The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-02-03

hesitated. with NE inerauicapie seuse
of fairness and square dealing. MAX
ing gas from crude oil ought to-
Duncan never heard the end OF that
speech For some moments he nad
been listening intently. trying 10 reeol-
lect something. The name or Burn-
ham plucked string on the instru-
ment OF his memory. He knew he
had heard IL some place. some time In
the past, but how or when or In re-
spect to what he could not make up
his mind II had required Sans ref
erence to gas and crude oil to close
the circuit Then he remembered Kel-
logg had mentioned man by the
name of Burnham who was ION the
track or an important invention for
making gas from crude oil. This must
be the man Burnham. the tracker. and
poor old Graham must be the tracked.
without warning Duncan ran round
and made himself an unlimited third
to the conference. ~
"Mr. Graham. one moment he beg
ged, excited. SIS this patent Of yours
on process Of making gas from crude
oilY
Burnham looked up impatiently.
frowning at the interruption. but Ora
ham was all good humor.
"Why, yes" he started to explain;
''it's that burner over there that
"But ! wouldn't sell 1t just yet II I
were you" said Nat at may be
worth good deal"-
Now. look hereI'' Burnham got to
his feet In anger. what business
have you got butting into this2" he
demanded. putting himself between
Duncan and the inventor.
"MeY Duncan queried simply.
"Only just because I'm business.
man. If you don't believe it ask Mr..
Graham"
He's got perfect right to advise
me, Mr. Burnham." interposed Ora
ham, rising.
"Wel. but-but what objection we
you got TO his making little money
out of this patent?' Burnham blus-
tered
None. only | want to look into the
matter first. think it might be-ah-
advisable"
What makes you think SOP" de-
manded Burnham, his tone whitening.
We'll" said Nat. with an effort sum-
moning his faculties to cope with a
matter of strict business. its this
way I've got an idea" he said. polk
ing at Burnham with the forefnger
which had proved SO effective with
Pete Willing that you wouldn't offer
500 iron men for this burner unless
you expected to make something big
out of it. and it ought to be worth
just as much to Mr.. Graham as to
you"
"Ah, you don't know what you're
talking about"
II know that" Nat admitted simply,
"but l do happen to know you're pro-
noting a scheme for making gas from
crude oil. and If Mr.. Graham will lis
ten to me you won't get his patent I'M
til I've consulted my friend Henry
Kellogg"
kellogg"
Eyes. You know-of L. J. Bartlett &
Co." Mats forefinger continued to do
deadly work. Burnham backed away
from it as from a fiery brand.
"Oh. WELL" he said. dashed, IF you're
representing Kellogg"-and Nat took
care not to refute the implication-"I
Il don't want to interfere. Only" he
pursued at random in his discontinue.
81 can't see why he sent you here"
I'D be ashamed TO tell you" Nat re-
turned with an open smile Better
ask him."
Bur,iham gathered his wits together
for final threat. That's what will
dor he threatened And ri do II
the minute l can see him. You can
bet on that. Mr.. ats-your-namer'
mo. | can't" said Nat naively. I'm
not allowed to gamble"
His ingenious expression exasperat-
ed Burnham. The man lost control of
his temper at the same moment that,
he acknowledged to himself his de-
feat In disgust he turned away.
"Oh. there's no use talking to you"-
That's right" Nat agreed fairly.
"But I'll see you again. Mr.. Gra-
ham,
mot alone, II I can help 1t, Mr..
Duncan amended sweetly.
But" Burnham continued, severely
ignoring Nat and addressing himself
squarely to Graham, you take my tip
and don't do any business with this
fellow until you find out who he is"
He flung himself out of the shop with
a barked Good dayr
well. Mr. Graham?" Duncan turned
little apprehensively to the inventor.
Margaret used to talk that way
he remarked. "She was
the best woman In the world-and the
wisest She used to take care Of me
and protect me from my foolish i'm
pulses. just as you do. my boy"
For space Duncan kept silent. re-
speeding the old mans memories and
a great deal humbled In spirit by the
parallel Sam had drawn. Then. II was
afraid what said would sound queer
to you. SIR" he ventured-"that you
mightn't understand that I'm not here
to do you out of your invention"