And now he was actually junior partner in the firm--the firm of which it was said in the City, "If a man has Macnaughton, Macnaughton, Macnaughton, Macnaughton & Macnaughton behind him, he is all right." The City is always coining pithy little epigrams like this. There was a knock at the door of the inquiry office and a prosperous-looking gentleman came in. "Can I see Mr Macnaughton," he said politely to the office-boy. "There isn't no Mr Macnaughton," replied the latter. "They all died years ago." "Well, well, can I see one of the partners?" "You can't see Mr Sanderson, because he's having his lunch," said the boy. "Mr Thorpe hasn't come back from lunch yet, Mr Peters has just gone out to lunch, Mr Williams is expected back from lunch every minute, Mr Gourlay went out to lunch an hour ago, Mr Beamish--" "Tut, tut, isn't anybody in?" "Mr Blunt is in," said the boy, and took up the telephone. "If you wait a moment I'll see if he's awake." Half an hour later Mr Masters was shown into John Blunt's room. "I'm sorry I was engaged," said John. "A most important client. Now, what can I do for you, Mr--er--Masters?" "I wish to make my will." "By all means," said John cordially. "I have only one child, to whom I intend to leave all my money." "Ha!" said John, with a frown. "This will be a lengthy and difficult business." "But you can do it?" asked Mr Masters anxiously. "They told me at the hairdresser's that Macnaughton, Macnaughton, Macnaughton, Macnaughton & Macnaughton was the cleverest firm in London." "We can do it," said John simply, "but it will require all our care; and I think it would be best if I were to come and stay with you for the week-end. We could go into it properly then." "Thank you," said Mr Masters, clasping the other's hand. "I was just going to suggest it. My motor-car is outside. Let us go at once." "I will follow you in a moment," said John, and pausing only to snatch a handful of money from the safe for incidental expenses, and to tell the boy that he would be back on Monday, he picked up the well-filled week-end bag which he always kept ready, and hurried after the other. Inside the car Mr Masters was confidential. "My daughter," he said, "comes of age to-morrow." "Oh, it's a daughter?" said John, in surprise. "Is she pretty?" "She is considered to be the prettiest girl in the county." "Really?" said John. He thought a moment, and added, "Can we stop at a post-office? I must send an important business telegram." He took out a form and wrote: "Macmacmacmacmac, London. Shall not be back till Wednesday.--BLUNT." The car stopped and then sped on again. "Amy has never been any trouble to me," said Mr Masters, "but I am getting old now, and I would give a thousand pounds to see her happily married." "To whom would you give it," asked John, whipping out his pocket-book. "Tut, tut, a mere figure of speech. But I would settle a hundred thousand pounds on her on the wedding-day."