“What the devil’s the meaning of this?” exclaimed the host.

“The kitchen chimney ain’t afire, is it, Emma?” inquired the old lady.

“Lor, grandma! No,” screamed both the young ladies.

“What’s the matter?” roared the master of the house.

The man gasped for breath, and faintly ejaculated⁠—

“They ha’ gone, mas’r!⁠—gone right clean off, Sir!” (At this juncture Mr. Tupman was observed to lay down his knife and fork, and to turn very pale.)

“Who’s gone?” said Mr. Wardle fiercely.