"Yes, of course," said Harry. "But I say, only to think of old Sree here knowing of this tiger, and not saying a word!"
"I was going to tell you, Sahib, before I went away."
"But why didn't you tell us before?"
"Because I did not know, Sahib, till a little while ago, when he came to find me and bring me the news."
He pointed as he spoke to an ordinary-looking peasant who was squatted a little way off beneath the trees, chewing his betel.
The lads had not noticed the man before, as he had shrunk away more into the shade on seeing them come out.
"He brought you the bad news?" said Phra.
"Yes, my Prince. He went to find me yonder after coming across from his village, and no one could tell him where I had gone, till at last he saw the Sahib doctor's boatmen, and they told him that I was here."
"Then I will go and tell my father we want the elephant," said Phra.
"You go and speak to them indoors, for we must kill that wretch."
"If we can," said Harry, smiling; "but Mr. Stripes is sometimes rather hard to find."