He is faithful and can be silent." So Savage was called in and, while Lord Ragnall dressed himself hurriedly, told the outline of his story under pain of instant dismissal if he breathed a word.

Really to watch his face was as good as a play.
So astonished was he that all he could ejaculate was-- "The black-hearted villains! Well, they ain't friendly with snakes for nothing." Then having made sure that Miss Holmes was still in her room, we went down the twisting stair and through the side doorway, locking the door after us.

By now the dawn was breaking and there was enough light to enable me in certain places where the snow that fell after the gale remained, to show Lord Ragnall and Savage the impress of the little bedroom slippers which Miss Holmes wore, and of my stockinged feet following after.
In the plantation things were still easier, for every detail of the movements of the four of us could be traced.

Moreover, on the back drive was the spoor of the horses and the marks of the wheels of the carriage that had been brought for the purposes of the abduction.

Also my great good fortune, for this seemed to prove my theory, we found a parcel wrapped in native linen that appeared to have fallen out of the carriage when Harut and Marut made their hurried escape, as one of the wheels had gone over it.