"Yes." "What was she like--to marry Mr. Masters?" "Like? Like other women," returned Aymer, shortly. Christopher looked at him sharply and realised he had committed an indiscretion--that this was a subject that might not be handled even with a velvet glove. "Explicit," he retorted lightly. "However, that's not important. Now for something of real moment." He plunged into an account of Peter's final offer to him, and his own refusal. "Why on earth did you refuse? Wasn't it good enough?" demanded Aymer curtly. "No, not with P. M. attached. Might as well take lodgings in Wormwood Scrubs--quite as much liberty. But, anyhow, Caesar, you see now what you have got to do." "Get you apartments in Wormwood Scrubs?" "No. Do be serious. Give me a laboratory here and some experimental ground. Do, there's a dear good Caesar." In reminiscence of old days he pretended to rub his head against Caesar's arm. "Ah, you invented Peter's offer to wheedle me into this. I suppose." "Exactly. Seriously, Caesar, if you would, it would be excellent. I've been thinking it out, I could work here safely. No one to crib my ideas. But I must have trial ground." "That's Nevil's affair." "Well, I undertake to manage Nevil if you are afraid," said Christopher, with an air of desperate resolve. "I thought you didn't like Marden," persisted Caesar, fighting in an unreasoning way, against his own desires, "and this engaged couple will wander round and get in the way." He looked Christopher straight in the face with scrutinising eyes, but he never flinched. "I'll put up a notice, 'Trespassers will be blown up.'" "Well, you'd better talk to St. Michael, but remember, I can't buy up the other fellows. You'd better have taken Peter's offer." "I'd much rather bore you than Mr. Masters." "I'm not complaining." That was the nearest approach he made to expressing to Christopher his deep, quiet content at the arrangement that astute young man had so skilfully suggested. St. Michael said a little more and Christopher knew without words that he had pleased them both. CHAPTER XXIV It took very little time for Christopher to establish himself in the desired manner. Indeed, before another week had passed the suggestion was an accomplished fact. After that his actual presence in the house might almost have been forgotten except by Caesar. Mr. Masters' half serious threat was like a spur to a willing steed. He spoke little of what he was doing, but the experimental ground was criss-crossed with strange-coloured roads, and the little band of men who worked for him, with the kindly indulgence of the "young master's whim," began to talk less of the fad and to nurse a bewildered wonder at the said young master's strict rule and elaborate care over little points that slow minds barely saw at all.