"I'm afraid they were getting at you. A man may be a creditable inventor, and a good, all-round engineer without being able to hold a candle to Edison. Are you looking for an automobile?" "No; as I told you at first, I am looking for J. E. Sterling." "I was going to say that I am not yet prepared to supply cars. I do repairing and that sort of thing, merely to keep the wolf from the door, and leave me a little surplus to expend in my business. My real work, however, is experimenting, and when I am able to turn out a machine that satisfies me, my next business will be to form a company, for one can't do anything in this trade without capital." "The competition must be intense." "It is, but there's always room for a first-rate article, and the production of a first-rate article is my ambition." "Is that your work in the window?" "Yes." "Does it come up to your expectations?" The young man's face grew serious; his brow wrinkled almost into a frown, and he remained silent for a few moments. "Well, I can't exactly say that it does," he answered at last, "still, I think the faults I have found can be remedied with a little patience. On the other hand, I fear the improvement I have put in this car may not be as great as I thought when I was working at it." Lord Stranleigh looked at the young man with evident approval; his frankness and honesty commended themselves to him. "Do you mind showing me your improvement and explaining its function?" "Not at all. You will remember, however, that this exhibition is confidential, for I have not yet patented the mechanism." "I shall not mention to anyone what you show me. You asked me a moment ago if I wished to buy an automobile, and I said I did not. I have made a little money in my time, but mostly, it seems to me, by flukes. I do not pretend to be a business man, yet such is the conceit of humanity that I wish to invest some of my money to back my own judgment. If I lose the cash, it won't cripple me to any appreciable extent. On the other hand, should the investment prove satisfactory, I shall have more faith in my judgment than has hitherto been the case. In any event, I promise to assist you in the formation of your company." "That's all right!" cried the young engineer, with enthusiasm. "My own judgment of men is frequently at fault, but somehow I'd stake my bottom dollar on you. Come over to the window, and I'll show you how the wheels go round." The two men approached the car in the window, and as they did so a third person on the pavement outside stopped suddenly, and regarded them with evident astonishment. Neither of those inside saw him, but if one or the other had looked through the glass, he would have recognised the sinister face of Wentworth Parkes who, having satisfied himself as to the visitor's identity, turned away and retraced his steps.