t my brother and made use of
you?"

"No; she certainly made use of me, but I imagine others made use of
her. There is a plot, but I don't relieve she knew anything about it."

"I suppose you feel you must defend the girl?"

"In a way," Foster agreed. "Carmen Austin is a friend of mine; but I'm
not sure she really needs defending. Anyhow, if I'd known what was in
the packet, I wouldn't have taken it."

"Then you have found out what was in it?"

"I have a suspicion. I'm going to see how far it's justified, and if
I'm fortunate, rather think the people who sent me to Newcastle will be
sorry."

Alice said nothing for a few moments, but he thought she grasped the
significance of his hint that he was willing to spoil the plans of
Carmen's friends. He did not know if this gave her any satisfaction,
but did not expect her to show her feelings.

"Can you tell me anything more?" she asked.

"Yes," he said. "I feel I ought to tell somebody, because it may turn
out rather a serious undertaking. One reason for choosing you is that
it's a complicated and unlikely tale."

"And you thought I would believe where others might doubt?"

Foster bowed. "I did hope something of the kind. I don't know if I
was too venturesome. But if you'll listen----"

She gave him a curious look and he began by telling her of the tragedy
at the Hulton mill and Lawrence's meeting the supposititious watchman.
Then he related how he had been tracked through the hills, and
explained the conclusions he had arrived at when the light first dawned
on him as he puzzled out the matter by the peat stack. She said
nothing until he finished, but he thought she looked somewhat moved.

"But wouldn't it be better to leave the thing to the police?" she asked.

"No," said Foster, smiling. "To begin with, they might suspect me; one
understands they're not very credulous people and it would take some
time to prove my statements. Then, if they weren't very careful,
they'd frighten the Newcastle man away, while I might, so to speak,
catch him off his guard."

"It sounds plausible; but I think you have a better reason."

"If I have, it's to some extent temperamental; a natural reaction after
leading a sober life," Foster said humorously. "There's a charm in
trying to do something that's really beyond your mark and ought to be
left to somebody else."

"It's possible; but I'm not satisfied yet."

Foster hesitated. "After all, it might be better to