“No, sir,” said Archie.
“None of the servants within hearing?”
“No, sir.”
“Are you sure?”
“Quite, sir,” said Archie, as he laid his hand upon one of the creeper-covered supporters of the roof.
“That’s better,” said Sir Charles; and, followed by the Major, he began to stroll along past the mess-room windows towards where a sentry was on duty, watchful and silent, while Archie and Captain Down turned in another direction.
“You needn’t be so precious thin-skinned about hearing what Sir Charles said to the old man. I don’t see why it should not be confidence for us, and— Well, what’s the matter? Giddy?”
Archie responded by gripping his companion tightly by the wrist, and the two young men stood listening to a faint rustling away to their left, till every sound they could hear came from behind them, where their commander and the Resident were still talking at the end of the veranda in a low tone.
“Hear that?” said Archie.
“Yes. Cat or some prowling thing smelling after the remains of the dinner.”