'It's done in a minute,' said Sikes, in the same low whisper.

'Directly I leave go of you, do your work. Hark!'

'What's that?' whispered the other man.

'Nothing,' said Sikes, releasing his hold of Oliver. 'Now!'

In the short time he had had to collect his senses, the boy had

firmly resolved that, whether he died in the attempt or not, he

would make one effort to dart upstairs from the hall, and alarm

the family. Filled with this idea, he advanced at once, but