l this money. I
couldn't possibly do with it."

Mr. Saunderson leant back in his chair with a tolerant smile as if
this were just what he would expect to hear after the shock, but Aymer
bit his lip as if face to face with some inevitable ill.

Christopher leant towards him.

"You are worrying about it, Caesar. There can't be any need to say any
more now. Of course it's out of the question my accepting it. They
can't make me a millionaire against my wishes, I suppose. Anyhow it's
a preposterous will."

"There is no will," began Caesar and then looked at the big lawyer,
"tell him," he added shortly. Mr. Saunderson cleared his throat.

"That is so. There is no will and the fortune naturally goes to the
next of kin."

"Very well, then," returned Christopher, with blunt relief. "I believe
he told me once he had a son somewhere. You had better find him. I
don't want to deprive him of his luck."

Again the embarrassing silence. Then the big lawyer got up and bowed
solemnly to Christopher.

"We have found him. Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Mr.
Masters."

Christopher wheeled round on him like a man struck.

"No!" he cried with passionate emphasis. "Caesar, it's not true. Tell
them so."

But Caesar lay very still and looked past them all, staring blankly at
the opposite wall. It seemed to Christopher the watching eyes of the
others imprisoned him, held him in subjection. He got up.

"Let me out," he muttered between his teeth, though none impeded him.
He walked across the room to the fireplace and stood with his back to
them, his hand mechanically altering the order of a procession of
black elephants that stood there.

Aymer broke the silence, speaking with clear evenness.

"Shakleton, will you take Mr. Saunderson into the library. You will
find my brother there, probably."

"Certainly, Mr. Aston. Shall I leave these?" He indicate the papers on
the table before him.

"Yes. Leave them where they are."

Mr. Saunderson rose. "You must not be alarmed, my dear sir," he said
in a forced whisper, with a glance towards Christopher, "such news
often takes a man off his feet for a while. He'll soon appreciate
it."

"No doubt. Order anything you like, Shakleton."

They were alone at last, yet Christopher did not move.

"Christopher, come to me," called Aymer quietly.

At that he turned and walked mechanically to the sofa, seating
himself, again with his elbows on his knees, and his eyes absently