th a
sympathetic twinkle.

"I ken what ye feel," the latter remarked. "It's like meeting a keeper
when ye hae a hare in the lining o' yere coat."

"Yes," said Foster, "I expect its something like that. But where have
you been?"

"Roon' the toon, though it's no' verra big or bonnie. Then I stopped a
bit in the bar o' the ither hotel. Sixpence goes some way, if ye stick
to beer."

"I hope you didn't say much if there were strangers about."

Pete grinned. "I said a' I could; aboot the sheep and bullocks we were
going to look at up Bellingham way; but, if it's only comfort, there's
no strangers in the place but a commaircial who deals with the grossers
and anither who got a good order from the colliery. Maybe that's worth
the money for the beer!"

"It certainly is," Foster agreed. "We'll have a reckoning at the end
of the journey, but here's your sixpence." Then he looked at his
watch. "Well, I think it's late enough to go to bed, and you can order
breakfast. We had better get off as soon as it's light."

"There's a train to Hexham at nine o'clock, the morn. It might suit ye
to start for the station, even if ye dinna' get there."

"No," said Foster thoughtfully. "We'll pull out by some by-road before
that. You see, the train comes from Newcastle."

He went to his room, which was next to Pete's, and after putting the
letters under his pillow quietly moved a chest of drawers against the
door. The lock was a common pattern and could probably be opened by a
key from any of the neighboring rooms. He was half-ashamed of this
precaution, but admitted that he was getting nervous. Hitherto he had
found some amusement in leaving a trail for his pursuers, but there was
a difference now. For all that, he slept soundly until he was awakened
by a noise at the door. It was dark and somebody was trying to get in.
Seizing his pistol, he leaned on one elbow, ready to spring out of bed,
and then felt keen relief as he heard Pete say, "Dinna' keep on
knocking! Leave the hot water outside."

"Yes; put it down, thanks," said Foster, who got up, feeling angry with
himself.

It looked as if the person outside had been knocking for some time, and
the landlord's curiosity might have been excited had he heard that his
guest had barricaded his door. Dressing by gaslight, he found
breakfast ready when he went down, and day broke soon after the meal
was over. Foster paid his bill and set off with Pete, taking the main