Chapter 11 Pickpockets Oliver stayed in Fagin's room for several days.
He enjoyed himself at first.
He kept busy picking initials and thread out of handkerchiefs.
He played the pickpocket game with the old man.
He listened to the stories the other boys told when they returned in the evening.
Nancy often stopped by, too.
She was usually on an errand for Bill, but sometimes it was a friendly visit.
"'Just wanted to see my little gentleman,' she would say.
Oliver almost always blushed as she ruffled his hair.
One time Bill Sykes came on his own.
All the boys stopped talking as soon as he walked in.
Bill was a big man.
His coat was tight over his large chest and arms.
He had a wide, firm jaw and dark, cold eyes.
He had a small dog named Bullseye who followed him everywhere.
The dog was short and squat and just as tough as his master.
Bill did not speak as he moved across the room.
Only Dodger was brave enough to nod as Bill walked past.
Oliver realized it was best to stay out of his way.
The boy kept to his corner bed until Bill left.
After a week or so, Oliver was bored with this routine.
He wanted to go out with the other boys.
He was excited to see more of London.
Come on, Fagin, Dodger urged.
Let us take young Oliver out.
He's ready by now.
Don't worry.
Charlie and I will take care of him.
Oh, yes, please, sir, Oliver begged.
Please let me go out with Dodger and Charlie.
The old man thought about it for a few moments.
All right, he said, but be careful.
You're in charge, Dodger.
Fagin spoke sternly.
You watch out for Oliver.
Dodger saluted Fagin with his cap.
Right-o, he said.
He pulled Oliver's sleeve and they raced out the door.
Charlie followed quickly behind.
The two boys took Oliver to a new part of the city.
There were no empty and run-down buildings on these streets.
The sidewalks were clean, the buggies were shiny, and all of the people were well-dressed.
All of the people except Oliver, Dodger, and Charlie, of course.
There were so many people on the street that no one noticed them.
Oliver walked behind his friends he watched as they picked their way through the crowd.
Dodger would stand very close to a gentleman while Charlie kept watch.
When Charlie gave a quick, sharp whistle, Dodger jumped back and they walked away.
This happened several times as Oliver watched.
He was confused about this game.
What exactly were they doing?
Dodger pointed toward a gentleman at a bookstore.
The older man was leaning over a table of books in the front of the store.
He'll do, said Dodger.
A perfect target, Charlie said.
He took his usual post a foot or two away from Dodger and the well-dressed gentleman.
Dodger lifted the flap of the gentleman's jacket and removed his wallet.
The man continued to look through the book table.
This all happened in the space of a second or two.
Dodger and Charlie quickly ran back into the crowd.
Oliver was horrified.
He stood a few feet away from the gentleman, shaking.
He suddenly realized the game that Fagin was teaching him.
These boys were all pickpockets and thieves.
Fagin wanted Oliver to learn how to steal.
The poor boy had no idea what to do next.
He was frozen to his spot on the sidewalk.
Oliver watched in terror as the gentleman reached for his wallet and found an empty pocket.
He turned around quickly and saw Oliver standing a few feet away.
"'Thief!' the man yelled.
He pointed at Oliver.
"'Stop that boy!
He stole my wallet!'
Oliver looked for Dodger and Charlie, but he could not find them.
He was so frightened that he started to run.'
A crowd followed him, shouting, Stop, thief!
If Oliver had looked behind him, he might have seen his two friends in the crowd.
They could not think of a better place to hide than in a crowd of good citizens.
Oliver ran down several streets.
The crowd continued to grow, and Oliver became more nervous.
His legs grew weak with fear.
Sweat and tears were filling his eyes, making it difficult to see.
He tried to jump over some crates, but he tripped and landed hard on the sidewalk.
He cut his knee, elbow, and forehead.
Members of the crowd quickly grabbed him and pulled him up.
"'Where's the gentleman that was robbed?' one of the men asked.
"'He's coming through right now,' a woman answered."
Mr. Brownlow, for that was the old gentleman's name, made his way through the crowd.
He stopped when he saw Oliver.
Something about the boy touched the old gentleman's heart.
The boy was so small and clearly scared.
Mr. Brownlow saw that Oliver was hurt.
He felt pity for the boy, but a crime had been committed.
Justice must be served.
"'Is this the boy who stole your wallet?'
"'I'm afraid so,' said Mr. Brownlow.
"'Poor fellow.
He has hurt himself.'
The men in the crowd laughed at Mr. Brownlow's concern.
They flagged down a police officer.
Arrangements were made to take Oliver to court right away.
The crowd set off for the courthouse, dragging the young boy behind them.
Please be careful, Mr. Brownlow said.
Try not to injure him more.
The old gentleman followed along.
There was something about this boy and this robbery that did not set well with him.
Mr. Brownlow was certain there was more to this story.
