"Yes, I did knock out a few when I tumbled. But don't bother about me.
I'll be all right soon. Let's go in the house. I want to go to bed."

"But they'll all want to see you, and hear about the accident, Mark,"
insisted Jack. "My, but we've been all worked up about you. How did you
happen to be taken to a hospital?"

"A farmer came along, and I hailed him. Then I lost consciousness, and
couldn't let you know where I was. But never mind the details. I'm
anxious to get started on the trip to the moon. Couldn't we start
to-night?"

"I don't believe so. You need rest. But come on in the house." Then
Jack hurried on ahead, calling: "Mark's found! Mark is back!"

His cries brought all of the others out on the porch, and at first they
could scarcely believe the good news, but soon Jack and the new arrival
came in sight. As Jack had been, the two professors and the others were
startled when they saw how Mark was bundled up in bandages.

"He fell down stairs," explained Jack.

"Come over here where it's light, so I can see you," suggested
Professor Henderson. "Perhaps some of the bandages have slipped off
since you came from the hospital. Why did you come alone? Why didn't
you send us word where you were as soon as you were conscious, and we
would have come for you."

"Oh, I didn't want to bother you," explained the bundled-up figure. "I
managed to walk it all right."