r. Cladsley's a good sort if she would only make up her
mind."

"I gathered his job would be up soon and I thought I might find
another for him if it's all straight with them. That's why I came to
see you."

Sam appeared still reluctant.

"It's all beastly stuck-up pride on your part," concluded Christopher
after more argument. "I expect you'll cut me next; you are getting too
prosperous, Mr. Sartin."

But they parted good friends, and the car re-threaded its way through
the crowded streets out into a meaner, more deserted neighbourhood,
till at length they emerged on a long empty straight road with small
yellow brick houses on either side, as yet uninhabited.

"What's the engaging young grocer's name?" asked Masters abruptly.

"Sartin--Sam Sartin."

"Known him long?"

"We were children together."

"Relations, perhaps?"

"No."

"Why did he call you Jim?"

"I used to be Jim."

"James Aston?"

"No."

"What then?"

"I've forgotten," said Christopher very deliberately.

Mr. Masters laughed genially. "I like a good liar. You don't want to
tell me anything about yourself. Very likely you are wise, but all the
same I am very curious to know all about you--who you are, and how you
came to the Astons, and who was your mother, and when and where Aymer
met her. You see," he added confidentially, "I used to be about with
Aymer a good bit and I thought I knew all----" He stopped abruptly. If
he were being purposely tactless he realised he had gone far enough.

"I do not think Aymer ever met my mother. I am certain you haven't.
Mr. Aston used to know her, and suggested Aymer's adopting me when he
heard I was left stranded in a workhouse. I was just a workhouse boy.
Now, are you satisfied as to my private history, sir?"

"No," retorted the inquisitor good-humouredly as ever, "you must have
had a father, you know."

"It seems possible. I do not remember him."

He began to resign himself to fate and this Juggernaut of a man who
rolled other people's feelings flat with no more compunction than a
traction engine.

"Fathers are useful. You may want to remember, some-day."

"I'm quite satisfied at present."

"I'm not suggesting you have anything to complain of. Aymer doesn't do
things by halves. Christopher is as much a family name as Aston, for
example."

Something in his tone caught Christopher's attention and he looked at
him sharply. Peter Masters was gazing straight before him with that
same cynical