it since he left India?"

Harding shrewdly returned an evasive answer. He did not think it
desirable that Clarke should learn too much about his comrade's
connection with India.

"I can't fix the date, but it's some time. However, I understand he
was afterward in an unhealthy part of Africa, which may account for it.
I don't think he's been in this country more than a year or two."

"Did he ever speak of having malaria here? It is apt to return within
a rather elastic period."

"Not so far as I can recollect," said Harding.

Seeing that he could extract no useful information from him, Clarke
abandoned the attempt and discussed the case from a medical point of
view. Then he rose, wearily.

"As we're not out of the wood yet, and I don't expect I'll be needed
for a while, I'd better get some sleep," he said. "You must waken me
if there's any sign of a change."

Drawing his blanket round him, he lay down on a bed of branches and
reeds, and his deep, regular breathing soon indicated that he was
asleep.

Harding looked at Benson.

"I guess he'll do all that's possible, for his own sake. It strikes me
he's a pretty good doctor."

"I understand that he once promised to become a famous one," Benson
replied. "Though I left you to deal with the matter, I kept my eye on
him; and my idea is that, while he wouldn't have scrupled much about
letting Blake die if it had suited his purpose, as soon as you showed
him the danger of that course, his professional feelings came
uppermost. In fact, I believe Blake couldn't have got better treatment
in Montreal or London. Now that the fellow has taken his case up,
he'll effect a cure. But I'll keep the first watch--you need a rest."

In a few minutes Harding was fast asleep; and when he relieved Benson
late at night, he found Clarke at his post. Shortly afterward Blake
opened his eyes and asked a few intelligent questions in a weak voice
before he went to sleep again; and the next morning he was obviously
improving. Although a strong man often recovers rapidly from an attack
of malarial fever, Clarke stayed several days, and gave Harding a
number of careful instructions on parting.

"I don't think that can do much harm," said Harding, looking him in the
face.

"Your suspicions die hard," Clarke laughed.

"That's so," returned Harding coolly. "As soon as you leave this camp,
I lose my hold on you. However, I've given you the Indian for a guide,
and he'll see you