He laid it down on Walter's bench and he and Bauer eagerly bent over it.
Almost the first glance revealed the fact that the lamp described in the paper was identical with their own and application for a patent had been made within ten days. The account of the discovery, moreover, made the date earlier than the discovery made by Walter.
"You see, don't you," said Anderson. "Gambrich has exactly the same device of metal teeth coupled to one electrode. It's an ingenious device and you fellows have certainly great credit for thinking it out almost simultaneously with Gambrich."
"According to this account, our lamp was made before Gambrich's. Does that give him priority of invention?" asked Walter eagerly.
Anderson shrugged his shoulders.
"Priority of manufacture does not legally cut any figure by the side of priority of invention. You might be able to prove that you had made the lamp before Gambrich made his, but that would not help you any if he invented his arrangement first, long before you made your lamp."
"Is that really strict justice?" said Bauer slowly.
"It is law," said Anderson grimly, "and you must remember that law and justice are not in every case synonymous. I'm sorry for you fellows. There's a lot of money in that invention for the manufacturers of the lamp, and considerable for the inventor if he knows how to make terms."
"Do you mean," asked Walter gloomily, "that really we have no right at all with what we have made?"
"Don't you see you haven't? What can you do? Ask any lawyer, if you don't believe me."