Also Read
The Dodger is Caught
The next night at ten, when Noah and Charlotte entered the small room behind The Three Cripples bar, only Fagin was there.
"So it was really you, not a friend, who was to meet us," Noah said to Fagin. "I thought as much last night."
"Every man is his own friend," answered Fagin, with a sly smile. "Remember, we're all in this together! If one person squeals, we might all get caught! We're already in enough trouble. And yesterday, the Dodger, one of my best boys, got caught with a silver snuffbox!"
 |
| The Dodger is Caught |
Charely Bates entered the room, his face twisted with sadness. "It's all over for the Dodger," he announced. "The owner of the snuffbox identified him, and he goes on trial today. Too bad he couldn't have gone out in a blaze of glory by stealing something really valuable, instead of with a halfpenny snuffbox. Now his talents are lost to us forever!"
"Here's a golden opportunity for you to help us out," said Fagin to Noah. "Master Bates and I couldn't possibly visit the Dodger at the courthouse. But nobody knows you and, with the proper clothing, no one would suspect your connection with us."
Only Fagin ls There.....
"I don't know.." began Noah.
"What good are you?" asked Bates angrily. "You want to eat well without doin' any work!"
At last Noah agreed to go. Fagin dressed him in velvet pants, leather leggings, a wagoner's coat, and a felt hat. That way, he would look like a simple country fellow, calling at the courthouse out of curiosity. Bates told him what the Dodger looked like and then led him through a maze of narrow streets to within a block of the courthouse.
Bates Brings Bad News.....
Noah walked into a large crowd in the dirty, foul-smelling room at the courthouse. On a raised platform at one end of the room was the prisoner's dock. A box for witnesses was in the middle and a desk for the judge on the right. A clerk was reading out jail sentences for other prisoners in the dock. Finally the Dodger was brought into the dock, blustering all the way.
The Dodger Is Brought into Court.....
"What are my rights?" he cried: "I'm an Englishman, after all!"
"Hold your tongue and you'll find out!" snapped the jailer.
"Whats the charge?" asked the judge.
"A pickpocket case, your honor."
"Where are the witnesses?"
Take Him Away and Lock Him Up!.....
A policeman and an old gentleman appeared. "Have you anything to say, boy?" the judge asked the Dodger.
"I wouldn't even bother to discuss this stupid matter. But my lawyer will have plenty to say. You wont get away with treating me like this!"
"Take him away and lock him up!" the judge ordered the jailer. The Dodger was dragged off cursing, and Noah returned to make a full report to Fagin and Bates.