“Whoever it was must have heard every word we said,” whispered Mr Braine.
Just then the lamp the doctor carried shone down through the steps, and directly after among the posts which supported the house.
“Well?” he said, holding the lamp above his head; “heard any one?”
“Yes,” said Mr Braine in a low tone. “You.”
“You heard me speaking?”
“Every word you said.”
“How unfortunate! But where is my man? There is no one here.”
“Thank goodness!” said Mr Braine. “I was afraid the poor fellow had been stabbed. But let’s look round.”
The lamp’s light was directed in all directions, but there was no sign except in one spot where the ground had been trampled, and a climbing-plant torn down.
“We must try to follow the trail,” said the doctor; but at that moment steps were heard, and the whisking noise of some body passing through the bushes and shrubs the doctor had collected about the back of his house.