"Do you, indeed?" Burnham's tone indicated failing interest, but such diplomacy was lost on Sam. "If you've got time, I could show you; it's right over here." A glance at his watch accompanied Burnham's consent to spare a few minutes. "There's a telegram I must send presently," he said. "But I'd like to see this burner, if it won't take long." "No, not long; just a minute or two." Sam was already dragging the affair out from under the window box. "You see..." He went on to expound its virtues with all the fond enthusiasm of a father showing off his firstborn, and wound up with a demonstration of the illuminating appliance. I'm afraid, though, he got little encouragement from Mr. Burnham. He considered the machine with a dispassionate air, it's true, and admitted its practical advantages, but wasn't at all disposed to take a roseate view of its future. "Yes," he grudged, when Sam put a match to the jet, "that's certainly a very good light." "All right, ain't it?" chimed Roland, enthusiastic. "Oh, it may amount to something. It's hard to tell. Of course you know, sir," he continued, addressing Graham directly, "you've got competition to overcome." Sam's old fingers trembled to his chin. "No-o," he said, "I didn't know that. I've got the patent----" "Of course that's something. But the Consolidated Petroleum crowd has another machine, slightly different, which does the same work, and, I should say, does it better." "Is--is that so?" quavered Sam. "My patent----." "Now see here, Mr. Graham," Burnham argued, "we're practical men, both of us----" "No; I shouldn't say that about myself," Sam interrupted. "Now you, sir----I can see you're a man who understands such things. But I----" "Nevertheless, you must know that a patent isn't everything. You said a moment ago a man had to have money to make anything out of his inventions." "Did I?" Sam interjected, surprised. "Certainly you did; and dead right you are. A patent's all very well, but supposing you're up against a powerful competitor like the Consolidated Petroleum Company. They've got a patent, too. Granted it may be an infringement of yours even--what can you do against them." "Why, if it's an infringement----" "Sue, of course. But do you suppose they're going to lie down just because an unknown and penniless inventor sues them? Bless you, no! They'll fight to the last ditch, they'll engage the best legal talent in the country. You'll have to carry the case to the Supreme Court of the United States if you want a winning decision. And that's going to cost you thousands--hundreds of thou-sands--a million----" "Never mind; a thousand's enough," said Sam gently. "I see what you mean, sir. It's just another case where I've got no chance." "Oh, I wouldn't put it as strong as that------" "But I have no money." "Still, you never can tell. I'll think it over, if I get time." "Why, that's kind of you, sir, very kind."