"I have spent so much thought and labour over this model," said Hallett, "that, you must not be surprised at the jealousy with which I watch it." "Oh no," said Mr Jabez, who proceeded, snuff-box in hand, to examine carefully every point in the invention. "Well," said Hallett, at last, "do you think it will answer?" In place of replying, Mr Jabez went all over it again, his interest growing fast, and being, I was glad to see, evidently sincere. "I tell you what," he exclaimed at last, taking a tremendous pinch of snuff, "that thing would be splendid if you got it right." "You like it, then?" said Hallett. "Like it? I think it's grand. Why, man, it would make quite a revolution in the news business. You must get on--get it perfect." Mr Hallett shook his head. "It takes time and money," he said sadly. "It is slow work." "Yes, but--hang it all, sir! you should get help. With such an important thing in hand you should work on." "I do not know yet that it would answer," said Hallett sadly. "But it must answer, sir," said the old man sharply. "If that machine did not answer, it would not be the fault or the principle, but of some blunder in the mechanism." "Do you think so?" cried Hallett, whose eyes lighted up with pleasure. "No, sir: I am sure so," said the old man. "The principle is as grand as it is simple; and what I like in the invention is this--you have taken up a part of the trade where it is all hand-labour--all mechanical. You are not trying to do away with brainpower." "I am very glad you like my idea, Mr Rowle," said Hallett, proceeding to cover his model, which, when set in motion, ran easily and well. "I am delighted with it," said Mr Jabez, poking him in the chest with his snuff-box. "Now, then, go ahead, and have the thing made on a workable scale." "But I have not perfected it yet," replied Hallett. "Never mind; perfect it as you go on. You are sure to find some weak spots. If I were you, sir, I should set a good firm of engineers to work on that at once." Hallett smiled sadly. "You are proposing impossibilities, Mr Rowle. This has been one of my great troubles, sir: how I was to carry on my project when I had completed my model. During the past few days I have been thinking of trying to sell the idea for what it is worth." "What I and let some fellow without half an ounce of brains in his skull reap all the profit? Don't you do anything of the kind. There's a fortune in that contrivance, Mr Hallett. Sir, it is a great invention." "What would you do, then?" said Hallett, smiling. "Do, sir? I'd--I'd--" Mr Jabez paused, and took a pinch of snuff. "Do, sir, I'd--I'd--I'll tell you what I'd do. I'd take a partner who had money." Hallett shook his head sadly. "Who would advance money to such a dreamer as I am?" he said sadly. "Lots of people, as soon as they saw money in it." Hallett shook his head. "You take a very sanguine view of the matter, Mr Rowle."