He ventured the question again, but it seemed to go no further than the gray-green foliage in front of him.

Did he catch an alert movement, the sound of attention, alarm?
Had he perhaps frightened her?
His flesh grew creepy, and he was angry with himself that he stood here actually trembling and for no reason.

He felt that there was danger in the air.

What could it mean?
He had never been a believer in premonitions or superstitions of any kind.

But the thought came to him that perhaps that evil man had come softly while he slept, and had stolen the girl away.
Then all at once a horror seized him, and he made up his mind to end this suspense and venture in to see whether she were safe..