Yet what could he do?
What ought he to attempt doing?
In his present physical condition Winston realized the utter impossibility of transporting that burly body; water, indeed, might serve to revive him, yet that faint trickle of falling drops probably came from some distant fault in the rock which would require much patient search to locate.

The engineer had assumed grave chances in this venture underground; in this moment of victory he felt little inclination to surrender his information, or to sacrifice himself in any quixotic devotion to his assailant.

Yet he must give the fellow a fair chance.

There seemed only one course practicable, the despatching to the helpless man's assistance of some among that gang of workmen down in Number One.

But could this be accomplished without danger of his own discovery?
Without any immediate revealment of his part in the tragedy?
First of all, he must make sure regarding his own safety; he must reach the surface before the truth became known.
Almost mechanically he picked up his revolver where it lay glittering upon the floor, and stood staring at that recumbent form, slowly maturing a plan of action.