"I'm afraid that we can't settle that amount in one afternoon."
"That's all right," said Barden. "Get me twenty-five thousand as an option. Then take ten days to build one or to investigate all you want to. If it does not perform, I'll return your money. If it does perform, five million goes."
"Contingent upon Dr. Grosse's findings," said Weston. "And providing that you give me your original equipment in order to save some time in making the initial investigations. I'll have the option agreement and a certified check in this office tomorrow morning."
Barden smiled. "I know what the evacuator will do. I'll be back tomorrow with the original machine!"
Barden's original was an un-neat bit of coils and conducting rods and it looked out of place in Weston's office. But the chief engineer did not mind. He was gloating over the analysis, and checking the report made by one of the mathematical physicists on the theory of the operation of the evacuator. Both were more than satisfactory.
"You're in, Barden," chuckled Weston as he countersigned the option agreement. "Now what do we do?"
"Me?" said Barden. "I'm going to rent me a large empty plant somewhere and start ordering equipment. I may even be back with a couple of other little gadgets later."
"If they're as good as this looks right now, they'll be welcome."
"I'll remember that," said Barden.