"Well, never mind. We won't bother about him. Come on to the house. My, but I'm glad to see you again! And so will the others be." In his enthusiasm at seeing his chum again Jack wanted to hug him. He approached Mark, but the latter cried out: "Look out! Don't come too close!" "Why not? Have you caught some disease?" "No, but you might hurt my broken arm!" "Oh, is it broken? That's tough luck. Did you fall?" "Yes--in the old house. I fell down stairs." "And your head is all bandaged up, too," went on Jack, trying to peer into his friend's face through the roll of bandages. "Look out! Don't come too near!" again warned the other. "You might jostle against me, and knock off some of the bandages." "Did you lose some of your teeth, the reason your voice sounds so funny?" asked Jack. "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." "But your injuries may need attention," insisted Mr. Henderson. "I know something about doctoring. Come here where I can see." "No--no--the--light hurts my eyes," was the hasty reply. "I guess I'll go to bed, so as to be all ready to start in the morning. Why don't you leave for the moon to-night, professor?" "There are still a few little details to look after. But are you sure you are well enough to go with us? We may meet with hardships up on the moon." "Oh, I'm all ready to go," was the answer. "I'd start to-night if I could. But now I must get to bed." "Don't you want supper?" asked Jack. "No, I had some just before I left the hospital." "What hospital was it?" inquired Andy Sudds. "I was in one once, and I didn't like it. There wa'nt enough air for me."