Out went the major. "Two wolves indeed! Preposterous!"
The syce pointed to the patches of tiny black ants which he had found along the veranda and across the grass, as Gobur expected.
"Sahib," he asked suggestively, "is it from the wolf or from the child?"
"From the child," answered the major, examining the rhododendron bushes, where the crushed flowers and broken stalks were thickly covered by the busy insects.
Both believed they had found the fatal spot to which the wolf had retreated.
Oliver had gone up to the fountain on the lawn, and was deluging his bandaged arm.
"Go indoors, my boy, and rest," said the major, as he passed him, "or you will suffer for it with that arm."
Oliver walked slowly on towards the veranda, examining for himself the little black patches that marked the trail of the wolf. He traced its course from the rhododendron to the window of the bathroom, then he discovered a second trail leading from the veranda to the pool.
He pointed it out to the gardener, who was returning.
"Wasn't old Gobur right after all?"