“Going Cat’s Hill way?”
“No, Colonel. The contrary—comin’ from. None o’ ’em fresh neyther. Must a been made some time i’ the afternoon.”
“Have you assured yourself of that?”
“I have. But I’ll gie ’em another look, if ye weesh it, Colonel.”
“Do.”
The colossus again bent down and repeated his examination of the tracks, this time making a traverse or two, and going farther along the road. In a few seconds to return with a confirmation of his former report. A troop of cavalry had passed over it, but only in one direction—upward, and some hours before sunset.
“Sure am I o’ that, as if I’d been here an’ seed ’em,” was the tracker’s concluding words.
“Enough?” said Sir Richard. “Into your saddle, and follow me.”
At which he gave his horse the spur, and trotted back towards the park gate. Not to rejoin his men, still at halt, however. Instead, he continued on along the road for Drybrook; the other two keeping with him.
At a like distance from the halted line he again drew up, and directed the sergeant to make a similar reconnaissance.