"Then it looks as if he meant to test my statements. Did he seem surprised to learn I was staying here?"
"It was hard to tell what the fellow thought; but somehow I felt that he expected to find your story true. He, however, gave me no information. What do you suppose he wants?"
"I can't imagine; the thing's puzzling. What makes it stranger is that
I thought the interest Gordon took in me was, so to speak, benevolent."
"But why should it be benevolent, if he had any ground for suspecting you?" Featherstone asked.
Foster glanced at him keenly. There was a change in his host's manner, which had grown less cordial, but he admitted that Featherstone's confidence was being subjected to some strain. It would certainly be disturbing to find the police inquiring about him. Lawrence had not written, and Foster saw that there was much in his statements that sounded rather lame.
"I don't understand the matter at all; but it might be better if I left quietly in the morning," he said. "If I don't put Daly on my trail again, he may come back."
"Very well," said Featherstone, getting up. "But what did you do with
Lawrence's bag?"
"I left it at a Peebles hotel. I thought if Daly found it was there, it would give him a place to watch."
Featherstone gloomily made a sign of agreement. "I wish Lawrence would write to us. We are getting anxious about him and a letter would put our minds at rest."