All the peace and content that he had felt earlier in the evening were gone.

He was oppressed by a sense of danger, mysterious and powerful.

It did not seem possible that Long Jim could have gone away in such a noiseless manner, leaving no trace behind.

But it was true.
He watched with both ear and eye as much for Long Jim as for an enemy.
He was still hopeful that he would see the long, thin figure coming among the bushes, and then hear the old pleasant drawl.

But he did not see the figure, nor did he hear the drawl.
Time passed with the usual slow step when one watches.