'Empty, you fool!' said the dwarf.

I give you my word, Quilp,' answered his trembling wife, 'that I have

been into every room and there's not a soul in any of them.'

And that,' said Mr Brass, clapping his hands once, with an emphasis,

explains the mystery of the key!'

Quilp looked frowningly at him, and frowningly at his wife, and

frowningly at Richard Swiveller; but, receiving no enlightenment from

any of them, hurried up stairs, whence he soon hurried down again,

confirming the report which had already been made.

It's a strange way of going,' he said, glancing at Swiveller, 'very

strange not to communicate with me who am such a close and

intimate friend of his! Ah! he'll write to me no doubt, or he'll bid Nelly

write - yes, yes, that's what he'll do. Nelly's very fond of me. Pretty

Nell!'

Mr Swiveller looked, as he was, all open-mouthed astonishment. Still

glancing furtively at him, Quilp turned to Mr Brass and observed, with

assumed carelessness, that this need not interfere with the removal of

the goods.

'For indeed,' he added, 'we knew that they'd go away to-day, but not

that they'd go so early, or so quietly. But they have their reasons, they

have their reasons.'

'Where in the devil's name are they gone?' said the wondering Dick.

Quilp shook his head, and pursed up his lips, in a manner which

implied that he knew very well, but was not at liberty to say.

'And what,' said Dick, looking at the confusion about him, 'what do

you mean by moving the goods?'

That I have bought 'em, Sir,' rejoined Quilp. 'Eh? What then?'

Has the sly old fox made his fortune then, and gone to live in a

tranquil cot in a pleasant spot with a distant view of the changing

sea?' said Dick, in great bewilderment.

'Keeping his place of retirement very close, that he may not be visited

too often by affectionate grandsons and their devoted friends, eh?'

added the dwarf, rubbing his hands hard; 'I say nothing, but is that

your meaning?'

The Old Curiosity Shop