NORMAN FORESTER went early to his tent that night, for the Sinclairs were exhausted and were going to bed. He sat for some time at his tent door, watching the stars which were unusually brilliant and seemed to look down on him with bright and friendly eyes. He spent some time in prayer, glad that at least he could help his friends by pleading that strength and comfort would be given the Sinclair family in this heavy bereavement.
He fell asleep almost as soon as he laid his head on the pillow, and slept much more soundly than the night before. He was thoroughly tired, for he had walked miles during the last two days and needed rest as much, or more, than any of the others. But though he slept heavily he was suddenly awakened.
He was dreaming that he was walking along the shore with Doris. She was talking to him about Jack, and he was trying to seem interested and pleased, when he was alarmed by a huge piece of rock falling with a tremendous crash from the cliff above, and rolling to their feet.
Forester jumped up in bed, aroused and startled. Was it only a dream, or had there really been a noise? Oh, it was only a dream, of course. He turned over to go to sleep again. But this was not easy, for sitting up in bed had made him so wide awake that sleep would not return. He lay there, thinking of all manner of things for some little time. Then he struck a match and looked his watch. It was just two o'clock.
It was a hot, sultry night, and he thought he would open the tent door for a few minutes to admit the fresh air. Perhaps if it was cooler he would be able to sleep again. He untied the strings that fastened it and looked outside, and then he saw that the noise he had heard in his dream had not been an imaginary one.
Some dark object had fallen against the side of his tent, and was now lying huddled up against it. He stooped to discover what it was, and found that it was a man, lying on his face, with nothing on but an old shirt, the sleeves of which were torn and hanging in rags, and a pair of rough corduroy trousers. He had no shoes on, and his bare feet seemed to be bleeding.
The doctor bent over and tried to raise him, and then to his utter astonishment he saw that it was Dick Sinclair, not moving and apparently dead. He put his arms round him and dragged him into the tent. Had he found Dick only to have to break the news of his death, for a second time, to his father and mother?