“The door is barred,” he said aloud. “But there is no one within, or if there is they be dead.”
“The window!” ejaculated the corporal, and began to run round the cabin.
Reaching the window, and observing the empty framework he felt for his matches, and then hoisting himself up, with head and shoulders inside the cabin, he struck a light and looked hastily round. The cabin was empty. With something like a groan of despair he slipped back to the ground, and looked at Sibou.
“There is no one here,” he said. “They are gone!”
The Indian nodded and stared at the empty frame thoughtfully, then after a little time he spoke.
“The men of the camp are gone; and those who were in the hut are gone—whither we know not; but those who were in the hut went out not by the door, for the door is barred within. How did they leave the cabin, then?” he jerked a hand upwards towards the window. “This way! And wherefore? Because the men in the camp were watching the door, and had left the window unguarded.”
“By Jove, yes,” cried the corporal, seized by new hope. “That does seem more than likely.”
“Then the men in the camp discover that those whom they watch have flown, and the cabin is empty. They want them badly, and they follow, therefore we find the camp empty like the cabin.”
“Yes! Yes! But where have they gone? Which way in this God-forsaken wilderness?”
“That we shall know when daylight comes. The snow will carry their trail, and we can follow. Till then it were better to rest, for the night withholds the knowledge.”