“I know it already.  A man told me as soon as the train stopped; he seemed to guess who I am.”

“Ah!” said Charnock; “the boys are very good!  It makes me proud to feel they all like Stephen.  But why didn’t you telegraph us?  The Company would have sent on the message.”

Helen smiled.  “I didn’t see much use in doing so.  You knew when your letter would arrive and how long it would take me to come.  It’s significant that you came to meet the train.”

“Perhaps it’s characteristic that I came too late to help you down!  But the engineer stopped short of the usual place, and I really have much to do just now.”

Helen gave him a quick glance.  Bob had not lost his humor, but had gained something else.  He was thin and haggard, but looked determined.  Although his smile was frank, his mouth was firm and his eyes were steady.

“I know!” she answered quickly; “I know what you have done for Stephen and what you mean to do.  There is nobody else who can help him and if there was, the help would not be like yours.”

“Thank you,” said Charnock.  “I’m afraid you’re mistaken about one point, but I have an extra reason for doing the best I can.”  Then he paused and smiled.  “We tried to make the place comfortable, but you’ll find things rough.  One lives in a rather primitive way at a construction camp.”

“Perhaps, so far, I have found things too smooth.”

Then Helen asked him about the accident and he told her as much as he thought advisable, until they reached the shack, where the doctor met them at the door.

“I expect you’re Mrs. Festing,” he said.  “You’ll find your husband able to talk, but remember that he must be kept calm.  I’m going out, but will be back soon, and we’ll see about getting you some food.”

He took Charnock away, and Festing looked up with a strained expression as Helen crossed the floor.  Her eyes were wonderfully gentle, and stooping beside the bunk she kissed him and put her arm round his neck.

“My dear!” she said softly.  “My poor hurt dear!  I have come to take care of you until you get well.”

“I imagine I’ll need to be taken care of afterwards,” Festing answered, with a forced smile.  “It looks as if I hadn’t much ground for self-confidence.”

Helen pressed his arm.  “We have both made mistakes; but we won’t talk about that now.  Do you really feel you’re getting better?”

“Of course,” said Festing, smiling.  “Very much better!  I’ll get well remarkably fast now you have come.”

Helen brought a chair and for a time they engaged in happy but careless talk.  Both knew there was much to be said, but Helen skilfully avoided striking a serious note.  The time for that had not arrived yet.

When it got dark the doctor came in and joined them at a meal.

“The engineers have promised to put me up to-night, and I must leave to-morrow when the train goes out,” he said.  “I’ll try to get back, but Musgrave knows what to do and will send for me if necessary.  The most important thing is to keep Mr. Festing quiet.”