Denis could afford to smile.
"So you didn't believe it either."
"What's that? I could believe the side of a house of you, my brave fellow!" cried Mr. Kitto. "I only mean that your companion hasn't found her way up in your absence."
"Ah, if she could!" sighed Denis. "But she is so weak I am afraid we shall have to carry her up between us."
The squatter smiled, but said nothing.
"If only she is no weaker—if only she has slept right through!" Denis went on, and repeated himself all the way down; but at the base he button-holed his guide.
"Do I look very awful, sir? Is my face as bad as my hands? Wait a bit, then—stay where you are."
And his injured feet could still dance him down to the water's edge; but he came stealing back, one index finger to his lips, signing with the other to Mr. Kitto to let him go first; and the smile on the cleansed face told that good man a tale.
The mouth of the greater cave was just as Denis had left it. He crept on all fours between the table legs, and listened. There was no sound. He leaped up and looked over.
The cave was empty.