“A million, indeed! You are dreaming, gentlemen. The fact of the matter is that my company has been on the track of ammonium for years now, and we are just at the point of solving the problem. Unfortunately you beat us by a week or so, and so I wish to buy up your patent in order to save my company a great deal of annoyance. You realize, of course, that if you refuse my price, I could just go ahead and manufacture the metal, using my own process.” “We’ll sue if you do,” said Taylor. “Have you got the money for a long, protracted--and expensive--lawsuit?” Bankhead smiled nastily. “I have, you know. To prove, however, that I am not unreasonable, I will make the price two thousand.” “You’ve heard our price,” answered Taylor stonily, “and we have nothing further to say.” “All right, gentlemen,” Bankhead walked towards the door, “think it over. You’ll see it my way, I’m sure.” He opened the door and revealed the symmetrical form of Peter Q. Hornswoggle bent in rapt concentration at the keyhole. Bankhead sneered audibly and the ex-Congressman jumped to his feet in consternation, bowing rapidly two or three times, for want of anything better to do. The financier passed by disdainfully and Hornswoggle entered, slammed the door behind him, and faced the two bewildered friends. “That man, my dear sirs, is a malefactor of great wealth, an economic royalist. He is the type of predatory interest that is the ruination of this country. You did quite right in refusing his offer.” He placed his hand on his ample chest and smiled at them benignantly. “Who the devil are you?” rasped Taylor, suddenly recovering from his initial surprise. “I?” Hornswoggle was taken aback. “Why--er--I am Peter Quintus Hornswoggle. Surely, you know me. I was in the House of Representatives last year.” “Never heard of you. What do you want?” “Why, bless me! I read in the papers of your wonderful discovery and have come to place my services at your feet.” “What services?” “Well, after all, you two are not men of the world. With your new invention, you are prey for every self-seeking unscrupulous person that comes along--like Bankhead, for instance. Now, a practical man of affairs, such as I, one with experience of the world, would be of inestimable use to you. I could handle your affairs, attend to details, see that--” “All for nothing, of course, eh?” Taylor asked, sardonically. Hornswoggle coughed convulsively. “Well, naturally, I thought that a small interest in your discovery might fittingly be assigned to me.” Sills, who had remained silent during all this, rose to his feet suddenly. “Get out of here! Did you hear me? Get out, before I call the police.” “Now, Professor Sills, pray don’t get excited,” Hornswoggle retreated uneasily towards the door which Taylor held open for him. He passed out still protesting, and swore softly to himself when the door slammed in his face.