"In that case, there is no chance for me to buy this apparatus from you?"
"No, I do not think there is."
Mazarin turned away, and Frank saw he was thoroughly angered.
Again Merry made an attempt to pacify the man and engage him to travel as an assistant, but it was fruitless.
"Go ahead!" cried the man. "I can't wish you good luck, and I do not believe you will have any, for you will be forced to engage another assistant. You have our ideas away up by your success to-night, but you will not duplicate it. I feel certain of that."
He was going away.
"Wait," said Frank. "I have not paid you for your aid to-night."
"And I will not take anything."
Mazarin departed.