Another possibility was, that Kirkwood had wormed himself into Michael’s complete confidence.  From Joseph’s point of view, subtle machinations were naturally attributed to the young man—­whose appearance proved him anything but a commonplace person.  The situation was full of obscurities and dangers.  From Scawthorne Joseph received an assurance that the whole of the Australian property had been capitalised and placed in English investments; also, that the income was regularly drawn and in some way disposed of; the manner of such disposal being kept private between old Mr. Percival and his client.

In the meantime family discussions in the Close had brought to Joseph’s knowledge a circumstance regarding Kirkwood which interested him in a high degree.  When talking of Sidney’s character, it was natural that the Peckovers should relate the story of his relations with Clara Hewett.

‘Clara?’ exclaimed Mr. Snowdon, as if struck by the name.  ‘Disappeared, has she?  What sort of a girl to look at?’

Clem was ready with a malicious description, whereto her husband attended very carefully.  He mused over it, and proceeded to make inquiries about Clara’s family.  The Hewetts were now living in another part of Clerkenwell, but there was no hostility between them and the Peckovers.  Was anything to be gained by keeping up intimacy with them?  Joseph, after further musing, decided that it would be just as well to do so; suppose Clem called upon them and presented the husband of whom she was so proud?  He would like, if possible, to hear a little more about their daughter; an idea he had—­never mind exactly what.  So this call was paid, and in a few weeks Joseph had established an acquaintance with John Hewett.

Sidney, on his part, had a difficulty in coming to definite conclusions respecting Jane’s father.  Of course he was prejudiced against the man, and though himself too little acquainted with the facts of the case to distinguish Joseph’s motives, he felt that the middle-aged prodigal’s return was anything but a fortunate event for Michael and his granddaughter.  The secret marriage with Clem was not likely, in were not lacking grounds for hesitation in refusing to accept any case, to have a respectable significance.  True, there Joseph’s account of himself.  He had a fund of natural amiability; he had a good provision of intellect; his talk was at times very persuasive and much like that of one who has been brought to a passable degree of honesty by the slow development of his better instincts.  But his face was against him; the worn, sallow features, the eyes which so obviously made a struggle to look with frankness, the vicious lower lip, awoke suspicion and told tales of base experience such as leaves its stamp upon a man for ever.  All the more repugnant was this face to Sidney because it presented, in certain aspects, an undeniable resemblance to Jane’s; impossible to say which feature put forth this claim of kindred, but the impression was there, and it made Sidney turn away his eyes in disgust as often as he perceived it.  He strove, however, to behave with friendliness, for it was Michael’s desire that he should do so.  That Joseph was using every opportunity of prying into his thoughts, of learning the details of his history, he soon became perfectly conscious; but he knew of nothing that he need conceal.