For an instant Challoner stirred. Presently there came in guttural tones:—
"Yes, yes, that's all right...." But he slept, and kept on sleeping.
"I can hardly realise that Laurie is back," murmured Miriam, happily. Unconscious of the other's words, she remained kneeling at the side of the dainty sofa with its far from dainty burden, her arm still about the neck of the man who slept upon it.
"Yes, yes," returned the girl, "but don't you think we had better warn him? He must not be found——"
The other laughed joyously, trying lovingly to smooth out his tangled hair. After a moment she answered absently:—
"They'll find him now, I suppose; but I don't care—I've got him back." She turned and kissed him once again. "My Laurie," she murmured in his ear. Somehow she thought he heard and was glad to hear.
The girl stooped down and caught her by the shoulder.
"But, Miriam," she expostulated, "we must take no chances—we ought to wake him."
Miriam looked up at the girl helplessly.
"You must not stop, Miriam," insisted Shirley, "we must wake him——"