“I wish to see Mr. J. E. Sterling,” he said.
“My name is Sterling,” replied the younger man, putting down his tools, and coming forward.
“I understood,” went on Stranleigh, “that there was a Sterling Motor Car Company.”
“There will be,” answered the young man confidently, “but that’s in the sweet by and by. It hasn’t materialised so far. What can I do for you?”
“Well, you can give me some information regarding J. E. Sterling. I want to learn if it tallies with what I have heard.”
The young man laughed.
“It depends on who has been talking about me. I daresay you have been told things that might require explanation.”
“I heard nothing but praise,” his lordship assured him. “It was said you were the true successor of Thomas Alva Edison.”
Sterling laughed even more heartily than before.