Bob followed with his eyes and, for the first time, saw that a man sat in a rocking chair close to the wall of the room. A second glance convinced him that the man was Big Ben Donahue, but he did not look nearly as big now as usual, as he slouched in the chair.
What means of persuasion the Frenchman had used in gaining admittance to the office Bob did not ask, and Jacques volunteered no information on the subject.
As the brain cleared and the pain grew less intense, Bob noticed the look of dejection which overspread the man’s face. He looked, as he afterward told Jack, as though he had lost his last friend.
“Eef you can mak’ walk we go now,” Jacques said in a low tone, as he motioned for him to try if he was strong enough to stand.
Bob nodded assent and the Frenchman took hold of his arm and helped him to his feet. His head swam, but he gritted his teeth determined not to yield, and soon the dizziness began to pass.
“But Jack?” he questioned, glancing toward Big Ben.
“Heem not here. We go queek. I tell story on the way,” Jacques whispered, taking him by the arm and leading him from the room.
To Bob’s great surprise Big Ben offered not the slightest objection to their leaving. He had spoken no word since Bob’s return to consciousness. In fact he seemed totally indifferent as to their movements. Bob could not understand it, but having implicit confidence in Jacques, he followed him without a word.
The cold air seemed to clear the last remnant of cobwebs from his brain and as they made their way, slowly at first, through the deep woods, his strength rapidly returned. His head still ached, but the pain was slowly growing less and he did not mind it.
For some distance neither spoke a word, Bob being aware that he needed to save his breath and the Frenchman wise enough to encourage him to do so. But when they were about half way back to their camp, curiosity and worry got the better of him, and he stopped and leaned against the big tree.