t follow the water, and
they stumbled downhill among the stones beside the burn. As they
descended, a valley opened up and a rough track began near a sheepfold.
Although it was dark, Foster saw that they were now crossing rushy
pasture, and they had to stop every now and then to open a gate. The
stream was swelling with tributaries from the hills and began to roar
among the stones. Birches clustered in the hollows, the track became a
road, and at length a group of lights twinkled across a fir wood and he
knew the Garth was not far ahead.

Now he had got there, he almost wished he had kept away. He was not
sure of his welcome and did not know what line to take if Featherstone
showed his doubts. For one thing, he did not mean to talk about his
adventures in Newcastle and on Spadeadam waste. The affair was too
theatrical for the unimaginative country gentleman to believe, and for
that matter, when Foster went up the drive past the well-kept
shrubberies and lawn he found it hard to realize that he had been
hunted by determined men and was now perhaps in danger of his life.
Featherstone, living in his quiet house, could not be expected to
credit such a romantic tale. Graham's letters would to some extent
corroborate his statements, but not unless Featherstone accepted his
surmises as correct; but Foster admitted that after all pride was his
strongest motive for saying nothing. If Featherstone distrusted him,
he must continue to do so until Foster's efforts to help Lawrence were
successful.

He braced his courage when he rang the bell, but John, who let him in,
did not seem to find anything remarkable in his choice of a companion.
Pete looked very big and rather truculent in his rough, wet clothes,
but he was not embarrassed.

"This is a friend of mine," said Foster. "I should be obliged if you
will look after him."

John showed no surprise at his statement. "Very good, sir; I think I
can promise that. Will you give me your coat, sir?" Then he beckoned
Pete. "If you please, come with me."

He took Pete away and Foster wondered with some amusement what they
thought of one another. A few moments afterwards Alice came in,
dressed with a curious elegant plainness that he thought suited her.
Alice needed no ornaments, and fripperies would have struck a jarring
note. Foster sometimes called her stately, though he felt that this
was not quite what he meant. She had a certain quiet grace, touched
with pride, th