Part 19 (1/2)

”Good luck! But wait in the road for a minute or two,” she said and turned away

He watched her cross the lawn until her figure faded into the glooate and waited until John came up with a small packet

”Miss Featherstone sends you this, sir, but hopes you won't open it until you are in the train”

Foster thanked him and went back with Pete up the waterside The air was keen and a light h track that took thes as a flock of wild duck passed overhead when they skirted a reedy pool, and once or twice the wild cry of a curlew came out of the dark Except for this, the nant elation as he sturassThey walked for two or three hours and he was an to twinkle in the glooht a train to Hexha coht Then the blood rushed to his face and his heart beat, for when he unfolded the thin paper he saw a s how they had once talked about Border chivalry, he knehat Alice meant She believed his tale and knew the risks he ran, and had sent hie He folded the piece of delicate kid carefully and put it in a pocket where it rested upon his heart

”After this, I've got to put my job over, whatever it costs,” he said

XVI

A DIFFICULT PART

It was four o'clock in the afternoon when Foster stopped in front of the gri where Graham had his office, and looked up and down the street Close by, a carter stood at the head of an impatient horse that stamped and rattled its harness, and a hoist clanked as a bale of goods went up to a top story; but except for this the street was quiet Farther off, one or twoand the light getting di, had waited, thinking it ht suit him better to leave the town in the dark

”Go back to the end of the street, where you can see the clock,” he said to Pete ”If I don't join you in half an hour, run to the nearest police station and ask for a ”

”The polis are no' good friends o' mine,” Pete replied doubtfully ”I would sooner coer's roon' the corner, where I would hed Pete'shands, the fork would prove a dangerous weapon

”I don't expect you'd be able to helpthe street now and then, and notice anybody who leaves the building”

He went in and set his lips as he cliined he would need all the tact and coolness he possessed He had beensimpleton, but was uncertain how far it would be safe to trade upon this view of his character, although he e in hinting that he knew a little about their business; but hethe top landing and there was soas had not yet been lighted and the building was very quiet It was possible that he had started on this adventure with a rashness as great as his folly in undertaking Carlove and it was unthinkable that he should turn back

There was nobody in the outer office when he opened the door, but after he had knocked once or twice a voice he recognized told him to co down, he offered his cigarette case to Grahaarette while Foster lighted another It would be easier to look languidly indifferent if he could smoke Graham pushed aside so disturbed He was dressed and looked like a sober business ine hi else

”I'm rather busy just now,” he said ”For all that, if I can be of any use to you, Mr ----”

Foster thought he overdid it by pretending to forget his naht you a packet, and as I'ht take Miss Austin or Daly a reply You can see that they thought er”

”Miss Austin obviously did so,” Grahaood opinion?” Foster asked

Grahalanced at him sharply and then picked up a letter and studied it, but Foster ie and indicated that he knew more than the other supposed; but the rest needed care

”You expect to et back to Canada?” Graham inquired, and Foster, who saw that he was cautious, wondered whether he was alarmed

”Oh, no; I expect to land”

”Don't you know he is?” Foster rejoined