“He’s talking to Amrath now,” said Frank. “Hear him, speaking French.”
Drawing Jack to a sufficient distance so that their conversation would not disturb Mr. Hampton, Frank explained. Only a short time before, Roy Stone had arrived at the oasis where, as Frank had earlier told Jack, he was hospitably received by Amrath who had recovered his strength in a considerable measure. Learning he was an American, Amrath had spoken of the other Americans who recently stayed at the oasis. Then, as Stone recognized Mr. Hampton’s name, the whole story, even to the kidnapping of Bob, and the setting out of the rescue party, had been related to him.
At once he had gone to his airplane, which had been forced to descend because of a leak in the radiator, and had tuned up his radio and started calling for Mr. Hampton on the slim chance that he would be able to reach his old-time friends.
“If he hadn’t heard from us,” added Frank, “he intended to get directions from Amrath for finding Korakum and fly south in search of us.”
“Luckily, he did get us,” said Jack. “Think Frank. With an airplane we may be able to work out some plan of getting into Athensi and rescuing Bob.”
“That’s just what I am thinking of,” said Frank. “And what I was thinking of all the time.”
“Dad has finished talking to Amrath, I reckon,” Jack pointed out. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”
They made their way to the side of Mr. Hampton who, having taken the headphones from his ears, sat with his head bowed into his hands.
Jack laid a hand on his father’s shoulder, and the older man lifted a face unashamedly wet with tears.
“Why—why—” began Jack, startled.