"What! A hole in the bottom for the reptile to crawl out? That was wise of you, Sree!"
"I was wise, Sahib, and the basket had no hole in it when we put the snake in."
"Then it must have made one, and forced its way through."
Sree was silent, and looked at Mike as if waiting for him to speak. But Mike had not the least intention of speaking, and stood with his lips pinched together, perfectly dumb.
"Why, of course!" cried Harry excitedly; "I see now. Mike gave the basket a tremendous kick as he went by it, and startled the serpent, and made it swing about. Why, Mike, you must have broken a hole through then."
"Master Harry, I—" began Mike.
"Yes, Sahib, that was it; he broke a hole through, and once the snake's head was through he would force his way right out."
"One minute," said Mr. Kenyon rather anxiously; "tell me, Harry: are you perfectly sure that the snake was there?"
"Certain, father."
"And you saw Michael kick the basket?"