“Was it much of a position, Ben, with the knowledge in my mind all the time that I was being robbed by that man? I haven’t said much, Ben, but I have been thinking a good deal since you told me about the threat that Dave Shallock made.”
“I am glad of it, father.”
“Then do not worry about my prompt action. I had intended to make a last demand on Saxton for my rights in those patents.”
“It would have been no use,” declared Ben rather gloomily.
“I realized that, too. His behavior just now has only hastened my decision. Do you think any self-respecting man could remain in Saxton’s employ after his accusations?”
“But you are no thief, father.”
“No one knows that better than Saxton. He was trying to bluff and frighten me. My record is open to the world, so his threats fall harmless. To think of his ingratitude after you saved his plant from destruction!”
“I believe that Tom Shallock has some hold on Saxton,” said Ben. “Maybe they are in a plot together to get you into trouble. Perhaps Saxton thinks if he can discredit you, it will help in denying that you had any claim on those automobile patents.”
“It is unfortunate that I lost that memorandum that he gave me. That would prove my right to half the patents.”
“You mean stolen from you,” declared Ben, and he recalled the conversation he had overheard between Tom Shallock and the stranger who had outdistanced him in the light gig. “Father, you remember that man I told you about who demanded money he had loaned to Tom Shallock?”