"Very well. I did find him disturbed once or twice. Perhaps you knew
he had some difficulties in Paris."

"I knew about the girl," Hulton answered grimly. "I found that out not
long since; she was a clever adventuress. But I don't know where Fred
got the money he sent her. Did you lend it him?"

"I lent him some," Featherstone admitted, hesitatingly. "He told me
afterwards she had promised to make no further claim, and I understand
she kept her word."

Hulton turned to the treasurer. "You will see Mr. Featherstone about
this to-morrow. I've cleared up another point; Fred was not being
urged to send more money." Then he asked Foster: "Do you know if he
had any other dangerous friends?"

"There was Daly. They were friends, in a way, and I wouldn't trust the
fellow. Still, I don't know how far his influence went, and imagine
Fred hadn't much to do with him for some months. Besides, Daly wasn't
at the Crossing when----"

Hulton said nothing for the next few moments and Foster mused. Fred
Hulton had been very likable, in spite of certain weaknesses, and he
thought it cost his father something to talk about him as he did.
Hulton, however, seldom showed what he felt and would, no doubt, take
the line he thought best with a stoic disregard of the pain it might
cause. He rested his elbow on the table, as if he were tired, and sat
very quiet with his chin on his hand, until he asked Featherstone: