usual health and spirits? Mr. Percival is in my confidence, and we can
talk without reserve."

"Yes, sir; I never found him morbid, and he was cheerful when I saw him
late that night."

"In fact, you were surprised when you heard what happened soon after
you left?" Hulton suggested in a quiet voice.

"I was shocked. But, if I catch your meaning, I was puzzled
afterwards, and had better say I see no light yet."

"Is this how you feel about it?" Hulton asked Foster.

"It is," said Foster, noting the man's stern calm, and Hulton turned to
Percival.

"That's my first point! These men knew my son."

Then he looked at Featherstone. "Fred went with you now and then on
hunting and prospecting trips, and that probably led to a certain
intimacy. You say he was never morbid; did you ever find him anxious
or disturbed?"

Featherstone pondered. Fred Hulton, who was younger, had spent a year
or two in Europe before he entered the factory. He had moreover told
Featherstone about some trouble he had got into there, but the latter
could not tell how much his father knew.

"You can talk straight," Hulton resumed. "I guess I won't be shocked."