Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 1.djvu/279

Rh intimating that it was to let, which looked as if it had hung there for many years. "All right," said Sikes, glancing cautiously about. Nancy stooped below the shutters, and Oliver heard the sound of a bell. They crossed to the opposite side of the street, and stood for a few moments under a lamp. A noise, as if a sash-window were gently raised, was heard, and soon afterwards the door softly opened; upon which Mr. Sikes seized the terrified boy by the collar with very little ceremony, and all three were quickly inside the house. The passage was perfectly dark, and they waited while the person who had let them in chained and barred the door. "Anybody here." inquired Sikes. "No," replied a voice, which Oliver thought he had heard before. "Is the old 'un here?" asked the robber. "Yes," replied the voice; "and precious down in the mouth he has been. Won't he be glad to see you? Oh, no!" The style of this reply, as well as the voice