in us, but they will not know what it is; and there is
always a tendency among women to imagine the worst. It would not matter
so much if we possessed a means of communicating with them, for although
we could not, perhaps, direct Mildmay how to find us, we could, at all
events, keep them advised of our welfare. I suppose," he continued,
turning with a smile to von Schalckenberg, "you do not happen to possess
the power of telepathy, do you, Professor?"

"No," answered the professor, "unhappily I do not. But your remark has
suggested to me the idea of a little experiment which I will attempt
when we get back to the ship. If it should prove successful it may help
us on some subsequent occasion similar to the present. But the question
is, how are we to get back to the ship?"

"Well," remarked Sir Reginald, "it appears to me that we cannot do
anything more until daylight. We are lost in this forest, and have not
at present the slightest notion as to the direction we ought to take.
That, I think, is indisputable, and it is useless to shut our eyes to
the fact. We may, therefore, as well stay here as anywhere, and rest
until daylight. It is now just half-past four; we shall, therefore, not
have very long to wait. Now, as to our position. We know that we left
the river by way of its south bank; and, since we have not again touched
it, we must still be somewhere to the southward of it. Therefore, if,
when daylight comes, we head northward, we are certain to strike the
river before long; and, once there, we ought not to meet with much
difficulty in finding our ambush again, from which, of course, we can
easily find our way back to the ship."

"Excellent, and thoroughly well reasoned out," remarked Lethbridge. "I
quite agree with you, Elphinstone. We cannot do better than remain here
until daylight, as you say; and then, with the coming of sunrise, we
shall get at the points of the compass and know which way to steer in
order to hit off the river again."

The professor and Colonel Sziszkinski also agreed that Sir Reginald's
plan was a good one. They therefore settled themselves comfortably,
and, with the aid of their pipes and chat, beguiled the time as best
they could.

The moon had set some hours before this, and the forest was consequently
plunged in darkness so profound that it was impossible to see anything
beyond their immediate surroundings, which were illuminated for the
space of some four or five yards