he waited Telford might give him a clew.

There were no letters for him next morning, but soon after breakfast
the bell-boy brought him a telegram and he tore open the envelope. The
message was from Lucy Stephen and read:

"Mountaineering friend just arrived. Snow dangerous now. Would feel
safer if you could join us. Come if possible."

For a moment or two Foster sat still, with his face set. Lucy was
guarded, but the mountaineering friend was Walters and she had given
him an urgent hint that he was needed. Then he picked up a railroad
folder that lay near and noting the time of Walters' arrival, saw that
the telegram had been delayed. After this he glanced at his watch and
ran out into the street.

A trail of black smoke moved across the roofs and he heard the roll of
wheels as the heavy train climbed the incline. He had got Lucy's
warning ten minutes too late, and could not leave until next day.

XXVIII

THE LOG BRIDGE

Lawrence had gone to his room to rest and Lucy Stephen was sitting
alone in the veranda when she heard the roar of an east-bound train
coming up the valley. It stopped, which did not often happen, and she
put down her book and looked out at the opening in the pines that led
to the track. The smoke that rose into the clear, cold air began to
move, and Lucy frowned, because the train had just stopped long enough
for passengers to alight. Although the hotel was generally full in
summer, there were then only a few other guests, quiet people whose
acquaintance she had made, and she did not wish Lawrence to be
disturbed by new arrivals. He was getting better, but not so quickly
as she wished. Besides, she had another ground for anxiety.

A man came up the road between the pines. It was a relief to see one
man instead of a party, but she went to the glass front and watched him
with keen curiosity. He vanished among the trees where the road curved
and when he came out not far off she set her lips. It was Walters and
her vague fears were realized, but he would not reach the hotel for a
few minutes and this gave her time to brace herself.

Ringing a bell, she asked for a telegraph form and hurriedly filling it
up, said to the waiting lad, "Take this down to the office."

The lad wore a smart uniform and was called a page, but he had the
pertness that generally marks the bellboy in Western hotels.

"Certainly, miss. But I reckon I'll be wanted when the stranger who's
coming up