By the way, how long is it since he left India ?" Harding shrewdly returned an evasive answer.

He did not think it desirable that Clarke should learn too much about his comrade's connection with India.
"I can't fix the date, but it's some time.

However, I understand he was afterward in an unhealthy part of Africa, which may account for it.
I don't think he's been in this country more than a year or two." "Did he ever speak of having malaria here?
It is apt to return within a rather elastic period." "Not so far as I can recollect," said Harding.
Seeing that he could extract no useful information from him, Clarke abandoned the attempt and discussed the case from a medical point of view.

Then he rose, wearily.
"As we're not out of the wood yet, and I don't expect I'll be needed for a while, I'd better get some sleep," he said.

"You must waken me if there's any sign of a change." Drawing his blanket round him, he lay down on a bed of branches and reeds, and his deep, regular breathing soon indicated that he was asleep.
Harding looked at Benson.
"I guess he'll do all that's possible, for his own sake.