uch a way that a pillar hid his approach, he sat down near the other
two. Foster admitted that he might not have remarked this had he not
been suspicious and keenly watchful. The thing looked significant,
particularly when a waitress came across, frowning, with some dishes.
The man must have had an object for changing his place after he had
given his order, because in the small Canadian towns waitresses deal
firmly with troublesome customers.

Telford did not seem to know the stranger and did not speak until the
man politely handed him a cruet-stand. He did not say much after this,
but Foster could not see him without leaning forward, because some
other people sat down between. Still he felt a puzzling curiosity
about the fellow, and after supper went to the rotunda where the man
presently sat down not far off. He was young and vigorous, but walked
with a slight limp as if one knee was stiff. His eyes were dark and he
had a rather engaging smile when one of the rest offered him a
newspaper. Telford was not about, but the other man strolled in.

Foster's curiosity got stronger. He could not remember having met the
man he was studying, but had a vague feeling that he ought to know him.
The strange thing was that he had not expected him to limp, but this
was perhaps accounted for by his athletic figure. After a time, the
fellow put down the newspaper and went off towards the bar, while
Foster, who found he had run out of tobacco, went to his room.

When he got out of the elevator, he saw the other going along a passage
in front, which he thought curious, because he could not have stayed
more than a few moments in the bar. Moreover his limp was not
noticeable now he imagined himself alone. Foster went on quietly,
keeping his distance, and knitted his brows in thoughtful surprise when
the other opened a door. The man, who did not seem to know Telford,
had gone into his room.

When the door shut he heard another step and saw, as he had
half-expected, the man who had watched Telford entering the passage,
Foster immediately turned his head and went on to his room, where he
sat down in the nearest chair. He had got something of a shock, since
he now knew why he had studied the fellow with the limp. His brain had
been unconsciously occupied with a description Lucy Stephen had given
him. The man who had gone into Telford's room was Walters.

XXVII

THE MINE

When Foster was thinking of going to bed Pet