The hermit could scarcely forbear from smiling at his guest's reply.

‘He is off,’ said Mrs Squeers. ‘The cow–house and stable are locked up, so he can’t be there; and he’s not downstairs anywhere, for the girl has looked. He must have gone York way, and by a public road too.’

He pointed to the French guns, the limbers of which were being detached and hurriedly removed.