He could hear voices between him and the house, but all was quiet near at hand, and he began to move noiselessly along through the garden.

He had no great fear of meeting with anyone here.
The natives had formed a cordon round the wall, and behind that there would be no one on watch, and as the batteries were silent, all were doubtless asleep there.

In ten minutes he stood before the charred stumps that marked the site of his bungalow.

As he did so, a figure advanced to meet him.
"It is you, sahib.

I was expecting you.