"When you go into a room with a lamp," explained The Thinking Machine, "it lights the room. Does this thing do it? Can you see the floor or walls or anything by the light of the figure itself?"
"No," replied Hatch, positively.
"I'll go down with you to-morrow night," said the scientist, as if that were all.
"Thanks," replied Hatch, and he went away.
Next day about noon he called at Ernest Weston's office. The broker was in.
"Did you send down your man O'Heagan?" he asked.
"Yes," said the broker, and he was almost smiling.
"What happened?"
"He's outside. I'll let him tell you."
The broker went to the door and spoke to some one and O'Heagan entered. He was a big, blue-eyed Irishman, frankly freckled and red-headed--one of those men who look trouble in the face and are glad of it if the trouble can be reduced to a fighting basis. An everlasting smile was about his lips, only now it was a bit faded.