But by and by Bennie awoke, and said that he felt very sick, and that his head was hurting him.
He fell asleep again soon, however, and it was not until some hours later that he awoke, with a start, and asked for water. After that, though oppressed with drowsiness, he slept only at intervals, and complained constantly of his head.
Tom cared for him and comforted him, putting his own sufferings out of sight; sleeping a little, straining his ears for a sound of rescue.
The hours crept on, and the flame of the little lamp burned round and dim, and the deadly gas grew thicker in the darkness.
Once, after a longer period of quiet than usual, there came a whisper from Bennie.
“Tom!”
“What is it, Bennie?”
“Where did Jack go?”
“Up in the new chambers.”
“How long’s he been gone?”