O best of the Bharata race, they were pursued by many guards-men. O best of the Kuru race, the thieves, entering that hermitage, hid their booty there. Before the force (guardsmen) came up, they too hid themselves in fear. But as soon as they had concealed themselves, the guards in pursuit came to the spot. O king, the pursuers of the thieves saw the ascetic sitting in that state; and they asked him, "O excellent Brahmana, which way the thieves have gone? O Brahmana, point them to us, so that we may follow them without loss of time.”