rs' door. On the whole, he thought he would hear something of the
gang on the morrow, and if his suspicions were correct, looked forward
to an interesting meeting. Telford had been asked for help, which he
would try to send. The west-bound freight had not passed yet, and if
it came soon, should reach the mining town early in the morning.
Foster lighted his pipe, wrapped the blanket round his legs, and opened
a book he had brought.

Next day two policemen arrived in a light wagon and took Walters away.
Lawrence was compelled to go with them, and although but little
disturbance was made, Foster imagined all the occupants of the hotel
knew about the matter. He had ground for regretting this, and kept a
close watch on the page whose duties were light just then, which
enabled him to wander about the building and see what was going on. He
expected to hear something when the train from the coast arrived, but
took care to be about when the express from Montreal was due. He had a
suspicion that Daly had gone up the line.

The west-bound train came first, and Foster, who had sent Pete to the
station, sat in the veranda, where he could see anybody who entered the
hotel. The train stopped and went on again, but nobody came up the
road, and after a time Pete returned. Three passengers had got down,
but they looked like bush ranchers and had taken the trail to a
settlement some distance off. Pete, however, did not know Daly, and
Foster was not satisfied. He thought the fellow might have bought a
cheap skin coat such as the bush ranchers wore. Going out, he walked
through the wood that grew close up to the back of the building. After
all, Daly might try to find out something from one of the servants
before coming to the front entrance.

The sun had sunk behind the range and the light was dim among the
pines. The air was keen and a bitter wind that came down the valley in
gusts rustled the masses of heavy needles, while the roar of the river
throbbed among the stately trunks. This was in Foster's favor, because
he had to make his way between fallen branches and through thick
undergrowth, and wanted to do so without being heard. He was a good
hunter and bushman, and did not think there was much risk of his being
seen.

For a time he heard nothing suspicious and began to feel keen
disappointment. He had hoped that Walters' message would bring Daly to
his rescue, but it looked as if it had not done so. Then, as he sto