at he had never noticed about anybody else, although he
admitted that his knowledge of girls like Alice Featherstone was small.
Now, however, she was not as calm as usual, for her eyes had a keen
sparkle and her look was animated. He wondered whether he could
believe this was because she was glad to see him.

"You have not been long," she said with a welcoming smile. "Have you
succeeded?"

"On the whole, I think so," Foster answered modestly.

"That's splendid!" she exclaimed and he could not doubt the approval in
her voice. It sounded as if she meant to applaud him as well as show
her satisfaction with the consequences of his exploit.

"Well, I haven't got very far yet, although I imagine I'm on the right
line. But have you heard from Lawrence?"

"No," she replied and her satisfaction vanished. Indeed, Foster was
somewhat puzzled by the change. "I must confess that I'm getting
anxious now."

Foster nodded, "Then I must go and look for him as soon as I've had a
reckoning with Daly."

"Daly has been here----" she said and stopped as Mrs. Featherstone came
in.

The latter looked at Foster rather curiously, but gave him her hand and
seemed to take it for granted that he meant to resume his stay. She
said her husband had gone to dine with a neighbor and would not be back
for an hour or two, and then let Foster go to his room.

Dinner was served soon after he came down, but while they talked freely
about matters of no importance Foster noted a subtle difference in Mrs.
Featherstone's manner. She was not less friendly than usual, but she
asked no questions about his journey and avoided mentioning Lawrence.
It looked as if she knew her husband's doubts, but Foster somehow
thought she did not altogether share them. In the meantime, he tried
to act as if their relations were perfectly normal, but found it hard,
and now and then glanced at the clock. It was a long way to the
nearest inn and he wondered when Featherstone would return, because he
could not accept the hospitality of a man who distrusted him.

When dinner was over, he went with the others to the drawing-room and
did his best to engage them in careless talk. Alice supported him when
his efforts flagged, as they sometimes did, and once or twice gave him
a half-amused, half-sympathetic glance. He did not know if he was
grateful for this or not, but saw that she knew what he felt. If Mrs.
Featherstone guessed, she made no sign; she treated him wi