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A sha in there, and he finally turned toward his cousin, belatedly recalling last night’s conversation, when he’d solicited Jonathon’s assistance “Undoubtedly, she will be Meant to thank you for helping my friends and me move it, but you’d disappeared One one”

“I guess I had a bit much Not sure what happened” He was quiet a moment, then whispered, “You won’t mention that to my father, will you?”

“Of course not” Jonathon’s father, Viscount Wellswick, had raised both boys after Reginald’s parents died, though Reginald always suspected he’d have ended up in an orphanage if not for the intervention of Jonathon’sthat she was the reason their fathers had been the bitterest of eneinald’s father had been in love with her, but her fortune was needed to restore the viscountcy, so she edded to Jonathon’s father instead He often wondered if she regretted the al beyond belief, as well as a strict disciplinarian He certainly wouldn’t have approved of either of the ale with the neighborhood residents The Viscount was all about propriety Hoould look to his friends if his son and nephew stepped out of line Appearances were everything, which hy Reginald and Jonathon were expected to oversee the running of the orphanage that bore the Viscount’s name Jonathon, in line to be the next viscount and heir to the Payton estate, was expected to be there six days a week, usually stopping in after work In Reginald’sthe poor relation living under his uncle’s roof He was only expected to volunteer his tie twice a week Of course, that was in addition to the six days a week bothfor Rolls-Royce

There were no free rides in the Payton ho at a job each day built character Had the Viscount discovered Reginald had led Payton astray, he’d likely toss Reginald, his wife, and their son out on the street “Not to worry,” Reginald said, turning his attention back to the office “Your secret of drunken debauchery is safe with me”

Reginald watched thein the office, the faces of the tners, Rolls and Royce, looking drawn, the loss weighing on them The stolen car, named the Gray Ghost for the col

or of the body and the quietness of the forty-fifty engine, had been kept a secret froht try to steal their ideas Apparently, it had never occurred to theht steal the entire car Payton’s father, the Viscount, had offered the fa it with its custo to enter it into the Olyinald and Jonathon had discussed the idea that the vehicle would bearound the factory, stealing plans Jonathon, however, was the one who’d presented it “Tough break, this happening on your watch, don’t you think?” Reginald said

“Quite I expect they’ll sack me for it”

“Have they said anything to you?”

“No,” Payton whispered, his face paling as Mr Rolls shook the officer’s hand, then escorted him out the door

Mr Royce stepped out after theht at Jonathon “Do you have a moment?”

“Right away, sir” Jonathon Payton rose, not looking at his cousin as he walked toward the office

“Close the door”

“Yes, sir” He shut the door behind him