But he would be on rock." It was evident that Michel was in doubt, but it seemed that Chayne could not force himself to share it.
"You had better get quietly together what guides you can, Michel," he said.

"By the time a rescue party is made up the answer will have come from Courmayeur." Chayne walked slowly back to the hotel.

All those eager anticipations which had so shortened his journey this morning, which during the last two years had so often raised before his eyes through the shimmering heat of the Red Sea cool visions of ice-peaks and sharp spires of rock, had crumbled and left him desolate.

Anticipations of disaster had taken their place.

He waited in the garden of the hotel at a spot whence he could command the door and the little street leading down to it.