m was half open and while he
waited somebody entered the house. Steps came along the hall, and a
girl pushed the door back, and then stopped, looking at him in
surprise. He understood this as he saw she was the girl he had helped
into the train.

"I didn't know you were coming here," she said.

"Nor did I, in a sense," Foster answered with a smile. "I mean I
didn't know it was your house."

"My name was on the label of the bag and rather conspicuous."

"It would have meant nothing if I had seen it. In fact, I must own I
don't know it now."

The girl looked puzzled, and Foster explained that he had come with a
packet, but had merely been given Graham's name and the number of the
house. He added that he had found he must look for the man in
Newcastle.

"Then you are a friend of Mr. Austin's?" she said.

Foster thought it strange that she had not told him she knew Austin
when she asked about the Crossing, but he replied: "I'm a friend of
Miss Austin's."

"Ah!" she said thoughtfully; "do you mind explaining what you mean by
that?"

"Perhaps it's hardly worth while, but I can't claim that Austin and I
are particularly friendly. Our business interests sometimes clash."

She was silent for a few moments, and he wondered why both she and the
man had been curious to know how far his acquaintance with Austin went.
Then she looked up with a quick movement. "Newcastle is not a charming
town, and if you have no other reason for going there, it might be
better to post the packet."

Foster was somewhat puzzled. She had spoken meaningly, as if she meant
to give him a hint.

"The trouble is that I promised Miss Austin to deliver it."

"You have brought it to England," she persisted. "It will be safe in
the post------"

She stopped with a glance at the door, and Foster heard a step in the
passage. Then she quietly turned to the man who had taken the packet.

"I would have missed the train at Hawick but for this gentleman's
help," she said. "Still, I did not know he was coming here until I saw
him as I passed the door."

The other, who had looked at her rather sharply, nodded and gave Foster
the packet.

"As there was room enough, I wrote the new address on the cover."

Foster thanked him and took his leave, but as the man went before him
to the door the girl made a sign.

"Post it," she whispered and turned back into the room.

After leaving the house Foster walked along the road in a thoughtful
moo