Evening star., 1932-04-03
INSTALLMENT Xxx.

the corridor. If May got Martin, then
she, Carla, would go for two years to
England. She had quite decided that
People didn't die of a broken heart.
Certainly not. But neither did they sit
by and watch others eat beefsteaK
while they themselves were starving.
1t was nearly half-past when Mar
/ tin came to the end of his discourse.
He was in a perSpiration by that time
His forehead, his neck, and even the
backs of his hands were moist. May
was still standing by the door, as alert
and untirahle as a. p1lardsman. Tat
was smoking his third cigar. He paused
for reflection when Martin came 10
an end.
My dear He'll" he said then. with
his most buSineSslike air, L understand
nothing of these matters. 1t may be
good thing or it may be moonshlne
You may be telling me the truth or
you may not. You may be right or
you may be wrong. In any case, one
can't inhabit castles in the air. But
I'll make you an offer. Give me your
plans and I will see what there is IN
them and what can be made OF them
In the first place, it must go to the
patent Office. Then we shall know
more about it,
That's all been done" said Martin,
not without pride. That's what I'm
waiting for The whole thing turns on
that. I've got man seeing to II.
"A man? Who?"
"a patent agent. It's all in his hanoS.
He will soon fix it up
IAN in his hands? What do you
mean by alp"
'The whole thing The invention and
the figures and all the rest of 1t. ,
"I see. But YOU have kept copies OF
everything. 1 hope?" , =
Eyes, of course But what should
need copies for? It's all in my head.
said Martin unsuspectingly. May at
the door, made a movement. Herl
Lyssenhop suppressed an exclamation.
Did your Prof. Moller or Muller Seno
you to this patent agent?" he asked
"Oh, no! The agents Moller recon-
mended all required money in advance
they were all big pots, far too expensive
for a man in my position. My fellow Is
a Young man, not much older than am
myself. A very decent fellow and very
enterprising. He'll soon put II
through"
Il see. And what is the latest news
from him?"
"The latest? Well, you know. that's
some time ago The last thing he wrote
was that must have patience and that
they were very slow at the patent ONCE
Then he went to America, and l nave
heard nothing for some time. But ne
is very enterprising-
so it seems. Do you know the man
we'll? Was he recommended to you?
II know him well, of course. he
often came to the little cafe near the
technical institute. used to play oil,
liards with him. And SO I told him all
I1nW to
take the matter in hand. A friend OF
mine. Hopfner of the Austria s. and II.
Club, introduced me to him"
Herr LysSenhop could hardly belleVe
his ears. Has this agent proper
office?" he asked weakly.
"Yes-that is, not for the moment.
He's SO often travelling. He Is very en-
terprising. He went to America,
and"
Herr Lyssenhop's eyes went blood
shot. whats his name?' he asked IN
weak voice.
Meyer" answered Martin.
No sooner had this sleek and uol-
uuitous surname been uttered by Mar
tin than Herr Lyssenhop exploded. He
flushed SO dark red that 1t was pain
ful to see him. He seemed TO dllate.
He coughed and struggled for breath.
Sir" he shouted sir, are you a con-
genital idiot? Do you mean-do you
dare to offer me full-blown idiot as
son-in-law? He makes an invention!
He has a trump card in his hand! Ano
then he goes to a swindler, an 1mposter,
Herr Meyer whom he picks up in
| cafe, and gives the whole show away!
What were you thinking of, sir? How
long have you been waiting to hear
from your Herr Meyer? So he is in
America. is he? And he doesn't write,
I dare say. And he hasn't an office.
And do you suppise for one moment
that this-this Herr Meyer will ever
turn UP again with your non-inham-
mable film? That's enough. May,
have had enough of the man. There Is
no object in getting exasperated over
his idiocy That's enough :"
Martin, who was not acquainted with
Herr Lyssenhops apoplectic disposition,
felt that he was confronted by an
earthquake, a volcanic eruption, or
cosmic catastrophe. May, who was
more Injured to such outbreaks, said
gently: But listen, Tat
NO, I'll not listen,'' Tat ragged. i
will not listen. have heard enough. A
swimming instructor. That's all very
well. No money, torn shoes, pennilesS,
and out of a job-very well. Anything
may happen. He might get on. 1t Is
not hopeless. But, May stupidity is
hopeless Stupidity is absolutely and
entirely hopeless. You've done for your
self, Herr He'll, with your Meyer. For
me that's final A penniless man might
have my daughter if there was nothing
else for it. But an idiot-never. Ring
for Eggenhofer to take this trunk. Not
another word You'll hold your tongue,
May, if you please
May held her tongue. She knew her
Tat. But Martin, who was wounded to
1ne quick, not by the rudeness to him
self. but by the tone in which May had
been spoken to, could not hold his
tsSigue.
"aerr Lyssenhop," he said, you're in
a bad humor You have every reason
to be. You have been taken in by a
swindler merely because he came the
count over you, and so now you're in
temper with everything and trust no.
body. 1 am not man of the world
and am not business men. But I
have my wits about me even though
YOU take me for an idiot. AS soon as
I set eyes on the count I said: That
mans a swine I said it to Anikuschka
straight off. And I say of Meyer-he's
an honest man. We shall see who's
right"
I'VE shall see nothing of the kind"
shouted Herr Lyssenhop, reused to the
highest pitch of excitement and touched
in a tender spot by the mention of
Anikuschka. I'VE shall see nothing at
all. I wish to hear no more Of you.
forbid you, May, do you hear me, to
have any more to do with him. Call
me what you like the day you see Herr
Never again. You can have May and
my whole business if he ever shows
himself again with your film. Enough.
Eggenhofer, take this trunk down. Hold
your tongue, May. Not word. There
have been nothing but vexations in this
cursed Frauensee, and this is the
last one Is it raining still? OF
course. E"
These were the last words Martin
heard Herr LysSenhop say. The rest
came only in confused rumble from
the stairs. Herr Lyssenhop, with one