r scheme, and
I'll be your debtor for life."

Mr. Saunderson smiled faintly.

But on that understanding they ultimately parted.

"My own belief is," said Mr. Aston when he was giving an account of
the interview to Aymer, "that Mr. Saunderson means to do nothing at
all and is only giving Christopher time. Also, though he persistently
denies it, I believe he _has_ instructions behind him. We know Peter
had an immense belief in Time and never hurried his schemes."

Aymer moved restlessly.

"And you share his belief?"

"I believe in the long run Christopher will do the thing he is meant
to do and neither you nor I, old fellow, can say what that is. You
have taught him to follow the highest Road he can, see, and I tell you
again, as I have before, you must leave it at that."

CHAPTER XXXIII

Thus by tacit consent did the whole question of Peter Masters' Fortune
and the Refusal slip into the background of the lives of those mostly
concerned, and only for Christopher did that background colour all the
present and alter the perspective of his outlook.

He told Aymer plainly that it was a bitter thought to him to be
indebted to Peter Masters for even a share of the Patrimondi success.

"According to Saunderson he must have subsidised the Exhibition
people," he said moodily.

"It was a very excellent advertisement."

"It meant he had his own way and left me indebted to him when I had
refused his help."

"Good heavens, what a mercy you two were not flung together earlier in
life!"

Christopher faced him abruptly.

"Am I so like him then?"

"Absurdly so. Your own way and no one else to interfere."

Christopher was silent for a while, but presently he said in a low
voice, "That's not quite true, Caesar, is it? You can interfere as much
as you like."

"I'd be sorry to try."

Again Christopher was silent, but his face softened. He thought of how
the personality and jealous love of this man to whom he owed so much
had stood between him and Patricia and how he felt no shadow of
resentment at it.

"I think I shall adopt Max when he leaves school," remarked Caesar
languidly, "he'll let me manage him in my own way till he is an
octogenarian."

"Caesar, you have no discrimination at all. Once you wanted to adopt
Sam, now Max. Both as pliable as elastic, and as unmalleable."

"I've a great affection for Max."

"So have I. Is Nevil going to give him to Patrimondi?"

"No, to me."

"Honestly?"

Ayme