th the
graciousness one would expect from a well-bred hostess, but went no
further.

It was a relief when Featherstone came in. He made a little abrupt
movement when he saw Foster, to whom he did not give his hand. The
latter thought he looked disturbed.

"I am sorry I was not at home when you arrived," Featherstone said.
"Still, I had no reason for thinking you would be here."

"In fact, you were rather surprised to see me," Foster suggested.

Featherstone looked at him as if he thought he had been blunter than
was necessary, but replied: "Well, I suppose that's true, but I have no
doubt Mrs. Featherstone has made up for my absence, and since you have
come, we would like to talk to you about Lawrence. I dare say you will
give us a few minutes."

He opened the door as Mrs. Featherstone rose, and Foster went with them
to the library, where Featherstone sat down at a big table. It was
here he wrote his business letters and occasionally attended to
magisterial duties, and Foster thought this was why he had chosen the
place. It, no doubt, gave him a feeling of authority. Mrs.
Featherstone sat by the fire, but Foster was surprised when Alice came
in. Featherstone glanced at her with a frown.

"It might have been better if you had stayed downstairs and left this
matter to your mother and me," he remarked and waited, as if he
expected his wife to support him, but she did not.

"No," said Alice; "I am beginning to get anxious about Lawrence, and if
Mr. Foster can tell us anything fresh, I ought to hear it. But I don't
think he can. I believe he told us all he knew before."

Featherstone looked disturbed by her boldness, but Foster felt a
thrill. Alice was on his side and meant to show the others her
confidence in his honesty. He wondered what Featherstone would do, and
was not surprised when he made a gesture of resignation. Foster knew
his comrade well, and imagined that Featherstone was very like
Lawrence. The latter was physically brave, but sometimes gave way to
moral pressure and vacillated when he should be firm. Both showed a
certain lack of rude stamina; they were, so to speak, too fine in the
grain. Foster, however, had other things to think about, and indeed
felt rather like a culprit brought before his judges. Then Mrs.
Featherstone relieved the unpleasant tension.

"We have not heard from Lawrence yet and do not understand it. Can you
do anything to set our fears at rest?"

"I'm sorry I