The Sentinel=record., 1911-12-31

oha thnOS hthiotiA dh hntuftttu tHlFu to the conference.
 Mir. Graham. one momentg' he beg ged. excited "Is this patent of yours on a process of making gas from crude oilY
 Burnham looked up inpatiently. drowning at the interruption. but Ora ham was all good humor
 Why. yes" he started to explain: its that burner over there that''--
 But wouldn't sell it just yet if were you" said Nat "lt may be worth a good deal"--
 Now. look herer' Burnham got to bis feet in anger. What business have you got putting into this?" he demanded. putting himself between Duncan and the inventor.
 "AIeT" Duncan queried simply. "Only just because I'm business man. If you don't believe it ask Mir. Graham"
 He's got perfect right to advise me, Mir. Byrnham." interposed Ora ham. rising.
 Well but-but what objection we you got to his making little money out of this patent?" Burnham blus- tered
 None. only I want to look into the matter first. think 1t might be--ah-- advisable"
 What makes you think 50" de manded Burnham. his tone whitening
 We'll said Nat. with an effort sum moning his faculties to cope with matter of strict business. tits this way. I've got an idea he said. polk ing at Burnham with shc ferefnger 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 MT Graham as to you"
 "Ah. you don't know what you're talking about"
 ''l know that" Nat admitted simply, but 1 do happen to know you're pro noting a scheme for making gas from crude oil, and if Mr Graham will lis
 
 ten to tae you won't get his patent un. til I've consulted my friend Henry Kellogg"
 ''Kellogg!''
 ''Yes. You know-of L. ]. Bartlett & Co" Nat's forefnger continued to do deadly work Burnham backed away from 1t as from fery brand
 ta s1 1tf. representing Kellogg Nat took care not to refute the impllcation--'I II dont want to interfere. Only" he pursued at random in his discontinue. q can't see why he sent ycu here"
 "I'd he ashamed to tell you" Nat re turned with an open smile. "Bettel ask him
 Burnham gathered his wits together for a final threat That's what I will dor he threatened. And I'll do 1t the minute l can see him. iou can bet on that. Mir What's your-namel"
 No. l can't" said Nat naively. I'm not allowed to gamble
 His ingenious expression exasperat- cd Burnham. The mel 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" Nal agreed fairly.
 But I'll see you again. Mir. Ora. ham,
 Not alone. if can help 1t, Mir Burnham." Duncan amended swcetly.
 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 be is." He flung himself out of the shop with parked Good dayi'
 Well. Mir. Ora ham?" Duncan turned a little apprehensively to the inventor.
 Margaret used to talk that way sometimes" he remarked. "She was the best woman in the world-and the wisesL She used to take care of me and protect me from my foolish im- 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. '1 was afraid what I 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"
 There's nothing on earth. my boy" --Graham's hand fell on Nats arm that could make me think that But $500, you see. would have repaid you for taking up that note and-T could have bought Betty new dress for the party. But I'm sure you've done what's best You're a business man.
 .Don'tp' Nat pleaded wildly. i've been called that so much of late that it's beginning to hnrtw
 The old man turned away sadly. lighted a candle and went down into the cobwebby cellar to patch bro ken window
 CHAPTER XIV.