Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 3.djvu/273

 on horseback seemed to be among the crowd, for there was the noise of hoofs rattling on the uneven pavement; the gleam of lights increased, the footsteps came more thickly and noisily on. Then came a loud knocking at the door, and then a hoarse murmur from such a multitude of angry voices as would have made the boldest quail.

"Help!" shrieked the boy in a voice that rent the air. "He's here; he's here. Break down the door."

"In the King's name," cried voices without; and the hoarse cry arose again, but louder.

"Break down the door," screamed the boy. "I tell you they'll never open it. Run straight to the room where the light is. Break down the door."

Strokes thick and heavy rattled upon the door and lower window-shutters as he ceased to speak, and a loud huzzah burst from the crowd;—giving the listener for the first time some adequate idea of its immense extent.

"Open the door of some place where I can lock this screeching Hell-babe," cried Sikes