"The new process was undoubtedly the foundation of his success," answered the Interpreter, "but it was the man's peculiar genius that enabled him to recognize the real value of the process and to foresee how it would revolutionize the industry. And it was his ability as an organizer and manager, together with his capacity for hard work, that enabled him to realize his vision. It is easily probable that not one of his fellow workmen could have developed and made use of the discovery as he has."
Jake Vodell's black brows were raised with quickened interest. "This new process was a discovery then? It was not the result of research and experiment?"
The Interpreter seemed to answer reluctantly. "It was an accidental discovery, as many such things are."
The agitator must have noticed that the old basket maker did not wish to talk of Adam Ward's patented process, but he continued his questions.
"Peter Martin was working in the Mill at the time of this wonderful discovery, was he?"
"Yes."
"Oh! and Peter and Adam were friends, too?"
"Yes."
The Interpreter's guest shrugged his shoulders and scowled his righteous indignation. "And all these years that Adam Ward has been building up this Mill that grinds the bodies and souls of his fellow men into riches for himself and makes from the life blood of his employees the dollars that his son and daughter spend in wicked luxury—all these years his old friend Peter Martin has toiled for him exactly as the rest of his slaves have toiled. Bah! And still the priests and preachers make the people believe there is a God of Justice."
The Interpreter replied, slowly, "It may be after all, sir, that Peter
Martin is richer than Adam Ward."