Part 11 (1/2)

”They're creeping up,” he said to John, who did not reply

Foster thought they had now reached the top of theup and down across the heathy undulations a streak of light flashed out in the distance

”That's the train,” he said

”Yes, sir You can see her for two or three e in the sound andall-out Showers of small stones and water flew up about the wheels and the hipped his face, but the following light was a little nearer when he looked behind The other car had reached the suht they could keep their lead long enough Then he looked ahead and saw that the bright streak he had noticed had gone The firehts froe inkled faintly across the heath He could not see the station, but it was obvious that he had not much time to spare

A few moments later they swept across a low rise and a faint blur of buildings loo furiously and he seized the side of the car as they swung round a curve He felt the near wheels sink as they crushed through spongy sod, and the car tilted, but they got round, and there was a sudden jar when the station lay some fifty yards ahead Foster jumped out before the car quite stopped

”Round with her! I'ht reThe train was very near; he could hear the roar it , but as he reached the station the sound ceased and the engine rolled past He took a ticket to Edinburgh, and hurrying across the bridge, picked a compartment that had another occupant and stood at the door, where he could see the steps he had coe and he see soes from the van and leisurely put them on a truck Foster quivered with impatience as he watched the fellow If he kept the train another lanced back at the bridge nobody came down the steps yet, but the porter had not finished, and one could still catch the train

He crossed the floor to the opposite , fro office, but as he loosed the strap he felt a jerk Then the engine panted and the wheels began to turn He ran back to the other door, but there was only the porter on the platfor up the , he turned to the passenger with a forced s for hasn't come”

In the meantime, John turned the car round and drove back to the bend

The road was narrow, but there was room for two vehicles to pass, provided that both kept well to the proper side John, however, took thebeam swept round the curve He blew his horn; there was an answering shriek froe shout John, as near the left side now, but not so close as he ought to have been, freed the clutch and used the brake, and the other car, rass across the road As he stopped he saw the boggy soil fly up and the la off, he found the car had brought up in front of a wall, with the front wheels buried to the axle The driver and a very angryout

”You nearly wrecked us,” said the latter ”What d'youabout the middle of the road like that?”

”I wasn't quite in the hts dazzled ine he's caught the train, sir,” John answered with iht the other ca hie exclaine won't et her out?” he said

”I could give you a pull, sir,” John replied with respectful gravity, ”They keep a rope at the station for shunting Perhaps you had better send the driver, sir”

X

THE DROVE ROAD

Foster spent the next day lounging about Edinburgh and looking out for Daly, who of the man, and felt half disappointed, because he missed the excitement of the chase It was too cold and wet to roaood play at the theaters, and he had seen picture palaces in Canada Moreover, he had led an active life, and having nothing to do soon began to get irksome It was curious that he had never felt bored at the Garth, even when he scarcely saw Alice during the day, but then the Garth had a peculiar charone back there, and he had been a fool to leave

He was sitting in the hotel ser cahtful air, and lighted his pipe There was nothing about him to indicate his rank or occupation, and Foster wondered what he wanted

”I hope you won't object toif you're a Canadian?” he said

”I don't know if I object or not Anyhow, I'lish”