He noted the Arabs loading the camels lightly, and storing the balance of their equipment in one of the tents. With approval he saw Frank and Jack putting the Professor’s radio sending apparatus, in its shallow trunk, on one of the camels. There was always the possibility that it would come in useful, and Frank had finished restoring it to order only that morning.
Then while he still talked to Allola Mr. Hampton heard a sharp cry from the tent, and whirled around. It had come from the wounded Athensian. With Allola at his heels, Mr. Hampton hurried to the other man’s side and bent down to look at him. He gave an exclamation of surprise. The man’s eyes regarded him in puzzled bewilderment, filled with the light of returning reason. Putting a hand on his forehead, Mr. Hampton noted it was cool and moist, indicating the last of the fever had fled.
The other continued to stare at him, unbelievingly, and Mr. Hampton decided to see if his prisoner really had been restored to his senses.
“Do you know where you are?” he asked, slowly, in the Athensian words taught him by Professor Souchard.
Almost it seemed as if fear leaped into the man’s eyes. Certainly they were filled with amazement.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“I am a stranger who was passing by and saved you when otherwise you would have died,” said Mr. Hampton.
“You do not speak my tongue well,” replied the other slowly. “How is it you speak it at all?”
“That explanation can wait,” said Mr. Hampton. “In the meantime, I have a question or two to ask, which I hope you will be good enough to answer. Excuse me, first.”
With a whispered injunction to Allola to stay or watch, he hurried out of the tent and called Jack, Frank and Ali to him. Briefly, he explained the prisoner was conscious, and that they must delay a few minutes in order that he might be questioned. It was possible that from him some information of great value might be obtained.