Bill laughed. He couldn't help it. The thing was so ridiculous.
"Who's the lady?" he asked with a grin.
Leigh's hands clenched. He was becoming dangerous.
"I haven't time to tell you lies. I don't know who she is, or where she comes from. All I can say is I found her in there lying on my shakedown, dying," and he told the whole story as rapidly as possible to the astonished Bill.
"It's as true as gospel, and Jim Benny's with her waiting my return. Think of the time I've wasted here. I may be too late. Ping's none too fast, but he's sure. For heaven's sake, Bill, let me have it, and some tinned stuff, soup, anything you've got. There's nothing at my place for her."
He spoke rapidly, excitedly. He was strung to the highest pitch as he thought how long he had already been away.
"It's the rummiest yarn I ever heard, but I don't see as how you could make it up. I wonder who she is?"
"That's what I've got to find out. If she dies, her secret goes with her. Help to save her, then we'll get to know," begged Glen.
Bill thought of his girl at work in Adelaide. Supposing she was in such a plight? The mere idea made him shiver.
"I'll do it, Glen. Damn it, man, if you'd outed with it at first the thing would have been settled in five minutes."