful, Fagin," Charley wailed. "It was terrible watching Dodger in the prisoner's box." Charley sat at the table with Fagin and Bill. He had spent the day following Dodger through the courts and police station. Dodger had been arrested earlier that day for stealing a pocket watch. "What did the judge say?" Fagin asked. "Come on boy, spit it out!" "Take it easy, old man," Bill growled. "Having boys in the court isn't new. We've

all been there before." "This is Dodger, Bill!" Fagin cried. "He's my best and my brightest! If they get Dodger, what else could happen?" "You're too superstitious old man," Bill laughed. "Finish the story, Charley," Fagin pleaded. "Where is Dodger now? What did they give him?" "They're sending him off," Charley said. "They're deporting him to Australia. He's leaving on the next ship out!" "What?" Fagin jumped up from the table. "Dodger is off to Australia! This will never do!" he cried. "This is a disaster!" The door to the room opened and Monks walked in. He sat in the chair between Fagin and Bill. "It's a dark day," Fagin said to Monks. "Our Dodger has been nabbed. We've lost him."

"This boy should leave," Monks said pointing to Charley. "We need to have a talk." Fagin waved his hand and told Charley to leave the room. When they were alone, Monks leaned in to Bill. "Would you like to hear where your girl Nancy went tonight?" he said. Bill looked at this strange man. "What are you going on about?" he said. "She went off to see Bet." "That's what she said but I happen to know the truth," Monks said. Bill looked at Monks then Fagin. Fagin shrugged his shoulders to say he was just as confused. "She went off to see Brownlow," Monks whispered in Bill's ear. "She told him everything to save that boy." Bill stood up so quickly that he knocked his chair over. "You're a liar!" he yelled.

"Nancy wouldn't do that. She wouldn't turn against me!" "But she has Bill," Monks said. "I followed her. I know." "Now, Bill," Fagin said. He tried to calm his friend down. "Don't do anything rash." "Don't meddle where you don't belong, old man," Bill hissed. He pushed Fagin up against the wall. "This is my business. I'll take care of it." Bill turned on his heel and stormed toward the door. He knocked over chairs on his way out. Bull's Eye ran after his master. "Bill!" Fagin yelled. He ran to the door and called to Bill down the stairs. "What are you going to do? What are you going to do?!"