He was, however, somewhat surprised when one came towards him and he recognized the girl he had met at Hawick station.  He had hardly expected her to claim his acquaintance, as she obviously meant to do.

“You seem to be fond of Edinburgh,” she remarked, sitting down at his table.

“It’s an interesting city.  I’m a stranger and ignorant of your etiquette; but would I be permitted to send for some cakes and tea?”

“I think not,” she answered, smiling.  “For one thing, I must go in a minute.”

Foster waited.  The girl had good manners, and he thought it unlikely that she was willing to begin a flirtation with a man she did not know; besides she had stopped him sending for the tea.  She was pretty, and had a certain air of refinement, but it was a dainty prettiness that somehow harmonized with the exotic luxury of the room.  This was a different thing from Alice Featherstone’s rather stately beauty, which found an appropriate background in the dignified austerity of the Garth.

“Are you enjoying your stay here?” she resumed.  “I begin to think I’ve had enough.  The climate’s not very cheerful, and the people seem suspicious about strangers.”

“The Scots are proverbially cautious,” she answered carelessly, but Foster thought he saw a gleam of interest in her eyes.  “I suppose somebody has been bothering you with questions?”

“Yes; as I’m of a retiring character, it annoys me.  Besides, I really think it’s quite unjustified.  Do I look dangerous?”

“No,” she said with a twinkle, “if you did, I shouldn’t have ventured to speak to you.  On the contrary, you have a candid air that ought to banish distrust.  Of course, I don’t know if it’s deceptive.”

“You have to know people for some time before you understand them, but, on the whole, I imagine I’m harmless,” Foster replied.  “That’s what makes it galling.  If I had, for example, a part in some dark plot, I couldn’t resent being watched.  As it happens, I merely want to get as much innocent pleasure as possible out of a holiday, and feel vexed when people won’t let me.”

The girl gave him a quick, searching look, and then said carelessly, “One can sympathize with you; it is annoying to be watched.  But after all, Edinburgh’s rather dull just now, and the cold winds are trying to strangers.”

“Is this a hint that I ought to go away?”

“Do you take hints?” she asked with a smile.  “Somehow I imagine you’re rather an obstinate man.  I suppose you took the packet to Newcastle?”

“I did,” Foster admitted in an apologetic voice.  “You see, I promised to deliver the thing.”

“And, of course, you kept your word!  Well, that was very nice of you, but I wouldn’t make any rash promises while you stay in this country.  Sometimes they lead one into difficulties.  But I must go.”

She left him with a friendly smile, and he sat down again in a thoughtful mood.  It looked as if she had had an object in talking to him, and she had learned that he had gone to Newcastle and had since been watched.  He gathered that she thought the things had some connection, though her remarks were guarded.  Then she had given him another hint, which he meant to act upon.