“I don’t believe there’s anyone there but her.”
“Nor do I but we must be sure. You wait here a minute and I’ll get a bit closer.”
Jack was going to protest, but Bob crept off before he had time to say a word and there was nothing for him to do but wait. He knew his brother’s ability to take care of himself but, as he afterward confessed, his heart was in his mouth.
Noiselessly as a shadow Bob crept on his hands and knees foot by foot decreasing the distance between himself and the girl. Not a twig rustled nor did a stick move beneath him as he advanced. At last he knew that he could reach out his hand and touch her as he could plainly hear her deep breathing between the sobs which had now nearly ceased.
“Helen,” he whispered.
A slight movement told him that she had heard him, but she made no reply.
“Helen, it’s Bob,” he whispered again.
“Bob!”
The reply was low but the tone indicated her joy.
“Is anyone here with you?”