ham had obviously gone in to make
inquiries, and Foster wondered whether anybody had seen him and his
companion pass. He would know when Graham came out, and moved a few
yards farther until he reached a gate, which he opened, ready to slip
through. There was no need to warn Pete now the latter understood
matters. One could trust a poacher to hide himself quickly.

Foster felt some strain. It was disturbing to find Graham already on
his track and he wondered whether the fellow had been to Carlisle. It
would be awkward if he went to Hexham. After a few minutes two men
came out of the inn and Foster waited anxiously while one cranked the
car, but they drove on when the engine started. Then, as he turned
back, the throbbing stopped again and he beckoned Pete.

"They don't know you and it's getting dark. Go on and see which way
they take."

He kept close to the hedge when Pete vanished. The car had stopped
where the military road cut across another that followed the river into
the moors, and Graham apparently did not know which to take. It looked
as if the fellow had ascertained that he was not at Hexham. After a
time he heard the car start. It was not coming back, but he could not
tell which way it went, and waited in the gathering dark for Pete's
return.

"They'd gone before I cam' up, but I heard her rattling on the hill to
my left han'," he said.

"That means they've gone west towards Carlisle."

"There's anither road turns aff and rins north awa' by Bellingham."

Foster frowned, because this was the road he meant to take next day,
and if his pursuers did so now, it would be because they expected him
to make for the Garth. They were, however, in front, where he would
sooner have them than behind, and he set off down the valley for
Hexham. He found the old Border town, clustering round the tall dark
mass of the abbey, strangely picturesque; the ancient Moot Hall and
market square invited his interest, but he shrank from wandering about
the streets in the dark. Now he had Graham's checks, he must be
careful; moreover his knapsack and leggings made him conspicuous, and
he went to a big red hotel.

He sent Pete to an inn farther on, because it seemed advisable that
they should not be seen together, although he would have liked to know
the man was about. After dinner, he sat in a quiet nook in the
smoking-room, reading the newspapers and keeping his gloved hand out of
sight, until it was time to go t