His look was now steady and penetrating, but he met one just as firm.
"You are--Gaston Robert Belward?
May I ask for further information ?" There was furtive humour playing at Gaston's mouth.

The old man's manner had been so unlike anything he had ever met, save, to an extent, in his father, that it interested him.

He replied, with keen distinctness: "You mean, why I have come--home ?" Sir William's fingers trembled on a paper-knife.

"Are you-at home ?" "I have come home to ask for my heritage--with interest compounded, sir." Sir William was now very pale.

He got to his feet, came to the young man, peered into his face, then drew back to the table and steadied himself against it.