“I didn’t know you were coming here,” she said.

“Nor did I, in a sense,” Foster answered with a smile.  “I mean I didn’t know it was your house.”

“My name was on the label of the bag and rather conspicuous.”

“It would have meant nothing if I had seen it.  In fact, I must own I don’t know it now.”

The girl looked puzzled, and Foster explained that he had come with a packet, but had merely been given Graham’s name and the number of the house.  He added that he had found he must look for the man in Newcastle.

“Then you are a friend of Mr. Austin’s?” she said.

Foster thought it strange that she had not told him she knew Austin when she asked about the Crossing, but he replied:  “I’m a friend of Miss Austin’s.”

“Ah!” she said thoughtfully; “do you mind explaining what you mean by that?”

“Perhaps it’s hardly worth while, but I can’t claim that Austin and I are particularly friendly.  Our business interests sometimes clash.”

She was silent for a few moments, and he wondered why both she and the man had been curious to know how far his acquaintance with Austin went.  Then she looked up with a quick movement.  “Newcastle is not a charming town, and if you have no other reason for going there, it might be better to post the packet.”

Foster was somewhat puzzled.  She had spoken meaningly, as if she meant to give him a hint.

“The trouble is that I promised Miss Austin to deliver it.”

“You have brought it to England,” she persisted.   “It will be safe in
the post------”

She stopped with a glance at the door, and Foster heard a step in the passage.  Then she quietly turned to the man who had taken the packet.

“I would have missed the train at Hawick but for this gentleman’s help,” she said.  “Still, I did not know he was coming here until I saw him as I passed the door.”

The other, who had looked at her rather sharply, nodded and gave Foster the packet.

“As there was room enough, I wrote the new address on the cover.”

Foster thanked him and took his leave, but as the man went before him to the door the girl made a sign.

“Post it,” she whispered and turned back into the room.

After leaving the house Foster walked along the road in a thoughtful mood.  The girl was apparently the man’s daughter or niece.  Their relative ages warranted the surmise, and her quick explanation of how she came to be talking to a stranger indicated that she recognized his authority, while Foster thought she had been disturbed when she heard his step.  It was strange that she should urge him to post the packet, and he would sooner have done so, but it was not a long journey to Newcastle and he must keep his promise.  Then he saw a tram-car coming and dismissed the matter.