ne never spoke about his life in the
Old Country, and Foster was surprised when he stated his intention of
spending a few months there. It looked as if Daly knew his secret and
had used his knowledge to blackmail him.

"I'll go to California with you," he said. "One place is as good as
another for a holiday, and I'm really not keen on going home. I've no
near relations and have lost touch with my friends."

"No," said Featherstone, with a grateful look. "I want you to go to
England and stay with my people. I haven't said much about them, but
you'll find they will do their best to make things pleasant. Anyhow,
it's time you knew that I left home in serious trouble and meant to
stop away until I thought the cause of it forgotten. Well, not long
ago, I heard that the man I'd injured was dead, but had sent me word
that as I had, no doubt, paid for my fault in this country, I'd nothing
more to fear. Then Daly got upon my track."

Foster nodded sympathetically. "How much does he know?"

"Enough to be dangerous, but I don't know how he learned it and don't
mean to keep on buying him off. Now I want you to go home and tell my
people what we're doing; if you can give them the impression that I've,
so to speak, made good in Canada, so much the better. This is not
entirely for my sake, but because it might be a relief to them. You
see, they've had to suffer something on my account and felt my
disgrace, but, although I deserved it, they wouldn't give me up."

"Very well," said Foster, "I'll do as you wish."

He knocked out and re-filled his pipe, as an excuse for saying nothing
more, because he was somewhat moved. He guessed that Featherstone had
not found it easy to take him into his confidence, and felt that he had
atoned for his errors in the past. Still, there was a point he was
doubtful about. His comrade had a well-bred air, and Foster imagined
that his people were rich and fastidious.

"I'm not sure your relatives will enjoy my visit," he resumed after a
time. "My father and mother died when I was young, and I was sent to a
second-rate school and kept there by an uncle who wanted to get rid of
me. Then I'd a year or two in a merchant's office and cheap lodgings,
and when I'd had enough of both came out to Canada with about five
pounds. You know how I've lived here."

Featherstone gave him an amused glance. "You needn't let that trouble
you. It's curious, but the bush seems to bring out the best th