d the subject was not discussable: so I kept you. I vowed
I'd never stand between your own father and you, but also that I'd
never put out a hand to bring you together. That visit you paid him,
Christopher, was the blackest time I've had since the day I realised
what I'd done. I thought I had got over my jealousy, and I had not."

Christopher leant over him and gripped his hands.

"Caesar," he said in a breathless low voice, looking him straight in
the eyes. "Caesar, there was no need of that then--there never has
been, nor could be. I have no father at all if it be not you."

CHAPTER XXIX

"It does not seem to me a very great thing to ask in the face of
things."

Mr. Saunderson dangled his eyeglasses and regarded Christopher with a
dubious air.

"I want three days to consider the matter," continued Christopher
impatiently. "Where is the difficulty? You don't seem to remember you
are asking me to give up my chosen life and work and take on a job
that I loathe."

If Mr. Saunderson's face had been capable of expressing more than
displeasure, it would have done so, but he was of no plastic build,
mind or body, and "displeasure" was the nearest he could get to active
anger.

"You have a singular way of regarding what most men would think
overpowering good luck, Mr. Masters."

Christopher turned sharply.

"You at least cannot compel me to take that name. It has never been
mine and never will be."

"Gently, gently, young man. I am willing to make every allowance for
your perturbation, but really, in speaking of my late client ..." he
stopped with a shake of the head.

"I was speaking of a name, not of him, Mr. Saunderson. However, I
apologise. Once more, will you let the whole matter stand still for
three days. I don't mean to accept the thing, you know, but I can't
argue it out now. I will meet you in town on Wednesday."

"If you insist, there is nothing more to be said of course," returned
Mr. Saunderson, huffily. "As to your refusing your own rights, that
will be less simple than you imagine, but I shall hope you will soon
view the matter in another light."

"There was no provision made in case the inheritor should refuse or
not be available?"

Christopher confronted him suddenly with the question, and the poor
man, who was as completely off his balance by Christopher's
incomprehensible reception of his tidings, as that young man himself,
was evidently confused.

"There were no instructions a