Rainsford suspected that Zaroff was aware of his presence in the tree for several reasons. Firstly, the atmosphere of the hunt was tense, and Rainsford could feel the hunter closing in on him. Zaroff’s demeanor during the pursuit suggested that he was not merely searching for prey; he was toying with Rainsford, enjoying the thrill of the hunt. When Zaroff walked directly beneath the tree where Rainsford was hiding, he didn’t seem surprised or concerned, which indicated to Rainsford that he likely had a sense of where he was.
Additionally, Rainsford recalled Zaroff’s exceptional skills as a hunter. Given Zaroff’s reputation, it was reasonable to conclude that he might have a heightened sense of awareness, allowing him to detect Rainsford’s hiding spot. The way Zaroff spoke aloud, almost as if addressing Rainsford directly while walking away, added to Rainsford’s fear that Zaroff was playing a psychological game, making him believe that he was always in control and aware of Rainsford’s movements.
These elements combined led Rainsford to conclude that Zaroff was not just a typical hunter, but a cunning adversary who relished the challenge of the hunt, making Rainsford’s situation even more perilous.