thought of. If he goes to the police
when he can't find Lawrence, it would be awkward. I should be no
better off than I am now."

"It's unlikely. So long as Daly sees the smallest chance of extorting
money he'll keep his secret. The reason's obvious."

"Well," said Featherstone, with feeling, "you are doing us a service we
can't repay. I frankly don't like the plan, because it can only work
at your expense, but it will give us time and I can think of nothing
else."

Foster left him with a feeling of pleasant excitement. He was doing
his host a favor and this was something, but the adventure appealed to
him for other reasons. He had, in Canada, found scope for his energy
in profitable work, but there was a reckless vein in him, and it was
exhilarating to feel that he could now follow his bent, without being
hampered by the necessity for making the undertaking pay. After all,
there was not much enjoyment in what one did for money, and he thought
he was going to get some amusement out of the game. Still, he did not
want to leave the Garth. Alice had treated him with a quiet
friendliness he valued and he began to hope he was making some progress
in her good opinion. It was, however, comforting to feel that he was
going to save her pain, and for the rest of the day he was conscious of
a cheerfulness he tried to hide in view of the anxiety the others had
to bear.

In the evening John put Lawrence's traveling bag under a small table
near the door in the hall and arranged the cloth so that it hung over
and covered part of the bag but did not hide it altogether. He took
some trouble, and when he was satisfied it looked as if the bag had
been carelessly placed where it would be out of sight but ready to be
picked up quickly if its owner meant to leave the house in a hurry.
Moreover, if anybody thought it worth while to look under the table,
the letters L.F. could be distinguished and Lawrence's name was
engraved upon the lock. Foster, having learned from the railway guide
when Daly would arrive, had arranged that he should be left alone for a
minute or two in the hall. If the fellow made good use of the time, so
much the better.

After putting on a gray waterproof, leggings, and strong boots, Foster
stood at the open door of his room until he heard Daly come in. There
was silence for the next minute, and then footsteps echoed along a
passage as the visitor was taken to the library, where Featherstone
would r