"Oh no," he replied: "that grew out of the idea. I was not satisfied then with my solid block of type, which might be used and then melted down again. It struck me, Antony, that it would be better if I made that solid block curved, so as to fit on a big cylinder, and let it go round instead of the paper. I could then print twice as many." "Ye-yes," I said, "but I hardly see it." "I will show you presently, my boy," he replied. "Well, I worked at that idea till I felt satisfied that I could carry it out, when a greater idea came." He paused and wiped his forehead, gazing now, though, out at the starry night, and speaking in a low earnest voice. "It seemed to me then, Antony, that I ought to do away with the simple, clumsy plan of making men or boys supply or lay-on paper, sheet by sheets as the machine was at work." "What could you do?" I said. "Ah, that was the question. I was thinking it over, when going through Saint Paul's Churchyard I saw in one of the draper's shops a basket of rolls of ribbon, and the thing was done." "How?" I asked. "By having the paper in a long roll, a thousand yards upon a reel, to be cut off sheet by sheet as it is printed between the cylinders." "But could you get paper made so long?" "To be sure," he said; "the paper-mills make it in long strips that are cut up in sheets as they are finished. In my machine they would be cut up only when printed. Now, what do you say?" "It's like trying to read Greek the first time, Mr Hallett," I said. "My head feels all in a muddle." "Out of which the light will come in time, my boy. But suppose I could make such a machine, Antony, what would you say then?" "It would be grand!" I exclaimed. "It would make a revolution in printing," he cried enthusiastically. "Well, will you help me, Antony?" he said, with a smile. "Help you! May I?" "Of course. I shall be glad; only, remember, it is our secret." "You may trust me," I said. "But it must be patented." "To be sure. All in good time." "It will make your fortune." "I hope so," he said dreamily, "For others' sake more than mine." "Yes," I cried; "and then you could have a nice place and a carriage for Mrs Hallett, and it would make her so much happier." "Yes," he said, with a sigh. "And you could be a gentleman again." He started, and a curious look came over his face; but it passed away directly, and I saw him shake his head before turning to me with a smile. "Antony," he said quietly, "suppose we build the machine, the castles in the air will build themselves. I tell you what; you shall work sometimes and help me to plan; but, as a rule, while I file and grind you shall read some Latin or German author, and you and I can improve ourselves as we go."