When I woke up the next morning, my first thought was for the safety of my visitor. I knew I couldn’t keep him hidden in my rooms forever. I had a housekeeper and her niece who came in every day, and they were very curious. To avoid suspicion, I decided to tell them that my uncle had unexpectedly arrived from the country.
During the night, I had a frightening experience. I had gone out to the dark staircase to find a light. In the shadows, I tripped over someone crouching in a corner. When I asked who it was, the person didn't answer and quickly disappeared into the darkness. I called the watchman, and we searched the stairs with a lantern, but we found no one.
"Did anyone come in late?" I asked the watchman.
"Only three gentlemen who live here," he said. "And a stranger who asked for you at eleven o’clock."
"My uncle," I said.
"Yes," the watchman replied. "And there was a person with him."
"A person with him?" I asked, worried.
"I think so," the watchman said. "They arrived together."
This news troubled me deeply. Who was watching us? Was the convict being followed?
When daylight finally came, I sat by the fire, waiting for my guest to wake up. When he finally opened his door, he looked even more frightening in the morning light.
"I don't even know what to call you," I said quietly. "I told the housekeepers you are my uncle."
"That’s right, dear boy! Call me uncle," he said.
"What name did you use on the ship?"
"I took the name Provis," he said. "But my real name is Abel Magwitch."
He sat down to breakfast and ate ravenously, like a hungry old dog. His manners were loud and rough. I felt a strong dislike for him, but I tried to hide it. After he finished, he lit a pipe and held out his hands to me again.
"This is the gentleman I made!" he said proudly. "I want to see you spend money, Pip. You must have horses and the best clothes. I have plenty of money for you. It’s all yours!"
He tossed a thick book full of money onto the table. I was terrified. "How can we keep you safe?" I asked. "The police will hang you if they find you!"
"The danger isn't that great," Magwitch said calmly. "Only you, Jaggers, and Wemmick know I'm here. I’m not going back to Australia. I’ve come home for good. I can wear a wig or spectacles to hide my face."
I realized I had to tell Herbert the secret when he returned. Magwitch agreed, but only if Herbert swore an oath of silence on a little black Bible he carried in his pocket.
That afternoon, I went to see Mr. Jaggers. I wanted to hear the truth from him.
"Be careful, Pip," Jaggers warned me as soon as I entered. "Don't tell me anything. I don't want to know."
"I only want to know one thing," I said. "Is Abel Magwitch my benefactor?"
"Yes," Jaggers said. "He is the man."
"And not Miss Havisham?"
"I am not responsible for your mistakes, Pip," Jaggers replied coolly. "You should never trust appearances. Only trust evidence."
He then told me that he had warned Magwitch years ago that coming back to England was a serious crime. If he was caught, the punishment was death.
I went back to the Temple and spent the next few days trying to disguise Magwitch. I bought him new clothes and had his hair cut short. But it was no use. The better he dressed, the more he looked like a common criminal trying to hide. Everything about him—the way he walked, the way he handled his knife, the way he ate—shouted that he was a convict.
I felt like I was being haunted. I couldn't sleep, and I was constantly afraid. I even thought about running away and joining the army to escape him. But I knew I couldn't leave him while he was in such danger.
After five long days, I heard a familiar footstep on the stairs. It was Herbert! He burst into the room, looking happy and fresh after his trip to France.
"Handel, my dear friend!" he cried. "How are you? You look so pale!"
Then he stopped. He saw Magwitch standing by the fire. Magwitch slowly pulled out his folding knife, looking at Herbert with suspicion.
"Herbert, stay calm," I said quickly. "This is a visitor of mine."
Magwitch stepped forward and held out his little black Bible. "Take this in your right hand," he told Herbert. "Swear that you will never tell a soul about me. Kiss the book!"
Herbert looked at me in total confusion, but he did as Magwitch asked.
"Now you’ve sworn an oath," Magwitch said, shaking Herbert’s hand. "And you can be sure that Pip will make a gentleman of you, too!"