For a moment the two men looked into each other's faces, then, with a smile, Austin got up leisurely and sauntered off, beckoning him to follow.
Austin Ambrose led the way until they had gone out of hearing of Blair and Margaret, then he sat down on a fallen tree, and lighting a cigarette, coolly and critically surveyed the captive.
"I'm rather curious to know what you were doing just now, my man," he said, when he had finished his examination.
"I was watching for a rabbit," replied Pyke, promptly but sullenly, and without looking up.
Austin Ambrose smiled.
"Oblige me by looking at me," he said.
Pyke raised his eyes slowly.
"Thanks. Do I look like a fool?" demanded Austin Ambrose, politely.
"No," replied Pyke, reluctantly, and with an oath.
"Thanks again, though your language is unnecessarily emphatic. Then, not being a fool, how do you expect me to believe you? Shall I tell you what you were doing?"