Selkirk road. It was not cold and the street was well lighted by
the windows of the shops. Briskly moving people streamed across the
bridge, as if the factory hands were going home from work, but nobody
seemed interested in Foster and the policeman who stood by the
guide-post paid him no attention. He thought about going back to the
hotel when a car, traveling rather fast, came down the road and pulled
up close by.

Foster leaned quietly against the bridge and did not turn his head, but
saw Daly sitting beside the driver; the half-dried mud that was thickly
crusted about the car indicated a long journey. An abrupt movement
might be dangerous, although he did not think Daly expected to find him
or Featherstone calmly lounging about the street. The driver beckoned
the policeman and Foster heard him ask if one crossed the bridge for
Langholm.

The man told him to turn to the right, and after speaking to the driver
Daly asked if there was a garage and a good hotel near. The policeman
gave him some directions, and when the car turned round and rolled away
Foster followed. He passed close by the policeman and, taking
advantage of the sociable Scottish custom, nodded and remarked that it
was a fine night. The man answered civilly, with a careless glance at
Foster, who went on, feeling satisfied with his experiment. It was
obvious that no inquiries about him had been telegraphed to Hawick and
he had only Daly to deal with. This was curious, if the police were
really anxious to find him.

The garage was open and Foster asked a man if he could hire a motor
bicycle. The fellow said he thought so, but the manager was out, and
Foster strolled about the room. Daly's driver was refilling the lamps
with carbide, and when he finished asked for petrol.

"Ye're for the road again," the man who brought the tin remarked.

"For Langholm," replied the driver. "I don't expect we'll go farther
to-night, but I must have things ready if the boss wants to go on."

Foster hoped the other would ask where they had come from, but he did
not do so, and next moment Daly walked down some steps at the other end
of the room. Knowing that a quick retreat might betray him, Foster
stood still and examined a lamp he picked up. Daly crossed the floor,
passing within a yard or two.

"You can fix her all right, I suppose?" he said to the driver.

The latter said something about a sparking-plug, and when Daly stooped
over the engine the li