Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1908-04-09
CHAPTER v.
The Biggest Trade Secret.

Nurse Joyce IiStened-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-
umphant1y 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.
ct is perfect. Tom-perfect," she
heard him say, in a glad, eager, inter
ested voice. I've tried it by every
test: it stands them all. You've hit
on the right thing, not a 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 Won get the idea?"
Sir John paused, and at once the
silence in the room seemed something
extraordinary and tremendous.
ut has taken you two years Of ex-
pertinent. Tom?" he resumed, as if
replying to a statement made by his
invisible companion whats that,
now you've got it? Nothing-just
nothing at all. And you never gave
me a hint of what you were doing,
you sly dog! 49,.
You did! Well, have forgotten-
you were 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, Ell"
There was keen anxiety in the last
sentence, and then came another stop
In the flow of words.
"You will keep it to yourself, TOm?"
he continued. in a tone Of protest.
"You will not let me have a 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 Christabels feel
ing that she was listening to one side
of an actual conversation increased.
Eve will keep it a secret. Tom, be-
tween ourselves" said Sir John; no
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. a trade secret; that's the
way to do it, Tom! What? You say
that it is difficult to keep trade Sc
cret a 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
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 if
Z waiting for a reply. There had been
such urgency in his manner of talking,
such intense excitement, that Chrlsta-
bel, deeply interested, was sensible OF
a profound illusion. She, too, waited
for that reply.
You won't. Tom?" protested Sir
John. his voice rising, after mo-
ments silence. Don't say that.
Yes. it is true, you alone discovered
It. Tom: but-our old agreement.
Partners. Tom, partners-share and
share alike"
Sir Johns eyes seemed to be start
ing out of his head. a faint touch OF
color had come into his parchment
cheeks: his breathing was quick; hur-
ried '0ud Christabel tried to calm
him. to give him a soothing draught,
but the medicine drDbled out OF his
meath; he was like machine wound
mn and that could not be stopped. Her
ATTEMPT to quiet him appeared to do
no more than fiji up pause in that
strange. cerie conversation.
"YOu won't? he went on again but
in still stronger voice. rs that your
last word, Tom?"
The question was put III anger, and
sir John seemed t. hold his breath
for an instant or two with an effort
that was visible on his face. And
then his tones fell to a whisper. yet it
was not so low or SO indistinct but
that every word was audible to
Christabel
There, he's over" he said; that S
his body striking the pavement! What
have I done? He's dead-Ive killed
him. It's murder murder! But the
secret is mine now, and mine alone.
AS Sir John spoke perspiratlon
+rickIed out from under the bandage
with which his forehead was swathed,
and he became silent for short time
His words had had such truth IN
them and such vividness, and express
ed so much of reality, that Chrlstabel
ouiyered with sympathy thinking how
this poor, tortured brain was SuHer
ing.