But no obstacle of any kind would be placed by him against the most stringent search, and he would either accompany the searchers or remain passive where he was, exactly as the reverend father judged best.
This statement was well received by the prior, who turned to the Lord of Mortimer and suggested that in the first place his armed troopers, who were well used to this kind of work, should make a strict search through all the outbuildings of whatever kind, posting his men wherever he thought needful, and taking any steps such as the smoking of chimneys and kindred methods that might in any wise be likely to dislodge the fugitive.

Meantime the rest of the party would remain where they were, and the house should only be searched if it was made clear that the monk was not hiding without.
Lord Mortimer retired to give his orders, and the rest of the company remained in the hall.

The boys would better have liked the house searched first, that their anxiety might be the sooner relieved.

It was keeping them on tenterhooks all this time, as they knew well that no result could accrue from any search of the outer yards or buildings, and it was hard to wait all that time in uncertainty and suspense.
But they heard the order given without making any sign.

It was well for them at this crisis that they had been trained in habits of self control and reserve.