“Would monsieur say I had been left as if it were believed I was dead?” he demanded.
CHAPTER XII.
AMRATH SPEAKS.
What all this was leading to Mr. Hampton could not surmise, but he was content to bide his time a moment longer, pretty well convinced by now that the other was leading up to some denouncement.
“Yes,” he stated judicially, “I would say that whoever saw you would have considered you dead. I myself believed so when we discovered you. It was only after various tests that we were convinced you still lived, and since then I have had a struggle to bring you back to sanity and consciousness.”
“I suspected it,” said the man, grimly. “Let me think a moment monsieur.” Again he closed his eyes. For not only one but several minutes he continued to lie with his eyes closed, but that he not only was awake but thinking tumultuous thoughts was apparent to Mr. Hampton from the flush that mantled the man’s cheeks and from the labored rise and fall of his chest.
“Monsieur,” said the man, snapping his eyes open again, “you have been good to me. I can see that. I am not ungrateful. My people attempted to kill me. They left me for dead. I am convinced of it. Now I shall foreswear them. I shall be your friend, as I was the friend of Professor Souchard.”
It was Mr. Hampton’s turn to exhibit surprise.
“Professor Souchard’s friend?” he queried in amazement.
“Another drink I beg you, monsieur,” pleaded the Athensian. Mr. Hampton obediently poured water from the jar into the cup, and set the latter to his lips. “Ah,” said the Athensian, satisfiedly, “that is delicious. Already I feel myself growing much stronger.”
“And now,” said Mr. Hampton, “my time presses. Some of your people have captured my son,” he added, to avoid needless explanation of Bob’s identity. “And I was about to set out in pursuit and attempt his rescue when you became conscious.”