“I had some real business to do with you, Gilder, but that can wait. First of all, I would like to ask, what have you said to Miss Gwyn?” “That is entirely my business,” said Gilder. His gaze was steady; again he was completely master of himself, if not of the situation. “My business also,” said Dick, without heat. “You are aware that Miss Gwyn is engaged to my brother?” Gilder licked his dry lips. “That doesn’t really interest me,” he said. And then, after a second’s thought: “I’m going to be frank with you, Alford--we may as well clear the air. I have asked Miss Gwyn to be my wife.” “Oh, indeed?” said Dick softly. “And what had Miss Gwyn to say to that?” “You didn’t give her an opportunity of replying,” said the other, “but I rather think that there will be no difficulty in the matter.” Dick did not conceal his smile. A shrewd judge of men, he had rightly understood the situation when he had seen Arthur’s face on his return to the flat. “You mean there will be no difficulty so far as Mr. Gwyn is concerned? I admit you have an historical precedent. You are not the first lawyer who wished to marry into his master’s family.” If Dick had not been angry he would not have said this; immediately the words were out he was sorry. But Gilder took up the point quickly. “I am not a Uriah Heep,” he said, with a grim smile. “I am neither humble nor lowly.” “I’m sorry, but really I don’t think that matters very much, Gilder. Whatever Mr. Gwyn’s attitude may be, there will be a considerable difficulty in respect to Miss Gwyn--and to me.” “To you?” Gilder’s eyebrows went up and his lips curled. “Are you the lady’s--er----” “I am not engaged to Miss Gwyn, but my brother is,” said Dick evenly. “But that is not the point. I am a friend of Leslie Gwyn’s, and even if she changed her mind about marrying into my family, that would not affect the issue.” Gilder was about to speak, but Dick went on: “I don’t know what pull you have with Gwyn or what dire threats you are holding over his head.” He saw the man start, and laughed. “That went very near the mark?” he said. “But whatever influence you have, Gilder, you are not going to marry Leslie Gwyn.” Gilder’s eyes narrowed. “Is that a threat?” he asked. “You can take it as a threat or as a pleasant compliment, or any old way you choose,” said Dick, with that impish smile of his. “And now, if you don’t mind, we’ll come to business. You’ve bought a property of ours--Red Farm. You’ve paid thirty-five hundred pounds to Leonard. I have come to ask you to call off your bargain and to take five hundred profit.” “In other words, you want to buy it back, eh? Well, there’s nothing doing!” said Gilder harshly. “I intend living at Red Farm, and there isn’t a law in the land that can stop me. You may not like my presence, but that is neither here nor there. I am not living at Chelfordbury for the pleasure of seeing you every day of my life.” Dick nodded.