It was a dark night. As I left the town and walked toward the marshes, a large red moon rose behind the clouds. The wind was cold and the marshes felt very lonely. I felt a sense of fear and almost turned back, but I knew I had to find out the truth about Provis.
I walked for about half an hour until I reached the limekiln. The smell of the burning lime was thick and choking. Near the kiln was an old, broken wooden house by the water. I saw a light inside and knocked on the door. No one answered. I called out, "Is anyone here?" but there was only silence.
The rain began to fall hard, so I stepped inside to wait. I saw a candle burning on a table and a small bed in the corner. I wondered who had been there. As I reached out to touch the candle, someone suddenly jumped out from the shadows. A rope was thrown over my head and pulled tight around my neck and arms.
"Now," a quiet voice whispered. "I’ve got you!"
"Help!" I shouted, struggling. "Who is it?"
The man pushed his hand against my mouth to stop me from screaming. The rope was tied so tightly that my injured arm burned with terrible pain. I was tied to a ladder against the wall. The man closed the window shutter, and for a moment, we were in total darkness. Then, he struck a match. In the small flame, I saw the face of my enemy. It was Orlick.
He lit the candle and sat down, staring at me with a slow, evil smile. "I’ve got you," he repeated.
"Let me go!" I cried. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I'm going to kill you," he said calmly. He picked up a heavy gun. "You cost me my job at Satis House. You always gave me a bad name. You even came between me and Biddy. You spent your money trying to drive me away, didn't you?"
He leaned forward, his eyes red and angry. "You have always been in my way, Pip. Ever since you were a child. Tonight, you die. I’m going to throw your body into the limekiln. No one will ever find a bone of you."
I felt a wave of terror. If I died here, Estella would never know the truth. Magwitch would think I had deserted him and would be caught. Joe and Biddy would never know how sorry I was for my behavior. I didn't want to die, but more than that, I didn't want to be remembered as a coward and a liar.
Orlick took a drink from a bottle of spirits and became even more violent. "I'll tell you something else, wolf," he growled. "You remember your sister? The one who was attacked and later died?"
"It was you!" I said, realizing the truth.
"It was me," he laughed. "I crept up behind her just like I did to you tonight. I hit her with the iron that Magwitch had filed off his leg. But it was your fault. You were the favorite, and I was treated like dirt. Now you pay for it."
He stood up and pushed the table aside. He held the candle close to my face, nearly burning me. "And I know about your 'uncle' Provis, too. I know you’re trying to smuggle him away. But there are people watching him. Compeyson is waiting. The gallows are waiting!"
Orlick finished his drink and threw the bottle away. He picked up a heavy stone-hammer. He looked like a wild animal ready to attack. I knew this was the end. I didn't beg for my life. Instead, I gathered all my strength and screamed for help as loud as I could.
Suddenly, the door burst open! I saw figures rushing in. There was a loud struggle, and I saw Orlick jump over the table and run out into the dark night.
I felt dizzy and everything went black. When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the floor. Someone was holding my head. I looked up and saw a familiar face.
"Herbert! Thank God!"
"Stay quiet, Pip," Herbert said gently. "You're safe now."
Our friend Startop was there too, along with Trabb’s boy, who was holding a lantern. They quickly untied the ropes. My arm was swollen and the pain was incredible, but I didn't care about that.
"Is it still Monday?" I asked anxiously. "How long have I been here?"
"It's still Monday night," Herbert replied. "You haven't missed the escape."
As we walked back toward the town, Herbert explained what had happened. I had dropped the mysterious letter in our rooms in London. Herbert found it, became worried, and followed me with Startop. In town, they met Trabb’s boy, who showed them the way to the marshes. They had arrived just in time.
We decided not to call the police yet. If we spent time talking to the law, we might miss the chance to save Magwitch on Wednesday. We had to focus on the escape.
We returned to London and I spent all of Tuesday in bed. I was in a fever, my head and arm throbbing with pain. I was terrified that I would be too sick to move on Wednesday. I kept waking up from bad dreams, thinking we had missed our chance.
Finally, Wednesday morning arrived. I looked out the window and saw the sun rising over the River Thames. The water sparkled in the light. I felt a sudden burst of hope and strength. The day had come.
Herbert woke up and looked at the river. "The tide turns at nine o’clock," he said cheerfully. "Be ready, Pip. Today we save him."