, sir?« said
Mrs. Mann, whimpering pathetically.
    »They shall understand that, ma'am; they shall be acquainted with the true
state of the case,« said Mr. Bumble. »There; take him away, I can't bear the
sight on him.«
    Dick was immediately taken away, and locked up in the coal-cellar. Mr.
Bumble shortly afterwards took himself off, to prepare for his journey.
    At six o'clock next morning, Mr. Bumble: having exchanged his cocked hat for
a round one, and encased his person in a blue great-coat with a cape to it: took
his place on the outside of the coach, accompanied by the criminals whose
settlement was disputed; with whom, in due course of time, he arrived in London.
He experienced no other crosses on the way, than those which originated in the
perverse behaviour of the two paupers, who persisted in shivering, and
complaining of the cold, in a manner which, Mr. Bumble declared, caused his
teeth to chatter in his head, and made him feel quite uncomfortable; although he
had a great-coat on.
    Having disposed of these evil-minded persons for the night, Mr. Bumble sat
himself down in the house at which the coach stopped; and took a temperate
dinner of steaks, oyster sauce, and porter. Putting a glass of hot gin-and-water
on the chimney-piece, he drew his chair to the fire; and, with sundry moral
reflections on the too-prevalent sin of discontent and complaining, composed
himself to read the paper.
    The very first paragraph upon which Mr. Bumble's eye rested, was the
following advertisement.
 



                              »Five Guineas Reward

Whereas a young boy, named Oliver Twist, absconded, or was enticed, on Thursday
evening last, from his home, at Pentonville; and has not since been heard of.
The above reward will be paid to any person who will give such information as
will lead to the discovery of the said Oliver Twist, or tend to throw any light
upon his previous history, in which the advertiser is, for many reasons, warmly
interested.«
 
And then followed a full description of Oliver's dress, person, appearance, and
disappearance: with the name and address of Mr. Brownlow at full length.
    Mr. Bumble opened his eyes; read the advertisement, slowly and carefully,
three several times; and in something more than five minutes was on his way to
Pentonville: having actually, in his excitement, left the glass
