"Yes. I shouldn’t wonder if he got me the crib. He has to be away a great deal, and though there’s a capable comprador, they seem to think a European ought to be on the spot. I wish you were coming too." "I should like it. It’s a lift for you, Pidge, and I’m glad." Errington talked on in his impulsive way about what he would do, and how he would make things hum, while Burroughs listened and said little. He had already made up his mind to go with Errington if possible; scarcely confessing it even to himself, he wanted to keep an eye on his friend when he came directly under the influence of the German; but he did not wish to hint at the possibility of arranging a transfer for himself until he had spoken to his father. Late that night, when the rest had retired, he went to his father’s study. "Well, Ted, what is it?" said Mr. Burroughs, looking up from some papers. "I’d like to go up with Pidge if you can manage it, Dad," replied the boy, coming straight to the point. "You would, eh? What an excitable fellow he is, Ted! He talked about nothing else at dinner--or hardly anything, and it’s all done so pleasantly you can’t resent it. Well, you want to go: any particular reason?" "Well, you see, we’ve always been together, and ... Dad, why do people dislike Reinhardt?" "Off at a tangent, aren’t you? I think it’s a case of ’I do not like thee, Dr. Fell; the reason why I cannot tell.’ Some say he’s got a brute of a temper behind his pleasant manner, and he’s rather fond of cards; but I never heard any definite charge against him." "Well, I detest the fellow, and I don’t like to think of Pidge constantly in his company. You’ve seen enough of Pidge to know what I mean, dad, so I’m not giving him away. He’s a jolly good sort, the best of pals, wouldn’t do a dirty trick to any one; but he’s hasty, makes friends too easily, thinks every one is as decent as himself----" "In short, you think he wants looking after." "Oh, I’m not ass enough to want to hold him on a lead; but I do think if I were with him I might be useful. You see, if Reinhardt is a bad egg, and Pidge finds it out, he’ll never look at him again--if he doesn’t give him a kicking by way of good-bye. If I’m on the spot, I can keep my eye on the fellow, and perhaps open Pidge’s eyes in time. Can’t you shift me to your branch there?" "You would have gone there anyhow in course of time, so if you’re set on it I shan’t raise any objection. It won’t do you any harm to be in charge of a branch, and with Sing Wen there--a capital fellow--you won’t have the chance to make many mistakes. We’ll consider that settled, then." "Thanks, Dad; I thought you’d agree. Pidge will be glad: he said he wished I was coming too." "He won’t resent the curb, eh?" "He won’t feel it if I can help it. He’s very touchy, and I learnt a lesson on the boat. Good-night, Dad."