"Call again, sahib."
Avery did as requested, but with no more result than before.
"They have moved further into the jungle," suggested Harkins. "Let's follow them."
Luchman did not speak, but in the same stealthy fashion advanced fully two hundred yards, stopping several times and emitting a peculiar whistling sound, which any member of the missionary's family would have been quick to recognize had it been heard. Both Avery and Harkins also signaled and called so often that there could be only one reason for the failure of reply: their friends were beyond hearing.
"They are gone, sahib," said Luchman, "and I have no means of finding where they are."
He explained that the last words of the missionary when they parted on the edge of the jungle included his pledge that they would not leave the spot, unless compelled to do so by the approach of danger. As he had gone away, there could be no doubt therefore of the reason for such a step.
"But why should they have gone so far," asked Harkins, "when the jungle is dense and dark enough to afford all the concealment they could need? Had the wretches approached, our friends would have had to pick their way only a short distance when they would be as invisible as if in the very heart of the jungle."
"It looks as if they had overestimated the danger. Luchman, isn't this long night almost ended?"
By way of answer he pointed to the east, where the light of the rising sun was beginning to show itself. Darkness was fleeing from the earth.
"I am glad of that," said the distressed surgeon.