Part 22 (2/2)
”Weel,” said Pete, with a chuckle, ”it's verra possible they'll stop in the flow till , maybe up to the knees in et in deeper, but they ht”
”But suppose they find the way and cross the burn?”
”Then, if they ken the dale, I would expect them to haud a bit south for Shopford, where they would find an inn, orford to Canonbie If they dinna' ken, it's likely they'll hae to sleep behind a dyke Noo, however, we'll turn back and gang up the dale”
They recrossed the bog and skirted theslope and reached a level space of grass and heath They followed it north until a light shone ahead and the barking of dogs indicated that they were approaching a farm Pete went in first, and Foster did not knohat explanation he gave, but the fared kitchen
He was not surprised when a woman who came in looked at him curiously, because he et and splashed, and bits of fern and heather stuck to his clothes, but his hosts asked no questions and presently gave him supper
Soon afterwards he was shown a co Pete with the others in the kitchen Foster was glad to feel he could be trusted not to tell theh he would, no doubt, have to satisfy their curiosity to so ith the reserved Borderers
XIX
ALICE'S CONFIDENCE
Foster got up late and after breakfast sat by the kitchen fire, studying hishiround towards the cultivated valley of the Esk, where they would not have trouble in finding shelter for the night Then, if they thought he wasfor the Garth, the railould take theh this erous if Graha as Pete was close at hand, the risk reat, but Pete could not be with hiet his papers back One of the gang had killed Fred Hulton, and Foster did not suppose the others would hesitate about getting rid of hi the police on their track A shot or stab in the dark would effectually prevent his betraying theht be made to look like an accident, or perhaps as if he had killed hi that looked abnorer For all that, he was going There was no need for an early start, because he did not want to arrive in daylight and the distance was not great
Then he h roads, and after a talk with Pete picked out his route across the hills It was eleven o'clock when they set off, and they spent an hour sheltering behind a dyke while a snowstorm broke upon the rass and ling afterwards clung about their feet andand there was a bitter wind, but they pushed on across the high e in front Foster thought this marked the way down to the Garth
It was nearly dark when they reached the gap, through which a brown strea except dih of the hollow Pete said theythe stones beside the burn As they descended, a valley opened up and a rough track began near a sheepfold
Although it was dark, Foster saw that they were now crossing rushy pasture, and they had to stop every now and then to open a gate The streaan to roar a the stones Birches clustered in the hollows, the track becahts twinkled across a fir wood and he knew the Garth was not far ahead
Now he had got there, he almost wished he had kept away He was not sure of his welcome and did not knohat line to take if Featherstone showed his doubts For one thing, he did not mean to talk about his adventures in Newcastle and on Spadeadainative country gentleman to believe, and for that matter, when Foster went up the drive past the well-kept shrubberies and lawn he found it hard to realize that he had been hunted by deterer of his life
Featherstone, living in his quiet house, could not be expected to credit such a romantic tale Graham's letters would to some extent corroborate his statements, but not unless Featherstone accepted his surmises as correct; but Foster adestIf Featherstone distrusted him, he must continue to do so until Foster's efforts to help Lawrence were successful
He braced his courage when he rang the bell, but John, who let hi remarkable in his choice of a co and rather truculent in his rough, wet clothes, but he was not embarrassed
”This is a friend of ed if you will look after hiood, sir; I think I can proive me your coat, sir?” Then he beckoned Pete ”If you please, come with me”
He took Pete away and Foster wondered with soht of one another A few ant plainness that he thought suited her
Alice needed no orna note Foster soh he felt that this was not quite what he race, touched with pride, that he had never noticed about anybody else, although he adirls like Alice Featherstone was small
Noever, she was not as calm as usual, for her eyes had a keen sparkle and her look was animated He wondered whether he could believe this was because she was glad to see hi smile ”Have you succeeded?”
”On the whole, I think so,” Foster answered modestly
”That's splendid!” she exclaimed and he could not doubt the approval in her voice It sounded as if she meant to applaud him as well as show her satisfaction with the consequences of his exploit