Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-06-09

THE OLD MAN LIGHTED A CANDLE
hesitatcd. with his ineradicable sense
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 had
been listening intently. trying TO recol'
lect something. The name Of Burn
ham pluckcd a string on the instru'
ment of his memory. He knew he
nad heard it some place. some time In
the past. but how or when or In re-
Spect to what he could not make up
his mind. 1t had required Sans ref
erenre to gas and crude oil to close
the circuit Then he remembered. kel.
logg had mentioned a man by the
name of Burnham who was ION the
track Of an important invention for
making gas from crude oil. This must
be the man Bnrnhum. 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. us this patent of yours
on Il process of making gas from crude
oily" =
Rurnham looked up impatiently,
trowning at the interruption. but Ora
ram was all good humor.
why. yes" he started to explain;
its that burner over there that
Put | wouldn't sell 1t just yet If
were you" said Nat. 1t may be
worth Il good deal"-
Now. look hereT Burnham got to
his feet in anger. What business
have you got butting into this!" 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.
well. but-but what objection We
you got to his making a 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 so?" de-
manded Burnham. his tone whitening.
Well" 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" be said. pok-
ing at Rurnham with the forelinger
which had proved 50 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
lust 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 | do happen to know you're pro-
noting scheme for making gas from
crude oil, and if Mr.. Graham will lis
ten to me you won't get his patent un-
til I've consulted my friend Henry
Kellogg"
"Kellogg!"
Eyes. You know-of L. J. Bartlett &
Co" Mats forefnger continued to do
deadly work. Burnham backed away
: from it as from fiery brand.
"Oh, WE'LL" he said. dashed. "ff you're
representing Kellogg"-and Nat took
care not to refute the implication-"l
Il don't want to Interfere. Only, he
pursued ut random in his discontinue,
II can't see why he sent you here"
T'd be ashamed to tell you," Nat re-
turned with an open smile. Better
ask him" ~.
Rurnham gathered his wits together
for FINAL threat. 'cThat's what I will
do" he threatened. And III do II
he minute | can see him. You can
! on that, Mr. hat's-your-name!"
NO. can't" said Nat naively. "I'm
not allowed to gamble
His ingenious expression exasperat-
ed Burnhan. 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.. Ora
ham,
mot alone. If can help 1t, Mr..
Burnham." 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
barked Good dayw
"Well, Mr. Graham?" Duncan turned
little. apprehensively to the inventor