The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-06-02
XIV
We Two.

WV - "os
Mr.. Grimm turned from Penn
sylvania Avenue into a cross
street. walked along half a block
or so, climbed a short flight OF
stairs and entered an office.
us Mr.. Howard int" he quer-
led of boy in attendance.
Name. please"
Mr.. Grimm handed over a seal
ed envelope which bore the Off
cial imprint of the Department OF
War in the upper left hand cor
ner; and the boy disappeared in
to a room beyond. A moment lat
|er he emrged and held open the
door for Mr.. Grimm. A gentle.
man-Mr. Howard-rose from his
seat and stared at him as he
entered. ik1
"This note, Mr.. Grimm, is sur.
|prising," he remarked.
sit is only a request from the
secretary of war that / be permit
ted to meet the inventor of the
wireless percussion cap" Mr.
Grimm explained carelessly. "Tht
negotiations have reached a point
where the War Department mus
have one or two questions an
lswered' directly by the inventor
Simple enough, you see."
but it has been understood
and l have personally impressed
lit upon the secretary of war that
such a meeting is impossible" OBJ
|jected Mr.. Howard. "All negoti'
lations have been conducted
through me, and have, as attor
ney for the inventor, the right
to anwser any question that may
properly be answered. This nov
lis a request for personal inter
view with the inventor"
"The necessity for such an in
lterview has risen unexpectedly
because of a pressing need o
either closing the deal or allowing
lit to drop" Mr.. Grimm stated. q
may add that the success OF tn
dcal depends entirely on this IN
tcrview."
Mr.. howard was leaning for
ward in his chair with wr4nk"t
b, ow intently studying the callI
face of the young man. limo
cent himself of all the intrigue
land International chicanery bacl
of the affair, representing only al
individual in these secret negotia
tons, he saw in the statement, a.
Mr.. Grimm intended that h
should, the possible climax of |
lgreat business contract. Hi
Igreed was aroused; 1t might meal
hundreds of thousands of dollar
Ito him.
| do you think the deal can b
Imade?" he asked at last.
| 81 have no doubt there will b
some sort of q DEAL" replied MI
lGrimm. "As 1 say. however. it
absolutely dependent on an inter
view between the inventor an
myself at once-this afternoon.
| Mr.. Howard thoughtfulIy drum
lined on his desk for little whils
From the first, save in so far q
1.-THE patent rights were concerned
he had seen no reasons Tor tn
obligations of utter secrecy whic
had been enforced upon him. Pei
, lhaps, IL he laid it before the IL
lventor In this new light. with til
Ideal practically closed. the intel
, view would be possiblel
!, 81 have no choice In the ma
ter, Mr.. Grimm" he said at las
II shall have to put It to m
client, of course. Can you Civ
Ime, say. hair an hour to comms
Inicate with him?"
Certainly" said Mr.. Grim
-lrose obligingly. "shall / wait on
side here or call again?"
"You may wait II you don
mind" said Mr.. Howard. ''I'iisl
liable to let you konw in "a fe
minutes, I hope
Mr.. Grimm bowed and passe
out. At the end of twenty-fiv
minutes the door OF Mr.. Howard
private office opened and ne a
lpeared. His face was Violent
red. evidently from anger. an
perapiration stood on his forehea'
Il can't do anything with him,
The declared savageiy. He sa,
'lsimply that negotiafIons must /