"Where?" asked Sanders again, for there was no evidence of tragedy. The man still pointed at the tree, and Sanders frowned.
"Go forward and touch his foot," said the Commissioner, and, after a little hesitation, the soldier walked slowly to the tree and put out his hand. But he touched nothing but air, as far as Sanders could see.
"You are mad," he said, and whistled for the sergeant.
"What do you see there?" asked Sanders, and the sergeant replied instantly:
"Beyond the hanging man——"
"There is no hanging man," said Sanders coolly—for he began to appreciate the need for calm reasoning—"nothing but a tree and some shadows."
The Houssa looked puzzled, and turned a grave face to his.
"Master, there is a man hanging," he said.
"That is so," said Sanders quietly; "we must investigate this matter." And he signed for the party to return to the camp.
On the way he asked carelessly if the sergeant had spoken with the woman M'Lino.