Alice got up and when he rose said quietly, but with something in her voice that thrilled him: "I think you like my mother and she knows I meant to talk to you. Lawrence is very dear to her and if he were dragged back into disgrace, now when we thought it was all forgotten and he has made a new start in Canada, I am not sure she could bear the shock. There is nobody else who could help us and we trust to you."
"Then I must try to deserve it," Foster answered with a bow. "But what about your old servant, John? Have you much confidence in him?"
The girl's tense face relaxed. "In a sense, John is one of the family, but if you want his help, you must use some tact and not expect Western frankness. He is remarkably discreet."
Foster opened the door for her, and then went to the gun-room, where he found John, who had driven him from the station when he arrived, pouring out some Rangoon oil. Sitting down carelessly, he lighted a cigarette.
"I understand you were rather fond of my partner, Lawrence
Featherstone," he remarked.
"If I may say so, sir, I was. A very likable young gentleman."
"I expect you know he got into trouble."
John looked pained at his bluntness. "I heard something about it, sir. Perhaps Mr. Lawrence was a little wild. It sometimes happens in very good families."
"Just so," said Foster. "Would you be surprised to hear he hadn't got out of that trouble yet?"
"Not surprised exactly; I was afraid of something like it, sir."