“Poor Jez-Riah,” said Alan suddenly. “What an end!”
The first day the boys were coherent, they had asked about their little purple companion, and it was Nurse Wylton who had broken the news of her “death.” The boys had taken it very quietly—and the nurse was unable to form any ideas on the relation she bore to them. But they really felt towards her as they would have done to a domestic animal. They scarcely realized she was human.
In fits and starts the cousins recounted their adventures to each other—even yet they could scarcely realize they had come through safely. Daily they both grew stronger, and the marks of privation and suffering which had so disfigured their features were nearly wiped away. They were afraid to cable old Sir John and tell him of their miraculous escape. “We must break the news gently to him—for he has mourned us both, and it may be too much of a shock for him to learn we are both alive and in Australia,” said Alan.
Desmond chuckled. “Australia! Fancy coming out at the other end of the world! It’s almost like a fairy story, isn’t it? Do you remember we wondered where we should eventually land?”
Nurse Mavis entered—her arms full of flowers. “Now,” said she briskly. “There’s too much talking going on. I am sure you will both overtax your strength. Besides I have a visitor for you this afternoon.”
“Yes, Mr. Travers, the Mine Manager, is very anxious to see you, and he wants to return you your property.”
“Some packages you had when you—came—in Walla Balla.”
The boys looked at each other blankly. They had entirely forgotten the papyrus and censer and jewels they had brought from the Tomb of Korah. They had been worrying about their financial position, and now, if the jewels proved to be real, they could raise enough money and to spare for their expenses and their fares back to England.
“Mr. Travers will be here in about half an hour,” went on the nurse. “Do you feel well enough to be wheeled out in chairs to the garden?”
“Please,” said Desmond. “I’m sick of this room.” But they felt very weak as they walked across the corridor to where the bath chairs were awaiting them with many comfortable cushions and rugs.
One of the under nurses wheeled Alan out first, and as Mavis tucked the rugs round Desmond, he whispered “Wheel me once round the garden first, Nurse.”