‘By Jove, Ned, I’d no idea you were such a swell as this!’ said Gurth, looking about him. ‘It isn’t a bad crib,’ answered Marston quietly; ‘but I’m looking about for an estate in the country; I’m tired of town life. I want to get among the county families, you know, and run for the House as a Tory squire.’ Gurth stared first, and then he burst out laughing. ‘What a chap you are, Ned,’ he exclaimed; ‘why you talk as if you were a millionaire.’ ‘All right, my boy,’ answered Marston, rising, and standing with his back to the fireplace; ‘chaff away. You’ve seen me at the bottom of the tree, I know, but if you live long enough you’ll see me at the top.’ Something in Marston’s manner checked the smile that came to Gurth’s lip. ‘I hope so,’ he said. ‘I’m sure I shall be very glad, for the sake of old times. But while you are climbing up your tree, perhaps you wouldn’t mind doing me a service.’ ‘Name it.’ ‘Well, I particularly want Josh Heckett’s present address.’ ‘How should I know? I saw him once after I returned, that’s all.’ ‘He’s left Little Queer Street.’ ‘Has he, indeed?’ said Marston quite unconcernedly. ‘Why are you so anxious to find him? Do you want to make him a present, or to chat over old times?’ ‘Neither; I want to see him about the child.’ ‘Ah,’ said Marston, ‘pricking of conscience, eh? I always thought, considering all things, you might have done something for Gertie’s young un.’ ‘What do you mean by “considering all things “?’ ‘As if you didn’t know that Gertie is Ralph’s child!’ Gurth’s face went suddenly pale, and his lips trembled as he stammered out some unintelligible words. Marston was utterly astonished at the effect his remark had produced, and he instantly suspected there was some secret connected with Gertie the discovery of which Gurth had reason to dread. Perhaps Ralph had left her something in his will But whatever Marston thought, he was too good a diplomatist to say anything. He waited till Gurth had recovered his composure and pretended not to notice his confusion. ‘That’s all nonsense,’ said Gurth, with an effort. ‘I’m quite sure you’re wrong.’ ‘Very likely,’ answered Marston. ‘It was only an idea of mine—a passing fancy. What is it you want to know about the child, now?’ Gurth hesitated. He was inclined to believe that Marston’s story about Ruth was a pure fabrication. Still he hardly liked to say that he wanted to see Heckett on behalf of Gertie’s new friend. ‘What do I want to know about the child?’ he said, after a pause. ‘Oh, nothing much. I only wanted to see if I could do anything for her. She struck me as being a very intelligent little thing.’ ‘Very,’ answered Marston; ‘but she in very good hands now. Ruth is as good as a mother to her.’ The familiar use of the Christian name grated on Gurth’s ears. ‘Yes; but I presume Miss Adrian does not propose to keep her always, and I thought——’