Again that faint sound, undeniably human, came to his ears. Pacing cautiously in the direction from which it came, his foot struck against something soft. He reached down and his hand came in contact with a woman's dress.
In an instant he had gathered the yielding form in his arms.
"Ruth!" he shouted.
"Allen!" came back faintly from her parted lips.
For an instant everything reeled about Drew and his mind was awhirl. Then he laid his burden down and fell frantically to rubbing her hands. Incoherent cries came from his lips as he sought to restore her to complete consciousness.
His vigorous efforts were rewarded a few moments later when Ruth stirred and tried to sit up.
"I must have fainted," she said; "or perhaps I struck my head against the side of the cave when the shock came."
"Don't try to talk yet," said Drew. "Just lie still a few minutes till you are stronger."
She obeyed, while he sat beside her holding her hand.
"I can sit up now," she said after a few minutes. "My head is perfectly clear again."