“I’ve been figuring this thing out, and I want to make you an offer. I have made out a rough agreement for you to sign unless, of course, you want to consult a lawyer.” “I’ll say not, sir,” said David decidedly. “Here’s my idea, then. See how you like it. You will take the invention and enter it in the school contest, but with ‘patents pending’ all over it. The prize money to be yours. But before that—now, in fact, I will buy a half interest in it. I bought back Cram’s shares in the Moonbeam, you know, and I will make over those shares to you, in payment. As for the royalties, we will go fifty-fifty. One other matter—” he hesitated. “I’d like to share in this in another way, David. It’s sort of kiddish, perhaps, but I’d like to see my name—I’d like to announce it as the Ellison-Hammond Accelerator.” David took a deep breath. “Hammond-Ellison, and you are too generous, sir.” He held out his hand, and they shook solemnly. “Good!” said Mr. Hammond. He laughed and pointed to the paper. “Sign on the dotted line,” he quoted, “but think it over first. And now let’s see if Ryan has juggled us up any faster.” The Moonbeam was holding steadily at one hundred and ten, and David wanted to talk to Red. Search discovered him in his quarters, playing with the kitten. He jumped up, letting Trouble slide down his leg. “Anything up?” he demanded. “Nothing at all. That is, there’s a lot,” David stuttered. Red took a step toward the door. “Oh, cool off, the ship’s all right. Sit down.” David repeated his conversation with Mr. Hammond, and added, “Now, Red, old dear, that goes. But with one big IF. If you and I go fifty-fifty on the prize money, and fifty-fifty on my share of the royalties. If you will agree to that I will make the deal with the commander.” “No,” said Red promptly. “Yes,” said David. “No, I tell you! What an idea! He invents a wonderful contraption. It’s a great success; so he hands out half the royalties to somebody, mind you,” Red declared scornfully, “who has just stood around and admired.” “You have helped me all along,” declared David. “I couldn’t have done half so well without you. Honest, Red, you have got to do it.” “God bless you for a generous imbecile, but I won’t do it. Come on down, if you won’t let a poor working man get an hour’s sleep.” “You have got to go halves with me,” David persisted doggedly. “Say you will, and you can go to bed for a couple of hours.” “Then I sit up,” said Red. “Tell you what, David! Here’s what you can do, and it will mean a lot more than money to me. You can see to it that I get a job with you. I like you, boy, and we hit it off. Let’s stick together. Huh?” “Surest thing in the world! But the other goes, too.” “No,” said Red. “Oh Lord!” groaned David. Still arguing, they went down to the passenger gondola. Bellefontaine was below them, and it was half-past four.