"I have thought of that. Once I did borrow a pistol and go in search of him; but when we met I could not bear to think of the terrible thing I had contemplated, and he never knew how near to death he was."
"It is not my way. At least, had you tried, you might have frightened him into giving you something."
"Had I tried that, it would have cost me my liberty. I am sure he would have lodged me in prison."
"Perhaps so," muttered Felipe. "You're a simple old fool, and you wouldn't know how to work it."
"What did you say?" asked the old man, who had seen the boy's lips move, but apparently had not understood his words.
"This Guilford must be a very wicked man. Your suit against him was useless?"
"The verdict favored him, but I appealed. In the end I shall win. My lawyer has told me so. He may appear to-day, or to-morrow, or the next day, and inform me that I have won. I am looking for him any time."
"And he'll never come," muttered the boy.
"I shall not stay here long," asserted the old inventor. "My room is very poor, but when I think that it is only for a short time that I must occupy it, then I am contented. I had a room in another place, where it cost a great deal more: but I decided to move and economize while waiting for my rights."
Felipe wondered how the old man existed, deciding at once that he must pick up a meagre living by begging.