The faintest possible noise, as if made by some one opening and closing a door with the extremest caution, came to their ears.
“It’s one of them,” remarked the detective, in the same almost inaudible tone; “let’s sit as near together as we can, and not raise our voices above a whisper. I allowed you to do so a few minutes ago, because there were no listeners.”
“Are those two watchers as you call them staying at the hotel?”
“They occupy the fourth room beyond.”
“And my negro lad has the third.”
“And I the second; so we are all neighbors.”
“How will you manage to leave without detection?”
“I am used to that kind of business,” replied Pendar with a smile; “give it no thought. Let us return to the matter in which you are as much interested as I. My proposal is that in sailing over the surrounding country, you scrutinize it, so far as your keen vision, assisted by your binoculars, will permit, in search of the headquarters of this gang.”
“How shall I recognize the place if I see it?”
“You will have to follow the law of probabilities. The woods are uninhabited, except in the eastern part—that is, in this direction. If you observe any old house or cabin that shows evidence of being occupied, probably it’s the place for which we are looking. Locate it definitely, and then we shall have something upon which to act. As soon as you report to me, I’ll move with all the vigor and common sense at my command.”