"I do not offer any apologies for this missive as I do not consider that it calls for any. My offer is purely a business one and I make it partly on my own account as well as yours. If the patent turns out a success we would both benefit by it. I am confident, as I say, that I can serve your interests better than any mere stranger. I am here on the ground, I am familiar with the patent laws and I believe I can make good terms with a man like Halstead. If you decide to accept my offer, write me at once, giving me authority to act for you. The sooner the better, for I believe Halstead is going to make you an offer if he has not already done so. But he does not know that anyone knows what he really thinks of the value of your work and he will do what they all do, try to get your patent for the lowest possible figure. "My address is 427 H Street East. "ADOLPH BAUER." When Felix had finished reading, there was a moment of silence. Then Walter said, to give Bauer time to let him into his confidence if he chose: "Has this man Halstead corresponded with you yet?" "No, I have had no letters from him." "You probably will hear from him soon, then?" "Why, yes, if what he says is true?" Bauer all through this talk with Walter never mentioned his father's name directly but spoke of him using the personal pronoun. "What do you suppose the patent is worth?" "I have no imagination about it. But say, Walter, what do you think I ought to do about this letter?" "I don't know. You have never told me----" Walter began slowly. "I know, of course you can't advise me unless I tell you more. He--well, he deserted mother. She was involved in some similar disgrace. From all I could learn while in Washington that time I went, he turned over all his property to her. That was the only redeeming thing abut the wretched business. But at any rate he has been obliged to go back to his old law business. He is very capable. Brilliant. My mother--I can't talk of her." Poor Bauer put his face in his hands. Walter was silent. What could anyone say? After a little, Walter said gently, "Why do you hesitate about accepting your father's offer?" "I don't wish to be under any obligations to him." "But he makes you a purely business proposition. Can't you trust him to handle it?" "Oh, I suppose so, I never knew of his being dishonest. And you know the old proverb: 'Wer lugt, der stiehlt auch'; 'show me a liar and I'll show you a thief.' His faults were always of a different sort. But you can see how I would naturally hesitate to correspond with him or have any dealings with him." "I think you are wrong about that," said Walter positively. "This is a purely business affair. You ought to treat it as such. He can handle the matter for you, being on the ground, far better than you can do it through correspondence at this distance." "Do you think so?"