to the place of one
who has set everything in order for you, and before two years are up
you will have the details of the system by heart, and will, I am
convinced, be recognised as an able successor to your father."

Christopher's mouth straightened ominously. It was an unlucky slip on
Mr. Saunderson's part, but he was oblivious to it. He was indeed
incapable of appreciating the sentiment towards his late client, which
was playing so large a part against him in this tussle of wills.

Christopher heard in every word that was spoken the imperious Will
that would force him to compass its ends, even from the land of Death.
It was not wholly the unsought responsibility, the burden of the
wealth, the memory of his mother that buttressed his determination to
refuse this stupendous thing, it was also his fierce, vehement desire
to escape the enforced compliance with that still living Will-power.
Peter Masters' unwritten and unspoken word was, that he, Christopher,
should succeed him. He had left him no directions, no choice, no
request, he had relied on the Greatness of the Thing which Christopher
loathed with his whole soul, he had claimed him for this bondage with
an unuttered surety that was maddening. Minute by minute Christopher
felt his former quiet determination rise to passionate resistance and
denial of the right of that Dominant Will to drag his life into the
vortex it had made.

Quite suddenly Mr. Saunderson was aware of the strength of the
antagonism that confronted him. Unable to trace the reason of it, he
blundered on hopelessly.

"Mr. Masters was, I should say, quite aware of your natural ability.
He has had more regard for your fortunes than you probably suspect. I
have letters of his to various men concerning the starting of this
ingenious invention of yours, Patrimondi." He bustled over some papers
on the table as if searching, and did not see Christopher's sudden
backward movement: but Mr. Aston bent forward and put his hand as if
accidentally on Christopher's shoulder as he spoke:

"Never mind them, now, Mr. Saunderson. Mr. Masters was, we know,
naturally interested in that affair, but to continue your account,
what will happen if Mr. Aston refuses to accept his position? Let us
suppose for a moment there had been no clue left. What would you have
done?"

Mr. Saunderson brought the tips of his red, podgy fingers together
with great exactness.

"That is a supposition I should be sorry to entertain,