‘You don’t mean it?’
‘I do, my boy, seriously. If you want a field for your benevolence you must look elsewhere. I object to your adopting Gertie—or Ruth. You’ll excuse me now, won’t you? I’m going out of town by the afternoon train.’
Gurth Egerton took the hint and his departure, more than ever unable to make his old comrade out.
Marston went down, by the afternoon train to Dover, where he had an important appointment; and on the journey he began to think about Gurth.
‘He’s sweet on Ruth, evidently,’ he thought. ‘If this job comes off right, I must go in and win at once. With a wife like that it will be my own fault if I don’t go ahead. Fancy Gurth trying to cut me out there! How strangely things come about!’
From Gurth and Ruth, Marston’s thoughts wandered to Gertie. He was morally certain she was Ralph’s child. But of course Gurth was not responsible for that, and there was no proof. Why was Garth so upset by what he said? He had at any rate found out a weak point in his rival’s armour, and he was not the man to lose sight of the fact if it ever came to fighting.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
SMITH AND CO. START IN A NEW LINE.
Mr. Edward Marston was taking the air at Dover. He had left town for the benefit of his health. One morning, walking upon the pier, whom should he meet but Mr. Brooks, formerly the manager of Smith and Co.
‘Ah, how do you do?’ said Mr. Marston. ‘Staying here?’
‘Yes, for a little while,’ answered Mr. Brooks.