"No more so than I in yours."
"Did you extinguish the fire?"
"It burned out of its own accord. But only after the cave was completely gutted. There is nothing left in there but the bare rock walls."
John Pride sat up with quick concern. "The book!"
"It is gone." The young man looked ruefully down at his own naked body. "Gone—together with my precious robe."
"That can easily be replaced along with other raiment but the book—I was supposed to deliver it—"
"—to the cavern. You did that, my friend. It was not through you that the fire consumed it. You have dispatched your obligation. Let your mind be at ease."
John Pride got to his feet. He shook his head in the negative. "No. A portion of my obligation still exists. Fortunately I did not bring forth the second and last item I was to place in the cavern."
"The second item?"
"Yes, and I believe the most important."