The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-04-10
CHAPTER v.
The Biggest Trade Secret.

Nurse Joyce listened-at first fas.
cinated and then aghast. She had
had to listen to the wandering speech
of men in delirium before. but never
had it been quite like this, which
scarcely resembled delirium. Sir John
did not seem to rave. but appeared to
be talking to some one with him; as
he went on his voice expressed sur
prise, entreaty. jealousy, resentment,
or excitement in a manner that was
eminently natural. And yet she was
we'll aware that he did not know what
he was saying. 1t was not the Sir
John Sisterson OF everyday life-the
man who had faced the world tri-
umphantly for so many years-who
was speaking: it was another Sir
John, as it were. whose brain had
sprung into some kind of abnormal
life apart from his body, which was
paralyzed and perfectly dead.
"It is perfect. Tom-perfect," she
heard him say. in glad. eager, inter
ested voice. I've tried it by every
test: it stands them all. You've hit
on the right thing, not doubt of it,
and it's wonderfully simple and cheap.
1t will make a revolution. Why did
no one ever think of it before? How
did you get the idea?''
Sir John paused, and at once the
silence in the room seemed something
extraordinary and tremendous.
1T has taken you two years of en-
pertinent. Tom?" he resumed. as if
replying 10 statement made by his
invisible companion. What's that.
now you've got it? Nothing-just
nothing at all. And you never gave
me hint of what you were doing,
you SLY dog! 80.
You did! Well. have forgotten--
you We're always trying to find out
things and never finding out anything
worth while. And now you've dis
covered this big thing. and your for
tunes in your hand. as you might say!
Our fortune. Tom eh?"
There was keen anxiety in the last
sentence, and then came another stop
in the flow of words.
You will keep ii to yourself. TOM"
he continued, in tone of protest
you will not let me have share
No! Are we not partners, old Tom
Share and share alike? Was not that
our bargain" You say this is differ
ent, and that you've found it out for
yourself. That's not like you. old fell
low. Come. give me a share, and let
us work it together
Sir Johns voice had grown very
firm and full. while Christabel's feel
ing that she was listening to one side
of an actual conversation increased.
We will keep it a secret, Tom. be,
tween ourselves" said Sir John: mo,
body shall know how the thing is
done Ell? You'll take out the patent
Well. do so if you like, but We'll not
put the important thing-the thing
into the specifications: we'll keep that
a secret, trade secret: that's the
way to do it. Tom What? You say
that it is difficult to keep a trade Sc
cret Il secret? Yes. but it can be
done; some trade secrets have been
kept for hundreds of years. And this
| will be the biggest trade secret OF
them all. Come. Tom. give me a
share-let me come in. Partners
Tom, partners-share and share alike
These were your own terms when we
began business in Wadsworth. Come
| TONI
Sir John ceased speaking, as i
waiting for reply. There had beer
such urgency in his manner of talking
such intense excitement, that Christa
bel. deeply interested. was sensible o
a profound illusion. She, too, waite'
for that reply.
You won't, Tonl?' protested ST
John, his voice rising, after mo
ment's silence. Don't say that.
Yes, it is true, you alone discovered
it, Tom; but-our old agreement
Partners, Tom, partners-share ant
share alike"
Sir Johns eyes seemed to be start
ing out of his head. A faint touch o
color had come into his parchment
cheeks: his breathing was quick, hui
ried, loud. Christabel tried TO cain
him. to give him soothing draught
but the medicine dribbled out of hi
mouth: he was like machine woun
up and that could not be stopped. He
attempt to quiet him appeared to d
no more than fill up a pause in tina
strange, eerie conversation.
You won't? he went on again. bl1
in still stronger voice. rs that you
last word, Tom?"
The question was put in anger, an
Sir John seemed to hold his breat
for an instant or two with an effOl
that was visible on his face. An
then his tones fell to whisper. yet
was not so low or so indistinct b,
that every word was audible
| Christabel.
There, he's over" he said; that
his body striking the pavement! VIII;
i have / done? He's dead-I've kille
him. It's murder, murder! But II