Frederik came in, and went to his place at the desk. He had heard the last words, and saw his father now, for once, in a state of excitement. Rolandsen thrust his hand into his pocket, where the telegrams lay, and said, “Won’t you accept the money, then?” “No,” said Mack. “You can hand it over to the authorities.” Rolandsen stood there still. Nothing of a lion now; properly speaking, he had made a big mistake, and might be put in prison. Well and good! And when Mack looked at him inquiringly, as if to ask what he might be standing there for, he answered, “I’m waiting to be locked up.” “Here?” Mack looked at him in astonishment. “No, you can go along home and get ready.” “Thanks. I’ve some telegrams to send off.” Mack turned gentler all at once. After all, he was not a savage. “I’ll give you to-day and to-morrow to get ready,” he said. Rolandsen bowed, and went out. Elise was still standing outside; he passed by her this time without a sign. What was lost was lost; there was no helping it now. But Elise called to him softly, and he stopped, stood gazing at her, shaken and confused in his surprise. “I--I was only going to say ... it’s nothing serious, is it?” Rolandsen could make nothing of this; could not understand why she had suddenly chosen to speak to him at all. “I’ve got leave to go home,” he said. “To send off some telegrams.” She came up close to him, her breast heaving; she looked round, as if in fear of something. Then she said: “Father was angry, I suppose. But it’ll soon pass off, I’m sure.” Rolandsen was offended; had he himself no right in the case? “Your father can do as he pleases,” he said. Ho, so that was his tone! But Elise breathed heavily as before, and said, “Why do you look at me like that? Don’t you know me again?” Grace and kindliness without end. Rolandsen answered, “As to knowing again or not, that’s as folk themselves will have it.” Pause. Then said Elise at last, “But surely you can see, after what you’ve done ... still, it’s worst for yourself.” “Good! Let it be worst for myself then. I’m not going to be called to account by all and sundry--I won’t stand it. Your father can have me locked up if he likes.” She turned without a word and left him.... * * * * * Rolandsen waited for two days--waited for three, but there came none to the organ-blower’s house to arrest him. He was in dire excitement. He had written out his telegrams, ready to send off the moment he was arrested; he would accept the highest bid for his invention, and sell the patent. Meantime, he was not idle; he kept the foreign firms busy with negotiations about this and that, such as purchase of the falls above Mack’s factory, and guarantees of transport facilities. All these matters were left in his hands for the present.