"Right away down town; next door, as you might say, to the river front."
"Very good; we'll go there. Just drive past Mr. Sterling's place, for if I do not like the look of it I shall not go in."
By and by they turned into Woodward Avenue, and raced down town at a speed which Stranleigh thought must surely exceed the legal limit, if there was one. Woodbridge Street proved to be crowded with great lumbering trucks, loaded with vegetables for the most part, and among these vehicles the chauffeur threaded his way cautiously. They passed a small, rather insignificant shop, above whose window was painted--
"J. E. STERLING. Motor Engineer. Repairs promptly executed. Satisfaction guaranteed."
When the chauffeur came to a halt a little further on, Stranleigh said--
"The place doesn't look very inviting, but as Mr. Sterling guarantees satisfaction, I think it but right to call upon him. I sha'n't need you any more to-day."
The door being open, Stranleigh walked in unannounced. A two-seated runabout, evidently brand new, stood by the window, where it could be viewed by passers-by. Further down the room rested a chassis, over which two men, one middle-aged and the other probably twenty-five, were bending, with tools in their hands. They were dressed in grease-stained blue overalls, and they looked up as Stranleigh entered.
"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."
"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.
"I'm afraid they were getting at you. A man may be a creditable inventor, and a good, all-round engineer without being able to hold a candle to Edison. Are you looking for an automobile?"