It was a false hope.
Godfrey took a last look in its direction, and then seeing nothing, glided down the slope, and again plunged beneath the trees.
An hour later he had traversed the forest and found himself on its skirt.
There Tartlet awaited him with his two-footed and four-footed flock. And how was the obstinate professor occupying himself? In the same way. A bit of wood was in his right hand another piece in his left, and he still continued his efforts to set them alight. He rubbed and rubbed with a constancy worthy of a better fate.
"Well," he shouted as he perceived Godfrey some distance off—"and the telegraph office?"
"It is not open!" answered Godfrey, who dared not yet tell him anything of the situation.
"And the post?"
"It is shut! But let us have something to eat!—I am dying with hunger! We can talk presently."
And this morning Godfrey and his companion had again to content themselves with a too meagre repast of raw eggs and shell-fish.
"Wholesome diet!" repeated Godfrey to Tartlet, who was hardly of that opinion and picked his food with considerable care.