Summary: Chapter 42
Noah Claypole and Charlotte flee to London after robbing
Mr. Sowerberry. They stop at the Three Cripples inn, where they
meet Fagin and Barney. Fagin invites Noah to join his gang, assigning
him to rob children.
Summary: Chapter 43
Noah meets Fagin at his home. The Artful Dodger has been
arrested for attempting to pick a pocket. Noah’s first job is to go
to the police station to watch the Dodger’s trial. The Dodger, joking
all the while, is convicted and sentenced to transportation. Noah
hurries back to tell Fagin.
Summary: Chapter 44
Fagin is visiting Sikes when Nancy tries to leave for
London Bridge at eleven on Sunday. Sikes drags her into another
room and restrains her for an hour. When he departs, Fagin asks
that Nancy conduct him downstairs. He whispers to her that he will
help her leave the brute Sikes if she wants. Fagin imagines that
Nancy has wanted to meet a new lover that night. He hopes to persuade
her to murder Sikes and bring her new love into his gang, so he
can solidify his control over her. He plans to watch her in order
to discover the identity of her new love, hoping to blackmail her
with this information.
Summary: Chapter 45
Fagin tells Noah that he will pay him a pound to follow
Nancy. The following Sunday, when Sikes is away, he takes Noah to
Sikes’s residence. At eleven, Nancy leaves the apartment. Noah follows
at a discreet distance.
Summary: Chapter 46
Nancy meets Mr. Brownlow and Rose on London Bridge and
leads them to a secluded spot. Noah hears Nancy beg them to ensure
that none of her associates get into trouble because of her choice
to help Oliver. They agree, and Nancy tells them when they will
most likely see Monks visiting the public house. They hope to catch
Monks and force the truth about Oliver from him. Nancy’s description
of Monks startles Mr. Brownlow, who appears to know him. Brownlow
begs Nancy to accept their help, but she says that she is chained to
her life. He and Rose depart. Nancy cries violently and then heads for
home. Noah hurries to Fagin’s house.
Summary: Chapter 47
When Sikes delivers stolen goods to Fagin that night,
Fagin and Noah relate the details of Nancy’s trip. Fagin does not
tell Sikes that Nancy insisted that her associates not get into
trouble. In a rage, Sikes rushes home and beats Nancy to death while
she begs for mercy.
