Such things have happened.

It will be as well to telegraph to Courmayeur." "Why, that's true," said Chayne, and as they walked to the post-office he argued more to convince himself than Michel Revailloud.

"It's very likely--some quite small accident--a sprained ankle." But the moment after he had sent the telegram, and when he and Michel stood again outside the post-office, the fear which was in him claimed utterance.
"The Col des Nantillons is a bad place, Michel, that's the truth.

Had Lattery been detained in the hut he would have found means to send us word.

In weather like this, that hut would be crowded every night; every day there would be some one coming from Courmayeur to Chamonix.