Foster laughed.  Pete’s methods were too primitive, although, in his strong hands, the fork would prove a dangerous weapon.

“I don’t expect you’d be able to help much if I’m not back when I said.  But you can walk along the street now and then, and notice anybody who leaves the building.”

He went in and set his lips as he climbed the stairs, for he imagined he would need all the tact and coolness he possessed.  He had been made the tool of people who thought him an unsuspecting simpleton, but was uncertain how far it would be safe to trade upon this view of his character, although he meant to do so to some extent.  There might be an advantage in hinting that he knew a little about their business; but he must make no mistakes.  His steps echoed hollowly along the top landing and there was something daunting in the gloom, for the gas had not yet been lighted and the building was very quiet.  It was possible that he had started on this adventure with a rashness as great as his folly in undertaking Carmen’s errand, but he carried Alice Featherstone’s glove and it was unthinkable that he should turn back.

There was nobody in the outer office when he opened the door, but after he had knocked once or twice a voice he recognized told him to come in and he strolled carelessly into Graham’s room.  Sitting down, he offered his cigarette case to Graham, who glanced at him with some surprise but took a cigarette while Foster lighted another.  It would be easier to look languidly indifferent if he could smoke.  Graham pushed aside some papers on his desk as if impatient at being disturbed.  He was dressed and looked like a sober business man, and Foster admitted that it was ridiculous to imagine him to be anything else.

“I’m rather busy just now,” he said.  “For all that, if I can be of any use to you, Mr. ——­”

Foster thought he overdid it by pretending to forget his name, but he smiled.

“Foster.  You’ll recollect I brought you a packet, and as I’m going back to Canada soon, I imagined I might take Miss Austin or Daly a reply.  You can see that they thought me a reliable messenger.”

“Miss Austin obviously did so,” Graham admitted.

“Doesn’t this imply that Daly shared her good opinion?” Foster asked.

Graham glanced at him sharply and then picked up a letter and studied it, but Foster imagined he wanted time to think.  He had made the plunge and indicated that he knew more than the other supposed; but the rest needed care.

“You expect to meet Daly when you get back to Canada?” Graham inquired, and Foster, who saw that he was cautious, wondered whether he was alarmed.

“Oh, no; I expect to meet him before I start.”

“You imply that he’s in England.”

“Don’t you know he is?” Foster rejoined.

Graham knocked the ash off his cigarette and looked at him curiously.  His appearance was commonplace, he had a slight stoop, and was not muscular, but Foster felt he might prove dangerous.