"Wait a minute," said O'Brien. "As this wretched man Fahey was seen here both in the flesh and the spirit for the last time, let me read the documents he left in your charge."
He put his hand in his pocket, and read the papers by the fast-fading light.
"Come on. Take care you don't slip. The papers are simple enough on the surface, except No. 11. Shall I read it to you?"
"Ay," answered O'Hanlon absently.
It was nothing to him. He was devoting his thoughts to getting safely over this greasy, clammy, slippery surface.
O'Brien read out slowly:
"'Memorandum.--Rise 15·6 lowest. At lowest minute of lowest forward with all might undaunted. The foregoing refers to sculls. With only one skull any lowest or any last quarter; but great forward pluck required for this. In both cases (of course!) left.'
"Well," said O'Brien, "I confess I can't make anything of it. Can you?"
"No," said the other listlessly.
They had now reached the foot of the path.