Eva practised all those little kindnesses which are known only to women, and tears were in her eyes as she stroked his poor gray head.
How terrible was it that, after all they had attempted, all that they had suffered, they should still stand defeated in their aim to get the antidote that would cure her father's malady. However, the brave girl was not one to admit herself beaten, and even as she sat there she was planning new ways to discover who were her terrible adversaries and to bring defeat to them.
At Brent Rock the next morning an aged inventor named Winters arrived before Locke was down-stairs, and was shown into the library to wait.
Locke soon descended from the laboratory and went into the room to meet him. But Winters was so agitated that at first he could hardly speak. It was some moments before he gained control.
"What can I do for you, sir?" inquired Locke, although he knew the man must be one wronged by the patents company.
"One of my inventions was returned to me, when I protested once," the man replied, "but nothing has been done about two others."
"Please try to have a little further patience," pleaded Locke. "Everything is being done to assure justice to all."
"But, Mr. Locke," the man persisted, "I must insist on the return or the immediate marketing of the two inventions now in the possession of International Patents or I will—"
He paused, for Eva had entered and was overhearing what Winters was demanding.
"I am sure that, as my father returned one of your inventions," she interrupted, "he would wish me to return the other two, and I shall do so at once. Mr. Locke, will you be so kind as to get them?"