It was probable that the cries of the birds and the distant howl of a wolf told his practised ears how near the beaters were.

He presently moved across to where De Chauxville was hidden, spoke some words of advice or warning to him, and pointed with his gloved hand in the direction whence the game might be expected to come.
It subsequently transpired that Paul was asking De Chauxville the whereabouts of Steinmetz, who had gained his place of concealment unobserved by either.

De Chauxville could give him no information, and Paul went away to his post dissatisfied.

Karl Steinmetz must have seen them; he must have divined the subject of their conversation; but he remained hidden and gave no sign.
Paul's post was behind a fallen tree, and the watchers in the hut could see him, while he was completely hidden from any animal that might enter the open clearing from the far end.

He turned and looked hard at the hut; but the larch branch across the window effectually prevented him from discovering whether any one was behind it or not.
Thus they all waited in suspense.