‘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!’