“Thank you both,” he said with feeling. “If labor and money can put the thing over, I won't let you down.”
He went out, for he had, in his anxiety about other matters, forgotten his men, and it was now important that no time, which must be paid for, should be wasted. Finding some of the gang at work clearing away the fallen material and some hauling lumber on the hill, he gave them a few orders and returned to the shack. When he got there Festing was conscious and the doctor said he might speak to him.
“How do you feel?” Charnock asked.
“Better than the doctor thinks I ought to feel,” Festing answered with a feeble smile. “You seem to have got knocked about!”
Charnock said he was not much the worse, and Festing resumed: “Have you seen Norton? What does he say about the contract?”
“I have seen him; you needn't bother. He has left the job to me; I'll finish it somehow.”
A look of relief came into Festing's face. “That's comforting news; I was afraid—You're a good partner, Bob!”
“I don't know if I've been of much help so far, and the money I put into the undertaking wasn't mine. There's a third partner, Stephen, and I think she'd like me to see you through.”
Festing gave him a grateful glance and closed his eyes. After a time, he opened them feebly and asked: “Do you know why the frame gave way?”
“Not yet,” said Charnock with some dryness. “I mean to find out!”