He held out a blank signed cheque. 171
Christopher looked from one to the other. It was the dream of his life to possess a motor, but this free gift of one was overwhelming.
“Of course,” went on Cæsar hastily, “I shan’t give you a birthday present too. It’s to get out of that, you understand. You are twenty-one, aren’t you? And it’s only half mine, the other half is from St. Michael. I don’t know where your manners are, Christopher; I thought I had brought you up to be polite. Go and thank the gentleman nicely.”
Christopher turned to Mr. Aston, but he was beyond words. He could only look his overwhelming gratitude.
“It’s not I,” said that gentleman, hastily. “I only told Cæsar I’d like to go shares—the lamps or bells or something. Get a good horn with a good rich tone.”
Christopher took the cheque with shaking fingers.
“I can’t thank you, Cæsar, it’s too big. Why didn’t you let me earn it?”
“I wanted to prove to you the justice of Sam’s opinion of me. Hurry up; you’ll miss your train if there is one at this hour at all.”
“You’ve not filled up the cheque.”
“Not I. From what I know of your business methods you’ll get what you want at half the price I should. I’m not going to let St. Michael fling away good money.”