This morning Aldous followed a narrow path that brought him behind the tent-house.

He heard no voices.

A few steps more and he emerged upon a scene that stopped him and set his heart thumping.
Less than a dozen paces away stood Mrs.Otto and Joanne, their backs toward him.

They were gazing silently and anxiously in the direction of the thick, low bush across the clearing, through which led the trail to his cabin.

He did not look toward the bush.