oundaries of Aston House
he glanced at the small fellow-citizen gazing through the
railings--rather compassionately, be it said--for he knew for certain
the boy inside was longing to get through the gate. That one glance
carried him beyond the gate, but he suddenly spun round on his heel,
collided with an indignant lady laden with parcels, and stared hard at
Christopher. Christopher stared hard at him. Then the boy outside went
on his way.

"Jolly like Jim," he ruminated, "but a swell toff, I reckon. Poor
little kid."

Christopher, after one shout as the boy went on, tore back through the
garden towards the entrance gate, meaning to intercept him there. Such
at least was his laudable intention, but half way there his pace
slackened; he stood irresolute, kicking a loose stone in the gravel
path, and finally strolled off to the stable yard to feed his
guinea-pigs.

He was preoccupied and thoughtful for the rest of that day. Mr. Aston
was absent, and when evening came and Christopher was still a prey to
harassing ideas he decided he must appeal to Caesar even at the cost of
disregarding Mr. Aston's prohibition. He came to this decision as he
lay in his usual position on the hearth-rug and was goaded thereto by
the approach of bed time.

"Caesar, could anyone be taken to prison for something he had done ever
so long ago--I mean for--for stealing, and things like that?"

"Yes, if he had not been already tried for it. Why do you ask?"

"And if anyone met the person suddenly who had done something would
they have to give him up?" persisted Christopher.

Aymer regarded him curiously. He had an unreasonable impulse to check
the coming revelation, as he might the unguarded confidence of a weak
man, but common-sense prevailed.

"It would depend on circumstances entirely, and the relationship of
the two. Are you wanted, Christopher?" he asked in a matter-of-fact
tone.

"I was," returned Christopher slowly. "That's why we left London, you
know. It was Marley Sartin. He took me out with him. You see," he
broke off parenthetically, "I stayed with Martha, that's Mrs. Sartin,
all the day while mother took care of a gentleman's house, and
sometimes Marley was there, and he taught me things."

"What things?"

Christopher shifted his position a bit, and tossed a piece of wood
into the fire.

"Oh, lots of things," he repeated at last, "tricks, and how not to
answer, and how to avoid coppers and how to get money. Mother said