Part 3 (1/2)
”What's it for?”
”I can't tell you. I will before long, but not now.”
”Then it's a fake. You want it for yourself.”
”I do not.”
He fancied he could hear her moaning, becoming restless, and if he got what he wanted and hurried back she might have a chance. It exasperated him.
”Why not tell me the reason?” asked Bill, fairly enough.
”There's somebody ill in my hut.”
”Oh, that's it, one of your mates. Do you think I'm going to help him after last night's work? Not me.”
Glen wanted to conceal that it was a woman, but he was wasting precious time. Could Bill be trusted to keep it to himself? He had no desire for the towns.h.i.+p to know until he had found out all about her.
”It's not one of my mates. I'd not ask it for him after that,” and he waved his hand round. ”You'll not say a word, but keep it dark?”
”It depends on what it is you tell me.”
”I can't tell you. Bill, we've been what folks call friends, as far as it goes here. Promise me. It's a matter of life and death. You'll not be sorry. You'll have done a good action, and saved a life.”
Bill saw he was in deadly earnest. He knew Glen Leigh had always gone straight with him.
”Out with it then. I'll promise, so help me I will, but I don't say I'll let you have what you want.”
Glen saw he was yielding. Again his thoughts went back to his hut, and he groaned at the loss of time.
”It's for a woman. She's got fever, and is delirious. She'll die if she doesn't have some stimulant. For G.o.d's sake, Bill, let me have it.”
Bill stared at him. There was a genuine, even pathetic ring in his voice. But a woman! He couldn't be expected to swallow that yarn.
”Where is she?” he asked.
”In my hut.”
Bill laughed. He couldn't help it. The thing was so ridiculous.
”Who's the lady?” he asked with a grin.
Leigh's hands clenched. He was becoming dangerous.
”I haven't time to tell you lies. I don't know who she is, or where she comes from. All I can say is I found her in there lying on my shakedown, dying,” and he told the whole story as rapidly as possible to the astonished Bill.
”It's as true as gospel, and Jim Benny's with her waiting my return.
Think of the time I've wasted here. I may be too late. Ping's none too fast, but he's sure. For heaven's sake, Bill, let me have it, and some tinned stuff, soup, anything you've got. There's nothing at my place for her.”
He spoke rapidly, excitedly. He was strung to the highest pitch as he thought how long he had already been away.
”It's the rummiest yarn I ever heard, but I don't see as how you could make it up. I wonder who she is?”