Zat is some rascally jackal or hyena; zey hover around ze villages and do much mischief.

I have seen zem myself carry off one sheep." This is not very pleasant intelligence, but John is now engaged in trying to pierce the gloom, and believes he sees some object that may prove to be the wrecked stage.
He sings out with a hail: "Ah, there, professor!" Not a reply; only what seems to be an echo is flung back from the hill-side.
Then John's heart stands still with a sudden fear, as he imagines that some terrible thing has occurred.

He raises his voice and calls upon Philander.

When there comes no reply to this, he makes use of Sir Lionel's name and bellows it forth until the valley seems to ring with the sound.

Still hopeless, for no answer bids him drop his fears.
Now the fact is assured that something serious has happened.
John jumps to the ground, desirous of seeing whether they have actually reached the spot where the wrecked omnibus lies.
He finds it to be true, and in another moment is standing upon the very place where Aunt Gwen reclined at the time of his departure.
There is much room for speculation.