"Still at work!" Crayford exclaimed, looking at the half-demolished bed-place.

"Give yourself a little rest, Richard.

The exploring party is ready to start.

If you wish to take leave of your brother officers before they go, you have no time to lose." He checked himself there, looking Wardour full in the face.
"Good Heavens!" he cried, "how pale you are! Has anything happened ?" Frank--searching in his locker for articles of clothing which he might require on the journey--looked round.

He was startled, as Crayford had been startled, by the sudden change in Wardour since they had last seen him.
"Are you ill ?" he asked.