FIRST ADVENTURE

It was about ten o'clock at night and the Montreal express sped through
the lonely forest of North Ontario. The train was light, for there
were few passengers on board, and the road was by no means good, but in
spite of the jolting Foster enjoyed his cigarette in a corner of the
smoking compartment at the end of a car. A colored porter had told him
his berth in the sleeper was ready, Featherstone had left the train,
and most of the passengers were already in bed, but Foster did not want
to follow them just yet. For a time, he had done with business, and
was on his way to England. He relished the unusual sense of freedom.

A half-moon shone down upon the rugged wilderness, and he could see the
black pines rush past. The cars lurched and he heard the great
locomotive snort on the inclines. Now and then there was a roar as
they sped across a bridge, and water glimmered among the rocks below;
afterwards the roar sank into a steady clatter and a soothing throb of
wheels. The car was warm, and Foster, who had given the porter his
overcoat, was lighting another cigarette when a man came in and sat
down opposite. He looked hard at Foster, who quietly returned his
gaze. The man was about his own height but some years older, and his
expression was disturbed.

Foster felt interested. He had faced danger in the northern
wilderness, where he had risked starvation and traveled on frozen
rivers when the ice was breaking up. Besides, he had once or twice
been involved in savage fights about disputed mining claims, and knew
how men looked when they bore a heavy strain. He thought the stranger
was afraid but was not a coward.

"You're going to Ottawa, aren't you? I heard you talking to your
friend," said the man.

"I'm going to Montreal, but don't see what that has to do with you."

The other made a sign of impatience. "Well, I dare say you can be
trusted, and I've got to take a risk."

"It is a risk to trust a man you don't know," Foster rejoined. "But
how can I help?"

"I want you to put on my coat and cap, and stay here, reading the
_Witness_, for about ten minutes."

"Holding the newspaper in front of my face, I suppose? Well, it's
rather an unusual request and I must know a little more. If there's a
detective on your trail and you expect me to hold his attention while
you hide or try to jump off the train, I must refuse."

The stranger smiled. "I've wired for the police to meet me at O