ter of millions, and though he invariably crept
through villages and towns sedately and drove with an eye for
crossroads and distant specks on the white track before him, they
swept through the open country with a breathless rush.

How good it would have gone alone, Christopher thought savagely, and
resentment rose high in his heart. He was going to meet Patricia for
the first time with understanding eyes. In the past months his love
had grown with steady insistence until the imperious voice of spring,
singing in concord with it, had overridden the decision of his
stubborn will, demanding surrender, clamorous for recognition, and now
having allowed the claim he was again forced back on the unsolved
question of his own history. It was as if some imp of mischief had
coupled his love to the Past, and had left him without knowledge to
loose the secret knot. The silence became intolerable for fear of the
next words that might break it from his companion. It would be better
to take control himself--so he slackened speed a little and had the
satisfaction of hearing Peter Masters heave a relieved sigh.

"The roads here need re-making," as they proceeded bumpily over a
rather bad piece of ground.

"For motors?"

"For everything. A road should be easy going for motors, horses, and
foot-passengers. Easy and safe."

"How would you do it?"

"A raised causeway for walkers; a road for carriages, and a track for
motors. It only means so many yards more and there is plenty of land.
Look at that turf--four yards of it. Might as well be road."

"What are you going to make your roads of?"

Christopher took a deep breath; the pace of the car increased a
little.

"That has to be found--will be found. It is a question of time."

"And you mean to find it?"

"A good many people mean to find it."

Masters shook his head.

"It won't pay you so well as iron, Master Christopher. My offer is
still open."

Christopher was so surprised that he nearly swerved into an unfenced
pond they were passing.

"It was very kind of you to make it again," Christopher managed to
stammer out, adding with a bluntness worthy of Masters himself, "I
never could understand why you made it at all."

"Neither do I," returned Peter Masters with a laugh, "and I generally
know what I'm at. Perhaps I thought it would please Aymer. As I told
you just now, we were friends before his accident. I suppose you've
heard all about that?"

For a brief moment Chr