to keep his visit
secret, because this would be useless. If the old fellow thought it
his duty to tell his master, he would do so; if not, one could trust to
his discretion. Entering the orchard by an arch in a mossy wall, he
waited where a soft light shone into it from the west. Outside the
arch, the smooth sweep of lawn ran back into deepening shadow and the
bare trees behind it rose, sharp and black, against the sky. Above
there was a heavy bank of gray-blue clouds.

Then his heart began to beat as Alice appeared in the arch. Her figure
was silhouetted against the light and he noted how finely she held
herself and moved. Still he could not see her face and waited with
some uneasiness until she advanced and gave him her hand.

"I hoped you would come," he said. "But I was half afraid----"

Alice smiled and as she turned her head the fading glow touched her
face. It gave no hint of resentment or surprise.

"That I would not come?" she suggested. "After all, I really think men
are more conventional than we are. But why did you not let John bring
you in?"

"When I was last here, I noted a change in your father's manner. That
is one reason, though there are others. Then I must go in two or three
minutes."

Alice looked at him steadily and he knew that frankness was best.

"You mean you thought he had lost his confidence in you?"

"I was afraid he might find it getting strained. He seemed disturbed."

"He is disturbed," Alice said quietly. "We have heard nothing from my
brother yet."

"One can sympathize with you, but I don't think you have much ground
for uneasiness. Lawrence was told he must be careful, but that was
all, and there's no likelihood of his health's suddenly breaking down.
Then I understand he was rather irregular about writing home; he forgot
now and then."

"He did forget," Alice agreed and fixed her eyes on Foster while a
slight flush crept into her face. "Perhaps I had better say I do not
altogether share my father's anxiety."

Foster felt a thrill, for he thought she meant she had not lost her
confidence in him.

"I'd like to go back and look for Lawrence, but can't do so yet," he
said. "For one thing, it might put Daly on his track and it's now
important that he shouldn't meet Lawrence in Canada. There have been
developments; in fact, I have come to think Daly had something to do
with sending the packet I took to Newcastle."

"Then Miss Austin was in the plot agains