“Your request is unusual,” I said, in order to decline gracefully, for something about the fellow was strangely appealing. “We are not a passenger ship, but a slow freighter, and we are bound for a long voyage around the Horn.” “Time does not greatly matter,” he murmured. “Only one thing really matters at all.” “And that?” “The expense.” We stared at him, somewhat perplexed. “Permit me to explain,” he went on, still gazing at me alone with his beseeching eyes. “I have invented an automobile—not strictly an automobile, it is true; but for want of a better name I will call it that. I have been years experimenting and building it, for it is all the work of my own hands and the child of my exclusive brain. It is now just finished—complete in every part—but I find that I have exhausted nearly every available dollar of my money. In other words, sir, my machine has bankrupted me.” He paused, and catching a wink from Mr. Harlan I said in an amused tone: “That is an old story, sir.” “You doubt it?” “No; I mean that it is quite natural.” “Perhaps,” he replied. “You see I had not thought of money; merely of success. But now that at last I have succeeded, I find that I have need of money. My only relative is a rich uncle living at Pasadena, California, who is so eccentric in his disposition that were I to appeal to him for money he would promptly refuse.” “Most rich men have that same eccentricity,” I observed. “But he is quite a genius commercially, and if he saw my machine I am confident he would freely furnish the money I require to erect a manufactory and promote its sale. I assure you, gentlemen,” looking vaguely around, “that my machine is remarkable, and an original invention.” We nodded. There was no object in disputing such a modest statement. “So I wish to get myself and my automobile to Los Angeles, and at the least possible expense. The railroads demand a large sum for freight and fare, and I have not so much money to pay. By accident I learned that your ship is going to the very port I long to reach, and so I hastened to appeal to you to take me. I have only two hundred dollars in my possession—the last, I grieve to say, of my ample inheritance. If you will carry us for that sum to your destination, I shall indeed be grateful for the kindness.” Really, I began to feel sorry for the poor fellow. “But,” said I, “I cannot possibly take you. We sail this afternoon and the hatches are all closed and battened down for the voyage.” “I do not wish the machine put in the hold,” he answered, with strange eagerness. “All I ask is a spot in which to place it on the deck—anywhere that will be out of your way. I will make it secure, myself, and take every care of it, so that it will cause you no trouble at all.” “I’m afraid you could not get it to the ship in time.” “It is already loaded upon a flat-boat, which will take it to the _Gladys H._ in an hour, once I have your permission.” I looked at him in astonishment.