Mark led the way into the study, where a table was already laid, and waved his hand toward the largest of the armchairs. "You take the seat of honour, Colin," he said. "It's a privilege we always keep for distinguished strangers." "There's no need to rub it in," objected Colin. "I should have looked you up ages ago if it hadn't been for my devotion to duty. This is the first holiday I've had since I went to the Professor's." "How are you getting on?" asked Nancy. "Up to the present," replied Colin modestly, "I think I have given what they call complete satisfaction." "What's the old man like?" demanded Mark. "Easy to live with?" Colin hesitated. "It all depends," he answered. "We've managed to hit it off well enough, but then I've rather gone out of my way to humour his little weaknesses. He's one of the sort that you've just got to take or leave. As long as you do exactly what he wants he's kindness itself. If any one tried to oppose him or contradict him I should think he could be distinctly unpleasant." "There must be a lot of people about like that," said Nancy. "At least, I seem to have run up against a good few." "And how do you stand with regard to the job?" inquired Mark. "I suppose he doesn't let you into more secrets than he can possibly help?" "Oh, yes, he does," replied Colin. "He lets me into everything. I've soaked up so much knowledge the last three weeks that I'm beginning to wonder whether there's anything left to learn." Mark gazed at him with a certain amount of incredulity. "Do you mean to say that if he died to-morrow you would be in a position to carry on his work?" "I'd have a damn good shot at it, anyway," declared Colin. "Of course, I haven't a quarter of his ability, but he's discussed all his ideas with me, and explained them in such detail that if I couldn't make something or other out of them I should be next door to an idiot." Mark turned to Nancy and nodded his head. "It's panning out just as I prophesied," he said sadly. "We sha'n't see much more of him at Shadwell. Before we can look round he'll be splashing about in a Rolls-Royce and----" His prediction was cut short by the sudden appearance of Martha Jane, who lurched in through the doorway carrying a large tray and breathing somewhat heavily from her exertions. "I vote that we adjourn the discussion of my future," suggested Colin, as they pulled up their chairs round the table. "It's your private affairs that interest me, Mark. As the person responsible for the engagement I want to know whether you are pleased with your new assistant." Nancy, who had seated herself in front of the tray, paused with the teapot in mid-air. "This is very embarrassing," she observed. "Hadn't I better leave the room for a few moments?"