He was very thirsty.
He had kept the door of his room open since Hunter arrived.
He listened intently.

He felt certain that Hunter must be gone: he looked across the landing and could see Owen working in the front room.
Philpot made a little ball of paper and threw it at him to attract his attention.

Owen looked round and Philpot began to make signals: he pointed downwards with one hand and jerked the thumb of the other over his shoulder in the direction of the town, winking grotesquely the while.

This Owen interpreted to be an inquiry as to whether Hunter had departed.

He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders to intimate that he did not know.
Philpot cautiously crossed the landing and peeped furtively over the banisters, listening breathlessly.